Performance Review: Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Esprit Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Lotus Esprit has a 2174cc 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 1329 kgs (2929 lbs) this makes the Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE in the same weight category as the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Esprit shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 2174cc 16V St4 engine produces 264 bhp (196 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 260 lb-ft (352.5 Nm) @ 3900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 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 1969 Dodge Charger 7.0L Daytona Hemi (223.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Esprit.

The Lotus Esprit has a Power to weight ratio of 198.6 bhp per ton and 195.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 Esprit competing with the 1969 Dodge Charger 7.0L Daytona Hemi (223.6 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Audi A6 S6 5.2 Quattro (223.4 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 195.6 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 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (220.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 BMW 1 Series M135i F20 (220.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Esprit and the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Esprit on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.03 secs @ 97.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 (14.00 secs), the 2014 Bentley Mulsanne Speed 6.8 V8 Turbo (14.00 secs), and the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (14.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE has a maximum speed of 159mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 Esprit equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph), or the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 3.5 V6 (170 mph).

Related Links:

1989 Esprit Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison