Performance Review: Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Esprit Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular Lotus Esprit has a 1973cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Esprit shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Esprit's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1229 kgs (2709 lbs) this makes the Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Esprit shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1973cc 16V St4 engine produces 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 217 lb-ft (294.2 Nm) @ 3750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lotus Esprit you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 (220.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Esprit.

The Lotus Esprit has a Power to weight ratio of 195.2 bhp per ton and 176.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 Esprit competing with the 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 (220.2 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.2L V8 440 (220.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lotus Esprit generating around 176.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Porsche Boxster S 3.4L (201.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI GSR (201.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs). This Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Esprit and the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Esprit on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.13 secs @ 96.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG (14.07 secs), the 2003 Nissan 350Z 300 GT Coupe (14.08 secs), and the 2003 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet (14.08 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 has a maximum speed of 163mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 Esprit equals the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (174 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 then how about the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (174 mph), the 2020 Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 (174 mph), or the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 (174 mph).

Related Links:

1996 Esprit Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison