Performance Review: Lotus Elan SE - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Elan Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Elan SE is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Lotus Elan has a 1588cc 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 Elan 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 Elan's Front Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1022 kgs (2253 lbs) this makes the Lotus Elan SE in the same weight category as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Elan shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1588cc 16V St4 engine produces 165 bhp (123 kW) @ 6600 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 148 lb-ft (200.6 Nm) @ 4200 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 Elan you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1998 Toyota Mark II 2.5 Tourer V (186.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Elan.

The Lotus Elan has a Power to weight ratio of 161.4 bhp per ton and 144.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 Elan competing with the 1998 Toyota Mark II 2.5 Tourer V (186.4 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7 V8 R/T (186.3 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 Elan generating around 144.8 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 1986 Mercedes SL Class 560SL V8 R107 (169.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1980 Porsche 911 SC (169.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.9 secs, this made the Lotus Elan SE as fast as the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs) the or the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs). This Lotus Elan SE is also faster than the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Brera JTS 3.2 V6 24v (6.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Elan and the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Elan on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.84 secs @ 92.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 (14.77 secs), the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTB QV 3.0l V8 (14.78 secs), and the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (14.78 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Lotus Elan SE has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 Elan equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Lotus Elan SE then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (148 mph).

Related Links:

1989 Elan Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison