The World's Fastest Lotus? - /TUNED

Frank Profera has spent six years making his Lotus go faster, stop shorter, and corner harder. Though it only has to move around 2,150 lbs, Frank's Lotus makes 680 wheel horsepower with a twin-charged 1.8L engine; giving it a better power-to-weight ratio than Mario Andretti's Formula One Lotus. It's an ongoing project that may never be finished, because of Frank's never-ending obsession with speed. We had to take it for a ride.

[@InebriHATED]

2019, Ive watched this vid a million times since 2012. Still one of my fav builds EVER.

[@bob15479]

Me too.

[@etanthony1]

Same same 🤤

[@Roboglove]

2020 and it still slaps. This car is fast enough to out run the coronavirus

[@nothingness7557]

You sir, just lied. Shame on you

[@scottsmith6571]

He ever used methanol instead of iso alky

[@BruceWillisiscool]

so basically the guy that built this is a mad scientist.

[@MrMelodynelson]

My dad's a mad scientist. It's a lot like being a regular scientist, except without worrying about legal or moral limitations, and it's a commom profession among the scientifically inclined supervillain...

[@terrypussypower]

Hyena What's a "mainstream scientist"? Oh, RIGHT! You mean 99.9999% of all the scientists on Earth! Yeah, those guys don't know what they're doing, that's why scientific progress is coming at an exponential rate! Because those guys don't know what they're doing! Hahaha! "Anti-scientists" my arse.

[@terrypussypower]

Hyena "First they ignore the loonies, then they laugh at them, and then they go back to ignoring them again, because they have nothing of value to contribute" That's called "reality." If they did have something to contribute then they wouldn't be mad...they would be SCIENTISTS! That's how reality works.

[@lodbldbol]

More like mad engineer

[@kstoff2218]

Find myself coming back to this video every couple years. Seriously one of the best. Man I hope Frank and Mike are still around and making amazing cars.

[@nik7210]

From when it first came out to now, I’ve been doing the same, grew up watching these vids and coming back again and again

[@Ryukachoo]

this is 1.2kg per horsepower getting reaaal close to a koenigsegg one:1 there

[@mrastleysghost]

+Ryukachoo What's the Hennessey's ratio?

[@leok8183]

+M Astley 1244kg and 1244hp 1.0kp per hp

[@mrastleysghost]

ok. Thanks

[@jackryan9045]

+Ryukachoo One:1 is at the crank not the wheels

[@aishabibis1580]

+Snow Excalibur it's the devil sixteen v16 engine 5000 hp 347.9 mph o-60 unknown

[@chunglii8]

Teddy Roosevelt sure knew how to build a car.

[@tysvlogs5838]

LMAO you're my favorite person here

[@TheRealBleach]

Oof

[@Raidheaven]

0 to 60 in 2 seconds, fuck..

[@vivalaphill]

***** *under

[@vivalaphill]

John Michael Kane GPS?

[@barples]

+vivalaphill pretty sure 0-60 depends on ur tire spin.... that's how the supra is a .01 0-60 right?

[@vivalaphill]

barples if you measure it with a driftbox via GPS tire spin doesn´t matter.

[@barples]

I'm being sarcastic. You're completely right. Tire spin is not an accurate indication of speed.

[@paradoxicalphenomena8620]

Guy 1: Turbocharger! Guy 2: Supercharger! Little Girl: Why not both? *Mexican music plays*

[@Cubonex]

ol del lotus mucho fun tonight~

[@HDVideoTuts]

mine craft la cucaracha la cucaracha la la la ala

[@JericTamayo]

mine craft Together they should be called Surborcharger

[@vGxbe]

taco commercial reference, only Australians get the joke sorry fools

[@SuperRedWaffle]

actually I get the joke... it's about be soft/hard shell commercial. why would that be Australian-only lmao

[@captainjosue]

Toyota Celica 2zz GE engine, MR2 transmission, Celica Supercharger + turbocharger, Lotus lightweight frame, gas + isopropyl alchohol...this is the most amazing build I have ever seen.

[@RedMenace1to6]

power to weight ratio goes out the fucking window when this guy sits in it

[@AffordBindEquipment]

funny, they never mention that part.....it's why horse jockeys are little guys.

[@Fermion911]

ROFL :D

[@jayMbodybuilding]

lmfao

[@Theprofessionalnetwork]

OfficeBear IMBACKURMAD Lotus are actually fairly inexpensive cars. Tuning it to this level however... pretty costly.

[@oter1237]

OfficeBear IMBACKURMAD in norway that is NOTHING for a new car ...

[@xsnow167]

I'm sorry I'm a smart tech.... pump gas and alcohol = e85 on the "fly" that's just fucking Genius... that man knows how to build fast cars, my hat is off to guy that build this beast

[@RoninRS211]

+projjectX xxx Thanks dude, the AEM series2 has the staged injector setting.... It took a few days on the dyno to get it dialed in....

[@rippinandtearin420]

I aggre and the charger and turbo setup to create a linear power curve is great

[@Gunthazv2]

+Ronin Rs211 sorry did you say an RS200i with 900bhp... Madness

[@RoninRS211]

Yeah that was back in 1990. RS200E

[@gman012341]

You would actually be surprised that this has been around for a while in one form or another. I dont know the ins and outs of the system he is using but Alcohol, Methanol, and water injection has been around for years. All perform the same basic function of A. Cooling intake charge. and B. Reducing detonation or knock. Its a neat set up and when E-85 or Race gas are not available make a great alternative. I personally dont run it on anything because i really dont need it but did consider running it on my GSX.

[@shreeshaipod]

My guy Teddy Roosevelt flying through them back roads...

[@rajneshchapatikumar3924]

exactly what i was thinking xDDDDDDDDD

[@azn412]

Must've been a successful cab driver smfh

[@Lofi.z34]

Gotta make dat moneys.

[@vexrich]

He must have been the Crazy Taxi protagonist

[@nontasanastasios7612]

i find most of the comments fair.but you guys forget the fact that this car is somebody's project and toy car.not a car manufacturers multimillion dollar project yet you compare it with the best of the best.just that fact makes this lotus the best of the best.

[@pbfloyd13]

3:30 So we're just going to skip over the fact that homeboy had a group B mid engine rally car that made 900 horsepower, okay...

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

"It's so fast because I met Mike and then we started screwing with things. Mike's kind of open minded... after you hit him with a hammer a couple of times" That's weird relationship you guys have.

[@el7284]

Probably the best kind

[@Mitutumuch]

it's called a stack of money hammer.

[@7ito1990]

This is how an elise old gen should look like. No more small pesky spider-like eyes in the middle. Only the normal corner headlights! =) Beautiful lotus, the way it should have been created and sold stock

[@leonardr6704]

"...and when you lose grip, it flies straight off the road and into someone's cliff"

[@youngmauro12]

RadiantGreen who owns cliffs?

[@kamarknight9853]

+youngmauro12 lol

[@PotatoWagon]

Into someone's face* not cliff.

[@DeathBringer769]

+Haqim Hatsuharu You might want to re-listen to 10:24... RadiantGreen was saying the correct/word replaced version the host said 2 seconds after.

[@leonardr6704]

I think the video was edited since I left this comment. Shame, really. It was quite funny :)

[@rammy3767]

680 WHP on a 1.8L 4-cyl...? I'm convinced anything is possible at this point...

[@wesleysavage444]

Any 4 cylinder engine can easily make 700hp with a lot of money and boost

[@ricardorodrigues3508]

@@wesleysavage444 yep, for 2 miles at least XD

[@madaratobi321]

The BMW m12 engine used in F1 had a displacement of 1.5 liters and made about 1500hp, provided it was boosted though. 4 bangers can make a lot of power if you're willing to risk blowing it up.

[@forcealpine87]

Koenigsegg has one-upped this with the 3 cyclinder, 2.0L twin turbo setup producing 600 hp / 443 ftlb, combined with electric motors producing 1,700 hp / 2,581 ftlb.

[@mykal__king]

RAMMY konnigsegg just made a 600 hp 3 cylinder

[@zrouth]

Pretty sure he didn't floor that thing once.

[@kyliodatter]

Probably never got past 3rd gear.

[@thenarrator1921]

Pretty sure every car enthusiast out there that can drive this thing is 50% wanting to floor it and the other 50% of them is afraid to fly off a cliff and on to the next.

[@aliasrehbar9693]

Honestly, listen to the specs, i'd be a lil afraid.

[@SupraSav]

You would be pretty silly to floor it in anything under 3rd gear..

[@carlogigante5239]

At the beginning i thought you were a hater, but halfway through the video maybe you are right...

[@ChainsawChuck13]

An utter masterpiece.

[@PearlyJarrett]

this would destroy pikes peak

[@JordanReedYT]

Better yet if it was AWD, carbon wheels and clutch + hydro suspension. Then it would beat it's self.

[@Malapropify]

+PearlyJarrett Um, no? It's made for tarmac not dirt. Its like saying a Katana is a good kitchen knife....

[@DoomsdayMelody91]

+Jordan Reed AWD would hurt the power to weight ratio, Matt said that the power comes on predictably and progressively.... meaning that AWD would be unnecessary unless you don't know how to drive.

[@993ts]

+Malapropify pikes peak is paved, the whole way.

[@JordanReedYT]

DoomsdayMelody91 I'm talking about for Pikes Peak not in general use and AWD wouldn't hurt acceleration if it was used mostly for low-speed uphill corners. Doesn't really matter cuz it's been crashed and rebuilt 200lbs lighter so it's even better now.

[@MovesMcgee1]

Dec 2021. Still coming back watch this. Will always remember this build.

[@RoninRS211]

So will I..

[@chasej5630]

That car right there could put the entire state of California's celebrities car collection to shame.

[@stevenmurray7701]

,no loop a pack 3 Z

[@quentonmillstid850]

Chase Johnston and almost kill you... your point?

[@srirachasauce8430]

Quenton, did you miss the video? the car is easy to drive. it all depends on how bold/stupid the driver is.

[@averyhuelsbeck3116]

The thing about making a car that's capable of these extreme numbers is that if you drive them below the limits, you're safe. It's just that "below the limits" in this car is the same amount of speed as other sport/super cars at their very limit, being driven dangerously. All the sensation with much less danger (so long as there's no driver error)

[@IsukInaWay]

@@averyhuelsbeck3116 Not driver error when you do it on purpose. Ha ha! I just wanted to say that... I'm done.

[@randy438]

Those two guys might not be the most book smart, but they understand how shit works better than the people who made it

[@alexzanderroberts995]

@Ryan marriner tbh, the differential is such a simple gearing concept to fix a really annoying problem. I gotta love it's simplicity.

[@jessebrown1400]

This is still the most memorable car on youtube. Ultimately I'd call it a smart-poor-mans supercar. I know it wasn't cheap. Amazing job Franko👍

[@RoninRS211]

Thanks, sadly it is no more...

[@vinayaksethu5160]

@@RoninRS211 why

[@davespark10]

almost died in a motorcycle accident..... i need something a little safer... this lotus will do...

[@o12i84]

I like the way your thinking 😂

[@MudRFunR]

Best Lotus I've ever seen!

[@petroldiaries6769]

MudRFunR Yup great vid 👍

[@ainurainur5505]

MudRFunR what lotus is it ? ELISE ?

[@rltbsgames]

Ainur Ainur Exige

[@ainurainur5505]

rltbsgames Yoshiyo thank you ! :)

[@coltonl7940]

I could name who now's how many cars that could smoke a veyron

[@Nick_Gerr-Pries]

Man I wish frank was my uncle

[@djdurment1373]

Frank had nothing to do with the build except money

[@HaloToday]

Dear Santa.....

[@smurphy505]

Watch this fucking thing pull at 7:00, I literally yelled holy fuck.

[@TheTycarroll]

ya thats fucking ridiculous!

[@jonathanrice2085]

Being a cab driver, how did Frank get to where he is today? Would be awesome to hear that.

[@_WESTSIDE_]

Jonathan Rice drug kingpin

[@JericTamayo]

Jonathan Rice It would be a pretty rad story I bet.

[@Lachyp1992]

In c ft jhñjmklk li n lb nm d lb ddrňyy t u BFF v onomatopoeia dry un jest uhuon uj h uh hu

[@quentonmillstid850]

Jonathan Rice being smart

[@AngryTurds]

He might have a Winnebago in the desert?

[@tristanmiller5215]

The acceleration looks like an F1 car out of the corners. So awesome.

[@thecanucklehead3034]

Tristan Miller you even heard him say it has a better power/weight ratio than lotus’s own older f1 cars

[@marley354]

Lotus used to actually make f1 cars look up john player cars. They changed the whole way we look at aerodynamics very impressive designs

[@alexandrefernandes9233]

And it doesn't cost 1 million like the Venom GT...

[@Vyppaaa11]

And you can not buy one, so the price is debatable

[@alexandrefernandes9233]

***** But I can make one!

[@Vyppaaa11]

Alexandre Fernandes And once you factor in labor you will probably be well over $300,000

[@alexandrefernandes9233]

No away! In Portugal, a mechanic work hour is only $15.

[@Vyppaaa11]

Alexandre Fernandes Mechanic and custom fabricator are two very different things

[@vtr0104]

The fact that Mike helped Frank build this thing and he's in his shop wearing a John Deere cap is just unintentional comedy gold :))))

[@pacrat90]

MR2 transmission the only one that can hold the power? I've heard everyone talk shit about the E153 for ages hahaha. I love my 93 MR2 Turbo

[@cjzx325]

9 years later this is still my favorite car build ever!

[@usagentcyclone]

did he say a 900 bhp rs200 0-60 in under 2 seconds? jesus christ

[@uglybassterd1]

+usagentcyclone yep rs200 evo

[@datrevioussmith5771]

and the lotus is faster? I said tf

[@user-po8vx5xb3c]

@@datrevioussmith5771 I really doubt the lotus is faster though because RS200 Evos weigh like 900kg so same as the lotus but the rs200 has way more power and 4wd

[@KingJerbear]

@@user-po8vx5xb3c An evo weighs about 500 lbs more, and as he said "nothing is faster out of a corner." I'm sure the AWD is great from a standing start but Lotus' are meant to slay corners

[@dabwonz9499]

I can’t lie I’ve watched this so many times threw out the years and it still gives me goose bumps every time

[@feral4mr2]

every time this comes up in my video feed i love watching it. compound twincharge is so much fun to drive. the feeling is different to any straight supercharged or turbo'd engine.

[@mauroponce3739]

Seven years later, and this video is still amazing and makes me want a lotus even more! Wish this car was still around.

[@djdurment1373]

The car is alive, I walk past it several times a day

[@Wyrmidion]

@@djdurment1373 did he rebuild it?

[@WideLoad405]

Dude, the uniqueness of the twin charging on that Lotus combined with your use of Spaceballs references as a description of speed (because, quite frankly, any other reference would have fallen short...except, maybe, "Batshit crazy", lol) have earned you my subscription. I've watched and enjoyed your vids before but this was a treat. Thank you!

[@joshuawear8057]

That enormous wing must really help for stoping wheelspin on that lotus

[@henmich]

I can't get enough of this car... I find myself coming back to this video over and over...

[@marioeid930]

As crazy and creative this build was it made it so much cooler to hear matt say it was easy to control!

[@sarahdell4042]

Crazy this was from 6 years ago already

[@gabreshaa8234]

now thats a supercar

[@jasonren666]

this car is a classic case of you only live once and FTW

[@jamesprice2163]

It has a "fuck it" vibe to it

[@dakedres]

This is what the fastest stock Lotus will be like in 25 years.

[@topsecret1837]

This guy’s mustache and glasses make him look like Theodore Roosevelt, yet somehow he looks more like Robin Williams depicting Theodore Roosevelt in Night at A Museum.

[@StressedYeti]

It would be neat to see what it's Nürburgring time would be :D

[@ianbarber311]

Now please do a vid of the transformation of this car after a Porsche driver hit it and it has been changed. Please! Frank, you are the Hendrix of cars for creating that beauty, it hurts me that it got in a wreck, but what you made it into is very cool also, what little I saw..

[@Bionic_Goat_]

It’s 5/28/2023 12:04pm est. I am still recommending this video to friends and family who haven’t watched it yet. I’ll check in again in 10 years.

[@DeathtrapCult]

The new version if this just appeared on "jay leno's garage" on KZbin. Check it out

[@anarkilp]

amazing transformation eh?

[@XgamefreekX]

Tbh, I like this build of the car in this video better. It is more of my taste. XD It's unfortunate that this car had an accident. He might have made some improvements in its rebuild. Still an amazing car and I would like to have a chance to drive it regardless.

[@willbrown5543]

I started watching it on Jay Leno's Garage, and immediately came here to say the same thing. Holy crap the new version is bonkers!

[@TRooperZps3360]

i guess i'm not the only one in this comment section with the same idea the v2 looks improved.

[@mitchellmortenson2481]

I watched this a LONG time ago, and I saw the new one today!

[@kickblake]

What a magical world he lives in where a NY cab driver can move to California, and then own 900hp vehicles and lamborghinis. Too bad the world the following generations inherited makes that an impossibility.

[@his-worddevotionals540]

kickblake it’s still possible

[@HoloScope]

How tf did he make that much money from cab driving in NY

[@atomicorang]

Love Matt’s sincere laughs of joy.

[@ianbarber311]

Just went to the website and saw this car totally changed, they cut the roof off, etc.. I almost cried, then realized it was done because a Porsche hit it... now it is still cool.

[@Richard-yq2mm]

Totally, properly, insanely majestic ROAD CAR!! Well done.

[@billyescobar1731]

Lotus needs to hire this guy absolutely wicked set up

[@MrJoshcrimson]

I can't stop watching this video over and over again, What a beautiful vehicle. Jesus Christ Bravo.... Bravo....

[@verybiggreensteameng]

That's a good set up. When a car feels easy to drive with all that power. well Done

[@hagusj]

offer it up to top gear for a quick lap with the stig

[@MuzzaHukka]

Wow, 1800cc and fast as shit? That's still more economic than my dad's car!

[@olevik6374]

eh you need alot of fuel to make 700 hp, whatever the displacement of the engine...fuel + air = power. Its probably more than your dads car, unless he drives a Hummer H2 with a supercharger on it.

[@MuzzaHukka]

Ole Vik Dad's 2.0 Litre Dodge Calliber SXT, he wants a Hummer H2 though :) But I would've thought that even if you mix in Ethanol and all other alcohol fuels, that and the gasoline would total 1.8litres

[@flakey7832]

i must've watched this video at least 8 times and i keep coming back to watch it

[@ianbarber311]

Still a favorite video, years later.

[@Godmason]

This guy owned an RS200? Jesus fuck.

[@sizzlechestmcmurphy4365]

Not sure how they're doing the power-to-weight calculations, but a Venom GT is a shade over 2.2 pounds per horsepower versus this car's 2.7 pounds per horsepower. I'd still rather have this car over the Venom GT just because of the lower weight and supercharger/turbocharger combo.

[@thijnspeksnijder1294]

+Matlock Wallace and the looks

[@anthonyantoine9232]

+Matlock Wallace Yeah, he even says in the video 2,150 lbs and 680 hp, which doesn't make 2.7 lbs/hp. It's 3.16 lbs/hp. Still obviously quick as fuck, but not the 2.7 they're saying.

[@danmks2]

Pretty sure he talked about this ratio in reverse (hp per lb). This caught me out first time I heard it...! :)

[@cheese96744]

+Anthony Antoine I think they got the 2.7 lbs/hp via the horsepower at the crank which is probably 750+ rather than use the hp at the wheels.

[@anthonyantoine9232]

cheese96744 I suppose, but that's a stupid way to go about it in order to attempt to inflate your numbers. It also makes sense with a ~15% drivetrain loss. 800 - 120 = 680. 2150 ÷ 800 = 2.6875

[@leomazza5516]

This was on my recommended list great video I act ug alot thought it came out today until I seen the date

[@adamschembri7667]

7 years later and i still love this video.

[@OverAndOverAndOver]

I need a list of what he did. I NEED this!

[@coreyhans]

It flies off the road and hits someone in the cliff. ;)

[@mazda_miata_]

This is the video that got me into /DRIVE. I remember being in 6th grade, getting on the bus to go home from school, and googling the worlds fastest Lotus. This popped up, I watched it, loved it, now I’m going to my junior year of high school and still watch the show and listen to The Smoking Tire podcast

[@RoninRS211]

Cool, I'm glad you liked the car.

[@SpudEater]

I could listen to this car for hours, my WRX is violent in it's current setup and this just seems so manageable. I currently make 450 whp in my 09 and it honestly is just gnarly, the lag is intense and it does not make for a good daily at all. I've pondered various setups on her but a built boxer is loud, laggy and just doesn't do too well in the canyons and 300 whp for my car would be perfection honestly.

[@vipersickboy24]

What a beast!

[@maxideath01]

This shit is breathing like crazy.

[@largol33t1]

I love the greenish gray paint job. If I could repaint my GTI (even though it's new) I would use this color.

[@terryogilvie7879]

3.4 million views & no comments! Until now! This is one awesome Lotus. It looks great, sounds great & I'd love to drive it. But alas, I've been to Lancaster & never want to go there again.

[@twinzturbo]

So with you in it weighs as much as a hummer

[@mathikmathik7471]

My grandma drives the same Pontiac. Nice old person car bruh. You mad ?

[@Giitzerland]

+Matthew Wilson horrible, lol...fat burns are lame, but "you mad's" are somehow worse :P

[@jamalsalads]

Mathik Mathik I am

[@wassaup6180]

Mathik Mathik has

[@jamalsalads]

@@wassaup6180 u maD bro?

[@MrZattack101]

I literally couldn't tell if this video was a comedy skit or not

[@plasticwrapcharlie]

4:12 ROFL you can see the look on his face like, "well shit, it blows me away what more do you want, a shotgun shell to the head?" it's like dealing with a connoisseur whose palate is so delicate and refined that they can literally taste things others can't, only this guy's a connoisseur for life-threatening, bat-shit crazy speed, and he doesn't look like a rock star or Satan, he's a middle-aged man with a big white mustache in a canadian tuxedo. This is a great channel, man.

[@GTFour]

Have watched this so many times. I’d love a follow up. Please make it happen.

[@TheBTRGarage]

Damn, impressive! I've driven (stock) Elise's and they are tons of fun. I can't imagine this thing :o What size tires on this guy? I know the original wheels/tires are pretty narrow...

[@RoninRS211]

+Justin's Pit Lane I ran 215 / 285 on the car then, it runs 245 / 335 now but the car is completely different ..

[@TheBTRGarage]

+Ronin RS211 Very cool! That is a large rear :D

[@iZxBuEnO]

matt ferra is a thumb

[@freqenc]

Still my fav car. Not so much dual power inputs and mixtures but still BAD ASS! Spaceship on wheels. Techo just before...

[@richardsearfoss5962]

I'm getting this car with the racetrack around my mashion! VERY EXCITED!!

[@BigassAsianonTHEFly]

So it has both supercharger and turbo???

[@bananasstuff3344]

Yes

[@daturnerman76]

After living in Germany for 4 years, it's a shame your reviews couldn't be done from here. 65-75MPH restrictions make me a sad panda!

[@064razor]

Boostmachines The autobahn is good

[@beneddy99]

That is a thing of beauty. What a machine

[@fups1]

Probably my favorite car I've ever seen

[@MrYUBLUE]

Still watching this in 2019

[@B2G4me]

Outro Song ? :)

[@LabRat4680]

"I swear Yogurt lives in that shop somewhere, and it's got liquid schwartz." So much win.

[@ImAlrightITHINK]

That forced perspective shot at the end was intense haha and this is my second time watching this... my dream is to build my own lightweight high powered car.... one day.

[@TopChefDan]

RIP Head Phone Users

[@jameslaraia]

Ah dang. It’s been 8 years 😅

[@tomdegroote2347]

Love his nervous laugh when accelerating teh first few times :D :p

[@YAHUAH870]

Now that little car is something right there!

[@alexcheetah79]

sounds like a group b rally car!

[@vantom6194]

If this is a 1.8 engine from Lotus elise this is the same engine from Celica GTS the Yamaha 2ZZ-GE

[@lordnggamermtpoppy3829]

yes

[@rolldog82]

A k20a will be a better engine for this twin charged or 2zzge?

[@lordnggamermtpoppy3829]

@@rolldog82 2zzge

[@rolldog82]

LordNGGamerMT Poppy can you explain why better than k20?

[@lordnggamermtpoppy3829]

@@rolldog82 2ZZ-GE is a VTEC killer!

[@rvarnell9165]

You did it Frank. That is absolutely the coolest car on planet Earth 🌎

[@randomguy3139]

Super sick car bro!!! Obviously never driven either, but I love Lotus and Koenigsegg and yeah... That's a seriously sick... I want to drive it!!!