Lotus Emira Bathurst Edition & Michelin Cup 2: Track Grip Explained

Why the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 defines the Lotus Emira Bathurst Edition’s performance on road and track.

13 Apr 2026

Lotus and Michelin: Engineering Grip for the Emira Turbo Bathurst Edition

When a car is designed to celebrate one of the world’s most demanding circuits, tyre choice becomes more than a specification line — it becomes a defining engineering decision.
That’s precisely the case with the new Lotus Emira Turbo Bathurst Edition, a limited-run Australian special unveiled by Simply Sports Cars and restricted to just 15 units. Created as a tribute to the legendary Mount Panorama Circuit at Bathurst, the track-focused Emira brings together motorsport-inspired aerodynamics, upgraded suspension and a significant power boost.
But arguably one of the most important components in translating that performance to the tarmac is the tyre — specifically the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.

A tyre developed with the car, not just fitted to it

For Lotus, tyres are never an afterthought. The British marque’s reputation for benchmark handling means every element influencing vehicle dynamics — from suspension geometry to tyre construction — must work in harmony.
That philosophy extends to the Emira. During development, tyre manufacturers worked directly with Lotus engineers to create vehicle-specific fitments, with both Goodyear and Michelin producing tyres specially tuned for the car.
These tyres carry Lotus-specific tuning, typically identified by the “LTS” marking on the sidewall, confirming they have been engineered to Lotus’ precise ride, steering and handling requirements.
For a track-biased model like the Bathurst Edition, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 was the natural choice.

The Pilot Sport Cup 2 sits near the top of Michelin’s ultra-high-performance road tyre range. It’s designed for road-legal track driving, offering a level of grip and precision normally associated with semi-slick motorsport tyres.

Its performance credentials are well proven. The tyre has been factory-fitment on some of the world’s most demanding high-performance cars, including hypercars and track-focused variants from brands such as Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes-AMG.

Several key technologies underpin its performance

Variable Contact Patch 3.0 – optimizes the tyre footprint during high-load cornering to maintain consistent grip

Track Longevity Technology 2.0 – improves durability and heat resistance during repeated hard laps

Bi-Compound Technology 2.0 – different rubber compounds across the tread maximize cornering grip and steering precision

The result is a tyre capable of delivering exceptional lateral grip, precise steering response and consistent lap-after-lap performance — exactly what a circuit like Bathurst demands.
Mount Panorama is not just any racetrack, it's unique combination of long straights, high-speed sweepers and dramatic elevation changes places extreme demands on tyres. The climb up the mountain loads the tyres heavily under acceleration, while the fast downhill section through Skyline and The Esses requires precise control and confidence at the limit.
For the Emira Turbo Bathurst Edition - producing more than 500hp from its AMG-sourced 2.0-litre M139 turbo engine — the tyre must deliver not only grip but stability and feedback. That’s where the Cup 2 excels.

The tyre’s stiff outer shoulder and high-molecular elastomer compound are designed to maintain structural integrity under heavy cornering loads, allowing the driver to exploit the full potential of the Emira’s double-wishbone suspension and adjustable dampers.
Combined with the car’s carbon-fibre aero package and GT4-inspired rear wing, the tyre becomes a key contributor to the vehicle’s track capability.

A partnership rooted in performance

Lotus has a long history of working closely with tyre manufacturers to fine-tune its cars’ legendary handling balance.
Because Lotus vehicles place such emphasis on steering feel and chassis communication, tyre development is often integrated into the vehicle program from the earliest stages.
For the Emira platform, this meant creating tyres tailored specifically to its lightweight bonded aluminium chassis, mid-engine layout and highly sensitive steering system.
The Bathurst Edition simply takes that philosophy to the next level.

The final piece of the performance puzzle

Limited to just 15 cars and priced from $249,990 plus on-road costs, the Emira Turbo Bathurst Edition is a niche model aimed squarely at enthusiasts who intend to use their cars on track.
In that environment, tyres can make or break a car’s performance envelope.
By fitting the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 — a tyre effectively engineered alongside the car itself — Lotus ensures the Emira delivers exactly what the brand has always promised: pure driver connection, razor-sharp handling and the confidence to push harder with every lap.