Lotus Esprit
3.5 i V8 32V Turbo
354 hp3506 ccGasolineRWDManualTurbochargedCoupe1996-1998
Car comparison
Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V TurbovsAC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 Superblower
Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.
New comparisonVS
AC Cobra (MK IV)
4.9 i V8 Superblower
326 hp4942 ccGasolineRWDManualSuperchargedCoupe1997-1999
Comparison overview
Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.
Best choices
AC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 Superblower
- Quickest 0-100 km/h4.2 s
- Highest torque522 Nm385 lb-ft
- Lightest1,160 kg2,557 lb
- Best power-to-weight281 hp/t210 kW/t3.6 kg/hp
- Lowest city consumption15.7 L/100 km15.0 mpg US18.0 mpg UK
- Best overall score64/100
- Best performance score76/100
- Best practicality score38/100
Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V Turbo
- Fastest top speed282 km/h175 mph
- Most powerful354 hp264 kW
- Lowest highway consumption9.3 L/100 km25.3 mpg US30.4 mpg UK
- Best economy score0/100
Specification comparison
| Model | LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 354hp264kW | 326hp243kW |
| Torque | 400Nm295lb-ft | 522Nm385lb-ft |
| Curb weight | 1,380kg3,042lb | 1,160kg2,557lb |
| Gross weight | 1,630kg3,594lb | 1,360kg2,998lb |
| Top speed | 282 km/h 175 mph | Unrestricted 265 km/h165 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph Calculated |
| To 99% top speed | 63.4s99% target: 279 km/h / 173 mph Calculated | 46.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph Calculated |
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9s | 4.2s |
| 0-200 km/h | 15.1s Calculated | 13.3s Calculated |
| 0-60 mph | 4.7s Calculated | 4.0s Calculated |
| Fuel consumption city | 20L/100 km11.8mpg US14.1mpg UK | 15.7L/100 km15mpg US18.0mpg UK |
| Fuel consumption highway | 9.3L/100 km25.3mpg US30.4mpg UK | 10.9L/100 km21.6mpg US25.9mpg UK |
| Quarter mile | 12.9s Calculated | 12.2s Calculated |
| Power-to-weight | 257hp/t191kW/t116hp/1000 lb Calculated | 281hp/t210kW/t127hp/1000 lb Calculated |
| Torque-to-weight | 290Nm/t194lb-ft/ton Calculated | 450Nm/t301lb-ft/ton Calculated |
| Displacement | 3,506cc214cu in | 4,942cc302cu in |
| Length | 4,370mm172in | 4,200mm165in |
| Width | 1,880mm74in | 1,745mm69in |
| Height | 1,150mm45in | 1,200mm47in |
| Wheelbase | 2,420mm95in | 2,285mm90in |
| Front track | 1,530mm60in | 1,410mm56in |
| Rear track | 1,545mm61in | 1,485mm58in |
| Trunk volume | 200L | - |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel tank | 73L | 70L |
Performance charts
Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.
Dyno simulation
Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.
Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V TurboAC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 SuperblowerPowerTorque
- Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V Turbo: Power / Torque
- AC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 Superblower: Power / Torque
| Vehicle | Peak power RPM | Peak torque RPM | Max engine speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | 6,500 rpm | 4,250 rpm | 6,750 rpm |
| ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower | 5,700 rpm | 3,750 rpm | 5,950 rpm |
Acceleration curve
Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.
| Metric | LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower |
|---|---|---|
| Acceleration checkpoints | ||
0-60 mph 0-97 km/h | 4.7 s | 4.0 s |
0-100 km/h 0-62 mph | 4.9 s | 4.2 s |
0-200 km/h 0-124 mph | 15.1 s | 13.3 s |
| Top speed | 282 km/h 175 mph | Unrestricted 265 km/h165 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph Likely limited |
| Drag race simulation | ||
60 ft 18 m | 2.2 s | 2.1 s |
330 ft 101 m | 5.7 s | 5.4 s |
1/8 mile 201 m | 8.5 s | 8.0 s |
1000 ft 305 m | 10.9 s | 10.3 s |
1/4 mile 402 m | 12.9 s | 12.2 s |
Trap speed 1/4 mile 402 m | 185 km/h 115 mph | 192 km/h 119 mph |
Power comparison
Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | 354 hp 264 kW |
| ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower | 326 hp 243 kW |
Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V Turbo has 28 hp more than AC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 Superblower.
The biggest power difference is between AC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 Superblower and Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V Turbo: 28 hp (21 kW).
Torque comparison
Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | 400 Nm 295 lb-ft |
| ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower | 522 Nm 385 lb-ft |
Curb weight comparison
Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | 1,380 kg 3,042 lb |
| ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower | 1,160 kg 2,557 lb |
Top speed without limiter comparison
Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | 282 km/h 175 mph |
| ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower | Unrestricted 265 km/h165 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph |
0-100 km/h comparison
Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | 4.9 s |
| ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower | 4.2 s |
Although Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V Turbo has more power, AC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 Superblower is quicker from 0-100 km/h.
The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between AC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 Superblower and Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V Turbo: 0.7 s.
Power-to-weight comparison
Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | 257 hp/t 191 kW/t 3.9 kg/hp |
| ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower | 281 hp/t 210 kW/t 3.6 kg/hp |
Performance spider chart
Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.
| Vehicle | Power | Acceleration | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | 354 hp 264 kW | 4.9 s | 282 km/h 175 mph |
| ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower | 326 hp 243 kW | 4.2 s | Unrestricted 265 km/h165 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph |
Most attractive quadrant
Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.
| Vehicle | Performance score | Practicality score | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo |
|
| ||||||||||||||
| ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower |
|
| ||||||||||||||
Detailed score breakdown
| Vehicle | LotusEsprit3.5 i V8 32V Turbo | ACCobra (MK IV)4.9 i V8 Superblower | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 354 hp 264 kW | 326 hp 243 kW | ||||||||||||||||
| Torque | 400 Nm 295 lb-ft | 522 Nm 385 lb-ft | ||||||||||||||||
| Acceleration | 4.9 s | 4.2 s | ||||||||||||||||
| Top speed | 282 km/h 175 mph | Unrestricted 265 km/h165 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph | ||||||||||||||||
| Lightness | 1,380 kg 3,042 lb | 1,160 kg 2,557 lb | ||||||||||||||||
| Practicality |
|
| ||||||||||||||||
| Trunk score | 200 L 7.1 cu ft | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Power-to-weight score | 257 hp/t 191 kW/t 3.9 kg/hp | 281 hp/t 210 kW/t 3.6 kg/hp | ||||||||||||||||
| Overall | Fixed score | Fixed score |
Head-to-head comparisons
Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V Turbo
- Has 28 hp more
- Has 17 km/h (11 mph) higher top speed
Pros
- Highest top speed
- Most powerful
Cons
- Slowest 0-100 km/h
- Heaviest
AC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 Superblower
- Has 122 Nm more
- Is 220 kg lighter
- Is 0.7 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
- Has 25 hp/t better power-to-weight
Pros
- Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
- Highest torque
- Lightest
- Best power-to-weight ratio
Cons
- Lowest power
- Lowest top speed
Choose cars to compare
Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Lotus Esprit 3.5 i V8 32V Turbo
AC Cobra (MK IV) 4.9 i V8 Superblower
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