Sports/Touring, more differences?

[Honcho]

So I read an article earlier today (can't remember the source, I think it was one of the Emira Facebook groups) with an interview from a Lotus employee and they said that it's not just different spring and damper settings for the sports/touring chassis, but also different bushings and geometry. Does anyone in the know how accurate this might be? I know the alignment settings are slightly different but wondering if any of the links/mounting points are different too? Someone with parts numbers might be able to confirm this or not.

 

[Nova]

Yea. Given that the interview is of Gavan Kershaw, it's pretty accurate. There's no mention that there are different links or mounting points, but that the springs, dampers, geometry are different. I did see in that post that the "bushings and bump stops" are different, but I am not sure about this. As far as I know, the only parts difference is the damper and springs. My source is the parts list on Bell and Colvill.

 

[centerpunch]

Here's the FB post from Absolute Lotus Magazine:

(I'll order a copy and post anything interesting here when I get it.)

Ever wondered why the Lotus Emira has two fixed suspension options rather than a switchable set-up commonly found in other cars?

Gavan Kershaw, Director of Attributes at Lotus told us: "Having the ability to offer Tour and Sports chassis options allows for separation in the chassis to allow the customer to have a specification better suited to their usage and driving preference. This means that each option can change the feel of the car, but retains the character.

"In addition, our two suspension configurations are not just spring and damper changes but are also changes to bushes, bumpstops and geometry. It is currently impossible to change those elements on a variable suspension mode at the press of a button."

This is just part of the interview by Mike Rysiecki on the Emira's design and development. The whole thing is available in Issue 41, in the shops now or available with free p&p here https://www.performancepublishing.co.uk/octobernovember-2024-issue-41.html