Lotus Models: Part 2

The Type 62 was a development of the successful Type 47 and intended to race in the Appendix J Group 6 Prototype Class. The car was designed by Martin Waide at Lotus Components and had a space frame chassis, and featured the new Lotus 2.0 litre LV240 DOHC engine (in time this engine would become the Type 907 engine, used to power the Lotus Elite, Esprit, Eclat and Excel). The car had limited competative success, due mainly to problems with the Vauxhall derived engine block. The car's most successful race was finishing 3rd position at the Tourist Trophy at Oulton Park in 1969.

A single seater Formula 5000 racing car. The car was had a wedge shaped body, Ford Boss 302 V8 engine (also Chevrolet) with a monocoque chassis and wheel base of the Lotus Type 49B. The car had cooling problems and so a radiator was installed in the nose cone. It's debute was at Sebring, driven by Andretti, however the engine blow up on lap 12. The car did have some success in the USA and also raced in Tamsin series in 1971.

One of the most famous and successful racing cars in the history of Formula 1, the Lotus Type 72. The car had a light alloy monocoque chassis, with a Ford Cosworth DFV engine. The car had double radiators mid mounted either side of the car and an aerodynamic wedge shaped GRP body. The car continued with the Gold Leaf sponsershop during 1970. Jochen Rindt posthumously won the Driver's championship in the Type 72 (he was tragically killed at the Monza Circuit). The Type 72 also won the 1970 constructors title. 1971 was an unsuccessful year, however for 1972 the revised Type 72D wore the new John Player Special sponsership. The Type 72D was much the same as the previous year, however it had a large air intake over the down draught carbs and deeper end plates on the rear wing. and Emerson Fittipaldi won the 1972 Drivers championship and Lotus won the 1972 and 1973 Formula 1 constructors championship. The car carried on in 1974 with the Type 72E, with less successful results (after Ronnie Peterson refused to drive the new Type 76) and again for the 1975 season, by which time the car was getting old.

1971-72

1972-75

The Lotus Europa Twin Cam. An extensive revision to the Type 46 Europa, replacing the Renault engine with the Lotus Twin cam engine with 105bhp. There were modifications to the rear fins, brought down to the same level as the rear engine deck, to improve rear vision and a front splitter to improve aero dynamics. The interior had a lower floor plan and was more luxurious. The car also had lighter "Spider" alloy wheels. The Type 74 designation was also shared with the later and Europa Special. The car had 5 gears and more powerful 126bhp Twin Cam engine.

The Lotus Elite. A 4-seater luxury sports car, combining a back-boned chassis and wedge shaped GRP body, designed by Oliver Winterbottom. The car had the new 1973cc Lotus 907 alloy engine, which produced 160bhp (originally used in the 1971 Jensen Healey). The body was created using a new construction technique, that was less labout intensive than the traditional process of hand laying the glass fibre. The process was called Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection (VARI), where pre-cut glass fibre matting was laid into moulds and the the air expelled as the resin was injected in under pressure (the technique had been used by the boat industry). This meant the body was produced in 2 halfs, top and bottom and joined together. The joint was covered with a rubber strip running the length of the car. The car was praised for it's excellent handling and ride, however it was heavy at 2240 Ibs. The models consisted of the 501, 502 and highest spec 503 models.

A single seater Formula 1 racing car. The first of the revolutionary and successful "Ground Effect" cars, design for maximum down force, using wings and wide and long side air intakes, that worked to "suck" the car to the racing track. The chassis was narrow and constructed from a riveted aluminium monocoque with aluminium honey combe panels and the car was fitted with the Ford DFV engine and a Hewland FG400 gearbox. The car was developed by Colin Chapman and Tony Rudd. Andretti and Nilsson had much success with the Type 78 and Lotus finished second in the Constructors championship for 1977. The Type 78 was used for some of the next season and helped Andretti win the Drivers Championship title and Lotus win the Constructors title for 1978.

The Lotus Esprit S1 and S2. A 2 seater sports car, design by Giorgetto Giugiaro and based on a modifed Europa back bone chassis. The car had a Lotus 907 16 valve DOHC engine, producing 160 bhp. The car had sensational styling and excellent handling, however had an under powered engine. The S1 had various teething problems, including an over heating engine, so the Lotus Esprit was developed and improved with the introduction of the S2, from December 1977 to 1980. This car had improved engine ventilation, with the air intakes behind the rear windows, an integrated front spoiler, Speedline alloy wheels and Rover SD1 rear lights. The S2.2 from 1980 -1981 had a larger 2.2 litre engine (912 series twin cam) and a galvanised chassis.

Also sharing the designation was the famous and successful Type 79 Formula 1 single seater racing car. From the Type 78 testing to it's completion, 25% of the aero dynamic effect had been lost in the final design, so the Type 79 was Chapman 's attempt to perfect it. Improvements were made to the 2 ground effect side paniers, creating a hugh venturi as air entered the front and was forced out of the back, creating low pressure beneath.The aluminium monocoque was stiffened and the nose cone change. The car had the same Ford Cosworth DFV engine and Hewland gear box as the Type 78. The Lotus won 6 Formula 1 grand Prix races and Andretti won the Drivers Championship title and Lotus won the Constructors title for 1978.

A single seater Formula 1 racing car. Called the "Wingless Wonder" the car was an attempt to soley use ground effect as down force and to do away with the drag enducing nose cone and rear wings. The car used a DFV Ford Cosworth engine and a Hewland FGA gear box and utilised light weight honeycombe aluminium and titanium for the monocoque chassis. The car however suffered problems as the nose cone tended to pitch and irregular levels of down force were created when the car lifted, which made handling difficult. Later in the season, conventional nose cone and rear wings were added to improve handling. However Reutermann refused to drive the car and Andretti had relability and handling uses, so the Type 79 was used for much of the 1979 season.

The Lotus Turbo Esprit to the 04 Esprit. Development started on the Lotus Turbo Esprit in late 1977. The car featured the new 2174cc 910 engine (based on a redesigned 907 engine) with a dry sump (initially) and a Garrett AiResearch Turbocharger, producing 210bhp. The car also had a redesigned, stronger galvanised chassis with new spaceframe transmision cradle and wider front boxed section, with better torsional stiffness. There were larger brakes, revised rear suspension and additions to the bodywork, including front spolier and rear intergrated spolier and sills. The car was released in February 1980 at a party in the Royal Albert Hall, and sported Essex Turbo livery. In 1981 the car was sold as the Turbo Esprit and sold better. In 1986 the car was updated to the Lotus Turbo Esprit HC, with a high compression engine, producing another 5bhp. In 1987, the car was redesigned by Peter Stevens and Colin Spooner and named the Esprit Turbo (code named by the Lotus factory X180). It featured a more contemporary body shell, renault gearbox and out border rear brakes. The SE was launched in 1989 with a charger cooled, fuel injected 910 engine producing 264bhp, a top speed of 164 mph and 0-60 of 4.7 seconds. The car had a rear spoiler, revised front spoiler and sills and revised front suspension geometry and larger rear OZ wheels. In 1993 the Lotus Esprit S4 was launched, with further body modifications, including a new front bumper, sills, new rear spoiler and number plate panel and 5 spoke alloys. The car also had revised suspension and power steering. THe S300 was also launched as a limited production light weight supercar, producing 300bhp. The S4s was launched in 1995, with wheel arches, rear spolier and an increase in power to 300bhp. The Lotus Esprit V8 was released the following year, with a new front spoiler, Awi monobloc alloy wheels and a 3506cc 32 valve 918 V8 engine, with SE and GT derivatives. The GT3 was introduced in 1997, as a light weight alternative, with a 2 litre engine. A high performance limited edition Sports 350 was introduced in 1999 and the V8 was again updated in 2002.

1981-87

1987-92

A single seater F1 racing car. This was the last Lotus to use the famous ford DFV engine.The FISA took steps to ban "ground effect" racing cars, so the Type 92 featured computer controlled "Active Suspension." The car had onboard sensors, that could monitor suspension. However, the car suffered some reliability problems with the sensors, causing problems with the suspension, so the car was reverted back to a more normal configuration, unfortunately with little success.

A single seater Formula 1 racing car. A stronger version of the Lotus 95T, with an improved Renault EF15 V6 engine, and Twin Garrett AiResearch turbo chargers, producing 780 bhp - 850 bhp. There were aerodynamic improvements too, with mini vertical wings on the rear of the side pods. Driven by Ayrton Senna and de Angelis, Senna took the pole 7 times and 3 wins.

A single seater Formula 1 racing car. Adopting new Camel tobacco company livery and painted yellow, the car featured a new Honda engine, the RA166-E V6 Twin Turbo, producing 800 bhp. Because of the new engine, Lotus developed a new chassis, based again on folded single carbon fibre / Kevlar composite sheet. The car also had computer controller active suspension. With Senna at the wheel of Lotus 99T, 1987 season was successful and Lotus took 3rd in the constructors championship and sadly took Lotus's last Grand Prix win at Detroit.

Type 100

SE 3855

S2 800

2 race cars

20 road cars

Lotus Esprit X180-R. 2 Seater sports car for the American SCCA, Sports Car Club of America Escort World Challenge, a series for modified production cars. Lotus had needed a race program to promote the Esprit in the US market, so Lotus produced the Type 105 Esprit SE SCCA. Externally, the car featured perspex windows with a rear wing and front splitter. The Lotus Esprit Type 105 was an upgraded and race prepared SE. The car featured AP Racing disc brakes, revised suspension geometery and a new engine management system. The car produced 285 horsepower (with the aid of the Lotus Carlton fuel injectors) from the Lotus Esprit SE 910S engine. Lotus also made 20 road going versions of the Type 105, also called the Lotus Esprit X180R. They had 2 sports seats, air conditioning and a galvanisation chassis, which wasn't available on the SE SCCA race car. Driven by Doc Bundy and Scott Lagasse, the results were impressive, with 4 victories in 8 races, including 2 1-2 placings, 6 pole positions and a total of 2,900 miles with no mechanical breakdowns. The 105 also set the fastest lap in 6 of the 8 races.

Lotus Esprit X180-R1. 2 Seater sports car for the American SCCA. In 1991, LotusSport Inc. made 3 Lotus Esprit X180R1 cars, to enter the SCCA. These were modified from the 1990 spec SE and given a Type 106 designation. The 1991 X180R had larger alloys, and a strengthened chassis with a revised FIA approved roll cage, which helped give the car bettter torsional rigidity. The car also had larger fuel injectors, improved charge cooling and a non catalytic exhaust system, which helped to increase power to 300bhp. The car was successful in the SCCA in 1992, with Doc Bundy winning the title.

Type 111

Elise

S1 1996-2001

12,000

S2 Type 117 2000 to date. Still in production.

Lotus Elise. A 2 seater sports car. The most successful production Lotus to date. Described as one of the best handling cars in the world, winning aclaim from the Motoring press and various design and innovation awards. The S1 featured the Rover K series 16 valve 1796cc engine, producing 118 bhp. The Lotus had a light weight extruded aluminium epoxy bonded chassis. The car weighed just 690kg, giving the car a very high power to weight ratio. It performance was 125mph and a 0 - 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.It was also affordable and sold very well. There were model variations on the Elise; including the 111s, Sport 160 and Sport Elise race cars (65 built). The S2, Type 117, was released in 2000 and featured in stiffened chassis, revised engine management with the Lotus K4 system and revised GRP body. The K series engine remained. The S2, Type 120, was released in 2004 with an improved 1794cc Toyota VVTL-i 16 valve dohc engine, with vareations including the 111R, 111S, Sport 135 ande Sport 190 and 135R. The Elise was also Federalised in 2004, called the Type 121.

Type 111

340R

Type 111

Exige

S1 601

S2 Still in production

Lotus Esprit GT1 Race Car. Lotus entred the Lotus Esprit into the Karcher Global Endurance GT series at Donington 1995. It was the first Lotus works-entry into GT racing since 1969. The car featured the 3506cc V8 Twin Turbo engine, with a Hewland DG300 5 speed transmission. The car body work had wider wheel arches, a rear wing, a front splitter and the car was constructed from GRP and carbon fibre.

Lotus M250. 2 seater concept car. Unveiled in Autumn of 1999 as a mid-range sports car, featuring a V6 24 valve engine, producing 250bhp. The chassis was an aluminium extrusion bonded modular monocoque. Lotus confirmed the car would go into production and deposits from Customers were taken, however on May 9th, 2001 the project was cancelled.

Lotus Evora. 2+2 seater mid-engine sportscar. Unveiled at the British Motorshow in Summer 2008. The Evora features a 3.5-litre V6 Toyota engine and produces 276bhp at 6,400rpm giving a 0-62mph in in 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 162mph. Lotus intend to build 2,000 cars a year. The Evora has been critically aclaimed in the motoring press.

Lotus Evora Racing car, created for endurance racing. The car features a race tunned mid-mounted Toyota V6 engine with power increased to 400 BHP. There is a six speed sequential paddle shift racing gearbox. The car is to compete in the ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hour race, Dubai 24 Hours race and the Merdeka Millennium 12 Hours at Sepang.

2 seater open top sports car witha 3.5 V6 6MT engine producing 436 hp, 920 kg and 467 hp per tonne. It was the fastest road going Lotus at the time achieving 0-60 time in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph.

The Lotus Evija is a limited production 2 seater electric super car The car is powered by four individual motors and is rated at 368 kW (500 PS; 493 hp), for a combined total output of 1,472 kW (2,001 PS; 1,974 hp) and 1,700 N·m (1,254 lb·ft) of torque. Lotus claims the Evija will be able to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under 3 seconds, from 0 to 186 mph in under 9 seconds, and achieve a top speed of over 200 mph.

Lotus Emira 2 seater sports car. It features a 3.5 litre supercharged V6 sourced by Toyota. Power figures are 400 hp and 430 Nm of torque. Available in either six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Later on, a smaller 2.0 litre turbocharged engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG will be available.

The Lotus Etna M300 concept car. A Prototype designed by Giuguaro and displayed at the Birmingham Motorshow in 1984. The engine was to be mid mounted and the chassis was loosely based around the Lotus Esprit's, however the wheel base was 3 inches longer. The Etna never ran, although Lotus intended to feature the new 4 litre Lotus Type 909 V8 engine (a derivative of the Esprit engine).

The Lotus Emotion. Designed in 1991 by Bertone, the car was based on a Lotus Esprit chassis. The car was displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

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