1972 BMW 520 vs. 1974 Lotus Eclat
To start off, 1974 Lotus Eclat is newer by 2 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1972 BMW 520. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1972 BMW 520 would be higher. At 1,991 cc (6 cylinders), 1972 BMW 520 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1974 Lotus Eclat (160 HP @ 6200 RPM) has 10 more horse power than 1972 BMW 520. (150 HP @ 5900 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1974 Lotus Eclat should accelerate faster than 1972 BMW 520. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1972 BMW 520 weights approximately 339 kg more than 1974 Lotus Eclat.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, both vehicles can yield 190 Nm of torque. So under normal driving conditions, the ability to climb up hills and pull heavy equipment should be relatively similar for both vehicles. 1974 Lotus Eclat has automatic transmission and 1972 BMW 520 has manual transmission. 1972 BMW 520 will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1974 Lotus Eclat will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
| 1972 BMW 520 | 1974 Lotus Eclat | |
| Make | BMW | Lotus |
| Model | 520 | Eclat |
| Year Released | 1972 | 1974 |
| Body Type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Engine Position | Front | Front |
| Engine Size | 1991 cc | 1973 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 6 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
| Horse Power | 150 HP | 160 HP |
| Engine RPM | 5900 RPM | 6200 RPM |
| Torque | 190 Nm | 190 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 4200 RPM | 4900 RPM |
| Engine Bore Size | 80 mm | 95.2 mm |
| Engine Stroke Size | 66 mm | 69.3 mm |
| Engine Compression Ratio | 11.0:1 | 9.5:1 |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
| Number of Seats | 5 seats | 4 seats |
| Number of Doors | 4 doors | 2 doors |
| Vehicle Weight | 1445 kg | 1106 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 4630 mm | 4460 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1700 mm | 1820 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1430 mm | 1200 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2770 mm | 2440 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 80 L | 67 L |
