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

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

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.

The bushing/bump stops must just be apart of each assembly.

 

[Adam Brouillard]

I would bet the geometry differences they mention are simply just the marginally different alignment settings. Not saying that's bad, but just sounds like marketing speak.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

I would bet the geometry differences they mention are simply just the marginally different alignment settings. Not saying that's bad, but just sounds like marketing speak.

Probably just the camber settings.

 

[675430VME]

I would bet the geometry differences they mention are simply just the marginally different alignment settings. Not saying that's bad, but just sounds like marketing speak.

My alignment and camber settings were off from the factory. Having it lowered just make it more obvious so I would suggest every owners to get it calibrated.

 

[00grubb]

Not sure where I read it, but I think the geometry is referring to the camber only for Cup 2 tires. Because Cup2's are more aggressive (tread and anticipated driving style), there's a bit more negative camber...so less camber I guess? Whatever, they're set up slightly differently. Nothing to do with different control arms or anything major like that affecting the geometry, just a slight tweak for Cup2's.

 

[seriously]

However minor, alignment can't be changed with a button like damper settings can. Maybe the next 911 GT3 RS will add this since it can change almost everything else about suspension setup.

 

[centerpunch]

Here's the FB post from Absolute Lotus Magazine:

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

.
Well, I ordered that magazine and received it from the UK today, and there's really nothing very significant in the very short article, in which Gavan Kershaw has four very predictable statements:

• Emira "is the finest ride and handling Lotus sports car ever."
• Having separate sport and touring options can change the character of the car better than a variable suspension could.
• Hydraulic power steering is the best.
• Using Lotus spec or Lotus recommended tires is essential to maintain the handling.

I've personally ignored that use-oem-tires-only advice on probably every car I've ever owned, and will probably live dangerously and ignore it on the Emira.

 

[Honcho]

Personally, I don't see why there so much fuss about hydraulic power steering.

 

[Tomwa]

Not sure where I read it, but I think the geometry is referring to the camber only for Cup 2 tires. Because Cup2's are more aggressive (tread and anticipated driving style), there's a bit more negative camber...so less camber I guess? Whatever, they're set up slightly differently. Nothing to do with different control arms or anything major like that affecting the geometry, just a slight tweak for Cup2's.

But you can get a Sport suspension with the Goodyears?

Personally, I don't see why there so much fuss about hydraulic power steering.

Because everyone else is moving to electric? and not to say every electric is bad, but I think in the comparison the Emira comes out favorably in a vast majority of cases.

 

[seriously]

Personally, I don't see why there so much fuss about hydraulic power steering.

I think there is better feedback when you are hooning the car or at the limit of grip but under most normal circumstances a well tuned electric rack feels just as good to me. It’s a nice differentiator still.

 

[Eagle7]

My AWD Alfa Romeo Giulia has electric steering, and it's EXCELLENT. Very responsive. However the feel is programmed, calculated feel versus actual feel which is what the Lotus has. In addition to steering feel, the Lotus adds vertical movement feedback so there's more information about the vertical movement of the wheels, which tells you more about the road surface than just tire grip from steering.