Performance Review: Lotus Excel SE 2.2 16v - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Excel Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Excel SE 2.2 16v is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular Lotus Excel has a 2174cc 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 Excel 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 Excel'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 1171 kgs (2581 lbs) this makes the Lotus Excel SE 2.2 16v in the same weight category as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 2174cc 16V St4 engine produces 180 bhp (134 kW) @ 6500 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 Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 165 lb-ft (223.7 Nm) @ 5000 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 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2011 KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo (178.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Excel.

The Lotus Excel has a Power to weight ratio of 153.7 bhp per ton and 140.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 Excel competing with the 2011 KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo (178.5 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Honda NSX 3.0 V6 Auto (178.3 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 Excel generating around 140.9 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 2007 Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design (165.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.8T V6 VXR (165.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.0 secs, this made the Lotus Excel SE 2.2 16v as fast as the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the or the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Brera JTS 3.2 V6 24v (6.80 secs). This Lotus Excel SE 2.2 16v is also faster than the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the and the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Excel and the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Excel on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.32 secs @ 89.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport (15.25 secs), the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic (15.26 secs), and the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (15.29 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the Lotus Excel SE 2.2 16v has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 Excel equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 Lotus Excel SE 2.2 16v then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

1985 Excel Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison