I am seriously toying with changing my NA Exige with either a supercharger upgrade or buying a supercharged car. I have a .pdf of the RGB Elise and Exige and according to the brochure the Elise is 220bhp and the Exige 260 but the Elise out performs the Exige and is almost 1 second faster 0-100 with most of that pulled away at the higher end. The Exige is about 60kg heavier and I assume it has a lot more areo drag just because it is bigger and has large ducts on the front.
Only real difference in the spec is the tyres which can be changed to 48s on an Elise as needed. So the Elise looks to be cheaper, faster, lighter and can have the same suspension and tyres…I would have to add a hard top as I do not like open cars but the Elise looks like the better choice. Am I missing something (other than the Exige looks better).
There is no way that the 220 Elise is faster to 100 than the 260 Exige. The marketing figures may indicate that it is, but in the real world that’s not going to be true.
If you don’t like open cars then I’m not sure why you would by the Elise, unless its on price. Otherwise suggest you stick with what you know and get an SC Exige. If you are price sensitive then get an S and have it remapped to 260 or beyond. With the Elise you will be stuck at 220.
Of course, it could be a missprint in the Lotus brochure. That would be odd as Lotus are known for their attention to detail.
I doubt it is a ‘misprint’, but they are just marketing figures. LOL on the attention to detail in brochures. Take a look at some real world figures and the 260 will be faster in them all.
Lotus figures can be waay off …
Take no notice
A 260 will be sub 4.0
A 220 will be over 4
Funny. When I was looking to buy an RGB I saw the same PDF and I wondered the same thing!
At the end of the day an RGB Exige has EXACTLY the same engine as a cup 260 apart from lightened intercooler tubes. Cup 260 has a few nice carbon panels which look the nuts.
Whatever RGB you choose you’ll love it. I hear there is a carbon grey Exige RGB at jct600 at mo…
The Exige is special the Elise is just common, if you want a fixed roof the Exige is the right option 
Or get a soft top conversion kit, mines arriving via DHL tomorrow 