LOTUS 98T
LOTUS 98T
TECHNICAL DATA
Year build
Category
Designer
1986
Formula One
Gérard Ducarouge
Martin Ogilvie
Bernard Dudot
Chassis
Engine
Power
Transmission
Tires
Carbon fibre and Kevlar
Aluminium honeycomb
Renault Gordini EF15B
1,493 cc 90° V6, turbo,
mid-engine
900 hp @ 11.000 rpm
Lotus/Hewland 6 speed m.
Goodyear
Drivers
Ayrton Senna
Johnny Dumfries
TECHNICAL DATA
Year build
Category
Designer
1974
Formula One
Colin Chapman
Ralph Bellamy
Chassis
Engine
Power
Transmission
Tires
Aluminium monocoque Cosworth DFV 2993cc V8
natuarally aspirated,
mid-mounted
465 hp @ 10.800 rpm Hewland-Lotus 5 speed Goodyear
Drivers
Jackie Ickx
Ronnie Peterson
History
The Lotus 98T was a Formula One car designed by Gérard Ducarouge and Martin Ogilvie and built by Team Lotus for use in the 1986 Formula One World Championship. The car was raced by Brazilian Ayrton Senna, in his second year with the team, and Scottish newcomer Johnny Dumfries.
The chassis featured a lower monocoque than the 97T as a result of a regulation change stipulating a reduction in fuel capacity to 195 litres. The powertrain consisted of the new Renault EF15B turbocharged V6 engine, driving through a six-speed, manual transmission by Hewland.
The EF15B was to appear in two forms, the standard engine and the „D.P.“ engine which featured pneumatic valve springs for the first time. At the end of the season Renault introduced the revised EF15C which in addition to the D.P. valve gear also boasted common rail fuel injection and much-revised water cooling through the cylinder head reducing the likelihood of pre-ignition (detonation). The 1.5-litre turbo‘s output at above 4-bar boost claimed that the Renault EF15B in its pinnacle increment was able to produce in excess of 1000 HP at unrestricted boost pressure, thus making it one of the most powerful engines ever used in Formula 1 history.