Tyres

	OZ Racing	Standard S2	Standard S1
Yokohama AO48	Yes
Yokohama AD07		Yes
Bridgestone RE040		Yes

Please add knowledge, its easy just press edit

Elise S1

Single piece, light alloy roadwheels, in various styles, were fitted with Pirelli P Zero tyres, engineered to provide the optimum balance of ride and handling characteristics. Pirelli P Zero are the recommended tyres for use on the vehicle under normal road conditions.

Note that the tyre tread pattern is asymmetric with the tyre sidewalls marked ‘Inner’ and ‘Outer’; check that replacement tyres are correctly fitted. Part of the tread pattern is also directional in appearance, but the direction of rotation has no bearing on the tyre performance.

Pirelli have ceased manufacture of the P Zero (Nov 2007) and Group Lotus now recommend the Yokohama C-Drive. Note that the only way to mix tyres is with a pair of P Zeros on the front and a pair of C-Drives on the back. Details are on the Lotus web site at http://www.grouplotus.com/media/car/doc/Wheels%20&%20Tyres_Website.pdf

In order to give S1 Elise owners an alternative tyre choice with an emphasis on track performance, Yokohama and Lotus jointly developed the Advan Neova tyre. This construction, which is not generallyavailable in Europe, features an assymetric directional tread pattern with special attention having been paid during development to provide improvements in vehicle balance, wet grip and comfort without sacrificing general agility. Sizes are 195/50x15 front, and 225/45x16 rear, to fit standard Elise roadwheels.

Tyres may be ordered through Lotus dealers and should be fitted in complete vehicle sets. Note that the increased width of the front tyre (standard = 185/55 R15) requires that an extension lip be applied around the front wheelarch to provide the necessary tyre coverage - see your dealer. Since these tyres have not been homologated in all territories, customers should check the legality of these tyres with the appropriate authorities in their country of residence.

Various wheel types have been used. The first cars were fitted with wheels having 5 split-spokes made by AWI, which wheels are now no longer available. These wheels were replaced in April ’99 by a 12 spoke design made by Rimstock, whilst the 111S model featured a 6 spoke design by O.Z. with ½” wider (7.5J) rear rims. The Sport 160 used wider ‘Victory’ wheels with 6J and 8J rims.

S1 Tyre Options	185/55 R15	195/50 R15	205/50 R16	225/45 R16
Toyo T1-R	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Yokohama C-Drive	Yes		Yes
Yokohama Advan Neova LTS		Yes		Yes
Yokohama A048		Yes		Yes
Hankook RS-2		Yes		Yes
Toyo R888		Yes		Yes
Dunlop SP9000		Yes		Yes
Falken Ziex ZE-512	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Kumho Ecsta Sport KU31	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bridgestone Potenza RE050			Yes
Uniroyal RainSport 3	Yes		Yes

• From sizes offered by BlackCircles, Event Tyres, Camskill or the manufactures website.

Tyre Pressure(when cold): Front(185/195) 1,6Bar. Rear(205) 1,7Bar. (225) 1,9Bar

340R

were fitted with beither 10 spoke magnesium wheels by Tecnomagesio, or 10 spoke alloy wheels by Rimstock, but both wheel types required 6mm longer wheel studs. Track biased Yokohama A038-R tyres were used.

S1 Exige

used Rimstock 12 spoke wheels larger in diameter and width than the Elise, and fitted with Lotus specification Yokohama A039 tyres. These Exige wheels use 60 degree taper wheelnuts as opposed to the spherical seat nuts used on other Elise variants.

Tyre Pressure(When Cold): Front 1,6Bar Rear 1,8Bar

S2 Elise

Lotus engineers have worked with the tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, to produce a version of the ‘Potenza’ tyre specifically for the ‘Mk.2’ Elise, to optimise performance on both road and track. This tyre is identified by the construction code element of the DOT code moulded on one of the tyre sidewalls, and it is most important that ONLY this version is fitted if the correct handling characteristics are to be maintained. The rear tyre is NOT the same as fitted to Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220.

Lotus front tyre code; CFE.

Lotus rear tyre code; DCK.

Yoko AD 07's v Bridgestone RE040

The S2 Elise uses different hubs from the S1, with roadwheels having a larger diameter and PCD, such that there is no interchangeability between models. Rimstock wheels with both 6 and 8 spoke designs have been used, both of which are retained with four conical wheelbolts. Some 8 spoke wheels are finished in ‘high power silver’ which can be very difficult to shade match.

Tyre Pressure(When cold): Front 1,8Bar (26 psi) Rear 2,0Bar (29 psi)

Sport 135 and Lotus Sport 111 versions

use Yokohama A048 tyres mounted on 16 spoke O.Z. roadwheels in conjunction with sports suspension. The wider front tyre (195/50) is fitted on a wider front wheel rim. Lotus approves of this tyre fitment only as part of the complete Sport 135R/111 package. The tyres should not be fitted on standard specification wheels, or with standard suspension.

Elise 111R/Exige S2/USA Elise

The 111R originally used the same Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tyres as ‘Mk.2’ Elise, but re-classified to ‘W’ speed rating. However following the release of the Federal (USA) Elise UK cars are now fitted with the Yokohama Neova AD07 tyres.

The S2 Exige uses the Yokohama A048 tyres as used on Sport 135R/111.

USA Elise are fitted with specially developed Yokohama Neova AD07 tyres.

Standard Elise roadwheels are the same style and rim diameters as on ‘Mk.2’ cars, but the rear wheels have a greater inset to accommodate the repositioned suspension pick up points, and the front wheels have been re-classified to a higher load rating.

Exige models use a unique 8 twin spoke design, with a wider front rim (6.5J compared with 6J for the Elise) for the A048 tyres. The Yokohama AD07 tyres (175mm width) are not recommended for the Exige wheels. A number of SELOC members have written to Lotus Cars to request the AD07 be made available in a 195mm width to provide a more road biased option than the AO48.

Fitting wheel and tyre configurations not tested or approved by Lotus can result in chassis or body foul, adversely affecting handling or braking, wheel security or other dangerous conditions and should not be attempted without expert advice.

Front tyres

Front tyres
Section/width (mm)	Aspect/Profile (%)	Wheel diameter(inch)	Tyre diameter (mm)	Diameter deviation from OEM (%)	Tyre
175	45	16	563.9	-5.8
180	45	16	568.4	-5.1
185	45	16	572.9	-4.3
175	50	16	581.4	-2.9
195	45	16	581.9	-2.8
180	50	16	586.4	-2.1
205	45	16	590.9	-1.3
185	50	16	591.4	-1.3
175	55	16	598.9	0.0	OEM - Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 LTS 80W
195	50	16	601.4	0.4	Pirelli W210 Snowsport, Toyo R888
180	55	16	604.4	0.9
225	45	16	608.9	1.7
185	55	16	609.9	1.8
205	50	16	611.4	2.1
195	55	16	620.9	3.7
205	55	16	631.9	5.5

Rear tyres

Rear tyres
Section/width (mm)	Aspect/Profile (%)	Wheel diameter(inch)	Tyre diameter (mm)	Diameter deviation from OEM (%)	Tyre
215	40	17	603.8	-4.8
225	40	17	611.8	-3.5
235	40	17	619.8	-2.3
215	45	17	625.3	-1.4	Pirelli W240 Snowsport
245	40	17	627.8	-1.0
225	45	17	634.3	0.0	OEM - Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 LTS 91W, Toyo R888
235	45	17	643.3	1.4
215	50	17	646.8	2.0
245	45	17	652.3	2.8
225	50	17	656.8	3.5
235	50	17	666.8	5.1
245	50	17	676.8	6.7

Manufacturers

Yokohama

Advan Neova AD05/AD06 LTS

Yokohama Advan Neova LTS

AD07 LTS

Yokohama AD07 LTS These are 111R OEM

AO38 LTS

Yokohama AO38 LTS These are 340R (195/50 R15 82V,225/45 R16 89W) OEM and for Superior S1 grip

AO48 LTS

Yokohama AO48 LTS These are S2 135R, S2 Sport 190 and S2 Exige OEM(195/50 R16 84V,225/45 R17 90W)

C-Drive

Yokohama C-Drive Current S1 replacement Tyre 185/55R15, 205/55R16

Bridgestone

RE040

Bridgestone RE040 LTS S2 K-Series OEM

RE050

Bridgestone Potenza RE050 Fit for S1 rears only in 205/50/16

Dunlop

SP9000

SP9000's

Toyo

Proxes T1-R

T1-R's

Proxes R1R

R1R's

Proxes R888

R888's

Kumho

Ecsta V700

Kumho Ecsta V700

Ecsta Sport KU31

Ecsta Sport KU31 15R50/195: 8,8kg, 16R45/225 9,2Kg

Kumho KU31 product page

Treadwear 320 Traction AA Temperature A

Tread depth new 8mm

Approximate cost (May 2008):

195/50R15 £45ea, fitted. 225/45R16 £61ea, fitted.

Hankook

Ventus RS-2

Ventus RS-2 Z212

What do the Treadwear, Traction and Temperature markings mean?

These makings are to satisfy the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Uniform Tire Quality Grade Standards (UTQG). Only passenger car tyres sold in the U.S.A. market are required to have UTQG markings.

Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test track. A tire graded 200 would wear twice as long on the government test course under specified test conditions as one graded 100.

Treadwear should not be used in comparison between different tyre manufactures because each manufacturer may use a different base figure.

Traction

Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C. They represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.

Temperature

This rating grades a tyres ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. The temperature grades from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. These represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat.

The LAW & your tyres

Sources:

Wikipedia UTQG

Toyo Technical Information Issue #4

Understanding Tyres and Wheels, cars101.com

Tyre Links

Wikipedia on Tyres

The Wheel and Tyre Bible

Bridgestone UK

Toyo Tyres UK

Yokohama Tyres

Kumho Global Tyre Range

Tyre options - the opinions

Unfortunately tyres are a matter of opinion, subjective at that, and suitability for the user. However you have to bear in mind that you cannot readily "try before you buy" so this section has been added to give the heads up on tyre choice. Please note they are only for guidance and other opinions and tyres are available ! Your feedback will be appreciated.

If you want to add a review then please do - data sourced from the following thread.

http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=99391

Car/tyre Details:- S2 111s/Bridgestone RE040

Driver: Lotusnick

Model: S2 111s

Tyre Brand: Bridgestone

Tyre Model: RE040

Size/rating: 175/55/16 - 225/45/17

Wheel option: STD 111s

Suspension: Ohlins Road & Track

Rating:-

Dry Grip: 3

Wet Grip: 3

Life: 4

On limit predictability: 5

Value for money: 5

Comment: Decent grip in all conditions and suit the steering and balance of the car. The skinny fronts make braking on the limit tricky

Car/tyre Details:- S2 111s/Toyo T1-R

Driver: Lotusnick

Model: S2 111s

Tyre Brand: Toyo

Tyre Model: T1-R

Size/rating: 185/50/16 - 225/45/17

Wheel option: STD 111s

Suspension: Ohlins Road & Track

Rating:-

Dry Grip: 3

Wet Grip: 4

Life: 5

On limit predictability: 5

Value for money: 5

Comment: Very soft sidewalls, that improve the ride but remove most of the directness and the steering feel from the Elise. Quite decent on wet and dry grip, with better braking than the skinny 175 Bridgestones.

Car/tyre Details:- S2 135R/Toyo T1-R

Driver: Lawrence5

Model: S2 135R

Tyre Brand: Toyo

Tyre Model: T1-R

Size/rating: 195/50/16 - 225/45/17

Wheel option: OZ’s

Suspension: Lotus Sport Suspension

Rating:-

Dry Grip: 3

Wet Grip: 4

Life: 5

On limit predictability: 5

Value for money: 4

Comment: Destroyed the ride to the point of often feeling sick over undulating surfaces. Very soft sidewalls rob a bit of steering feel and initial turn in. Well balanced front to back running 24psi /26psi. Acceptable dry grip but real gain is in the wet and cold coming over from A048’s. Bargain price makes them a good winter/commute choice – esp if you have a 2nd set of rims for spirited driving.

Car/tyre Details:- S2 111s/Toyo R888

Driver: Lotusnick

Model: S2 111s

Tyre Brand: Toyo

Tyre Model: R888

Size/rating: 195/50/16 - 225/45/17

Wheel option: STD 111s

Suspension: Bespoke Ohlins

Rating:-

Dry Grip: 5

Wet Grip: 4

Life: 3

On limit predictability: 3

Value for money: 5

Comment: A Semislick that has awesome grip in the dry and better than expected grip in wet conditions. Demands some respect in very wet/cold weather as would any tyre. Good value for money, compared to AO48's

Car/tyre Details:- S2 135R/Yokohama A048 LTS

Driver: Lawrence5

Model: S2 135R

Tyre Brand: Yokohama

Tyre Model: A048 LTS

Size/rating: 195/50/16 - 225/45/17

Wheel option: OZ’s

Suspension: Lotus Sport Suspension

Rating:-

Dry Grip: 5

Wet Grip: 2

Life: 2

On limit predictability: 3

Value for money: 3

Comment: Unbelievable dry grip on smooth tarmac but the flip side being the price especially when they only come with 6mm of tread from new. Not too bad in damp conditions but focused tread pattern means they are often overwhelmed through standing water. Need warming through well before offering peak performance but I found rear griped hard and use of throttle can wash out the front though improved by running 23psi in the front. Fantastic for track and low mileage summer users but expensive to run daily and scary in the winter.