Drive Modes explained and Lotus Dynamic Performance Management

[TomE]

A few questions have come up about traction control, sport mode versus sports suspension and what the Track mode in the Drivers Pack does. Here's an overview and links to more details.

First, to clear up one area of confusion. The Emira has two suspension options, Touring and Sports. There are also two (of four) Drive modes called Touring and Sport. Although confusingly these use the same naming, suspension and driving mode are completely separate. The suspension is passive and switching the driving mode doesn't change anything about the suspension.

If you're familiar with the Evora, Exige V6 or post-2011 Elise models with Sport Pack then you may know something about Lotus Dynamic Performance Management or DPM. On those cars it's seen as a "Sport" and "Traction Control" button or as a switch with Tour, Sport and Race settings.

DPM will be a feature on all Emiras regardless of engine, transmission or suspension choices. It includes three modes: Tour, Sport and Off. The extra "Track" drive mode is included as part of the Drivers Pack, which is bundled with the other packs on the First Edition cars. Some features of DPM, notably Launch Control, are only available on auto and DCT transmissions and not on the manual.

The Drive Mode switch is located on the driver's side just ahead of the gear selector:

The driving mode affects the following attributes:

• Engine maximum rev limit
• Throttle progression
• Exhaust valve behaviour at idle and when driving
• Launch control (auto and DCT only)
• DPM characteristics - more on this below

The car starts up in Tour. The mode switch is used to select Sport. If it's like the V6 Exige then selecting Track will require holding the mode switch for a few seconds and various warning lights will stay on in the driver display (you'll also get the option of the track version of the driver display).

Turning everything off will require signing a disclaimer, passing the Lotus Driving Academy and holding down several buttons in a complicated sequence while saying three times "I won't sue Lotus if I crash" 😨 Only kidding! It will require a further long hold on the mode button and lots of warning lights.

Turning off the ignition will revert to Tour. This will be annoying for some people, who would like to leave the car in Sport as the default. The muted exhaust note on startup will soon remind you to flick the mode switch  

Here's what happens in each of the driving modes.

1. TOUR

• Engine maximum rev limit: normal
• Throttle progression: normal
• Exhaust valve behaviour at idle and when driving: closed at idle, opens at high throttle load or above 4000rpm
• Launch control (auto and DCT only): not available
• DPM characteristics: Understeer Recognition on, managed Slip Threshold

2. SPORT

• Engine maximum rev limit: +200rpm
• Throttle progression: increased
• Exhaust valve behaviour at idle and when driving: open at idle (yay!), opens from low throttle load/rpm and is fully open above 3000rpm
• Launch control (auto and DCT only): available
• DPM characteristics: Understeer Recognition reduced, increased Slip Threshold and increased yaw angle available

3. TRACK (for cars with Drivers Pack, including First Edition)

• Engine maximum rev limit: +200rpm
• Throttle progression: optimum
• Exhaust valve behaviour at idle and when driving: open at idle +200rpm, opens from low throttle load/rpm and is fully open above 3000rpm
• Launch control (auto and DCT only): available
• DPM characteristics: Understeer Recognition off, ESP intervention level increased to high, traction control system calculates available grip and optimises torque to maintain grip and minimise understeer

4. OFF

• Engine maximum rev limit: +200rpm
• Throttle progression: optimum
• Exhaust valve behaviour at idle and when driving: open at idle +200rpm, opens from low throttle load/rpm and is fully open above 3000rpm
• Launch control (auto and DCT only): available
• DPM characteristics: traction control and ESP completely switched off

Note that ABS remains active in all driving modes.

The DPM system has been developed jointly by Lotus and Bosch over many hours of development and testing. Tour is intended to keep you safe in almost all road conditions without intervening in an intrusive manner during regular driving. If you hit a patch of oil on a roundabout exit while trying to boot it then it'll give you a decent chance of avoiding a slide or spin. Sport gives the exhaust a chance to sing at lower revs and will allow some sideways action before helping you out. You also get launch control.

Track mode (Race mode on the V6 Exige) is basically witchcraft: it allows you to bury the throttle as you get to the apex of a corner and the system will work out how much torque can be applied without breaking traction or oversteering. On a typical UK track this can save you 0.5-1.0s per lap depending on your level of talent and the track conditions.

To learn more about DPM here is a link to a great TLF article about DPM on the V6 Exige from 2015 by Lotus Vehicle Dynamics Manager Ross Restell. This includes video footage of a V6 Exige being driven round the Lotus Hethel test track in each of the driving modes:

https://www.thelotusforums.com/latest-news/lotus-cars-news/tlf-on-dpm/

This write up is based on features for UK-spec cars. I've no info suggesting there are changes for other markets but it's possible some local restrictions may apply. For example exhaust valve opening may be more restricted- although the defaulting to Tour on startup should satisfy most requirements.

#forthedrivers

[Evotion]

Nice work, Tom.

[richhickey]

Thanks for the extensive writeup! A useful feature of the Evora is that you can get sport mode but independently toggle the exhaust sound. Will the Emira have that as well?

[TomE]

Not based on what I’ve seen and been told so far.  A chunk of the detail in my write up is from the Emira product brief book, so it’s as accurate a source as we have currently. 

I don’t have independent switching on my 2011 S.  Which variants have that feature?   Is it more recent cars that had factory exhausts likely to exceed trackday noise limits if the valve was automatically open in Sport mode?

[KJD]

My 400 has it.

Doesn’t help on track though.

The valve opens at 4500rpm no matter where the switch is set.

For “engine protection” apparently.

This is the trackday problem with the 4xx cars, and I’m not thinking the Emira will be different.