Quick answer
The 2003 Lotus Esprit, the latest model year on record, is 173.6″ long, 74″ wide and 45.3″ tall on a 96.1″ wheelbase, and weighs 3,042 lb. At 14.5 ft it fits a standard garage and leaves 3.5 ft spare in an 18-foot street space.
Every Lotus Esprit generation, measured
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976–1978 | 168.9″ | 73.2″ | 43.7″ | 96.1″ | — |
| 1981–1982 | 167.7″ | 73.2″ | 43.7″ | 96.1″ | 2,445 lb |
| 1990–1992 | 170.5″ | 73.2″ | 45.3″ | 96.1″ | 2,551 lb |
| 1997–2003 | 173.6″ | 74″ | 45.3″ | 96.1″ | 3,042 lb |
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada
Esprit year by year
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 173.6″ | 74″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 2002 | 173.6″ | 74″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 2001 | 173.6″ | 74″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 2000 | 173.6″ | 74″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1999 | 173.6″ | 74″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1998 | 173.6″ | 74″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1997 | 173.6″ | 74″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1992 | 170.5″ | 73.2″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1991 | 170.5″ | 73.2″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1990 | 170.5″ | 73.2″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1982 | 165″ | 72.8″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1981 | 167.7″ | 73.2″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1978 | 168.9″ | 73.2″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1977 | 168.9″ | 73.2″ | 96.1″ | 1 | |
| 1976 | 168.9″ | 73.2″ | 96.1″ | 1 |
ROWS 15·SOURCE Transport Canada vehicle specifications
Will a Esprit fit
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 14.5 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 14.5 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 6.2 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar, computed from vehicle dimensions
Against cars of the same length
Among the 809 cars within 10″ of its length, the Esprit is wider than 84% and has a shorter wheelbase than 91%.
| Measure | This car | Typical of 809 cars within 10″ of its length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 74″ | 70.5″ | +3.5″ |
| Wheelbase | 96.1″ | 102.8″ | −6.7″ |
| Curb weight | 3,042 lb | 3,201 lb | −159 lb |
ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar, computed across vehicles of similar length
Esprit against its rivals
Next to the Lamborghini Diablo, the Esprit is the shortest and the lightest of the two.
| Model | Model year | Length | Width | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Esprit (this car) | 2003 | 173.6″ | 74″ | 3,042 lb |
| Lamborghini Diablo | 2001 | 176″ | 80.3″ | 3,583 lb |
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada; rivals: same EPA class and body, most searched
Upgrade to Pro
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
- Exact build, engine and factory options for one VIN
- The original window sticker as it left the factory
- What that specific configuration is worth today
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Free plan available — no credit card needed
Everything on the Lotus Esprit
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Esprit bigger than the 2002?
No. The 2003 and 2002 Esprit are the same size and weight.
Which is bigger, the Esprit or the Lamborghini Diablo?
The 2001 Lamborghini Diablo is 2.4″ longer and 541 lb heavier than the 2003 Esprit.
Dimensions from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records, manufacturer-declared for 15 Esprit model years, 1976 to 2003. Metric values converted to inches and pounds; generation boundaries are estimated from changes in size (how we measure). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.
Found this useful?
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.