Tyres

[au-yt]

Did any one else pick up on the fact the Emira has bespoke tyres, they may be 20” all round , yes the fronts will be a different size but the fronts have a different case structure to act like a 19” I started the Video at this discussion

like spark plugs on the supercharged  V6 they will be Lotus only.

 

[TomE]

That was also true of the Evora NA at launch and the S when it came out, they were Lotus-spec Pirellis but I think that was down to compound not structure.

[Bibs]

They were a Mercedes fitment, MO(1) on the front and MO on the rear if I remember right. 

[Bravo73]

I was surprised to see that the stock tyre will be a Goodyear Eagle F1 (the performance pack will have Michelin Pilot Cup 2s).

I wonder why they didn't go with PS4S (especially in the fancy M3-only spec)? @rallyesax, are you allowed to comment?

[rallyesax]

Probably commercial agreements. That's not my part of the business but before working on the Homologation process, Tyre manufacturers are challenged on : Will you be able to reach the targets technicaly and what price per Tyre it's gonna be? Both of this factor are equally important. 

Edited July 8, 2021 by rallyesax

[brightoncorgi]

6 hours ago, rallyesax said:

Probably commercial agreements.

That's what I thought when I heard it was Goodyear.

Has anyone here used that tire?  Cannot of think of the last car I had with Goodyear tires of any form. 🤔

[Bravo73]

I used a set of Goodyear F1s on an M3 years ago (because of good reviews & price). The Michelin PS2s that were on the car before and after the F1s were a better tyre. 

[Bruss]

Designers will have specced, bean counters will have re specced.

[TomE]

If you watch one of the interviews with Gav he says he held out for 20” wheels and Lotus-specific tyres.  So I think it was primarily design-led.

You might remember Lotus switched to Pirellis fairly late in the Evora development because they couldn’t get the handling they wanted with their original tyre choice.

[Bibs]

The Evora was initially Yokohama's and I believe delays and road noise where the main reasons they went with Pirelli in the end.

[rallyesax]

The Emira going up the hill at Goodwood is running on the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect with the 'velvet' sidewall marking. 

 

[Evotion]

Are Cup 2 tyres track focused and great on a dry road but pretty dodgy in wet road conditions?

Just thinking ahead.

[KennyN]

@EvotionCup 2's get a bit lively if there's standing water or cooler temperatures, brilliant otherwise though!

[rallyesax]

That

[CaptainSlow]

Not a big fan of huge wheels with stupid low profile. I prefered running 18” on my Evora compared to the stock 19/20”. So, I hope that the promissed GT4 car means that there also will be a sensible set of wheels available. Just like the Evora.

[Bibs]

https://news.goodyear.eu/goodyear-develops-a-unique-eagle-f1-supersport-for-the-new-lotus-emira/

Lotus has launched the Emira, the latest in a long line of stunning mid-engined cars from the famous UK sports car manufacturer. Lotus has selected the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport as the original equipment tyre for the new model.

The Emira has been developed to offer the trademark precision and unfiltered driver feedback that Lotus drivers demand. It is built on a new lightweight bonded aluminium chassis, technology pioneered by Lotus and which remains an intrinsic part of the company’s sports car DNA. Lotus chose to work with Goodyear to develop a tyre that matched very specific requirements to support the company’s legendary focus on ride, handling and agility.

The Eagle F1 SuperSport is Goodyear’s latest UUHP (ultra-ultra high performance) tyre. It has a unique construction featuring a Powerline cover that enables it to retain its shape and maximise its footprint. This gives the high-speed stability that’s essential for this type of sports car. This, coupled with an innovative U-shaped compound combination known as DualPlus Technology, provides defined tread zones for outstanding wet and dry performance.

The Eagle F1 SuperSport has been specifically developed for the Emira in 245/35ZR20 front and 295/30ZR20 rear with tuning to optimise the ride, handling and steering feel of the vehicle. This research and development work on the Emira project means the tyre construction is unique to the Lotus Emira, and has LTS branding on the sidewall as proof.

Gavan Kershaw, Director of Vehicle Attributes, Lotus, commented: “Tyres are a hugely important part of the vehicle dynamics equation where ride, handling, grip, agility and stability must all work in harmony with each other. For Lotus, where world-class vehicle dynamics and benchmark ride and handling are key to our brand DNA, tyre choice is vital.”

He added: “As with all Lotus cars, we carried out extensive testing and development to ensure all the areas that contribute to the vehicle dynamics, including the tyres, suspension and kinematics, deliver to our extremely high targets. Working with Goodyear on this specially developed tyre has ensured that these targets have been met.”

Hans Vrijsen, Managing Director, Original Equipment, Goodyear, stated: “We are delighted to partner with Lotus again after they selected the Eagle F1 SuperSport for the Emira. Lotus is regarded for setting the highest standards in vehicle dynamics and they have found the Goodyear tyre to be the perfect match.”

This joint development between Lotus and Goodyear rekindles a long and successful partnership. Goodyear was the original equipment fitment on many of the most iconic Lotus cars from the 1970s to 1990s. The Elan, Elite, Eclat and Excel sports cars were all gripped by Goodyear, as was the Lotus Esprit Turbo which became an icon in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only starring Roger Moore.

This road tyre development went hand-in-hand with Lotus’ racing success, with Goodyear and Lotus sharing the top step of a Formula 1 Grand Prix podium 32 times in a 14-year span from 1973 to 1987. The Lotus and Goodyear F1 hall of fame features legends such as Emerson Fittipaldi, Ronnie Peterson, Mario Andretti, Elio De Angelis Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna.

The Emira is offered with a choice of two petrol engines: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and a supercharged 3.5-litre V6, with power outputs between 360 and 400 hp. The Emira is the last internal combustion engined Lotus before the British manufacturer embarks on its all-electric future.

[Evotion]

Great. Just goes to show we can trust Lotus to come up with the right solutions.

[rallyesax]

2 or 3 years ago, The Emira mule car was spotted on Goodyear's test center of Mireval in the South of France, so I had a little clue about the competitor 😜

[Snoopy1969]

If you choose the 19/20 rims on the Evora you got Pirelli corsa tires in a "LS" specification. Liked them on my car but after some years a hassle to get them over here. Now changed to Mich ps 4s.

So IF Lotus create another "LS"-spec it would be nice if they care for LONG TERM availibility also or care for development / recommendation for another tire (and if someone is saying "just change to cup 2 like Lotus did with the 410/ 430 .....cup 2 are not available as 275 20, in Germany you won´t pass MOT if you change to 285 20....) 

[Evotion]

I thought we already knew there will be LS Goodyear tyres available or is that a different thing altogether?

[TomE]

The point is about long term supply of the LS-spec Goodyears and Lotus-recommended alternatives if the Goodyears become hard to source for the Emira.

The LS-spec Pirelli tyres on the Evora became expensive then difficult to find, with a lot of owners deciding to switch to Yokos or Michelins.  IIRC the Yokos became the standard tyre on the 4xx Evoras and hence people also used them on S1s, but Lotus as far as I know never recommended alternatives to the original tyres.  With tyres being so critical to the handling (with Gav Kershaw holding out for a Lotus-specific Emira tyre) it's odd Lotus don't give some guidance on alternatives when the originals are unavailable.

[Bibs]

The Evora S1 was fitted with Merc spec P-Zeros (M0 on the front and M01 on the rear) and then the 4xx cars with Michelins. Not seen too many Evora's on Yokohamas (apart from they being the recommended winter tyre) although that was the tyre of choice through a lot of the car's development. I believe drive-by noise was their death-knell in the 'Eagle' era of the car. 

I did talk to Gavan about the tyres at Goodwood and will try to get some formal reason for the decision from him next week, and how they'll manage it if the bespoke Goodyear becomes NLA. 

[TomE]

Thanks Bibs.  My mind clearly playing tricks, I though the 4xx were on Yokos.  And yes Lotus selected Merc spec versions of the P-Zeros but nevertheless they became increasingly pricey and hard to find.  Thoughts from Hethel would be handy 

[Evotion]

If the Emira shifts tens of thousands of cars globally almost every year then I would like to think that the manufacturers keep them well stocked.   This low profile bit is a worry as Lotus are saying that this spec was designed for the car, so any later deviation from this will be detrimental to the car's handling balance. 

That is how it seems to me anyway.  Just thinking ahead and possible difficulties.

[Snorkel]

On 14/08/2021 at 18:18, Bibs said:

The Evora S1 was fitted with Merc spec P-Zeros (M0 on the front and M01 on the rear) and then the 4xx cars with Michelins. Not seen too many Evora's on Yokohamas (apart from they being the recommended winter tyre) although that was the tyre of choice through a lot of the car's development. I believe drive-by noise was their death-knell in the 'Eagle' era of the car. 

I did talk to Gavan about the tyres at Goodwood and will try to get some formal reason for the decision from him next week, and how they'll manage it if the bespoke Goodyear becomes NLA. 

@Bibs Did you get some more information from Gavan? 🙂  

Edited August 28, 2021 by Snorkel