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  Lotus 78 Cosworth      

  Article Image gallery (31) Chassis (2) Specifications User Comments (1)  
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Country of origin:Great Britain
Produced in:1977
Numbers built:4
Designed by:Colin Chapman for Lotus
Successor:Lotus 79 Cosworth
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:July 31, 2009
Download: All images

Engine
Configuration Ford Cosworth DFV 90º V8
Location Mid, longitudinally mounted
Weight 168 kilo / 370.4 lbs
Construction aluminium block and head
Displacement 2,993 cc / 182.6 cu in
Bore / Stroke 85.7 mm (3.4 in) / 64.8 mm (2.6 in)
Compression 11.5:1
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Camshaft Gear driven
Fuel feed Lucas Fuel Injection
Lubrication Dry sump
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Power 480 bhp / 358 kW @ 10,600 rpm
Torque 353 Nm / 260 ft lbs @ 8,500 rpm
BHP/Liter 160 bhp / liter

Drivetrain
Chassis aluminium monocoque
Front suspension upper rocker arm, lower wishbone, inboard spring/damper units
Rear suspension upper rocker arms, lower wishbones, inboard coil springs over dampers
Steering rack-and-pinion
Brakes ventilated discs, all-round
Gearbox Hewland FGA 400 5 speed Manual
Drive Rear wheel drive

Dimensions
Weight 578 kilo / 1,274 lbs
Length / Width / Height 4,547 mm (179 in) / 2,146 mm (84.5 in) / 914 mm (36 in)
Wheelbase / Track (fr/r) 2,718 mm (107 in) / 1,702 mm (67 in) / 1,600 mm (63 in)

Performance figures
Power to weight 0.83 bhp / kg

Race history
Major wins
1977 USA Grand Prix West (Mario Andretti in 78/3)
1977 Spanish Grand Prix (Mario Andretti in 78/3)
1977 Belgian Grand Prix (Gunnar Nilsson in 78/2)
1977 French Grand Prix (Mario Andretti in 78/3)
1977 Italian Grand Prix (Mario Andretti in 78/3)
1978 Argentine Grand Prix (Mario Andretti in 78/3)
1978 South African Grand Prix (Ronnie Peterson in 78/2)

Resources
Suggested reading
  • The Lotus Book S2, by William Taylor
Related articles
Useful links

  Article Image gallery (31) Chassis (2) Specifications User Comments (1)