The worst part about the Lotus Emira…

[Blackthought_]

Has been fixed!!

Before:

After:

These are the Tillett b10 (regular) seats bought from Greg at GRP

A few observations after a few hours of driving:
-You sit lower for sure. Probably 1-2 inches if not more. I need to get used to new seating position. I had to adjust my mirrors so it’s definitely not in my head.
-I’m happy to report that you sit IN the seat. Not on top of it.
-Really good adjustablily in the recline of the seat
-Somehow it feel like it’s louder and you hear the exhaust better? perhaps when you lose like 5 inches of cushion that can happen.
-It is very comfortable. Surprisingly so. Once I adjusted the recline etc I was set and I felt very comfortable and relaxed (I’m 5ft 10 and 190lbs). I almost with the XL model but glad I didn’t.
-Most importantly, you feel MUCH more of what’s happening on the road and these seats hug you beautifully and fit your body like a glove. It increases connection and drama with the car.
-Car feels a bit peppier too. I guess that happens when you drop almost 50 pounds!
-Yes it’s worth the $$!

 

[Speedy Emira]

Has been fixed!!

Before:
View attachment 55284
After:
View attachment 55281
These are the Tillett b10 (regular) seats

A few observations after a few hours of driving:
-You sit lower for sure. Probably 1-2 inches if not more. I need to get used to new seating position. I had to adjust my mirrors so it’s definitely not in my head.
-I’m happy to report that you sit IN the seat. Not on top of it.
-Really good adjustablily in the recline of the seat
-Somehow it feel like it’s louder and you hear the exhaust better? perhaps when you lose like 5 inches of cushion that can happen.
-It is very comfortable. Surprisingly so. Once I adjusted the recline etc I was set and I felt very comfortable and relaxed (I’m 5ft 10 and 190lbs). I almost with the XL model but glad I didn’t.
-Most importantly, you feel MUCH more of what’s happening on the road and these seats hug you beautifully and fit your body like a glove. It increases connection and drama with the car.
-Car feels a bit peppier too. I guess that happens when you drop almost 50 pounds!
-Yes it’s worth the $$!

They look great and just the right stitching colour for mine.

Were they hard to install and did it cost mush on top of the seat?

 

[kitkat]

Has been fixed!!

Before:
View attachment 55284
After:
View attachment 55281
These are the Tillett b10 (regular) seats bought from Greg at GRP

A few observations after a few hours of driving:
-You sit lower for sure. Probably 1-2 inches if not more. I need to get used to new seating position. I had to adjust my mirrors so it’s definitely not in my head.
-I’m happy to report that you sit IN the seat. Not on top of it.
-Really good adjustablily in the recline of the seat
-Somehow it feel like it’s louder and you hear the exhaust better? perhaps when you lose like 5 inches of cushion that can happen.
-It is very comfortable. Surprisingly so. Once I adjusted the recline etc I was set and I felt very comfortable and relaxed (I’m 5ft 10 and 190lbs). I almost with the XL model but glad I didn’t.
-Most importantly, you feel MUCH more of what’s happening on the road and these seats hug you beautifully and fit your body like a glove. It increases connection and drama with the car.
-Car feels a bit peppier too. I guess that happens when you drop almost 50 pounds!
-Yes it’s worth the $$!

What position settings did you use on the brackets?

 

[Blackthought_]

They look great and just the right stitching colour for mine.

Were they hard to install and did it cost mush on top of the seat?

No it was pretty easy to install. probably took me 2 hours taking it easy. Not sure what you mean by mush on top of the seat?

 

[Blackthought_]

What position settings did you use on the brackets?

In the front the last hole from the bottom and in the rear the 2nd hole from the bottom

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

I’m guessing you lose the heated seat and seat memory adjustment?

 

[Blackthought_]

I’m guessing you lose the heated seat and seat memory adjustment?

Yeah you lose the heated seats and power adjustments as these are manual seats. It’s quite the trade off

 

[RyanGphoto]

You mentioned your legs went numb a little.. how long a drive did that happen after? Did the pads help at all with that?

Would love to know.

 

[Lotus64]

Does the seat back adjust independently from the bottom seat cushion or is the seat one piece?

 

[Blackthought_]

Does the seat back adjust independently from the bottom seat cushion or is the seat one piece?

It’s all one piece so you lose the ability to recline. You could move the seat forward to get stuff back there though

 

[prepatel27]

These look great! I’m considering upgrading my seats too, as I find the stock ones uncomfortable.

Does this kit include detailed step-by-step instructions?

Please share another update in a few weeks once you’ve put more miles on the seats—I’d love to hear how they’re working out for you!

 

[allenyao09]

It’s all one piece so you lose the ability to recline. You could move the seat forward to get stuff back there though

How about loading and unloading bigger items such as carry-on suitcases? I know the trunk doesn't fit, so for me it has to fit behind the seats. Would you still be able to do that with these seats?

 

[Tomwa]

How about loading and unloading bigger items such as carry-on suitcases? I know the trunk doesn't fit, so for me it has to fit behind the seats. Would you still be able to do that with these seats?

I think that's debatable. The backs are 'thinner' than factory, so there could be enough space when the sliders are pushed forward. Or... maybe there won't be.

I had mentioned some time ago about the idea of a mechanism that would 'release' the rear rail and hinge the front so you could tip the seat forward, but it's some engineering work to figure out this kind of thing.

 

[allenyao09]

I think that's debatable. The backs are 'thinner' than factory, so there could be enough space when the sliders are pushed forward. Or... maybe there won't be.

I had mentioned some time ago about the idea of a mechanism that would 'release' the rear rail and hinge the front so you could tip the seat forward, but it's some engineering work to figure out this kind of thing.

That would be ideal, but I imagine having a mechanism like that and passing all the safety standards wouldn't be easy.

 

[Tomwa]

That would be ideal, but I imagine having a mechanism like that and passing all the safety standards wouldn't be easy.

What safety standards? Aftermarket seat rails i don't think have any sort of testing or certification saying they have met any kind of govt standards.

Not saying anyone is intentionally building unsafe seat rails, but there's no oversight for these things other than possible litigious recourse.

 

[Blackthought_]

How about loading and unloading bigger items such as carry-on suitcases? I know the trunk doesn't fit, so for me it has to fit behind the seats. Would you still be able to do that with these seats?

I’m not sure I guess it depends on the size of a hard suitcase I suppose. You have a few inches of space to squeeze through a bag when you move the seat forward. Anytime I travel with the lotus it’ll be with a soft weekend bag so I can fit stuff in the back seat area and the trunk

 

[Foxy87]

While they look great I somehow think they would better fit in an elise or exige being that pure and minimalistic. Nonetheless the stock seats are too much of a couch as well (at least lookwise)

 

[Steve Tillett]

What safety standards? Aftermarket seat rails i don't think have any sort of testing or certification saying they have met any kind of govt standards.

Not saying anyone is intentionally building unsafe seat rails, but there's no oversight for these things other than possible litigious recourse.

I hope I can put your mind at rest about our business.
The current runners in the TEMIRA1 kit are made by the same people who make Ferrari's runners.
These are rated to 1100kg. We are about to switch to a runner rated to 1200 kg. In both case these are European companies that manufacture seat runners for multiple manufacturers.
Regarding the brackets, we did a VOSC ECE Regulation 14.09 Seat Belt Anchorage Test on them, which all UK manufacturers use to test the seat belt anchors. The fittings in the seat are our special sandwiched FIA fittings, which are not simply stuck on the inside like many other manufacturers. The bolts we supply for the side of the seat are specially made for us and 14.9 strength, which is far above the standard bolt standards.
I have been making these seats in various designs since 2000. Ours was the first ever dual skin seat which was supplied in the Caterham R500. The seat took 400 hours to sculpture and was innovative in that it did not need padding, it was incredibly compact, light and stiff. Much of that original shape is included in the B10.
The family business started making seats for horse drawn carriages in 1896. I separated from my fathers business in 1986 to manufacture kart seats, where we gained the worlds most respected brand in karting. I have never made something just to make money. We always use the right material not the cheapest material, and we rarely change materials once the parameters have been set.
I hope I have not gone on too much.

 

[Tomwa]

I hope I can put your mind at rest about our business.
The current runners in the TEMIRA1 kit are made by the same people who make Ferrari's runners.
These are rated to 1100kg. We are about to switch to a runner rated to 1200 kg. In both case these are European companies that manufacture seat runners for multiple manufacturers.
Regarding the brackets, we did a VOSC ECE Regulation 14.09 Seat Belt Anchorage Test on them, which all UK manufacturers use to test the seat belt anchors. The fittings in the seat are our special sandwiched FIA fittings, which are not simply stuck on the inside like many other manufacturers. The bolts we supply for the side of the seat are specially made for us and 14.9 strength, which is far above the standard bolt standards.
I have been making these seats in various designs since 2000. Ours was the first ever dual skin seat which was supplied in the Caterham R500. The seat took 400 hours to sculpture and was innovative in that it did not need padding, it was incredibly compact, light and stiff. Much of that original shape is included in the B10.
The family business started making seats for horse drawn carriages in 1896. I separated from my fathers business in 1986 to manufacture kart seats, where we gained the worlds most respected brand in karting. I have never made something just to make money. We always use the right material not the cheapest material, and we rarely change materials once the parameters have been set.
I hope I have not gone on too much.

Thanks for all the background Steve.

I don't mean to disparage any of your products, suppliers, or methods.

I in fact find that, overall your products probably do MORE than most are asking of them.

I was simply pointing out that, for most aftermarket parts unless you chase FIA seals, or some other sanctioning body (typically for racing) to carry a testing and safety certificate there generally speaking won't be one.

This admittedly may more apply to the US rather than EU/UK markets. However, having little/nothing to do with your seats, it is why there are so many aftermarket seat options in the US, and new brands pop up out of no-where.

If its aftermarket, they can put a simple warning label that it is "For Off Road Purposes Only". In this case, not meaning "run off to do some rally racing and sand dune bombing" it means "we do not certify that our parts are in any way 'safe' for road use and absolve ourselves of any legal obligation to make any promises to crash standards or your health if you use them in your car on the road"

As far as the seat brackets comment goes, and my statement about 'what is safe' regarding how a seat bracket works, any sort of tilting mechanism, etc. I don't mean that your seat rails should be considered unsafe, just that there is (in the US at least) no Government safety organization that makes any consideration for these products and what rigors/testing needs to be done prior to being in the hands of consumers.

 

[virtualmacho]

What safety standards? Aftermarket seat rails i don't think have any sort of testing or certification saying they have met any kind of govt standards.

In some countries, there are strict regulations for all seats and rails including aftermarket products. I have been in contact with, and know that at least one of the authorized Tillet distributors in Japan is working on certification for the local market. We all feel that the product itself is more than competent, and it's just a matter of sorting out the right paperwork.