1980 Lotus Esprit vs. 1980 Volvo 240
To start off, both 1980 Lotus Esprit and 1980 Volvo 240 were released in the same year (1980). Therefore the support and the availability on parts for both vehicles should be relatively similar. At 2,174 cc (4 cylinders), 1980 Lotus Esprit is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1980 Lotus Esprit (158 HP @ 6500 RPM) has 6 more horse power than 1980 Volvo 240. (152 HP @ 5500 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1980 Lotus Esprit should accelerate faster than 1980 Volvo 240. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1980 Volvo 240 weights approximately 320 kg more than 1980 Lotus Esprit.
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, 1980 Volvo 240 (240 Nm @ 3750 RPM) has 18 more torque (in Nm) than 1980 Lotus Esprit. (222 Nm @ 5000 RPM). This means 1980 Volvo 240 will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1980 Lotus Esprit.
Compare all specifications:
| 1980 Lotus Esprit | 1980 Volvo 240 | |
| Make | Lotus | Volvo |
| Model | Esprit | 240 |
| Year Released | 1980 | 1980 |
| Engine Position | Middle | Front |
| Engine Size | 2174 cc | 1984 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
| Valves per Cylinder | 4 valves | 2 valves |
| Horse Power | 158 HP | 152 HP |
| Engine RPM | 6500 RPM | 5500 RPM |
| Torque | 222 Nm | 240 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 5000 RPM | 3750 RPM |
| Engine Bore Size | 95.3 mm | 88.9 mm |
| Engine Stroke Size | 76.2 mm | 80 mm |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Manual |
| Number of Seats | 2 seats | 5 seats |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors | 5 doors |
| Vehicle Weight | 1120 kg | 1440 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 4200 mm | 4800 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1870 mm | 1720 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1120 mm | 1470 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2450 mm | 2650 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 67 L | 60 L |
