Editing Elises in Competition (section)

===FIA GT===

The most extreme derivative of the Elise was created for the FIA GT series.

Inspired by the success of the McLaren F1 and in response to the Porsche 911 GT1 and Mercedes CLK GTR, Lotus swapped the Esprit V8 for the Elise GT1, via GT1 Racing.  Julian Thompson, Richard Rackham and Russell Carr were heavily involved with this car, featuring a stretched version of the extruded aluminium chassis.  

A wider bodyshell housed at first a twin turbo V8 engine, derived from the Esprit.  A last-minute change in regulations favouring large capacity normally-aspirated units meant that the car was hastily refitted with a Corvette V8 lump, which was developed by Lotus Engineering.  Run by GT1 Racing for Jan Lammers and Mike Hezemans, there was also a Benetton-sponsored entry (plus a German team at domestic level), however poor results caused by lack of development and poor fuel consumption, followed by another change in the rules adding costs for engine development, spelt an end to the programme.