Lotus Esprit 0–60 Times
The Lotus Esprit 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 18 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Lotus and Motor Trend and more.
The fastest tested Lotus Esprit is the 1998 Lotus Esprit V8 Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 12.70 seconds at 112.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested Lotus Esprit is the 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 Coupe, which took 9.6 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 17.30 seconds at 79.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
Out of all the Lotus Esprit tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 5.43 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 13.92 seconds at 101.30 mph.
Fastest 0–60
4.1sec
1998 V8 Coupe
Average 0–60
5.43sec
Across 18 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
13.92sec
@ 101.3 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
9.6sec
1977 S1 Coupe
Across 18 verified runs, the Lotus Esprit ranges from 4.1 to 9.6 seconds 0–60, with a 5.43-second average.
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Lotus Esprit 0–60 times by model year
18 tests · 12 years
▾
1998
Lotus Esprit · 3 verified runs
Avg 0–60
4.30
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
12.83
sec
Recorded Tests
3
#01
1998 Lotus Esprit V8 Coupe
4.1sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
12.70s
¼ mi @ 112.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 4.10 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 12.70 sec
- Trap Speed
- 112.0 mph
- Engine
- 3.5L Twin-Turbo V8
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 5M
- MPG EPA
- 14 C / 21 H / 14 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #1 of 18
#02
1998 Lotus Esprit V8 Coupe
4.4sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
12.80s
¼ mi @ 111.8 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 4.40 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 12.80 sec
- Trap Speed
- 111.8 mph
- Engine
- 3.5L Twin-Turbo V8
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 5M
- MPG EPA
- 14 C / 21 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #2 of 18
#03
1998 Lotus Esprit V8 Coupe
4.4sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
13.00s
¼ mi @ 110.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 4.40 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 13.00 sec
- Trap Speed
- 110.0 mph
- Engine
- 3.5L Twin-Turbo V8
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 5M
- MPG EPA
- 14 C / 21 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Week
- Overall Rank
- #3 of 18
How we verify Lotus Esprit performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Lotus Esprit trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Lotus Esprit 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Lotus Esprit performance FAQs
6 questions
The quickest Lotus Esprit on record is the 1998 Lotus Esprit V8 Coupe, which runs 0–60 mph in 4.1 seconds and clears the quarter-mile in 12.70 seconds at 112.0 mph.
The slowest recorded Lotus Esprit is the 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 Coupe, which takes 9.6 seconds to reach 60 mph and runs 17.30 seconds in the quarter.
Averaged across all 18 verified runs, a Lotus Esprit reaches 60 mph in 5.43 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in 13.92 seconds at roughly 101.3 mph.
We have verified test data for 12 model years. Each year shows every recorded run, the publication that measured it, and the trim-level details.
Every figure is sourced from published road tests by Car and Driver, Lotus, Motor Trend, Motor Week and Road & Track. We don't use manufacturer claims — only independently timed runs — so the numbers reflect what the car actually does.
0–60 and quarter-mile results depend on driver technique, ambient temperature, tire condition, road surface, altitude, and testing instrumentation. A published figure is a single sample, not an absolute — which is why we show the range of verified runs rather than one number.
Sources
Car and Driver
Lotus
Motor Trend
Motor Week
Road & Track
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Lotus Esprit can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Lotus 0–60 times
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