Car comparison

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0ivsLotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

BMW Z4 (E85)

3.0i

231 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2002-2006
VS

Lotus Elise (SERIES 2)

1.8 i 16V 111R

192 hp1796 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2004-2010

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i

  • Fastest top speed
    244 km/h
    152 mph
  • Most powerful
    231 hp
    172 kW
  • Highest torque
    300 Nm
    221 lb-ft
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.6 L/100 km
    35.6 mpg US
    42.8 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    300 L
  • Best overall score
    50/100
  • Best economy score
    87/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Lotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.9 s
  • Lightest
    850 kg
    1,874 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    226 hp/t
    168 kW/t
    4.4 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.0 L/100 km
    19.6 mpg US
    23.5 mpg UK
  • Best performance score
    59/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ4 (E85)3.0iLotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
Power
231hp172kW
192hp143kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
180Nm133lb-ft
Curb weight
1,365kg3,009lb
850kg1,874lb
Gross weight
1,590kg3,505lb
-
Top speed
244 km/h
152 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
69.9s99% target: 242 km/h / 150 mph
Calculated
49.9s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.9s
4.9s
0-200 km/h
22.6s
Calculated
18.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.6s
Calculated
4.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
12L/100 km19.6mpg US23.5mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
6.6L/100 km35.6mpg US42.8mpg UK
7L/100 km33.6mpg US40.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.0s
Calculated
13.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
169hp/t126kW/t77hp/1000 lb
Calculated
226hp/t168kW/t102hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
220Nm/t147lb-ft/ton
Calculated
212Nm/t142lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
733km456mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
1,796cc110cu in
Length
4,091mm161in
3,785mm149in
Width
1,781mm70in
1,719mm68in
Height
1,299mm51in
1,143mm45in
Wheelbase
2,495mm98in
2,300mm91in
Front track
1,473mm58in
1,457mm57in
Rear track
1,523mm60in
1,503mm59in
Trunk volume
300L
115L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
55L
38L

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.

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0iLotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111RPowerTorque
  • BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i: Power / Torque
  • Lotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i5,900 rpm3,500 rpm6,150 rpm
LotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R7,800 rpm6,800 rpm8,050 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ4 (E85)3.0iLotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.6 s
4.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.9 s
4.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
22.6 s
18.0 s
Top speed
244 km/h
152 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.2 s
330 ft
101 m
6.1 s
5.7 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.2 s
8.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.8 s
11.0 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.0 s
13.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
165 km/h
102 mph
177 km/h
110 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
LotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
192 hp
143 kW

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i has 39 hp more than Lotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R.

The biggest power difference is between Lotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R and BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i: 39 hp (29 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
LotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
180 Nm
133 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
1,365 kg
3,009 lb
LotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
850 kg
1,874 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
244 km/h
152 mph
LotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i5.9 s
LotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R4.9 s

Although BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i has more power, Lotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Lotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R and BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i: 1.0 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
169 hp/t
126 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp
LotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
226 hp/t
168 kW/t
4.4 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
5.9 s
244 km/h
152 mph
LotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
192 hp
143 kW
4.9 s
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h5.9 s
Top speed
244 km/h
152 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 in
LotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
Power
192 hp
143 kW
0-100 km/h4.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
115 L
4.1 cu ft
Length
3,785 mm
149.0 in
Height
1,143 mm
45.0 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ4 (E85)3.0iLotusElise (SERIES 2)1.8 i 16V 111R
Power
231 hp
172 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
180 Nm
133 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.9 s
4.9 s
Top speed
244 km/h
152 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
Lightness
1,365 kg
3,009 lb
850 kg
1,874 lb
Fuel consumption
7.5 L/100 km
31.4 mpg US
37.7 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
115 L
4.1 cu ft
Length
3,785 mm
149.0 in
Height
1,143 mm
45.0 in
Range score
733 km
456 mi
-
Trunk score
300 L
10.6 cu ft
115 L
4.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
169 hp/t
126 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp
226 hp/t
168 kW/t
4.4 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleBMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i
Consumption7.5 L/100 km31.4 mpg US37.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km13.13 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi21.12 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,125 L297 US gal247 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,969 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i

  • Has 39 hp more
  • Has 120 Nm more
  • Has 4 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 185 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Heaviest

Lotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R

  • Is 515 kg lighter
  • Is 1.0 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 57 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Lowest top speed
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i
Lotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R
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BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i vs Lotus Elise (SERIES 2) 1.8 i 16V 111R - car comparison - FastVsFaster