1998 Lotus Elise vs. 1998 Renault Spider
To start off, both 1998 Lotus Elise and 1998 Renault Spider were released in the same year (1998). Therefore the support and the availability on parts for both vehicles should be relatively similar. At 1,996 cc (4 cylinders), 1998 Renault Spider is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1998 Renault Spider (141 HP @ 5750 RPM) has 25 more horse power than 1998 Lotus Elise. (116 HP @ 5500 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1998 Renault Spider should accelerate faster than 1998 Lotus Elise. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1998 Renault Spider weights approximately 285 kg more than 1998 Lotus Elise. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.
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, 1998 Renault Spider (185 Nm @ 4500 RPM) has 20 more torque (in Nm) than 1998 Lotus Elise. (165 Nm @ 3000 RPM). This means 1998 Renault Spider will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1998 Lotus Elise.
Compare all specifications:
| 1998 Lotus Elise | 1998 Renault Spider | |
| Make | Lotus | Renault |
| Model | Elise | Spider |
| Year Released | 1998 | 1998 |
| Body Type | Roadster | Roadster |
| Engine Position | Middle | Middle |
| Engine Size | 1796 cc | 1996 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
| Valves per Cylinder | 4 valves | 4 valves |
| Horse Power | 116 HP | 141 HP |
| Engine RPM | 5500 RPM | 5750 RPM |
| Torque | 165 Nm | 185 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 3000 RPM | 4500 RPM |
| Engine Bore Size | 80 mm | 82.7 mm |
| Engine Stroke Size | 89.4 mm | 93 mm |
| Engine Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 | 9.8:1 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Manual |
| Number of Seats | 2 seats | 2 seats |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors | 2 doors |
| Vehicle Weight | 705 kg | 990 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 3730 mm | 3800 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1710 mm | 1840 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1210 mm | 1260 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2310 mm | 2350 mm |
