Suspension: Touring and Sports options

[Leonard]

Harry's garage has a brilliant back to back with the tour and sport suspension from around 12:30 onwards.
Interesting how he describes the sport as harsh over B roads and the tour floating over it. It goes hand in hand with what we've been hearing with track bias vs road bias respectively. Interesting the response he had from Gavin re damping too. Much bigger difference between the two than expected!

Also road noise - makes sense but I didn't think the Cup2 would be quite as much louder than the Goodyears.

He did reference the GR Yaris Circuit pack as comparable to the Sport harshness. I don't actually find the Yaris that bad and appreciate the extra feel and composure you gain when driving at 7 tenths +
Definitely something to be aware of though and don't just take 'Sport' as meaning better as it wont suit everyone

 

[BeHappy]

He did reference the GR Yaris Circuit pack as comparable to the Sport harshness. I don't actually find the Yaris that bad and appreciate the extra feel and composure you gain when driving at 7 tenths +
Definitely something to be aware of though and don't just take 'Sport' as meaning better as it wont suit

 

[PhilCP]

What's telling is Harry has changed his order from Sports to Touring after driving both.

 

[Tonyshepp]

Just watched Harry’s review and now I’m beginning to doubt if I’ve chosen correctly for sports suspension- I’m just getting more miffed off on having to make really important choices on virtually no good info from Lotus as I found this haven of info quite late on. I spoke to customer services when I did my order and he gave none of this key info other than if it’s a w/e car sports is a good choice. My last car was R8 but I did used to have a Evo back in the day which I found too hard - have I made right choice argh

I suspect based on the jiggedness of the ride in Harrys video in the Sport suspension you haven't. I had a real battle with myself on the suspension and took TomE's and Gav's (smoking podcast interview) that Touring is best for the roads.... thankfully; but i'm still hesitant on the V6 now and the gearbox.

 

[kitkat]

Based on reviews stating that spring rates are within 5% of each other and very close — sports suspension is more aggressive damping curve. It’ll be great for turn in feel but it won’t help with body roll.

 

[DrD]

What's really interesting is the difference between Jethro and Evos track review against Harry's road review.

Jethro categorically states that he doesn't understand why anyone would spec tour suspension in his track review - whilst comparing it to a gt4.

In comparison Harry back to backs both suspension, you can see how busy the ride looks in sports and how much more compliant the ride looks in tour.

If nothing else it shows what matters to reviewers (and in Jethro's case, a professional racing driver), Vs real world experience for you and I. Whether or not we're driving down a b road with a busy ride wishing we'd compromise some outright performance for something a little more liveable.

I don't want to make any decisions for people, but I'd definitely be buying into the emira as a sports car, as liveable as possible. Or... Wait for an Emira GT/ sport that's more hard core for you track day heros/ racing drivers!

 

[NickR]

What's really interesting is the difference between Jethro and Evos track review against Harry's road review.

Jethro categorically states that he doesn't understand why anyone would spec tour suspension in his track review - whilst comparing it to a gt4.

In comparison Harry back to backs both suspension, you can see how busy the ride looks in sports and how much more compliant the ride looks in tour.

If nothing else it shows what matters to reviewers (and in Jethro's case, a professional racing driver), Vs real world experience for you and I. Whether or not we're driving down a b road with a busy ride wishing we'd compromise some outright performance for something a little more liveable.

I don't want to make any decisions for people, but I'd definitely be buying into the emira as a sports car, as liveable as possible. Or... Wait for an Emira GT/ sport that's more hard core for you track day heros/ racing drivers!

Its tricky. Harry choose sports for his setup

 

[PhilCP]

Its tricky. Harry choose sports for his setup

No. He originally spec’d sports but has since changed to touring

 

[digilotus]

No. He originally spec’d sports but has since changed to touring

Where did you hear that?

 

[TomE]

I feel both Jethro and Harry have reinforced what Gav and I have been saying about the two setups.

I’m not surprised Harry has changed from Sports to Touring for his personal car after driving both. Remember he was a passenger round Hethel just before choosing his spec - a very smooth and level circuit and driven by a Lotus development driver. The compromises of Sports on the road would not have been apparent to him.

I wonder if his delivery is now delayed 6 months for making a change

 

[Leonard]

What's really interesting is the difference between Jethro and Evos track review against Harry's road review.

Jethro categorically states that he doesn't understand why anyone would spec tour suspension in his track review - whilst comparing it to a gt4.

In comparison Harry back to backs both suspension, you can see how busy the ride looks in sports and how much more compliant the ride looks in tour.

If nothing else it shows what matters to reviewers (and in Jethro's case, a professional racing driver), Vs real world experience for you and I. Whether or not we're driving down a b road with a busy ride wishing we'd compromise some outright performance for something a little more liveable.

I don't want to make any decisions for people, but I'd definitely be buying into the emira as a sports car, as liveable as possible. Or... Wait for an Emira GT/ sport that's more hard core for you track day heros/ racing drivers!

I think it was probably an error by Lotus to add both suspension options. Trying to appease old and new buyers no doubt.
Would have been better to launch the FE with the Touring chassis only and then bring in the more track-orientated packages later. With a possible GT3 Touring equivalent for those that like the firm ride without the big wings and drama.
Or have invested in an adjustable setup for best of all worlds, but imagine this would have been out due to costs and dev time

 

[NickR]

I feel both Jethro and Harry have reinforced what Gav and I have been saying about the two setups.

I’m not surprised Harry has changed from Sports to Touring for his personal car after driving both. Remember he was a passenger round Hethel just before choosing his spec - a very smooth and level circuit and driven by a Lotus development driver. The compromises of Sports on the road would not have been apparent to him.

I wonder if his delivery is now delayed 6 months for making a change

Longer. I asked about a caliper change ... 2023!

 

[PhilCP]

Where did you hear that?

Harry replied to a comment on his YouTube video

 

[First Lotus]

Longer. I asked about a caliper change ... 2023!

Is that because you have already locked in?
I ordered October 2021 so have had an email suggesting they'd be in touch spring 23 for delivery summer 23. So I'm hoping to make a few changes (touring for one!) and not delay any more!

 

[NickR]

Is that because you have already locked in?
I ordered October 2021 so have had an email suggesting they'd be in touch spring 23 for delivery summer 23. So I'm hoping to make a few changes (touring for one!) and not delay any more!

Yeah, July delivery. I found that they didn't update my order back in December. Still I'm not 2023 worried!

 

[BeHappy]

I feel both Jethro and Harry have reinforced what Gav and I have been saying about the two setups.

I’m not surprised Harry has changed from Sports to Touring for his personal car after driving both. Remember he was a passenger round Hethel just before choosing his spec - a very smooth and level circuit and driven by a Lotus development driver. The compromises of Sports on the road would not have been apparent to him.

I wonder if his delivery is now delayed 6 months for making a change

Who knows Harry we need to know lol if he’s getting preferential treatment whilst we’ll all be delayed by 6 months. Lotus rocks up with a car so he can compare straight away, so frustrating being locked into a spec on such important decisions when they have given very little good info to form an informed decision on

 

[kitkat]

Who knows Harry we need to know lol if he’s getting preferential treatment whilst we’ll all be delayed by 6 months. Lotus rocks up with a car so he can compare straight away, so frustrating being locked into a spec on such important decisions when they have given very little good info to form an informed decision on

It isn’t the end of the world if you get locked into something too aggressively or softly damped for your preference. For a little bit of money you can go to anyone who does damper rebuilds and get custom valving done on your Bilsteins.

 

[Leonard]

Who knows Harry we need to know lol if he’s getting preferential treatment whilst we’ll all be delayed by 6 months. Lotus rocks up with a car so he can compare straight away, so frustrating being locked into a spec on such important decisions when they have given very little good info to form an informed decision on

You never know as a weekend car you may even prefer the Sports Suspension
My GR Yaris that Harry references is far from a terrible ride and offers amazing feel. It DEFINITELY also rides better than my previous M2 Comp that was lauded for its ride and handling. So if you are new to Lotus and used to other Sports cars (which I know you are) it may just feel normal. Plus with some journos already saying even the Sports set up isn't firm enough, it sounds like there will be a divided opinion on which set up is better

 

[TXEMIRA]

Who knows Harry we need to know lol if he’s getting preferential treatment whilst we’ll all be delayed by 6 months. Lotus rocks up with a car so he can compare straight away, so frustrating being locked into a spec on such important decisions when they have given very little good info to form an informed decision on

This is a good point.

General Public:
“We’d like to test drive just in case we want to change spec.”
Lotus:
“hahaha”

Some Pro Car Guy:
“I’d like to test drive just in case I want to change spec.”
Lotus:
“Absolutely. Here you go.”
Some Pro Car Guy:
“Thanks. I change spec now.”
Lotus:
“Absolutely. Here you go.”

#ForTheProfessionalDrivers

 

[Racer X]

Based on reviews stating that spring rates are within 5% of each other and very close — sports suspension is more aggressive damping curve. It’ll be great for turn in feel but it won’t help with body roll.

He also mentions that the front wheels are toed out in the sport setup- that will make the front end very darty and reduce self-centering. I would set my car up like that for autocross. No mention if touring has the toe out up front.