<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> Dubbed the DFV (Double Four Valve), the new engine was completely cast from aluminium in the Cosworth factory. As it name suggests, it used dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Using a Lucas supplied Fuel Injection system, the compact engine was good for a very competitive 400 bhp at 9000 rpm. Like the BRM H16, the new Cosworth DFV was exceptionally rigid and Chapman used this to the fullest when he designed the Lotus 49 F1 car. The racer used an aluminium monocoque chassis that stretched no further than the bulkhead behind the driver. The V8 was bolted directly onto this chassis and took all of the rear suspension load, wich was a much lighter and cleaner solution than using a rear subframe.
The car itself was an evolution of the 43 with the monocoque chassis housing three fuel cells. The front suspension was carried by a steel subframe and consisted of a lower wishbone and a top lever arm that was bolted onto an internally mounted coil spring over shock absorber unit. At the rear there was a lower inverted wishbone, a top link and two radius arms on each corner. The internally vented disc brakes were provided by Girling. Specifically for the fat Firestone tires, Lotus developed somewhat unusual lightweight dish wheels. The package was completed by a ZF five speed gearbox, which also helped to carry the suspension load.
Unfortunately, the Cosworth engined Lotus 49 was not ready in time for the start of the 1967 season and only made its first appearance in June of that year at Zandvoort. It was a stellar debut with Graham Hill clinching the pole position and Jim Clark the fastest lap and victory. The Scotsman would score another three Championsip wins that season, but it was not enough to get ahead of Denny Hulme in the final standings. The Lotus 49 was lighter and more powerful than its competition, but it was not overly reliable and especially Hill suffered many retirements. Underlining the performance advantage, the Team Lotus took eleven consecutive pole positions in GP races. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
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Dubbed the DFV (Double Four Valve), the new engine was completely cast from aluminium in the Cosworth factory. As it name suggests, it used dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Using a Lucas supplied Fuel Injection system, the compact engine was good for a very competitive 400 bhp at 9000 rpm. Like the BRM H16, the new Cosworth DFV was exceptionally rigid and Chapman used this to the fullest when he designed the Lotus 49 F1 car. The racer used an aluminium monocoque chassis that stretched no further than the bulkhead behind the driver. The V8 was bolted directly onto this chassis and took all of the rear suspension load, wich was a much lighter and cleaner solution than using a rear subframe.