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Lotus Esprit S3

The Lotus Esprit S3 reaches 60 mph in 6.55 s (100 km/h in 6.88 s) and covers a standing quarter mile in 15.16 s, tripping the lights at 94.2 mph. It clears the first 60 ft in 2.59 s and the eighth mile in 9.92 s.

Simulated, not measured — computed from published kerb mass, rated power, gearing and drivetrain, then fitted to this car’s own published acceleration figures. Dry asphalt, 20 °C, sea level, 1 ft rollout.

Lotus Esprit S3 Lamborghini Jalpa 3500

Pick who it runs against, then watch it happen — and change the surface, the weather or the distance and run it again.

Down the strip

Standing start Lotus Esprit S3
0–60 mph6.55 s
0–100 km/h6.88 s
0–100 mph—
60 ft2.59 s
1/8 mile9.92 s
1/4 mile15.16 s
Trap speed94.2 mph

About the Esprit S3

The 1981 Lotus Esprit S3 is a rear-drive naturally aspirated car of 1,120 kg with 160 bhp, which works out at 142 bhp per tonne. Rear drive and 142 bhp per tonne make the launch the hard part of the run: 60 ft takes 2.59 s. Against the 14,946 cars in the set it is the 3,957th quickest to 60 mph, and the 60th quickest of the 66 Lotuss here. Its 94.2 mph trap speed sits about where its 0-60 puts it, so it launches and pulls in roughly equal measure. The simulation is trimmed to 7 of 9 published acceleration figures for this car.

On paper

Specification Lotus Esprit S3
Year1981
Power160 hp (119 kW)
Kerb mass1,120 kg
Power to weight142 bhp/t
DrivetrainRear drive
Gears5
EngineNaturally aspirated
Top speed138 mph (222 km/h), quoted

Similar cars

CarYear 0–601/4 mileTrapPower
Lamborghini Jalpa 350019826.66 s15.03 s98.3 mph255 bhp
Acura MDX 3.7 V6 300 (2010)20106.58 s15.13 s91.5 mph300 bhp
Chevrolet Traverse 3.6 V6 31420176.58 s15.24 s87.9 mph310 bhp

Picked for a fair race, not just a matching 0-60: pace, power-to-weight and body shape all count, and at most one is from the same maker.

Head to head

Lotus Elise 1.6 vs Lotus Esprit S3Full comparison

Where these times sit

0-60 under 7 seconds4,651 cars0-100 km/h under 7 seconds4,031 carsSlower in the wetevery car, re-runThe cost of altitudeevery car, re-runThe cost of a passengerevery car, re-run
Lotus 0-60 timesevery modelFastest cars of the 1980s1,057 cars
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Questions

What is the Lotus Esprit S3 0-60 time?
The Lotus Esprit S3 reaches 60 mph in 6.55 s, simulated on dry asphalt at 20 °C with a 1 ft rollout. That makes it the 3,957th quickest of the 14,946 cars in the set.
What is the Lotus Esprit S3 quarter mile time?
15.16 s at 94.2 mph. It reaches the eighth mile in 9.92 s and clears the first 60 ft in 2.59 s. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.
How much power does the Lotus Esprit S3 have?
160 bhp and 1,120 kg, which is 142 bhp per tonne. It is rear-drive, naturally aspirated, with 5 gears and a quoted top speed of 222 km/h. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.
What cars are comparable to the Lotus Esprit S3?
Closest here on pace: Lamborghini Jalpa 3500 (6.66 s), Acura MDX 3.7 V6 300 (2010) (6.58 s), Chevrolet Traverse 3.6 V6 314 (6.58 s). Each one can be raced against the Lotus Esprit S3 in the panel at the top of this page. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.
Are these real measured times?
No. Every figure on this page is produced by a physics simulation, not by a stopwatch at a drag strip. The Lotus Esprit S3 is modelled from its published kerb mass, rated power, drivetrain and gearing, then trimmed until it reproduces 7 of its 9 published acceleration figures. Conditions are the same for every car in the set: dry asphalt, 20 °C, sea level, 1 ft rollout.

Figures regenerated 2026-10-12. Every number on this page is computed by the simulator at build time, so the page and the app can never disagree.