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Lotus 93T: the first Lotus with Renault turbo and the last Chapman racer
The Lotus 93T was the Formula 1 car used at the start of the 1983 season, the first Lotus with a Renault turbo engine and the last F1 car designed by Colin Chapman. We look back at its history and significance.
The Lotus 93T in brief
The Lotus 93T was the Formula 1 car with which Team Lotus competed in the first part of the 1983 championship. It was the first Lotus with the Renault Gordini EF1 turbo engine and the last F1 car designed by team founder Colin Chapman.
This is a race car, not a road model, so we cover its history and technical significance.
The shift to turbo
After the 1982 Austrian Grand Prix, which de Angelis won, Chapman announced that Lotus would ditch the old Cosworth DFV from 1983 and join the turbo engine teams. The 93T was the first fruit of this decision.
The project was developed just before the start of the new season, and on top of that, they had to adapt to FISA's suddenly announced 'flat bottom' regulations—about which the team found out with roughly six weeks to go.
On the track
The 93T was driven by Elio de Angelis; Nigel Mansell was racing with the Lotus 92 (Cosworth engine) at the time. Mansell drove the 93T twice: in the non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch and in the 1983 German Grand Prix, when his 94T encountered problems.
The Bolide often performed well in qualifying, but suffered from reliability issues and only finished once. It was eventually replaced by the Lotus 94T during the season.
Documentary film and is it possible to watch
The creation of the Bolide is detailed in the documentary film "Lotus Goes Turbo", produced by sponsors John Player & Sons, which shows the team's steps from Chapman's announcement to the first tests on the Paul Ricard track in France.
Surviving examples belong to collections and museums; acquiring one as a regular car is impossible.
Versions
This is a race car, so there are no trims; we list the main variants.
Lotus 93T
1983The first Lotus with a Renault turbo engine.
- Renault Gordini EF1 V6 turbo
- The last Chapman-designed F1 car
- Finished once
The 93T and other Lotus models from 1983
| Lotus 92 | Lotus 93T | Lotus 94T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | For enthusiasts of automotive history | For fans of racing history | For fans of racing history |
| Engine | Ford Cosworth | Renault Gordini EF1 turbo | Renault Gordini EF1 turbo |
| Season | 1983 | Early 1983 | Second half of 1983 |
| Market price (relatively) | Practically unattainable | Practically unattainable | Practically unattainable |
The 93T was crucial in Lotus history as a stepping stone to turbocharging, although the car itself didn't achieve great results due to reliability issues.
Pros
- The first Lotus with a Renault turbo
- The last Chapman-designed car
- Often quick in qualifying
- Documented in the film "Lotus Goes Turbo"
Cons
- Unreliable in races
- Can't be driven on public roads
- Buying is practically impossible
Frequently asked questions
What makes the Lotus 93T special?
This was the first Lotus with a turbo engine and the last Formula 1 car designed by Colin Chapman.
Who drove the Lotus 93T?
Mostly Elio de Angelis; Nigel Mansell raced it twice.
What replaced the 93T?
During the season, it was replaced by the Lotus 94T.
Updated 2026-10-21 · Trim levels and equipment vary by market and model year — check the equipment of the specific car. · Translated automatically
