1962 Lotus Elite

The Lotus Elite is a 2 door coupé style road car styled by Peter Kirwan-Taylor with a front mounted engine supplying power to the rear wheels. It is powered by a naturally aspirated engine of 1.2 litre capacity. This unit features single overhead camshaft valve gear, 4 cylinder layout, and 2 valves per cylinder. It produces 83 bhp (84 PS/62 kW) of power at 6250 rpm, and maximum torque of 102 N·m (75 lb·ft/10.4 kgm) at 3750 rpm. The engine powers the wheels via a 4 speed manual gearbox. Its stated kerb weight is 660 kg. Maximum speed claimed is 190 km/h, which is 118 mph.
Full specs

Body type
2 door fixed-head coupé with 2 seats
Length
3708 mm
Weight
660 kg
Engine type
naturally aspirated petrol
Engine size
1.2 litre
Cylinders
4, Straight
Power
84 PS / 83 bhp / 62 kW @ 6250 rpm
Torque
102 Nm / 75 ft.lb / 10.4 kgm @ 3750 rpm
Acceleration
0-60 mph 11 s
Top speed
190 km/h / 118 mph

1962 Lotus Elite specifications

1962 Lotus Elite data
bodywork
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Body type	2 seater fixed-head coupé
Number of doors	2
Designer	Peter Kirwan-Taylor
dimensions & weights
Wheelbase	2235 mm	88 inches
Track/tread (front)	1194 mm	47 inches
Track/tread (rear)	1321 mm	52 inches
Length	3708 mm	146 inches
Width	1505 mm	59.3 inches
Height	1181 mm	46.5 inches
Ground clearance	165 mm	6.5 inches
length:wheelbase ratio	1.66
Kerb weight	660 kg	1455 lb
Weight distribution
fuel tank capacity	29.5 litres	6.5 [7.8] UK [US] gal.
aerodynamics
Drag coefficient	0.29
Frontal area
CdA
Powertrain
engine type	naturally aspirated petrol
Engine manufacturer	Coventry-Climax
Engine code
Cylinders	Straight 4
Capacity	1.2 litre 1216 cc (74.205 cu in)
Bore × Stroke	76.2 × 66.65 mm 3 × 2.62 in
Bore/stroke ratio	1.14
Valve gear	single overhead camshaft (SOHC) 2 valves per cylinder 8 valves in total
maximum power output	84 PS (83 bhp) (62 kW) at 6250 rpm
maximum torque	102 Nm (75 ft·lb) (10.4 kgm) at 3750 rpm
Specific output	50.9 kW/litre 69.2 ps/litre 68.3 bhp/litre 1.12 bhp/cu in
Specific torque	83.88 Nm/litre 1.01 ft·lb/cu³
Engine construction
Lubrication
compression ratio	10:1
Fuel system	2 SU carbs
bmep (brake mean effective pressure)	1054.1 kPa (152.9 psi)
Maximum RPM
crankshaft bearings
Engine coolant	Water
Unitary capacity	304 cc
Aspiration	Normal
Compressor	N/A
Intercooler	None
Catalytic converter	N
performance
Acceleration 0-80km/h (50mph)
Acceleration 0-60mph	11 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
Acceleration 0-160km/h (100mph)
Standing quarter-mile	17.5 s
Standing kilometre
Maximum speed	190 km/h (118 mph)
Power-to-weight ratio	Higher is better 127.51 PS/tonne (1000 kg) 0.13 PS/kg 93.78 kW/tonne (1000 kg) 0.09 kW/kg 125.76 bhp/tonne (1000 kg) 0.13 bhp/kg 0.06 bhp/lb
Weight-to-power ratio	Lower is better 10.66 kg/kW 17.81 lb/bhp
fuel consumption
Fuel consumption
universal fuel consumption (calculated from the above)
litres/100km
km/litre
UK MPG
US MPG
Carbon dioxide emissions
Carbon dioxide emissions
Carfolio Calculated CO₂ ^?
VED band (UK)
CO₂ Effizienz (DE)
chassis
Engine position	front
Engine layout	longitudinal
Drive wheels	rear wheel drive
Torque split	N/A
Steering
turns lock-to-lock
Turning circle
Front suspension	I.CS.W.
Rear suspension	I.ChapmanStrut.CS.
Wheel size front
Wheel size rear
Tyres front
Tyres rear
Brakes F/R
Front brake diameter
Rear brake diameter
Braked area
Gearbox	4 speed manual
Top gear ratio	1
Final drive ratio	4.22
general
Carfolio.com ID	62931
Production total
Model code
RAC rating	14.4
Insurance classification	No information available
Tax band	No information available
1962 Lotus Elite added before December 1995. Last modified 2013-02-28.