Tyres
| OZ Racing | Standard S2 | Standard S1 | |
| Yokohama AO48 | Yes | ||
| Yokohama AD07 | Yes | ||
| Bridgestone RE040 | Yes |
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.
Manufacturers
Yokohama
AD07 LTS
AO48 LTS
Bridgestone
RE040
Dunolop
SP9000
Toyo
Proxes T1-S or T1-R
Kumho
Ecsta V700
Tyre Links
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:-
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
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:-
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
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:-
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
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:-
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
Dry Grip: 5
Wet Grip: 4
Life: 3
On limit predictability: 3
Value for money: 5
Comment:
Semislick that has awesome grip on dry and better than expect on wet. Demands some respect on very wet/cold weather as would any tyre. Good value for money, compared to AO 48's
Car/tyre Details:-
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
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.