Tyres

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

WHEELS & TYRES

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. 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.

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.

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.

The S2 Elise uses different hubs to 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.

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 uses the same Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tyres as ‘Mk.2’ Elise, but re-classified to ‘W’ speed rating. The 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 for the A048 tyres.

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