Lotus E20
Romain Grosjean driving the E20 at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Lotus | ||||||||||
| Designer(s) | James Allison (Technical Director) Naoki Tokunaga (Deputy Technical Director) Martin Tolliday (Chief Designer) Simon Virrill (Project Leader) Jarrod Murphy (Head of CFD) Dirk de Beer (Head of Aerodynamics) Mike Elliott (Chief Aerodynamicist) | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | Renault R31 | ||||||||||
| Successor | Lotus E21 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon composite monocoque, incorporating the engine as a fully stressed member | ||||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Carbon composite double wishbone suspension | ||||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | As front | ||||||||||
| Engine | Renault RS27-2012 2,400 cc (146.5 cu in) 90° V8, limited to 18,000 RPM, with KERS, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted | ||||||||||
| Transmission | 7-speed, hydraulic power shift | ||||||||||
| Power | >750 hp @ 18,000 rpm | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Total | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet) | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Lotus F1 Team | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | 9. Kimi Räikkönen 10. Romain Grosjean 10. Jérôme d'Ambrosio | ||||||||||
| Debut | 2012 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| First win | 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last win | 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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The Lotus E20 is a Formula One racing car designed and produced by the Enstone-based Lotus F1 Team for the 2012 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by James Allison, Naoki Tokunaga, Martin Tolliday and Dirk de Beer with Renault continuing to supply engines. The E20 was the twentieth Formula One car to be designed at Enstone since 1992, and was named in tribute to the contribution made by the facility and its personnel in their twenty-year history. The car was also the first from Enstone to carry the Lotus name, since the team ceased using the Renault name following their renaming from Lotus Renault GP at the end of 2011. The car, which was launched by the team on its website on 5 February 2012, was driven by 2007 World Drivers' Champion Kimi Räikkönen and reigning GP2 Series champion Romain Grosjean, both of whom returned to Formula One after a two-year absence.
The car made its competitive debut at the 2012 Australian Grand Prix, and in the twenty races of the 2012 season, recorded a race win in Abu Dhabi and nine podium finishes to finish fourth overall in the World Constructors' Championship.