What is the difference between the Lotus Cortina and Ford Cortina?
The Ford Cortina and Lotus Cortina are two iconic cars that share a name but differ significantly in terms of design, performance, and purpose. While both vehicles were based on the same platform, the Lotus Cortina was a high-performance variant developed in collaboration with Lotus, making it a standout in the world of motorsports and enthusiast driving. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between these two models.
1. Origins and Purpose
The Ford Cortina was introduced in 1962 as a family-friendly, affordable sedan designed for everyday use. It quickly became one of the best-selling cars in the UK, thanks to its practicality and reliability. On the other hand, the Lotus Cortina, officially known as the Ford Cortina Lotus, was a performance-oriented version of the Cortina, developed in partnership with Lotus Cars. It was created to compete in motorsports, particularly in touring car racing.
2. Engine and Performance
One of the most significant differences between the two models lies under the hood:
- Ford Cortina: The standard Cortina came with a range of engines, including 1.2L and 1.5L inline-four engines, designed for efficiency and reliability rather than outright performance.
- Lotus Cortina: The Lotus version was equipped with a 1.6L twin-cam engine developed by Lotus, producing around 105 horsepower. This engine gave the Lotus Cortina a significant performance edge, making it a favorite among racing enthusiasts.
3. Suspension and Handling
The Lotus Cortina featured several upgrades to improve its handling and make it suitable for racing:
- Ford Cortina: The standard Cortina used a conventional suspension setup, which was adequate for daily driving but not optimized for high-performance handling.
- Lotus Cortina: Lotus re-engineered the suspension, adding lightweight components and a unique rear suspension setup with coil springs and trailing arms. These changes significantly improved the car's cornering ability and overall agility.
4. Exterior and Interior Differences
While the two cars shared a similar silhouette, the Lotus Cortina had distinct visual and interior features:
- Ford Cortina: The standard model had a more subdued design, with minimal sporty elements. It was available in various trims to cater to different customer needs.
- Lotus Cortina: The Lotus version was easily recognizable by its white paint with a green stripe running along the sides. It also featured lightweight aluminum panels, bucket seats, and a sportier interior to emphasize its performance-oriented nature.
5. Legacy and Impact
The Ford Cortina became a household name, known for its practicality and affordability, and remained in production for several generations. The Lotus Cortina, however, carved out a niche as a motorsport legend, winning numerous races and championships in the 1960s. Its success on the track helped establish Lotus as a premier name in performance engineering and solidified the Cortina's place in automotive history.
Conclusion
In summary, the Ford Cortina and Lotus Cortina may share a name, but they were designed for very different purposes. The Ford Cortina was a practical, everyday car, while the Lotus Cortina was a high-performance machine built for racing and spirited driving. Both cars have left an indelible mark on automotive history, appealing to different types of drivers and enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast was a Lotus Cortina?
In 1963, the Ford Cortina Lotus was born, thankfully more recognisably known as the 'Lotus Cortina', with a road-going version and a race-trim version. The road going car revving to 8,000 RPM singing all the way to 108mph was like a rocket ship in the day, and the race-trim version eaking out to 145mph.
What was the Ford Cortina called in Germany?
Ford Taunus TC. The Ford Taunus TC is a range of large family cars that were built by Ford Germany from 1970 until 1982. The Taunus TC was based on the same basic construction as the Ford UK's Cortina range, with the "TC" badge standing for Taunus Cortina.
Was the Ford Cortina ever sold in the US?
Ford in the United States imported both the Mark I and Mark II Cortina models. The Mark II was sold in the United States from 1967, achieving 16,193 cars sold in its first year. Sales of the Mark II in 1968 were 22,983. Sales in 1969 reached 21,496.
What does Ford Cortina mean in English?
Ford Cortina was a car produced by Ford Motor Company from 1962 to 1982. It was named after the Italian ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Which was the best Cortina?
For the 'normal' models, the Mk3 Cortina was the king. You could have the base model, the L, the XL, the GT and the GXL. Oh, and of course, the 2000E. That's 400 better than the 1600E before it.
How can you tell if a Lotus Cortina is real?
Chief tell-tale signs are a special panel to the boot floor, extra axle radius arms, reinforced front strut top mounts, added bulkhead flitch panels, bootmounted battery, relocated horn (behind the grille) and instruments unique to the Lotus.
Is a Lotus Cortina the same as a Ford Cortina?
The original version, which was based on the Ford Cortina Mark 1, was promoted by Ford as the "Consul Cortina developed by Lotus", with "Consul" later being dropped from the name. The Mark 2 was based on the Ford Cortina Mark II and was marketed by Ford as the "Cortina Lotus".
Why was the Ford Cortina discontinued?
The 80s demanded a new shape, and a fresh design was what the decade got. The name had to change too, though – but the replacement was almost too radical for Ford's own good. So, the straightforward Cortina was axed, and the all-new Ford Sierra was ushered in.
Which Hyundai built Ford Cortina?
Hyundai Motor Company, founded in 1967, selected CORTINA as its very first vehicle with Ford Motor Company. In 1968, CORTINA was successfully assembled in the Ulsan Plant, South Korea, accrediting Hyundai Motor with outstanding manufacturing capacity.
What is the longest run in Cortina?
Sports
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | |
|---|---|
| Trails | 101 runs over 120km total 45km (38%) easy 59km (49%) intermediate 16km (13%) difficult |
| Longest run | 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) |
| Total length | 120 km (70 mi) |
| Lift system | 27 lifts and 33.5 km total 6 aerial tramways 19 chairlifts 2 gondolas 2 surface lifts |
