These are standard specifications for the 1978 Lotus Esprit, not necessarily specifications for the vehicle(s) in the photo(s).
Transmission:
5 Manual In rear transaxle
Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated January 2023
Features
| Engine Location : | Mid |
| Drive Type : | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis : | Fiberglass body on steel frame |
| Production Years for Series : | 1975 - 1978 |
| Body Designer : | Giorgetto Giugiaro |
| Price : | $15,990 |
| Weight : | 1980 lbs | 898.113 kg |
Performance
| 0-60 mph : | 6.8 seconds. |
| Top Speed : | 120 mph | 193.08 km/h |
Engine & Transmission
| Inline 4 | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 1973 cc | 120.4 cu in. | 2.0 L. |
| Power : | 160 BHP (117.76 KW) @ 6200 RPM |
| Torque : | 140 Ft-Lbs (190 NM) @ 4900 RPM |
| Bore : | 3.7 in | 95 mm. |
| Stroke : | 2.7 in | 69 mm. |
| Compression : | 9.5:1 |
| Main Bearings : | 5 |
| Valvetrain : | 16 OHC (4 valves per cylinder) |
| Construction : | Aluminum block and head |
| 2 Zenith CD2SE (or Dell^orto) carburetors | |
5 Manual In rear transaxle
Dimension(s)
Coupe
| Body Designer : | Giorgetto Giugiaro |
| Seating Capacity : | 2 |
| Doors : | 2 |
| Exterior | |
|---|---|
| Length : | 165.0 in | 4191 mm. |
| Width : | 73.3 in | 1861 mm. |
| Height : | 43.8 in | 1111 mm. |
| Wheelbase : | 96.0 in | 2438 mm. |
| Front Track : | 59.5 in | 1511 mm. |
| Rear Track : | 59.5 in | 1511 mm. |
Handling
| Suspension | |
|---|---|
| Front : Upper A-arms, lower lateral links, coil springs, and lower longitudinal links serving as anti-roll bar Rear : Upper/lower lateral links, angled trailing arms and coil springs | |
| Steering | |
|---|---|
| Rack and Pinion |
| Tires / Wheels | |
|---|---|
| Tires : | Front : 195/70HR14 Rear : 205/70HR14 |
Recall
| Component | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC |
| Mfr Report Date | 19771101 |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 78V238000 |
| Summary | THE INVOLVED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A TUBE WHICH IS USED TO CONNECT A FILTER COMPONENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS TUBE COULD BECOME DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF EXPOSURE TO ABNORMALLY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND THE ACTION OF CERTAIN FUELS. THE DAMAGED TUBE COULD ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE TO OCCUR. |
| Remedy | DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL SYSTEM TUBING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER. |
| Notes | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; LINES, TUBES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF FUEL LEAKAGE OCCURS AND AN IGNITION SOURCE ISPRESENT, A VEHICLE FIRE AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY RESULT.NOTE: SHOULD FUEL LEAKAGE OCCUR PRIOR TO REPAIRS, THE ENGINE SHOULD BE SWITCHEDOFF IMMEDIATELY. |
Data updated January 2023
1978 Averages
| Avg. Household Income : | $17,000 |
| Avg. Home : | $54,800 |
| Avg. Gallon of Gas : | $0.63 |
Popular frequently asked questions include:
What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1978 Lotus Esprit?
Q: How fast is the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit has a top speed of 120 mph. Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit has a wheelbase size of 96.00 inches.Q: What is the length of the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit has a length of 165.00 inches.Q: What is the width of the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit has a width of 73.25 inches.Q: How much did the 1978 Lotus Esprit cost when new?A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit had a base price of approximately $15,990 (USD).Q: What is the bodystyle of the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit was a Coupe.Q: What tires did the 1978 Lotus Esprit have? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit had Front : 195/70HR14
Rear : 205/70HR14 tires.Q: What engine did the 1978 Lotus Esprit have? A: The engine powering the 1978 Lotus Esprit was a Inline 4 (1973 cc | 120.4 cu in. | 2.0 L.) with 160 BHP (117.76 KW) @ 6200 RPM and 140 Ft-Lbs (190 NM) @ 4900 RPM. Q: What transmission did the 1978 Lotus Esprit have? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit had a 5 speed Manual In rear transaxle gearbox.
What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1978 Lotus Esprit?
How many 1978 Lotus Esprit were produced?
How powerful was the 1978 Lotus Esprit? Was the 1978 Lotus Esprit popular? Was the 1978 Lotus Esprit expensive? What was the fuel economy of the 1978 Lotus Esprit?
Q: How fast is the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit has a top speed of 120 mph. Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit has a wheelbase size of 96.00 inches.Q: What is the length of the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit has a length of 165.00 inches.Q: What is the width of the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit has a width of 73.25 inches.Q: How much did the 1978 Lotus Esprit cost when new?A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit had a base price of approximately $15,990 (USD).Q: What is the bodystyle of the 1978 Lotus Esprit? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit was a Coupe.Q: What tires did the 1978 Lotus Esprit have? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit had Front : 195/70HR14Rear : 205/70HR14 tires.Q: What engine did the 1978 Lotus Esprit have? A: The engine powering the 1978 Lotus Esprit was a Inline 4 (1973 cc | 120.4 cu in. | 2.0 L.) with 160 BHP (117.76 KW) @ 6200 RPM and 140 Ft-Lbs (190 NM) @ 4900 RPM. Q: What transmission did the 1978 Lotus Esprit have? A: The 1978 Lotus Esprit had a 5 speed Manual In rear transaxle gearbox.