Lotus Esprit Tyres
Lotus Esprit 1976–2004
1980 Lotus Esprit Advert
- The early Lotus Esprit fitted Dunlop SP Super 195/70 R14 Tyres to the front and 205/70 R14 Tyres on the back.
- On the front of a pre-1986 Esprit, we would recommend the 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36, which is the ideal tyre as we also have the rear.
- For the rear of a pre-1986 Lotus Esprit, Longstone recommends fitting the 205/70 WR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
- Our period Innertube Guides suggest that the Esprit was released on tubeless wheels from the beginning of its production. Innertubes are not required on these wheels, provided they are OE and in good condition.
- If you want innertubes, we suggest the Michelin 14F innertube as an option for these 70% profile tyres.
- The Lotus Esprit S 2 and S 2.2 from 1978 to 1981 fitted 205/60 R14 Dunlop SP Sport Super tyres on the font, still with 205/70VR14 Dunlop SP Sport Super on the rear. Our only tyre in this size is the 205/60R14 Galaxy Formula X.
- As you cannot get a matching period classic tyre for the front and rear in the 205/60 R14 and 205/70 R14 sizes, we recommend switching to the 195/70 R14 front size, fitting the 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 front and 205/70 WR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 rear.
- Some sources list the S1 Esprit as fitting 205/60 R14 front tyres and 205/70 R14 rear tyres. In this case we recommend switching the front size to 195/70 R14, fitting CN36 all round.
- Tyres with a profile below 70% (e.g 205/60R14) should not fit innertubes.
- In 1986 the Lotus Espirit moved onto 195/60 R15 Tyres on the front, and 235/60 R15 Tyres on the rear.
- Prior to that, these larger 15” BBS Mahl wheels, with the 195/60R15 and 235/60R15 tyre options, were available as an upgrade from the beginning of the series 3 Lotus Esprit in 1982.
- We can offer the 195/60 SR 15 B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A and the 235/60 SR 15 B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A if you would prefer to have the same tyre and tread pattern front and rear, however, the raised white lettering and tread pattern are more appropriate for American muscle cars than European sports cars.
- At Longstone we would value the handling and appropriateness of tyres over matching tyres and tread patterns, therefore, we would recommend the 195/60 VR 15 Michelin Pilot Primacy 3 on the front, and the 235/60 WR 15 Pirelli P600 on the rear.
1986 Lotus Esprit
There have been a few different wheels and tyres fitted to different editions of the Lotus Esprit, however, if you own an Esprit and you're still unsure what you need, call us on +44 (0) 1302 711 123, and one of our classic car boffins will be able to help you find the ideal rubber equipment.
Lotus Esprit Recommended Tyres
Other Options for Lotus Esprit Tyres
Lotus Esprit Wheel and Tyre
History of the Lotus Esprit
Built between 1976 and 1987 (before the Peter Stevens redesign), the Lotus Esprit was intended as a replacement for the Europa. Its early concept design was a stretch of the Lotus Europa chassis even, created by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. In 1976, before the car was in production and only had prototypes, the head of PR at Lotus, Don McLaughlan, drove a prototype Lotus Esprit and parked it outside the Bond film (Eon) offices at Pinewood Studios. Impressed, the Bond makers asked to borrow both prototype Esprits for filming "The Spy Who Loved Me", where it would soon rise to fame with its memorable submarine conversion (though Longstone cannot recommend tyres suitable for such underwater activities).
The Esprit Turbo, released in 1987, was the first model designed under Peter Stevens' direction, featuring smoother, more modern lines compared to its angular predecessor. Stevens' designs retained the iconic 'wedge' or 'folded paper' look of the earlier Esprit cars but introduced a more contemporary appearance, along with numerous upgrades as the series progressed.
Lotus Esprit Original Tyres
| Stevens | Fronts | Rears | Original Make |
| Sport 350 | 235/40 ZR 17" | 295/35 ZR 18" | Pirelli P-Zero |
| V8 | 235/40 ZR 17" | 285/35 ZR 18" | Dunlop SP Sport 9000 |
| GT3 | 215/40 ZR 17" | 245/45 ZR 17" | Goodyear Eagle GS-A |
| S4S | 235/40 ZR 17" | 285/35 ZR 18" | Michelin Pilot MXX3 |
| Sport 300 | 245/45 ZR 16" | 315/35 ZR 17" | Goodyear GS-C |
| S4 | 215/40 ZR 17" | 245/45 ZR 17" | Goodyear Eagle GS-A |
| SE | 215/50 ZR 15" | 245/50 ZR 16" | Goodyear Eagle GS-A |
| X180R | 225/50 VR 16" | 275/40 VR 16" | Bridgestone Potenza |
| Turbo | 195/60 VR 15" | 235/60 VR 15" | Goodyear Eagle NCT |
| Giugiaro | Fronts | Rears | Original Make |
| Turbo HC | 195/60 HR 15" | 235/60 HR 15" | Goodyear Eagle NCT |
| Turbo | 195/60 HR 15" | 235/60 HR 15" | Dunlop SP Super |
| S3 | 195/60 HR 15" | 235/60 HR 15" | Dunlop SP Super |
| Essex | 195/60 HR 15" | 235/60 HR 15" | Dunlop SP Super |
| S2.2 | 205/60 HR 14" | 205/70 HR 14" | Dunlop SP Super |
| JPS | 205/60 HR 14" | 205/70 HR 14" | Dunlop SP Super |
| S2 | 195/70 HR 14" | 205/70 HR 14" | Goodyear Grand Prix |
| S1 | 195/70 HR 14" | 205/70 HR 14" | Goodyear Grand Prix |
Lotus Esprit Tyre Fitment Guides
1978 Lotus Esprit Tyre Fitment
1965–1978 Lotus Esprit Fitment Guide by Dunlop
1979–1983 Lotus Esprit Fitment Guide by Dunlop
1987 Lotus Esprit Fitment Guide by Michelin
1984 Lotus Esprit Fitment Guide by Pirelli
1988 Lotus Esprit Fitment Guide by Pirelli
1990 Lotus Esprit Fitment Guide by Pirelli
