Performance Review: Lotus Super Severn 1.5L - [1963]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Super Severn Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Super Severn 1.5L is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1963. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12 and the 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12.This particular Lotus Super Severn has a 1498cc 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 Super Severn 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 Super Severn'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 483 kgs (1064 lbs) this makes the Lotus Super Severn 1.5L in the same weight category as the 2009 Caterham 7 Superlight R500 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Super Severn shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1498cc 8V St4 engine produces 85 bhp (63 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 75 lb-ft (101.6 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (92 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V1 - Classic JDM (200.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Super Severn.

The Lotus Super Severn has a Power to weight ratio of 175.9 bhp per ton and 155.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1963 Super Severn competing with the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V1 - Classic JDM (200.8 bhp per ton) or the 2015 BMW 3 Series 340i F30 LCI (200.6 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 Super Severn generating around 155.2 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 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (180.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 (180.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.6 secs, this made the Lotus Super Severn 1.5L as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the or the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs). This Lotus Super Severn 1.5L is also faster than the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the and the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Super Severn and the 1998 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 Biturbo Evoluzione

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Super Severn on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.06 secs @ 90.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 Biturbo Evoluzione (14.99 secs), the 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster 300bhp (15.00 secs), and the 1998 Nissan 300ZX Version S Twin Turbo (15.00 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1963 version of the Lotus Super Severn 1.5L has a maximum speed of 100mph.

Top Speed of the 1963 Super Severn equals the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (111 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1963 Lotus Super Severn 1.5L then how about the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (111 mph), the 1976 Ford Granada 3.0 V6 (111 mph), or the 1975 Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 (111 mph).

Related Links:

1963 Super Severn Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison