Lotus 78

Lotus 78 (John Player Special Mk. III)

The Lotus 78 during the 2017 FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship at the Circuit of the Americas
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Team Lotus
Designer(s)	Colin Chapman (Executive Engineer) Tony Rudd (Head of Engineering) Ralph Bellamy (Chief Designer) Martin Ogilvie (Vehicle Engineer) Peter Wright (Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor	Lotus 77
Successor	Lotus 79
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis	Aluminium monocoque
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone, inboard spring/damper
Suspension (rear)	Parallel top links, lower wishbones, twin radius arms, outboard spring/damper
Axle track	Front: 1,702 mm (67.0 in) Rear: 1,600 mm (63 in)
Wheelbase	2,741 mm (107.9 in)
Engine	Ford-Cosworth DFV, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), V8, naturally aspirated, mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	Hewland FG400 5-speed manual
Weight	588 kg (1,296.3 lb)
Fuel	Valvoline
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	John Player Team Lotus, Rebaque
Notable drivers	Mario Andretti Gunnar Nilsson Ronnie Peterson Héctor Rebaque
Debut	1977 Argentine Grand Prix
First win	1977 United States Grand Prix West
Last win	1978 South African Grand Prix
Last event	1978 Italian Grand Prix (Lotus) 1978 Canadian Grand Prix (Team Rebaque)
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 33 7 11 9 7
Constructors' Championships	1 (1978)
Drivers' Championships	1 (Mario Andretti, 1978)

The Lotus 78 was a Formula One racing car used in the 1977 and 1978 seasons. It was designed by Peter Wright, Colin Chapman, Martin Ogilvie and Tony Rudd, and was the first ground effect car in Formula One.