2008 BMW 540 vs. 1984 Lotus Etna
To start off, 2008 BMW 540 is newer by 24 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1984 Lotus Etna. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1984 Lotus Etna would be higher. At 4,398 cc, 2008 BMW 540 is equipped with a bigger engine.
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, 2008 BMW 540 (440 Nm @ 3600 RPM) has 32 more torque (in Nm) than 1984 Lotus Etna. (408 Nm @ 5500 RPM). This means 2008 BMW 540 will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1984 Lotus Etna. 2008 BMW 540 has automatic transmission and 1984 Lotus Etna has manual transmission. 1984 Lotus Etna will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 2008 BMW 540 will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
| 2008 BMW 540 | 1984 Lotus Etna | |
| Make | BMW | Lotus |
| Model | 540 | Etna |
| Year Released | 2008 | 1984 |
| Engine Position | Front | Middle |
| Engine Size | 4398 cc | 3946 cc |
| Valves per Cylinder | 4 valves | 4 valves |
| Horse Power | 0 HP | 331 HP |
| Torque | 440 Nm | 408 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 3600 RPM | 5500 RPM |
| Engine Bore Size | 92 mm | 95.2 mm |
| Engine Stroke Size | 82.7 mm | 69.3 mm |
| Engine Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 | 11.2:1 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Top Speed | 250 km/hour | 290 km/hour |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Automatic | Manual |
| Number of Seats | 5 seats | 2 seats |
| Number of Doors | 4 doors | 2 doors |
| Vehicle Length | 5050 mm | 4270 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1420 mm | 1150 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2840 mm | 2520 mm |
