Lotus Esprit Tyres

​For pre-Series 3 Lotus Esprit models on 14" wheels, we recommend 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 front and 205/70 WR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 rear tyres, as they are the only high-quality matching set available.

1980 Lotus Esprit Advert

Lotus Esprit 1976–2004

• The very earliest Series 1 Lotus Esprit fitted Goodyear Grand Prix 195/70 R14 tyres to the front and 205/70 R14 tyres on the back.
• On the front of these very early Esprit S1, we would recommend the 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36, which is the ideal tyre as we also have the rear.
• For early 1976 S1 Lotus Esprit rear tyres, Longstone recommends fitting the 205/70 WR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
• These early Lotus Esprit changed their front tyres even before the owners manual was printed to Dunlop SP Super with the same width rear but with a 60% profile, fitting a 205/60 R14 Dunlop on the rear.
• Today; although the majority of series 1, Series 2, Series 2.2 Lotus Esprit had the 205/60 R14 tyre on the front we recommend the CN36 fitment with the 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 on the front.
• Because there are no good matching 205/60 R14 and 205/70 R14 tyres, and because in 1986 Lotus moved the Esprits front tyre back to a 195 section, the 195/70 VR 14 CN36 and 205/70 WR 14 CN36 is the best solution for Lotus Esprit on 14” wheels.
• For Lotus Esprit JPS tyres, they had 6” front wheels and 7” X14” on the rear of the John Player Special Esprit, and again we recommend 195/70VR14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 and 205/70 WR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
• Though the S1, S2, S2.2 and John Player Special Esprit fitted a 205/60 R14 tyre on the front. Today we recommend fitting the 195/70 VR 14 CN36. It is better suited to your rim than any other tyre, and we can offer the perfect front and rear partnership.
• 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.
• However please note you should not fit an innertube in a 205/60 R14 Tyre.

1986 Lotus Esprit

• The Lotus Esprit S2 and S2.2 from 1978 to 1981 fitted 205/60 R14 Dunlop SP Sport Super tyres on the font, still with 205/70 VR 14 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.


Early Lotus Esprit Specifications - 195/70 R14 Front Tyre

• In 1986 the Lotus Esprit 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 195/60 R15 and 235/60 R15 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 R 15 B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A if you would prefer 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 Primacy 3 on the front, and the 235/60 WR 15 Pirelli P600 on the rear.