Lotus E21 (2013 F1)
The Lotus E21 is Lotus F1 Team’s 2013 Formula One car, a sharp, mid-pack-to-front-running Grand Prix machine built to the post-DRS, V8-era regulations. In Assetto Corsa, the fo_2013_lotus mod captures the clean, low-slung silhouette and serious mechanical grip of one of the more balanced cars from the 2013 grid.
Key Specs (BoP-dependent, typical sim values)
Powertrain: 2.4L naturally aspirated Renault RS27-2013 90° V8, mid-mounted, longitudinal
Total Output: ~750 hp (560 kW)
Redline: ~18,000 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed semi-automatic sequential
Weight: 691 kg minimum
Dimensions: ~5,100 mm long × 1,800 mm wide × 950 mm tall | Wheelbase ~3,450 mm
Tires: Pirelli P Zero slicks and wets
Brakes: Carbon-carbon discs with high-performance multi-piston calipers
Layout: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
In the Simulator Feel
The Lotus E21 is a precise, aero-sensitive Formula car that rewards commitment and smoothness. It offers excellent front-end bite, strong mechanical grip, and enough downforce to attack medium- and high-speed corners with real confidence, but like any 2013 F1 car it still demands respect under braking and on throttle. It feels alive without being brutally nervous, making it one of the more accessible cars from the V8 era.
Engine & Sound: The Renault V8 is all about a screaming top-end, instantaneous throttle response, and that unmistakable high-pitched F1 wail. There’s no turbo lag or hybrid deployment here — just linear, razor-sharp power that builds hard as it sweeps toward the limiter. The sound is raw, metallic, and wonderfully analog compared with modern Formula One machinery.
Handling Characteristics:
Cornering: Quick steering response and strong aero balance make it very rewarding in flowing corners.
Traction: Good rear grip, but wheelspin is easy to trigger if you get greedy with throttle on corner exit.
Braking: Extremely effective braking performance, with a narrow operating window before lockup if you rush the pedal.
Top Speed: Strong straight-line pace, especially in low-drag trim, though it still relies on corner speed to do the real damage.
Driving Style Tip: Drive it like a momentum car with serious downforce. Keep the inputs tidy, lean on the aero in fast corners, and use disciplined brake release to keep the rear stable. It shines at circuits like Silverstone, Spa, and Suzuka, where rhythm matters as much as outright power.
Livery & Aesthetics: The E21 wears one of the cleaner and more elegant 2013 F1 shapes, with Lotus’s black-and-gold livery giving it a classic, premium look. The stepped-nose era wasn’t beautiful by default, but the E21’s proportions, sleek sidepods, and compact rear end make it a standout from the field.
Whether you're chasing qualifying laps or settling into long-run pace, the Lotus E21 delivers the best of the V8 Formula One era — fast, physical, and deeply satisfying to drive.