Suspension: Touring and Sports options

[freefall_junkie]

Factory tour guide confirmed that they are all setup for understeer - to make it safer for most owners on the road. As you say, everything is adjustable (toe, castor, camber) to give you the character you prefer. I guarantee the EVO car could have been setup to their liking and dialled out all understeer. Do not panic!

I wonder if Lotus are considering offering EVO another car on Cup2s and tweaked geometry. If not perhaps they should. I bet Gavan was hopping mad after that Evo track review.

 

[NicolasB]

Let's all agree that when any of us gets our alignment specs changed and do take care of the understeer and make it more neutral, that we will share the specs on here so everyone can enjoy it.

 

[digilotus]

Let's all agree that when any of us gets our alignment specs changed and do take care of the understeer and make it more neutral, that we will share the specs on here so everyone can enjoy it.

Geometry is something Lotus can easily and quickly configure if needs be before production starts. I'm sure the dynamics team have different geometry settings they have tested up until now, some more agressive and some less so. So if the market is wanting less understeer, then it would really be a piece of cake to address that very quickly.

 

[NickR]

I listed to/read all the reviews so far and all of our previous assumptions seen correct:

Touring is best for most of us, especially those driving it more often.
Sports is best suited to those, like me, who will use the car on track and sparingly at weekends.

There is no right answer. Depends on the person and their expected use, though, like for like, back to back, the decision would be easier.

Indeed, those with the sports set-up still say it is the ultimate for feel and ability but it comes at a cost and, on the roads of the UK, might well be slower in most people's hands.

My problem:
I have ordered Sports with the Goodyears.
Why is this a problem?
Well, I did this as I believed it was the right compromise but now I realise the Goodyears will be crap on my track days so I will ALSO get some Cup2 tyres and change them over as and when I track it.

I wonder if Lotus can stick these in the car for me:
Two behind the seats, one on the front seat lodged under the window, and the last one in the boot with the lid tied up with string

I did the same. But won't be tracking the car ... too stressful

 

[xen]

In the past Lotus have usually had a little bit of understeer when the cars leave the factory. It’s slightly safer, especially for people coming from a FWD hot hatch who might be tempted to lift off the throttle if they feel they’re going into a corner too fast.

It’s easily dialled out if that’s what you want.

Wouldn't this void your warranty?

 

[digilotus]

Given some of the more interesting reviews were on Goodyears, I wonder if Gavan Kershaw tested 80+ tyre compounds as he wasn't happy with them. My personal experience with GoodYears has been mediocre at best but they seem to have come a long way.

It would be great to know how the Emira dynamics would change with some Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres combined with the Touring suspension setup.

 

[Speedluvver]

I also find it interesting that Catchpole and Top Gear were complimentary about the goodyears when they test vp007, and now they are an issue... hmmmmm

 

[TomE]

Wouldn't this void your warranty?

No, adjusting the geometry is a common occurrence and Lotus recognise one setup isn’t suitable for everyone - that’s why it’s adjustable.

If you did something silly like made it super-twitchy and then crashed it then your insurer might have an opinion on that.

 

[TomE]

Let's all agree that when any of us gets our alignment specs changed and do take care of the understeer and make it more neutral, that we will share the specs on here so everyone can enjoy it.

This is already common in other Lotus forums for the existing cars. For example:

Geo Setups - TechWiki

wiki.seloc.org

I have a “fast road” geo on the Evora and a “road-biased Steve G” geo on the Exige. Neither are identical to the factory spec.

Factory spec will suit most people just fine for the road and daily usage.

 

[xen]

No, adjusting the geometry is a common occurrence and Lotus recognise one setup isn’t suitable for everyone - that’s why it’s adjustable.

If you did something silly like made it super-twitchy and then crashed it then your insurer might have an opinion on that.

That it's adjustable doesn't automatically mean it is intended to be adjusted...

I'll enquire with Lotus here but I'm fairly certain their position will be that any modifications not from factory will void your warranty. I'd caution others to do same.

 

[Evotion]

That it's adjustable doesn't automatically mean it is intended to be adjusted...

I'll enquire with Lotus here but I'm fairly certain their position will be that any modifications not from factory will void your warranty. I'd caution others to do same.

Always sensible to check any planned mods with insurers and warranty suppliers.

At final payment time we may get notification of the warranty arrangement.

 

[digilotus]

I also find it interesting that Catchpole and Top Gear were complimentary about the goodyears when they test vp007, and now they are an issue... hmmmmm

The original TopGear VP review said the Goodyears "feel very together" with "a bit of understeer". The understeer will be due to a mix of significantly less lateral grip than Michelin Cup2s and partly due to touring geometry setup.

 

[Evotion]

I will keep the Goodyears on for the road and stick on the Cups when I track it.

Those with The touring set-up can still put Cups or 4s tyres on it when they wish to... can't they?
Maybe not.. I am assuming Michelin, et al, will have a car with an Emira spec tyre.

 

[DrD]

Now... For those questioning why Goodyears over Michelin Pilot Sport 4s or whatever else...


Goodyear supersports are rated amongst the best in UHP summer tyre, above the MP4S in feel and feedback. Only superceded by the latest latest contisport contact 7, which look like incredible all around tyres!

No doubt when continental start shipping them out and you're looking for your next set of emira tyres, they could be a winner!

 

[NickR]

I also find it interesting that Catchpole and Top Gear were complimentary about the goodyears when they test vp007, and now they are an issue... hmmmmm

Catchpole does still like them, the EVO review is him in the sports + GY setup

 

[PaperLawyer]

I took it to (not affiliated) a place called centre gravity in atherstone, a suspension specialist who are world renowned for their alignments (and more major suspension changes if you want them). They changed the toe and camber of the 4 wheels, kept it all within Porsches spec, but it absolutely transformed the car.

As a former S2000 owner, I've also had my car's geo fettled by Chris at CG (as well as the replacement of seized suspension bushes - a common S2000 trait!). It was similarly my first thought when I listened to the understeer comments in a couple of video reviews.

Chris is passionate about Porsches but cut his teeth on many a S2000!

 

[PaperLawyer]

Geometry is something Lotus can easily and quickly configure if needs be before production starts. I'm sure the dynamics team have different geometry settings they have tested up until now, some more agressive and some less so. So if the market is wanting less understeer, then it would really be a piece of cake to address that very quickly.

True. That is excatly what Honda did with the S2000 after the first gen were criticised for being a little too edgy. The differing geo settings were issued as a service bulletin.

 

[DrD]

I don't think the tyre/ suspension combo is as much of an issue as everyone thinks. The Evo video has skewed people's thoughts, but I do think the context of him back to backing the gt4 on Cup2s on a dry warm track Vs the Emira on Goodyears skewed perceptions of the car.

You're all 100% correct, given the context it boggles my mind why lotus didn't give Cup2s on the car...

For those that have driven Cup2s in the dry, on the track, know that whatever the car, normal UHP summer road tyres would never be able to compete.

I.e. the car isn't compromised or bad on the goodyears, but when you're comparing it to something bespoke on track, it's always going to feel like you're missing out. In that one very specific environment. In isolation the rest of the reviewers loved it on track in all the suspension and tyre combos.

On the Road, in the wet, and in the cold and suddenly the goodyears feel far superior to the cup2s. Context of weather, speed and surface matters.

Sports + Goodyears are a good combo for varied weather and hardcore driving both on road and track. 10/10 weather performance, 8/10 track performance. 8/10 road comfort, 7/10 nvh.

Sports + cup2 are a good combo for those that have better weather (south of Spain, smooth tarmac - definitely get Cup2s!) or prioritise more track driving. 5/10 weather, 10/10 track, 7/10 road, 6/10 nvh.

Touring + Goodyears are better for those that have varied road quality, do more road driving and can keep up with any weather. 10/10 weather, 7/10 track, 10/10 road, 8/10 nvh.

 

[Evotion]

I don't feel a sense of joy thinking the FE Emira will end up being a test-mule for later Emiras

 

[Evotion]

Sports + Goodyears is a good combo for varied weather and hardcore driving both on road and track. 10/10 weather performance, 8/10 track performance. 8/10 road comfort, 7/10 nvh.

That is why I went with them.
Anyway, I will get some CUP2s now as well - probably put then on for my trip to the 'ring.