The 2009 Lotus Exige is a compact mid-engine sports car built around light weight, sharp steering response, and track-influenced balance rather than brute size. That makes tire fitment especially important, because the car depends on a staggered setup to maintain its intended handling character. This Exige uses 195/50R16 in front and 225/45R17 in the rear, both in radial construction, so the first step is confirming position and wheel diameter before choosing a tire. Available options range from blackwall performance radials to more distinctive sidewall treatments such as redline, raised white letter, and wide whitewall. The right choice depends on whether the priority is original-style proportions, visual character, or how the car is actually driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2009 Lotus Exige
The 2009 Lotus Exige uses two primary tire sizes, with one size assigned to the front and a different size assigned to the rear. Because the car also uses two different rim diameters, the most important first step is confirming wheel position and diameter before selecting a tire. Once that is established, the decision shifts to comparing available radial choices by sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility where it is stated.
The 225/45R17 size indicates a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 45-series profile, radial construction, and fitment on a 17-inch rim. On the 2009 Lotus Exige, this is the rear tire size, so it should be selected with attention to the staggered setup rather than treated as interchangeable with the front. This size is available across several series from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac, with blackwall, raised white letter, and redline sidewall treatments. It is the key size to compare when rear-wheel width, appearance, and intended road use all factor into the final choice.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Exige configurations share the same staggered tire arrangement. What matters most is confirming whether the tire is for the front or rear, since each position uses a different size and rim diameter.
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2009 Lotus Exige S 240 Front
The 2009 Lotus Exige S 240 Front uses the front tire size in the Exige staggered setup, with radial construction on the smaller front wheel diameter. Tire selection here is mainly about keeping the correct front fitment while choosing a sidewall style and overall presentation that suits the car.
The 2009 Lotus Exige S 240 Rear uses the wider rear tire size in radial construction on the larger rear wheel diameter. That makes rear tire choice more dependent on confirming wheel width and comparing the available performance-oriented series and sidewall treatments.
The 2009 Lotus Exige S Front follows the same front-position fitment used across the covered Exige models, with a radial tire on the 16-inch front rim. Choosing among available products is less about size changes and more about matching the front tire's appearance and construction to the rest of the setup.
The 2009 Lotus Exige S Rear uses the same rear-position radial size found on the other covered Exige configuration. Selection at the rear centers on staying with the proper staggered fitment and comparing the available blackwall, raised white letter, or redline product choices.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2009 Lotus Exige Tires for Sale
Available 2009 Lotus Exige tire choices center on radial construction, with BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options across several tire series. The product mix also includes distinct sidewall presentations, including blackwall, raised white letter, redline, and wide whitewall, depending on size and position.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2 Inch Whitewall | 195/50R16
These FAQs focus on the staggered tire setup used on the 2009 Lotus Exige, including front and rear sizing, wheel diameter, available radial choices, appearance options, and the fitment checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2009 Lotus Exige?
The 2009 Lotus Exige uses a staggered tire setup, with 195/50R16 at the front and 225/45R17 at the rear. Both are radial tire sizes, and each position uses a different rim diameter, so the front and rear fitments are not the same.
That means tire selection starts with wheel position before anything else. A front tire should be chosen from the 16-inch fitment, while a rear tire should be chosen from the 17-inch fitment. If the car has had wheel, brake, or suspension changes, verify the actual wheel sizes on the car before ordering replacement tires.
What size rim does a 2009 Lotus Exige use?
The 2009 Lotus Exige uses two rim diameters as part of its staggered setup: a 16-inch front rim with 195/50R16 tires and a 17-inch rear rim with 225/45R17 tires. The wheel diameters differ by position, so rim size confirmation matters before selecting tires.
The practical takeaway is that the tire size and wheel diameter need to match at each end of the car. A 16-inch tire does not belong on the rear, and a 17-inch tire does not belong on the front. If aftermarket wheels are installed, check both diameter and width before comparing available tire options.
Do all 2009 Lotus Exige sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 2009 Lotus Exige sub-models share the same front and rear tire arrangement. Both the Exige S and Exige S 240 use 195/50R16 at the front and 225/45R17 at the rear, with radial construction throughout the setup.
That makes sub-model selection simpler than on many other vehicles, because the main distinction is still front versus rear rather than one Exige variant using a different overall tire package. Even so, the actual wheels on the car should still be checked if it has been modified or if replacement wheels have been fitted over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing tires for a 2009 Lotus Exige?
Start with the correct staggered sizes, since the 2009 Lotus Exige uses 195/50R16 in front and 225/45R17 in the rear. After size and position are confirmed, compare the available radial choices by tire series, sidewall style, and any stated rim-width or load details that apply to the specific tire.
A useful way to narrow the decision is to think about how the car is used. A more performance-focused rear tire series may appeal to an owner who drives the Exige aggressively, while a distinctive sidewall treatment may matter more on a car built around visual presentation. The front and rear should still be selected as a matched fitment strategy.
What sidewall styles are available for 2009 Lotus Exige tires?
Sidewall styles for the 2009 Lotus Exige include blackwall, raised white letter, redline, and wide whitewall, depending on tire size. The 225/45R17 rear fitment has blackwall, raised white letter, and redline options, while the 195/50R16 front fitment includes a wide whitewall choice.
That variety means sidewall appearance can change the character of the car even when the size remains correct. Some owners may want a modern performance look, while others may prefer a more custom or visually distinctive presentation. The key is to keep the correct front and rear sizing in place while selecting the sidewall style that matches the build.
What brands offer tires for the 2009 Lotus Exige?
Available brands for the 2009 Lotus Exige include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. BFGoodrich appears in both the 16-inch front and 17-inch rear fitments, while Nitto and Pro-Trac are represented in the 225/45R17 rear size.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision, since the available products also differ by tire series, sidewall treatment, and in some cases stated rim-width or load figures. A better comparison is to look at the exact tire in the correct front or rear size, then weigh appearance, wheel compatibility, and intended use rather than choosing by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2009 Lotus Exige?
A period-style approach to a 2009 Lotus Exige starts with retaining the correct staggered sizing: 195/50R16 in front and 225/45R17 in the rear. From there, the choice depends on the look you want, since the available tires include more contemporary blackwall options as well as more visually distinctive sidewall treatments.
The most suitable choice depends on whether the car is being kept close to its original-era visual character or adapted toward a custom presentation. For owners pursuing strict authenticity, marque-specific references and vehicle history are worth checking before settling on a sidewall style. For a driver-focused car, correct size and balanced front-to-rear fitment remain the first priorities.
How does tire choice affect the appearance of a restored 2009 Lotus Exige?
Tire choice has a noticeable effect on the appearance of a restored 2009 Lotus Exige because the car's compact body and exposed wheel openings make sidewall details easy to see. A blackwall tire keeps a more modern, understated look, while redline, raised white letter, or wide whitewall tires create a much more deliberate visual statement.
Appearance should still be built around the correct front and rear sizes so the car keeps its intended stance and proportions. On a restoration-oriented Exige, sidewall style can be used to support either a restrained original-era presentation or a custom finish, but the visual decision works best when the staggered fitment and wheel diameters remain correct.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2009 Lotus Exige?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2009 Lotus Exige even when the tire sizes appear close to the original setup. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, or body modifications can all change the space available for a 195/50R16 front tire or a 225/45R17 rear tire.
That is especially important on a small, tightly packaged sports car with staggered wheels. Any change in wheel diameter, width, or offset should be checked against steering clearance, suspension travel, and fender room before a tire is selected. Even on an otherwise stock car, verifying the actual wheel setup is a smart step before replacement.
What should I inspect before driving a 2009 Lotus Exige on new tires?
Before driving a 2009 Lotus Exige on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, confirm the front and rear sizes are mounted in the correct positions, and check inflation pressure. It is also wise to look over the suspension, alignment condition, and any signs of rubbing or interference before putting road miles on the car.
A short test drive should be followed by another quick inspection for air loss, uneven seating, or fresh contact marks. Because the Exige uses a staggered setup with different wheel diameters front and rear, a simple front-to-rear mix-up can create immediate problems. Collector or low-mileage cars also benefit from checking for age-related issues before regular use resumes.
How should tires on a collector 2009 Lotus Exige be maintained?
Tires on a collector 2009 Lotus Exige should be checked regularly for pressure, tread condition, cracking, cuts, bulges, and any sign of slow air loss. Since many enthusiast cars are driven infrequently, tire condition can decline from age and storage exposure even when tread wear remains minimal.
Good maintenance also includes keeping the car away from prolonged heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources during storage when possible. An Exige that sits for extended periods should have its tires inspected before every meaningful drive, especially because the front and rear sizes differ. Catching age-related problems early helps preserve both safety and proper handling balance.
