Lotus 79
The black-and-gold 'Black Beauty' that exploited ground effect in full and won Mario Andretti the 1978 title.
- Power
- 475 bhp
About the Lotus 79
The 79 solved the Lotus 78's centre-of-pressure problem with venturi tunnels running the full length of the underside, extended past a redesigned rear suspension so that a smaller rear wing could be used, and a single fuel cell behind the driver. It produced about 30% more downforce than the 78, enough that the chassis had to be strengthened after early fatigue in testing. Mario Andretti won on its debut at the 1978 Belgian Grand Prix from pole by more than a second, and he and Ronnie Peterson regularly finished first and second as Andretti took the title and Lotus the Constructors' Championship, the team's last. The season was marred by Peterson's fatal accident at Monza, where he had to race the older 78, and in 1979 newer ground-effect cars, including the 79-inspired Williams FW07, left it behind.
Lotus 79 specs
The Lotus 79 produces 475 bhp (354 kW).
| Make | Lotus |
|---|---|
| Model | 79 |
| Years | 1978–1979 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | About 5 built |
| Engine | 3.0L naturally aspirated V8 (Ford Cosworth DFV) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,993 cc (3.0 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 475 bhp (354 kW) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual (Hewland FG400) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 575 kg (1,268 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 826 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Lotus 79 rarity in CarSpot
The Lotus 79 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Lotus 79 fun facts
- Mario Andretti said that, by comparison, driving the Lotus 78 was 'like driving a London bus'.
- It was the first Formula One car designed using computer design aids, and the first to be analysed by computer in the pits on race weekends.
- After driving one at Goodwood in 2000, Rubens Barrichello said it 'felt like a modern Grand Prix car'.
