1979 Lotus Esprit vs. 1974 Lotus Eclat
To start off, 1979 Lotus Esprit is newer by 5 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1974 Lotus Eclat. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1974 Lotus Eclat would be higher. At 2,174 cc (4 cylinders), 1979 Lotus Esprit is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, both vehicles can yield 160 horse power. So under normal driving conditions, the acceleration of both vehicles should be relatively similar.
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, 1979 Lotus Esprit (217 Nm) has 27 more torque (in Nm) than 1974 Lotus Eclat. (190 Nm). This means 1979 Lotus Esprit will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1974 Lotus Eclat. 1974 Lotus Eclat has automatic transmission and 1979 Lotus Esprit has manual transmission. 1979 Lotus Esprit 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:
| 1979 Lotus Esprit | 1974 Lotus Eclat | |
| Make | Lotus | Lotus |
| Model | Esprit | Eclat |
| Year Released | 1979 | 1974 |
| Body Type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Engine Position | Middle | Front |
| Engine Size | 2174 cc | 1973 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
| Horse Power | 160 HP | 160 HP |
| Torque | 217 Nm | 190 Nm |
| Engine Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 | 9.5:1 |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
| Number of Seats | 2 seats | 4 seats |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors | 2 doors |
| Vehicle Length | 4200 mm | 4460 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1860 mm | 1820 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1120 mm | 1200 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2440 mm | 2440 mm |
