Performance Review: Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 - [1975]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Esprit Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1975. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 and the 1975 Jaguar XJ S V12.This particular Lotus Esprit has a 1973cc Naturally Aspirated 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 900 kgs (1984 lbs) this makes the Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 in the same weight category as the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Esprit shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1973cc 16V St4 engine produces 162 bhp (120 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 140 lb-ft (189.8 Nm) @ 4900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 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 2017 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (205.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Esprit.

The Lotus Esprit has a Power to weight ratio of 180.0 bhp per ton and 155.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1975 Esprit competing with the 2017 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (205.0 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (204.9 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 155.5 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 2006 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro (180.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen (180.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Esprit and the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Esprit on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.62 secs @ 93.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12 (14.56 secs), the 1997 Audi A4 S4 2.7T Quattro (14.56 secs), and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta 235 Cloverleaf (14.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1975 version of the Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 1975 Esprit equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (148 mph).

Related Links:

1975 Esprit Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison