Performance Review: Lotus Esprit S4 3.5 V8 Turbo - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Esprit Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Esprit S4 3.5 V8 Turbo 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 3506cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Esprit shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. 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 1378 kgs (3037 lbs) this makes the Lotus Esprit S4 3.5 V8 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Esprit shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 3506cc 32V V8 engine produces 350 bhp (260 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 4250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo (278.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Esprit.

The Lotus Esprit has a Power to weight ratio of 253.9 bhp per ton and 214.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 Esprit competing with the 2017 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo (278.9 bhp per ton) or the 2020 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition 3.0 Bi Turbo G80 (278.6 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 214.0 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 2004 Ferrari F430 4.3 V8 (239.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Aston-Martin Vantage 4.7 V8 GT8 (239.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.8 secs, this made the Lotus Esprit S4 3.5 V8 Turbo as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs). This Lotus Esprit S4 3.5 V8 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Esprit and the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Esprit on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.92 secs @ 105.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S 3.0 V6 Turbo (12.86 secs), the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 3.2 V8 (12.86 secs), and the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383 (12.87 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Lotus Esprit S4 3.5 V8 Turbo has a maximum speed of 172mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 Esprit equals the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Lotus Esprit S4 3.5 V8 Turbo then how about the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 mph), the 2015 Aston-Martin DB9 GT 5.9 V12 (183 mph), or the 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 (183 mph).

Related Links:

1996 Esprit Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison