1959 Lotus Elite

This car has a 2 door coupé type body styled by Peter Kirwan-Taylor with a front positioned engine powering the rear wheels. It's powered courtesy of 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 has an output of 71 bhp (72 PS/53 kW) of power at 6100 rpm, and maximum torque of 104 N·m (77 lb·ft/10.6 kgm) at 3750 rpm. The engine transfers its power through to the wheels via a 4 speed manual 'box. The stated kerb weight is 506 kg. Its maximum speed claimed is 180 km/h (112 mph).
Full specs

Body type
2 door fixed-head coupé with 2 seats
Length
3708 mm
Weight
506 kg
Engine type
naturally aspirated petrol
Engine size
1.2 litre
Cylinders
4, Straight
Power
72 PS / 71 bhp / 53 kW @ 6100 rpm
Torque
104 Nm / 77 ft.lb / 10.6 kgm @ 3750 rpm
Acceleration
0-60 mph 11.4 s
Top speed
180 km/h / 112 mph

1959 Lotus Elite specifications

1959 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	506 kg	1116 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	72 PS (71 bhp) (53 kW) at 6100 rpm
maximum torque	104 Nm (77 ft·lb) (10.6 kgm) at 3750 rpm
Specific output	43.5 kW/litre 59.2 ps/litre 58.4 bhp/litre 0.96 bhp/cu in
Specific torque	85.53 Nm/litre 1.03 ft·lb/cu³
Engine construction
Lubrication
compression ratio	10:1
Fuel system	1 SU carb
bmep (brake mean effective pressure)	1074.8 kPa (155.9 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)	8 s
Acceleration 0-60mph	11.4 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
Acceleration 0-160km/h (100mph)
Standing quarter-mile	18.4 s
Standing kilometre
Maximum speed	180 km/h (112 mph)
Power-to-weight ratio	Higher is better 142.27 PS/tonne (1000 kg) 0.14 PS/kg 104.63 kW/tonne (1000 kg) 0.1 kW/kg 140.32 bhp/tonne (1000 kg) 0.14 bhp/kg 0.06 bhp/lb
Weight-to-power ratio	Lower is better 9.56 kg/kW 15.96 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
general
Carfolio.com ID	62964
Production total
Model code
RAC rating	14.4
Insurance classification	No information available
Tax band	No information available
1959 Lotus Elite added before December 1995. Last modified 2013-02-28.