Lotus 95T Renault

Lotus 95T image

Active: 1984
Team: Team Lotus

Designer: Gérard Ducourage
Drivers: Elio de Angelis (11), Nigel Mansell (12)
Team name: John Player Team Lotus

The Lotus 95T is an evolution of the previous Lotus of 1983. The major change in design came with fuel regulation changes that limited the maximum amount of fuel to be carried by a car. During the year, Mansell and de Angelis showed excellent pace with the Lotus 95T but suffered serious reliability problems.

While this car was possibly the best of 1984, its tyres were not as the team's switch to Goodyear proved not to be the best choice. It turned out that the tyres were inferior to both Goodyear and Pirelli. The drivers were unable to record a victory but did manage 6 podium finished and two pole positions. Lotus finished 3rd in the constructors' championship of 1983, behind McLaren and Ferrari.

Specifications

Fuel System: 220 litre max permitted capacity (refuelling banned)
Oil/Water System: Heat exchangers mounted in sidepods
Electrical System: Originally Renault Sport ECU, now fitted with Bosch Motronic
Gearbox: Lotus Case, Hewland FGB internals
Final Drive: Hewland in unit with gearbox
Body: Single piece carbon cowling, original JPS livery
Chassis: Carbon/Kevlar monocoque
Front Suspension: Pull rod, double wishbone, coil spring/damper units
Rear Suspension: Pull rod, double wishbone, coil spring damper units
Steering: Proprietary rack
Brakes: Water cooled
Tyres: Goodyear

Dimensions

Weight: 540 kg
Length: 4216 mm
Width: 2146 mm
Height: 1003 mm
Wheelbase: 2775 mm
Front track: 1800 mm
Rear track: 1700 mm

Engine

Designation: Renault EF4B
Engine type: 1.5 litre 90° V6 Turbo (internal specifications never disclosed)
Displacement: 1492 cc
Weight: 180 kg
Construction: alloy block and heads
Displacement: 1491 cc
Bore / Stroke: 86.0 mm / 42.8 mm
Compression: 7.0:1
Valvetrain: 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed: Bosch / Kugelfisher Fuel Injection
Aspiration: Twin Garrett Turbos
Power: 750 bhp / 560 KW @ 11000 rpm
Torque: 480 Nm @ 8500 rpm