Caral Automotive have modified a number of customer's Elises into high performance Vee variants inspired by the Lotus Elise GT1 road and race cars of the 1990's.

   

The original GT1 cars were built by Lotus to compete in the newly formed FIA GT1 Championship. Built before the S1 Exiges they had project number 115 and were based on the standard Elise bonded aluminium chassis. Originally fitted with the Lotus 3.5l twin turbo V8 engine and Hewland gearbox, changes to the Championship technical regulations meant a change to the Corvette V8 engine to try and maintain performance against the offerings from Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

Despite achieving European type approval for the car, only one road car was ever built making it one of the rarest Lotus’ of all time. Although little known outside of enthusiasts circles, perhaps because of their limited track success, the cars still draw admiring glances when, on rare occasions, they are seen in public. 

Caral Automotive's conversion, although inspired by the GT1 racers, are based on customers standard S1 and S2 Elise/Exige's fitted with longitudinally mid-mounted engines based on the GM X30XE V6 family of engines. We are also currently building a V8 engined Exige S1 version using a Jaguar 4.2l V8 supercharged engine.

  
 

 

All feature an increase in wheelbase to 2500mm, 200mm longer than a standard car as the above image illustrates. The longer wheelbase is achieved by replacing the standard rear subframe with a Caral Automotive designed unit, which also includes mounts for the engine, gearbox and new longer wishbones, which, when combined with wider tyres increases the car's track by 100mm, pushing the model into Porsche 911 category size.

Essential changes have also been made to the cars brake and cooling systems to cope with the greater performance and power from the larger engines.

 

.  		 

  


Images above show a S2 Elise fitted with a Swindon Racing Engines modified GM Ecotec 3.0l V6 engine fitted with roller barrel throttles, SRE cams and MBE engine management system. This engine produced in excess of 312bhp and 295lb.ft of torque. Higher performance levels are easily achieved, either through the use of a Rotrex centrifugal style supercharger, or for serious track day or racing a race versions of the engine is also available and capable of producing up to 400bhp.

Please see our Engines page for more information on the engine options, by clicking here.

Jaguar 4.2l V8 supercharged version

The original GT1 cars were only fitted with V8 engines, and so it was only a matter of time before a customer requested one. With the Lotus Esprit V8 engine now difficult and expensive to obtain and maintain, and the Corvettte engine deemed too un-sophisticated, we chose to install the Jaguar V8 supercharged engine into a S1 Elise.

As a forced induction engine it is capable of delivering the levels of power the car deserves, upwards of 450bhp in standard configuration as supplied by the manufacturer, without all of the issues involved with the high temperatures of a twin turbo installation.

 

Featuring all aluminium construction, a 90 degree V angle, DOHC and 32 valves the Jaguar AJV8 4.2l supercharged engine is a fantastic performer with an Eaton M112 supercharger and twin liquid to air chargecoolers as standard. Maximum power is 450bhp using standard exhaust manifolds and a Caral developed engine management system. Peak torque is 553Nm @ 3,500rpm.

Mid-mounted longitudinally with air fed into the supercharger via the Exige's roof mounted scoop the engine transforms the car into a true GT sportscar.

 
Based on the mechanicals from the latest V8XS cars it will feature modified Exige bodywork, which is both longer and wider than standard, with a Getrag 6 speed gearbox and AP Racing 4 piston calipers all round. All new double wishbone suspension is used along with CNC machined uprights from aircraft specification HE15 aluminium alloy. Wheel bearings are also uprated with the option of fitting centre lock wheels if required.

Bodywork changes include new front and rear clams, front splitter, sill extensions, engine cover and a hardtop with full length roof scoop. While not as large as the original GT1 cars, whose dimensions make it impractical for everyday road use, the modified panels create a car with true presence, making it really stand out from the crowd.

The below images show progress on the bodywork to date.

 

 

 

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your requirements, or click on the logo to send us an email message.