Touring vs Sport suspension

[SVMLH]

BMW damping is about the worst I've experienced (on UK roads)
If you think the M4 with lowering springs is good you are going to be one happy man with either Lotus set up!

That sounds good I was leaning towards touring but maybe sport with goodyears would be also fine for german roads - which are far from perfect but (following the descriptions here) may be „better“ (?) than the UK B roads…

 

[Leonard]

That sounds good I was leaning towards touring but maybe sport with goodyears would be also fine for german roads - which are far from perfect but (following the descriptions here) may be „better“ (?) than the UK B roads…

It often doesn't get worse than a UK B-road I have only driven in Germany a few times, but your roads seem a LOT better than ours so if you don't have the lumps, bumps and potholes that we have then Sport and Goodyears may well be OK for you

 

[CanadianEmira]

I was getting stressed over this reading what I thought was conflicting advice from Gav, based on someone’s post on a FB group. On reflection I realise context is everything. Gav advised me based on my car history, local roads and driving style. This was backed up by one of his team and a very experienced person in the sales team who has driven both setups. They absolutely recommend Touring for me.

For others who have owned and enjoyed Evora Sport 410 or Exige, they are reckoning those drivers understand about the stiffer setup and hence are happy to recommend Sport for them.

For most people new to Lotus, unless you are looking for a very track-focused car or have excellent road surfaces or it’s a 2nd/weekend car then Touring is likely to be the better option.

Final choice on spec for early deposits is likely to be Dec, maybe Jan. Press cars are due in Feb, so published reviews in Mar. So unfortunately you’ll need to pick before the reviews. Or wait and slip down the queue a few weeks.

For the purposes of helping me decide which setup to go with... what are your car history, local roads and driving style? lol

 

[Pav]

I’d be interested if anyone can compare GR Yaris to Evora (of any kind). I find the Yaris brilliant on B roads, it has Pilot Sport 4s, rolls a bit but the damping is spot on. I guess this says I should get Touring but I always order the most hardcore version of things, so currently have Sports and The Cup 2s on order.

 

[Leonard]

I’d be interested if anyone can compare GR Yaris to Evora (of any kind). I find the Yaris brilliant on B roads, it has Pilot Sport 4s, rolls a bit but the damping is spot on. I guess this says I should get Touring but I always order the most hardcore version of things, so currently have Sports and The Cup 2s on order.

I have a Yaris and I'm thinking Sports will be a lot harsher. Touring a touch more compliant, which won't be a bad thing

 

[EM33RA]

I have a Yaris and I'm thinking Sports will be a lot harsher. Touring a touch more compliant, which won't be a bad thing

I’ve had it confirmed from one of the most knowledgeable people in the Lotus community/dealer in Australia. The way they run their Lotus dealership is totally based on after service, running track days for customers, drives etc…. Set up and maintenance of cars as engineers/race mechanic…. In short they know what they’re talking about…

He definitely confirmed the Lotus 400 is the exact touring setup and the 410GT is the sports setup in the Emira….. Go drive them if you are unsure….

I’ve gone for the sports suspension with Goodyear tyres…. Perfect for my needs…

 

[Leonard]

I’ve had it confirmed from one of the most knowledgeable people in the Lotus community/dealer in Australia. The way they run their Lotus dealership is totally based on after service, running track days for customers, drives etc…. Set up and maintenance of cars as engineers/race mechanic…. In short they know what they’re talking about…

He definitely confirmed the Lotus 400 is the exact touring setup and the 410GT is the sports setup in the Emira….. Go drive them if you are unsure….

I’ve gone for the sports suspension with Goodyear tyres…. Perfect for my needs…

Need to get myself to a dealer!

 

[Den]

Having just picked touring on my configuration / 2nd deposit, I'm now having second thoughts
I emailed Lotus to changed the spec and got this reply:

Thank you for your email,
Please rest assured, we will be reaching out to you at a later stage, and It will be at this point any changes can be amended on your submitted configuration.
If in the meantime, you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our utmost to help.

Gives me a bit more thinking time

 

[TomE]

For the purposes of helping me decide which setup to go with... what are your car history, local roads and driving style? lol

In this context it was Lotus car history:

• M100 Elan - engine, exhaust and brake upgrades but stock (road-oriented) suspension and tyres - for road and track use
• Elise S2 Supercharged - all stock including touring suspension - for road and track use
• Evora S (series 1) - all stock including what is equivalent to the Emira touring suspension and OEM Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres (designed for fast road + track) - for mainly road use and 1-2 track days per year

Local roads are UK A and B roads: major and minor roads with single lane each direction, A roads are faster and wider, B roads narrower and a mix of sweeping fast corners and twisties with some sharp bends. Road surfaces range from smooth tarmac to rough re-surfaced (chippings hot-rolled) and some heavily rutted and pot-holed. I do some motorway/highway driving but it's not the main use.

On driving style I'd say brisk, pacey, smooth/light control inputs, aim to carry momentum (spent my youth in under-powered hot hatches so trying to avoid too much slowing down and sluggish accelerating). I tend to brake late and hard, particularly on track, and on the road I try to look ahead a lot and anticipate traffic so I don't have to slow/stop and to time overtakes to coincide with gaps in approaching traffic.

Three videos to illustrate. First I've already posted elsewhere and was made by Scott Walker, now Lotus UK head of sales, and filmed on some of the B roads around me - these are my typical miles. Second is following an Exige and Elise on the Isle of Man in my Evora. Roads are similar to what I drive in the UK but there are no speed limits there outside the towns Third is on track at Goodwood in the Evora, which shows how much the braking capability of the car enables me to catch and pass Caterhams, Elises and Esprits. Bear in mind my Evora S is 345hp compared to the latest Evoras at 400-435hp and the Emira at 400hp.

 

[SVMLH]

It often doesn't get worse than a UK B-road I have only driven in Germany a few times, but your roads seem a LOT better than ours so if you don't have the lumps, bumps and potholes that we have then Sport and Goodyears may well be OK for you

Ok wow, so I will complain again here thank you for your input

 

[ThousandPetaledLotus]

Definitely going to be my daily. I’m a big city kid (we have Terrible roads - despite the super high taxes) so it’s Touring for me.

 

[Den]

Now swaying back to Touring, but hopefully I’ll have chance to get a test drive before 3rd call and locking it in?

 

[TomE]

There should be a note from Gav Kershaw soon with more guidance. Press reviews in March. But dealer demo cars possibly not until June.

If you can find a Series 1 Evora S and an Evora GT410 that will give you the closest equivalent you can drive today.

If your deposit was during Goodwood, you may have to finalise spec before demo cars are with dealers - timings for spec vs delivery date and deposit date not clear yet but should get clarified in March.

 

[implus]

There should be a note from Gav Kershaw soon with more guidance. Press reviews in March. But dealer demo cars possibly not until June.

If you can find a Series 1 Evora S and an Evora GT410 that will give you the closest equivalent you can drive today.

If your deposit was during Goodwood, you may have to finalise spec before demo cars are with dealers - timings for spec vs delivery date and deposit date not clear yet but should get clarified in March.

Hm, I was told via email 2 weeks ago that dealer demos would be available prior to June delivery.

“Yes the press will have a separate opportunity to review the vehicle. We anticipate the test drives available from select retailers to be available prior to the June delivery date for the first customers. Rest assured as the information on this becomes available this will be communicated out.”

 

[TomE]

That's correct. Dealers will get demo cars before the first customer deliveries, but possibly only a week or so before. Might be late May or early June but very unlikely to be April or earlier.

 

[Andrew]

Hey guys, I've read this entire thread but cannot find the answer to a simple question:
Are the cars with Sport suspension ACTUALLY LOWER compared to the ones with Touring?

Thanks in advance and sorry if this has been already discussed...

 

[DaaS]

Hey guys, I've read this entire thread but cannot find the answer to a simple question:
Are the cars with Sport suspension ACTUALLY LOWER compared to the ones with Touring?

Thanks in advance and sorry if this has been already discussed...

No. Same ride height for both suspensions.

 

[TomE]

Hey guys, I've read this entire thread but cannot find the answer to a simple question:
Are the cars with Sport suspension ACTUALLY LOWER compared to the ones with Touring?

Thanks in advance and sorry if this has been already discussed...

More on suspension options, including this point, covered here:

Suspension: Touring and Sports options

Lotus promised us a further note on suspension choices. But as that still hasn't arrived, here's my attempt. This draws on discussions with the Lotus team, published info and some of my previous posts. The tl;dr version You've got two suspension options and one of them also has two tyre...

www.emiraforum.com

 

[forest]

I wonder if when they start selling non FE cars if sports suspension will be an extra cost option. I e. Everyone gets touring suspension as standard but sports costs extra.

If you can get the upgrade for no cost with FE then maybe that is the one to go for?

The following packages are included in the First Edition but are available as paid options for the base grade

• Lotus Drivers Pack
  • Track Mode (ESP), Track Mode HMI / TFT Display, Switchable exhaust sound based on drive mode and a choice of:
  • Track tyre and sports suspension
  • Touring tyre and sports suspension
  • Touring tyre and touring suspension
• Convenience Pack
  • Front parking sensors
  • Rear reversing camera (Standard fit in USA)
  • Rain sensing wipers with aero blades
  • Automatic dimming rear view mirror
  • Automatic dimming wing mirrors
  • Boot compartment stowage net
  • Passenger footwell stowage net
• Lotus Design Pack
  • Lightweight 10-spoke V-design, Forged wheel – Front 20×8.5J and Rear 20x10J
  • Privacy glass to rear three quarter windows and rear windscreen
  • sports pedal pads, Aluminium with rubber inserts
  • Choice of: Red, Black, or Yellow brake calipers
  • Black Lotus branded premium carpet over mats

 

[Wowwitsgau]

Leaning towards Touring + bushings from the Sport at the moment

I prefer a softer suspension for street/canyon driving as softer damping generally feels easier to drive and better matched to the lower level of driving aggression

However, I also want the car to respond as quickly as possible to inputs as this is what makes a car feel responsive and agile

Of course, would ideally test drive both suspensions first - never even driven a Lotus before so there's that

Why this car doesn't have adaptive suspension/ddc in 2022 is beyond me