Lotus Europa

Production period:	1966 to 1975
Class :	sports car
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Gasoline 1.47-1.57 liters

The Lotus Europa is a built from late 1966 to mid-1975 a mid engine sports coupe by manufacturer Lotus Cars.

History 

The Europa was introduced in December 1966 and was not originally intended for Britain, but only for foreign markets. The first vehicles were sold in February 1967 to France and Switzerland. Both engine and transmission were from the beginning of 1965 presented Renault 16 . The unit was installed with the engine forward behind the passenger compartment.

The Europa was one of the first commercially available sports cars with a mid-engine after the Second World War. Road holding and driving characteristics reminded of a racing car . 

The frame was suitable for engines with more than 1470 cc. The body made of glass fiber reinforced polyester was glued and body fully bonded to the chassis on early cars later bolted-on body for repairs , lightweight,welded boxed-steel backbone chassis made of sheet steel. The wheels were suspended individually, in front on double wishbones. Rear, the wheel carrier were articulated on far reaching forward boom directly to the frame and guided laterally over two wishbones, the upper, shorter was the drive shaft. Front there is a rack and pinion steering, rear drum brakes.

Only 296 copies of the original S1 (based on the basic idea of ​​the Lotus founder Colin Chapman ) were made (chassis number 460001 to 460296). These vehicles were designed extremely minimalist, with fixed side windows and seats (only the pedals were adjustable), hardly any door panels and simple instruments.

PERFORMANCE Europe S1 / S2:

• ENGINE 1,470 cc
  ENGINE CAPACITY 89.70 cu in, 1,470 cu cm
  FUEL CONSUMPTION 40 mlimp gal, 33.1 m/US gal, 7.1 1 X 100 km
  MAX SPEED 112 mph, 180.3 km/h
  max speeds: 33 mph, 53.1 km/h in 1st gear; 53 mph, 85.3 km/h in 2nd gear; 80 mph, 128.8 km/h in 3rd gear; 112 mph, 180.3 km/h in 4th gear
  power-weight ratio: 16.5 lb/hp, 7.5 kg/hp
  acceleration: 0—80 km/h) 7 sec
  speed in top at 1,000 rpm; 17.7 mph, 28.5 km/h.
• 1,558 cc Twin Cam
  max speed: 117 mph, 188 km/h
  max power (SAE): 103 hp at 6,000 rpm
  max torque (SAE): 103 1b ft, 14.2 kg m at 4,500 rpm
  max engine rpm: 6,500; 67 hp/l
  power-weight ratio: 14.7 lb/hp, 6.7 kg/hp
  acceleration: 0-50 mph (0-80 km/h) 5.3 sec;
  fuel consumption: 32 m/imp gal, 26.7 m/US gal, 8.8 1 x 100 km.

When introduced in the spring of 1969, the second series (Europa S2) chassis and body were bolted together, but this changed the driving characteristics. At the same time an engine with 1565 cc was introduced for the American market. With more refinements included adjustable seats and electric windows.

In mid-1971, the Europa TwinCam was introduced, with the Ford Kent engine modified by Harry Mundy for Lotus with light alloy cylinder head, two overhead camshafts and 1558 cc, as it was already installed in the Lotus Elan .

In the fall of 1972, they went to the uprated version "Big Valve" Twin Cam version (similar to the Lotus Elan Sprint) and joined him with a five-speed gearbox from Renault. This new version was called Europa Special .With an option of a Renault 5-speed transmission now with a top speed of 123 mph (198 km/h).