My trip to Hethel

[BigMoose]

Thanks for posting. What happens in finals? Is that a polish and fettle?

Exactly right.

 

[BigMoose]

Thanks for the response... I ordered Seneca w/black pack, diamond wheels, yellow calipers and ice grey leather interior. I'm beyond excited and can't wait to receive it

What does "finals" mean? Is that an industry term or UK jargon? Thanks!

No problem! It's where the final polish/touch ups are done before the car is released from production.

 

[freefall_junkie]

No problem! It's where the final polish/touch ups are done before the car is released from production.

I appreciate you are probably limited in what you can say on here as a Lotus employee, but a lot of people would be very interested to know more about what the production seats are like since the ones in the roadshow car were uncomfortable, mounted way too high, and had limited side support. Anything you can tell us to allay our fears, in particular about the base height and the side bolstering?

 

[Eagle7]

@BigMoose Thank you for joining the forum! We really appreciate you being able to answer some of our questions. If possible, could you weigh the wheels? Both the front and the rear for the forged, and the same for the cast wheels. It would be nice to know what the weight savings is for the forged compared to the standard cast.

 

[Leonard]

@BigMoose Thank you for joining the forum! We really appreciate you being able to answer some of our questions. If possible, could you weigh the wheels? Both the front and the rear for the forged, and the same for the cast wheels. It would be nice to know what the weight savings is for the forged compared to the standard cast.

He may work in Accounts Go weigh the wheels....

 

[LotusB]

I have same spec

Good taste!

No problem! It's where the final polish/touch ups are done before the car is released from production.

Thanks a lot for the response!

 

[Nick in Sydney]

@BigMoose Thank you for joining the forum! We really appreciate you being able to answer some of our questions. If possible, could you weigh the wheels? Both the front and the rear for the forged, and the same for the cast wheels. It would be nice to know what the weight savings is for the forged compared to the standard cast.

For real? You're asking him to go into the factory and weigh the f*cking wheels!!!! LOL.

 

[Eagle7]

For real? You're asking him to go into the factory and weigh the f*cking wheels!!!! LOL.

Yeah I am, or ask someone who is in charge of mounting the tires on the wheels. The shipping department will have a scale. For $100k for a car, I don't think it's an unreal request since they're advertised as "ultra light-weight". I would like to know what the weight difference is between them and the standard cast wheels.

 

[Leonard]

Yeah I am, or ask someone who is in charge of mounting the tires on the wheels. The shipping department will have a scale. For $100k for a car, I don't think it's an unreal request since they're advertised as "ultra light-weight". I would like to know the weight difference is between them and the standard cast wheels.

To be fair it's the sort of question the CS team should be abke to answer if you ask them

 

[Eagle7]

To be fair it's the sort of question the CS team should be abke to answer if you ask them

I did. No response, which is why I'm hoping BigMoose knows somebody there who either has or can get the information.

I usually buy lightweight 3rd party wheels for my cars because the factory wheels are often quite heavy. Removing unsprung rotating weight is a good way to improve performance, without voiding the warranty or touching anything else. Since the optional wheels are advertised as "ultra light-weight", I would like to know 'how' light. I already have 3rd party wheels lined up that weigh about 24 lbs each, so if the Lotus wheels are within 2-3 pounds of that, I'll not bother with the other set.

 

[LotusB]

I did. No response, which is why I'm hoping BigMoose knows somebody there who either has or can get the information.

I usually buy lightweight 3rd party wheels for my cars because the factory wheels are often quite heavy. Removing unsprung rotating weight is a good way to improve performance, without voiding the warranty or touching anything else. Since the optional wheels are advertised as "ultra light-weight", I would like to know 'how' light. I already have 3rd party wheels lined up that weigh about 24 lbs each, so if the Lotus wheels are within 2-3 pounds of that, I'll not bother with the other set.

What's the lead time on these aftermarket wheels? Surprised you're already looking to order something to improve on what Lotus has designed. You have to remember that Gavin and team's suspension and tire tuning is based on the stock wheels. You change out the wheels and who knows what may happen? Don't try and improve on what Lotus has done... they're masters at their craft and you don't want to mess with perfection. I'll put Gavin's experience against yours any day of the week

I'm sure most people won't get the reference as to why I'm saying this... but you will, @Eagle7 since you questioned why I would EVER consider getting coil-overs for my Emira and consider lowering the car. The sacrilege! Gavin tuned the car and I'd ruin it!

P.S. No, not starting drama, just giving you a taste of your own medicine, so you see what it sounds like coming back at ya

 

[kitkat]

I did. No response, which is why I'm hoping BigMoose knows somebody there who either has or can get the information.

I usually buy lightweight 3rd party wheels for my cars because the factory wheels are often quite heavy. Removing unsprung rotating weight is a good way to improve performance, without voiding the warranty or touching anything else. Since the optional wheels are advertised as "ultra light-weight", I would like to know 'how' light. I already have 3rd party wheels lined up that weigh about 24 lbs each, so if the Lotus wheels are within 2-3 pounds of that, I'll not bother with the other set.

Do you happen to know all the wheel specs and would you mind sharing who is working with you for the wheels? There's no way I'm tracking the Emira on 20" rubber and want some 18".

 

[VL3X]

Do you happen to know all the wheel specs and would you mind sharing who is working with you for the wheels? There's no way I'm tracking the Emira on 20" rubber and want some 18".

I don't think anyone knows oem weights or offset yet, but size is 20x8.5/10..

I understand not wanting to track with 20s but many exotics these days are running 20s with low profile tires and stiff sidewalls. Smaller wheels can save unsprung weight and rotational mass, but there are pros and cons of running different wheel diameters and tire sizes.

 

[Eagle7]

What's the lead time on these aftermarket wheels? Surprised you're already looking to order something to improve on what Lotus has designed. You have to remember that Gavin and team's suspension and tire tuning is based on the stock wheels. You change out the wheels and who knows what may happen? Don't try and improve on what Lotus has done... they're masters at their craft and you don't want to mess with perfection. I'll put Gavin's experience against yours any day of the week

I'm sure most people won't get the reference as to why I'm saying this... but you will, @Eagle7 since you questioned why I would EVER consider getting coil-overs for my Emira and consider lowering the car. The sacrilege! Gavin tuned the car and I'd ruin it!

P.S. No, not starting drama, just giving you a taste of your own medicine, so you see what it sounds like coming back at ya

Well now.... this is an interesting post. I don't specifically remember whatever you're referring to, but apparently it stung you enough that you not only remembered it, but were waiting for an opportunity to get 'revenge' and give me "a taste of your own medicine" as it were. Do you have the link I can refer to? I doubt it was my intention to offend or insult, but if that's the way it came across, then that's something I can address by reviewing what I say and how I say it.

As far as the components, you are I'm sure aware that there's a considerable difference between changing to a lighter wheel that's the same dimensions as the factory wheel, and uses the factory tire, versus changing the suspension members themselves and lowering the car. The wheels won't change the chassis setup; coil-overs will. Lowering the car will change the roll behavior, and on this car, it could also change the aerodynamics underneath the car. The bottom of the car and the rear diffuser are part of the aerodynamic design. I would be hesitant to change that unless and until I knew what effect the changes would have.

From reading and listening to the people who designed it, it seems everything about this car is engineered and part of the overall performance design. No fake vents or body lines; everything is there because it needed to be.

The aftermarket wheels are Canadian. I have a set on my Alfa. They're really well made, the finish is winterized, they're light (very popular with the weekend track crowd), and the price is very good. They were 6 lbs lighter than the factory wheels on my Alfa. I felt the difference immediately when I put them on the car. In the Emira sizes, they were about $328 each last October when I was looking at them, but I'd have to check to see if inflation has changed that. I'm still waiting to find out what the offset is for the Emira though. Availability may also be an issue like it is for so many things right now.

I actually like the Lotus wheels. If they're around 27 lbs each, I'll stay with them.

 

[TXEMIRA]

Well now.... this is an interesting post. I don't specifically remember whatever you're referring to, but apparently it stung you enough that you not only remembered it, but were waiting for an opportunity to get 'revenge' and give me "a taste of your own medicine" as it were. Do you have the link I can refer to? I doubt it was my intention to offend or insult, but if that's the way it came across, then that's something I can address by reviewing what I say and how I say it.

As far as the components, you are I'm sure aware that there's a considerable difference between changing to a lighter wheel that's the same dimensions as the factory wheel, and uses the factory tire, versus changing the suspension members themselves and lowering the car. The wheels won't change the chassis setup; coil-overs will. Lowering the car will change the roll behavior, and on this car, it could also change the aerodynamics underneath the car. The bottom of the car and the rear diffuser are part of the aerodynamic design. I would be hesitant to change that unless and until I knew what effect the changes would have.

From reading and listening to the people who designed it, it seems everything about this car is engineered and part of the overall performance design. No fake vents or body lines; everything is there because it needed to be.

The aftermarket wheels are Canadian. I have a set on my Alfa. They're really well made, the finish is winterized, they're light (very popular with the weekend track crowd), and the price is very good. They were 6 lbs lighter than the factory wheels on my Alfa. I felt the difference immediately when I put them on the car. In the Emira sizes, they were about $328 each last October when I was looking at them, but I'd have to check to see if inflation has changed that. I'm still waiting to find out what the offset is for the Emira though. Availability may also be an issue like it is for so many things right now.

I actually like the Lotus wheels. If they're around 27 lbs each, I'll stay with them.

I remember one time I worked at this one place and did one job.

Another person came in and asked about another job. I gave them my opinion and advice.

I’ll never forget this dialogue.
“What do you know about XYZ when all you do here is ABC?”
“Well before ABC I was the foremost expert on XYZ, (insert myriad credentials here).”

Especially in the world of the internet…

#ForTheirReaction
#ForTheMultiTalented

 

[Eagle7]

Do you happen to know all the wheel specs and would you mind sharing who is working with you for the wheels? There's no way I'm tracking the Emira on 20" rubber and want some 18".

I know the tire sizes are 245/35ZR20 front and 295/30ZR20 rear. Based on the tire sizes, I'm estimating the front wheels to be approximately 20x8.5 for the front, and 20x9.5 for the rear. The bolt pattern is 5x114.3 but I don't know the center bore. Center bore isn't an issue though, as you can get centering adapter rings for the bore.

The 18" wheels for the 3rd party ones will be lighter than the 20's. I put 17" wheels on my Alfa and they were only 16 lbs each. The 18" factory wheels were 22 lbs. As soon as I get the actual dimensions for the FE wheels, I'll be able to find out if there's an equivalent from these guys that will work. The company that makes the wheels is Fast Wheels, and they're based in Canada. It's the FC04 wheel. They don't (or didn't) sell directly; you have to go through a dealer, but there was one in Canada that shipped to the U.S. when I bought them 4 years ago. Hopefully they're still in business and still ship outside Canada.

 

[Eagle7]

I don't think anyone knows oem weights or offset yet, but size is 20x8.5/10..

I understand not wanting to track with 20s but many exotics these days are running 20s with low profile tires and stiff sidewalls. Smaller wheels can save unsprung weight and rotational mass, but there are pros and cons of running different wheel diameters and tire sizes.

The benefit of smaller wheels sizes are: lighter weight, taller sidewall which allows for some flex to absorb some of the shock of sudden transitions, and usually more tire options that are less expensive than the bigger tires. This is mostly for a track set, so speedometer/odometer variance isn't an issue for that. This way you can get good performance, better tire choices and prices, and not beat up your street set.

 

[TomAce]

I did. No response, which is why I'm hoping BigMoose knows somebody there who either has or can get the information.

I usually buy lightweight 3rd party wheels for my cars because the factory wheels are often quite heavy. Removing unsprung rotating weight is a good way to improve performance, without voiding the warranty or touching anything else. Since the optional wheels are advertised as "ultra light-weight", I would like to know 'how' light. I already have 3rd party wheels lined up that weigh about 24 lbs each, so if the Lotus wheels are within 2-3 pounds of that, I'll not bother with the other set.

That would be interesting to know. The 20" lightweight forged wheels should weigh less than 11kg (24,2lbs), everything else would be a little disappointing to be honest. Anyone on here who's a little closer to Lotus who may start a new request on this?

 

[Porter]

I know the tire sizes are 245/35ZR20 front and 295/30ZR20 rear. Based on the tire sizes, I'm estimating the front wheels to be approximately 20x8.5 for the front, and 20x9.5 for the rear. The bolt pattern is 5x114.3 but I don't know the center bore. Center bore isn't an issue though, as you can get centering adapter rings for the bore.

The 18" wheels for the 3rd party ones will be lighter than the 20's. I put 17" wheels on my Alfa and they were only 16 lbs each. The 18" factory wheels were 22 lbs. As soon as I get the actual dimensions for the FE wheels, I'll be able to find out if there's an equivalent from these guys that will work. The company that makes the wheels is Fast Wheels, and they're based in Canada. It's the FC04 wheel. They don't (or didn't) sell directly; you have to go through a dealer, but there was one in Canada that shipped to the U.S. when I bought them 4 years ago. Hopefully they're still in business and still ship outside Canada.

The Emira supposedly comes fitted with 20x8.5 and 20x10.

Lotus offsets are extremely high. There's a possibility that the manufacturer won't have an offset appropriate to the Emira fitment. You can use Evora offsets as a rough guide. We don't know what the Emira offset will be yet but it's almost certain to be higher than typical production cars.

From the Lotus service bulletin on wheels from September 2017:

Evora 400, Sport 410 & GT430 Sport​

Type - std/opt Cast Alloy or Forged, 5 bolt fixing​

- front 8.0J x 19H2 ET55​

- rear 9.5J x 20H2 ET69​

​

Evora GT430​

Type - std Forged, 5-bolt fixing​

- front 8.0J x 19H2 ET55​

- rear 10.5J x 20H2 ET69​

​

All​

PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter)​

- Front/Rear 114.3 ± 0.1 mm​

​

Centre spigot hole diameter​

- Front 69.06 mm​

- Rear 68.06 mm​

Clearance isn't actually the most important consideration around offset, at least not in the front. The main reason to match the offset as closely as possible on the front axle is to retain the steering axis point. If you move the center of the contact patch outward (lower offset wheel in the same width) it causes the wheel to move through a slight arc as you steer. There are a ton of handling implications, some of which are benign and some which are more undesirable.

 

[SJR202]

Lotus employee here! The Seneca cars really seem to come alive once they've gone through finals. Judged when the car is coming down the assembly line the colour looks a bit flat, but the transformation after going through finals is surprising and once fully finished the Seneca is stunning. That could explain the OP finding it disappointing.

You're going to regret 'coming out' as a Lotus employee. Imagine you've just opened a massive jar of honey at the entrance to a wasps nest...