Performance Review: Lotus Europa S 2.0 Turbo - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Europa Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Europa S 2.0 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Lotus Europa has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Europa 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 Europa'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 995 kgs (2193 lbs) this makes the Lotus Europa S 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Europa shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 200 lb-ft (271.1 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (222.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Europa.

The Lotus Europa has a Power to weight ratio of 197.9 bhp per ton and 201.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Europa competing with the 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (222.5 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 272 (222.4 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 Europa generating around 201.0 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 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (225.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Maserati Shamal 3.2L V8 BiTurbo (225.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Lotus Europa S 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs). This Lotus Europa S 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

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

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Europa 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 2006 version of the Lotus Europa S 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Europa equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Lotus Europa S 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (154 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Europa Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison