It would probably get off the ground, but wouldn't have much performance.  A new Skyhawk with 160 HP has an empty weight of about 1700 lbs, and a max weight of 2450.  At 2450 lbs Cessna specs a sea level climb of 720 fpm and cruise of 122 kts at 8000 ft and 80% power.  (Note that they're getting 160 HP from a Lycoming IO-360 limited to 2400 RPM, not from an O-320 at 2700 RPM.)  Lancair says ES empty weight is 2000 lbs with an IO-550.  A 160 HP Lycoming O-320 would be about 130 lbs lighter so maybe you could get the empty weight down to 1850 - 1900 lbs.  However, Lancair lists Legacy empty weight at 1500 lbs but so far I've only heard of one Legacy that came in anywhere near that number.  (One battery, one alternator, no speed brakes, basic interior.)  Most are closer to 1600 lbs.  So I'm guessing a 160 HP ES will have an empty weight of maybe 1900 lbs; probably more.  Let's say it's 1900 lbs.  Add two people and 50 gal of fuel (that's if you don't fill the tanks) and you're probably looking at 2600 lbs minimum, with no baggage.  Add another person and some bags or fill the tanks and you're getting up close to 3000 lbs.  Imagine a Skyhawk 500 lbs over gross.  Yes, the ES is slicker and would probably still be faster than the Skyhawk in cruise, but weight is weight.  The climb performance would be miserable.  I don't think it's an airplane you'd enjoy flying, and if you ever want to sell it, good luck.

 

By the way, have you noticed that Lancair no longer mentions the 210 HP version of the ES in their ads?

 

Tom Gourley