Performance Review: Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Europa Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.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 SE 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 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 222 bhp (165 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 221 lb-ft (299.6 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 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 2017 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 2.9 V6 Turbo (248.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Europa.

The Lotus Europa has a Power to weight ratio of 223.1 bhp per ton and 222.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Europa competing with the 2017 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 2.9 V6 Turbo (248.0 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Mercedes CLS Class 55 AMG (247.9 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 222.1 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 2003 Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro (246.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (246.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs). This Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Europa and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Europa on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.58 secs @ 100.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (13.52 secs), the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto (13.53 secs), and the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35is (13.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Europa equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Europa Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison