Lotus Elise GT1
A homologation special that should've been a legend. 580 hp, 1,100 kg, and a Chevy V8 crammed into a British chassis that barely contained it. This thing is pure chaos and I love every second of it.
Vehicle Specs
| Rating | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Speed | Cracks 220+ mph on the highway, legit one of the fastest in S1 |
| 9.3 | Handling | Turn-in is stupid sharp, feels like the car reads your mind mid-corner |
| 8.5 | Acceleration | Pins you back hard, the V8 pulls like a freight train from 3k rpm |
| 7.8 | Launch | Decent launch control but RWD means you'll spin if you just floor it |
| 8.8 | Braking | Race-spec brakes, never fade on me even after 10 hard laps |
| 2.0 | Off-Road | |
| 895 | PI (Stock) |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 9.3 handling is borderline broken, one of the best cornering cars in S1 fr
- Solid base platform, responds really well to tuning once you figure out what it wants
- Competitive right out of the box at S1, don't even need upgrades to win online
Cons
- PI 895 means you're up against some meta picks, gotta drive clean to beat them
- Off-road is a joke, stay on pavement or you're gonna have a bad time
Best Tuning Setup
Tuning setups vary by track, class, and driving style. For general guidance, see our Tuning Guide. For community-shared setups, check the Tuning Share Codes page. Specific tuning data for this vehicle is being compiled.
How to Get It
358,000 CR from the Autoshow. Honestly not bad for what you get, I'd pay double for this thing.
Shows up as a seasonal reward sometimes. Keep an eye on the Forzathon Shop too, it pops up there occasionally.
Can drop from wheelspins and super wheelspins. I've seen it pop up maybe twice in like 200 spins tho, don't hold your breath.
Best Events For This Car
| Event Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road Racing | S-Tier | This is where it lives. The agility is disgusting on circuits, you'll gap people in the corners. |
| Street Scene | S-Tier | Lightweight plus sharp turn-in makes it perfect for weaving through city blocks. Avoid the lamp posts tho. |
| Speed Zones | A-Tier | Carries insane corner speed through zones. Top end is solid but some S2 cars will beat you on really long straights. |
| Speed Traps | B-Tier | Gearing is set up for circuits not top speed runs. You'll hit decent numbers but it's not a trap specialist. |
| Drift Zones | A-Tier | Lift-off oversteer on demand. Slides like a dream once you get the feel for it. |
| Dirt Racing | D-Tier | Nah. Too low, too stiff, too much power. You'll be facing the wrong way constantly. |
Related Guides
Map Locations Where This Car Excels
Real Car History & Background
Lotus built this thing in 1997 for FIA GT1, which was basically the golden era of insane homologation specials. They made like 10 road-legal versions, so good luck ever seeing one IRL. The engine is a Chevy LT5-based V8 tuned to 580 hp in road trim, which is honestly hilarious when you remember this is a Lotus we're talking about. The GT1 program died after 1998 when the regs changed, so the Elise GT1 never really got to prove itself on track. Biggest what-if in Lotus history tbh.
In-Depth Driving Impressions
I've put probably 300+ hours into this car and it never gets old. The V8 sits right behind you and pulls like crazy from 3k all the way to redline. The chassis is a carbon fiber tub straight from the race car, so the steering feel is completely unfiltered, you feel every bump, every curb, every stupid pebble on the road. This car wants to be thrown into corners, not babied around them. Lift-off oversteer is stupid easy to trigger and so satisfying to catch when you get it right. Not a beginner car at all, if you're new to RWD you're gonna spin out constantly and rage quit. But once you learn it? Man, nothing else in S1 feels this rewarding. No joke.
Upgrade Path & Build Guide
The GT1 comes pretty dialed from the factory ngl. Focus on tires and brakes first, it needs race compound rubber to actually put the power down without killing you. Weight reduction barely does anything since it's already a feather at 1,100 kg. Engine mods can push it past 700 hp which is honestly terrifying in something this light. Sport gearbox helps with shift speed a bit. Budget around 180k to 280k CR for a competitive build. And please, for the love of everything, don't engine swap it, the LT5 is like half the personality of this car.
Pro Driving Tips & Techniques
Use manual with clutch, the shifts are way faster and you need every millisecond in S1. Trail brake aggressively into corners, the rotation is beautiful when you get the weight transfer right. Watch the throttle on corner exit tho, the V8 will snap the rear out if you're not smooth with it. And stay off the bloody curbs, the suspension is stiff as hell and they'll unsettle the car instantly. Learned that one the hard way.
FH5 vs FH6: What Changed
| FH5 | FH6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | S1 | S1 |
| Power | 550 hp | 550 hp |
| Weight | 1,050 kg | 1,050 kg |
| PI | 820 | 835 |
| Engine | 3.5L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.5L Twin-Turbo V8 |
Key Changes in FH6
- race car tire model now more progressive, less digital grip/drop-off
- lightweight chassis dynamics is sharper — more pitch and roll, more character
- twin-turbo V8 audio is closer to more 1990s race car, less modern GT3
- Added: period-correct GT1 liveries
The Elise GT1 was a hidden gem in FH5 — 1,050 kg with 550 hp. FH6 it's better with a more progressive tire model. The lightweight chassis actually moves around now. — pitch under braking, roll through corners. Feels like a real 1990s GT1 car.