Performance Review: Lotus 340 R - [2000]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus 340 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus 340 R is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2000. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the 2000 Ultima GTR 720.This particular Lotus 340 has a 1796cc 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 340 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 340's Rear Wheel Drive, - 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 658 kgs (1450 lbs) this makes the Lotus 340 R in the same weight category as the 1963 Alfa-Romeo Giulia TZ or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus 340 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 190 bhp (141 kW) @ 7800 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 146 lb-ft (197.9 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 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lotus 340 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Lotus Exige S 3.5 V6 Roadster (313.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus 340.

The Lotus 340 has a Power to weight ratio of 288.7 bhp per ton and 221.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2000 340 competing with the 2012 Lotus Exige S 3.5 V6 Roadster (313.6 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Nissan Skyline GTR R35 (313.2 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 340 generating around 221.8 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 Mercedes C Class AMG Estate (246.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Jaguar F Type Supercharged 5.0 V8 (246.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.6 secs, this made the Lotus 340 R as fast as the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the or the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs). This Lotus 340 R is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the and the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 340 and the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst

When talking about the performance of the Lotus 340 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.61 secs @ 108.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst (12.55 secs), the 2013 BMW X5 4.4 V8 XDrive50i (12.55 secs), and the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (12.59 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2000 version of the Lotus 340 R has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 2000 340 equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2000 Lotus 340 R then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

2000 340 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison