How does a british lotus go 0-60 faster than a german porsche but have less horse power?

Question

A lotus has 190-240 hp and 0-60 in 4-4.9 start at $46000

and a porsche 245-530 hp and 0-60 in 3.6-5.8 $50000

what makes a lotus have so much torque i know lotus are light but with a 1.8 l engine can it move 1 ton that fast?

Answer 1

My guess is the weight per HP has the most to do with it.  

Answer 2

HP and torque are only one small thing that makes cars go fast.

What really effects the performance is the weight and aerodynamics.

The Lotus Elise and Exige are the lightest sportscars in the world.

They weigh around 2000 ibs.

A Porsche weighs 2800-3200ibs.

The power to weight ratio is much better for the Lotus.

If the Lotus Elise had 400HP from a turbo 1.8L engine, it would be faster than cars with over 1000HP and huge, heavy engines.

Porsche's use 6 cylinder engines and turbo 6 cylinder engines because they are lighter than the 8, 10, and 12 cylinder engines that other manufacturers use like Ferrari and Lamborghini.

That is why Porsche 6 cyilnder turbo cars are as fast as some V8 and V10 and V12 cars. The same goes for Lotus.  

Answer 3

gearing and hp  to weight ratio is pretty high

Answer 4

Because the Lotus has a greater power to weight ratio which is measured in bhp/ton as it is the lighter mass. This power to weight ratio is the reason why superbikes accelerate so fast because they have a lower mass compared to cars.