I’m curious… what brings you here, Hyla? You don’t own an Exige do you?
Have Lotus asked you to come on here and promote the S2.
Oh you big cynic!
Personally I’d like to think it was because he met a few nice S1 owners over the weekend, one of whom inparticular, had Exiges.com plastered all over their cars.
Ian
Well, I haven’t met Hyla but I have seen a couple of internet movies of him driving.
Impressive. And the fact that he has a honest driver’s opinion on both cars makes him a very welcome addition to Exiges.com.
Question: what took you so long?
Question: what took you so long?
To be honest I seem to remember Hyla pitching up before (can’t find the posting now). I remember Pesky posting “The Hyla Breeze?”
Hyla, don’t take all the interest as mere hero worship. You’re gonna get loads of questions as you’re somebody that can really get the most out of our cars and have connections with a wealth of info. Let us know if we can help you in return.
Ian
Ok guys, got some info for you.
Firstly, I knew some would think I’m here trying to push the S2 for the company. Honestly, if it wasn’t that special I wouldn’t have said a thing about it and kept quiet.
I’ve just spoken to Nick Adams at Lotus about the car. First things first, the rear wing…the big question.
Yes it does produce rear downforce and in fact produces the majority of the 22kg’s @ 100mph. The front of the car generates around 19kg’s @ 100mph.
As I said earlier the airflow around the S2 has been cleaned up and therefore is balanced better. The S2 produces less downforce and drag than the S1 but is more efficient. Something you would expect from an evolution.
The damping has stiffer spring rates and stronger valving than the S1. The Bilstein dampers are better than the S1 Koni’s in that Lotus was able to set the damper control up more accurately on bump and rebound. The Koni’s were a bit of a compromise in that an adjustment to bump would affect the rebound.
It’s worth pointing out that Matt Becker was the main influence for the 111R Elise and Gavan the Exige but both had an influence on both. If you should bump into either of them give them a pat on the back, they really are a couple of the world�s best ride and handling engineers.
Back to the car.
The S2 Exige is slightly wider than the S1 and longer. Not sure on actual but it’s millimetres on the width.
The body work is completely different from the S2 Elise, different mouldings and also hand laid at Hethel. The doors are the same as the Elise and a couple other bits but most is different.
The roof can be removed but it’s not advised. If you do you affect the airflow over the car which will really mess up the efficiency of the rear wing and increase drag.
The side intake cowlings can be removed if wished without any negative performance affect, it�s more for styling.
Another interesting fact is that the S1 Exige was designed by styling and then given to the engineers to make it work, the S2 was designed by the engineers and then given to styling. Most people think it�s the reverse.
Some have said it is a bit soft and too easy to get on with compared to the S1. The biggest challenge is exciting the biggest number of people about the Exige so Lotus has made it easier to live with as a general car. The S1 a fantastic track beast and although this appeals to a large number of you, it doesn’t to a massive number of potential buyers. Don’t get me wrong, the S2 could be made into a full beast like the S1, take away what you don’t want and you got it. There is also the untapped avenue to tuning the Lotus Toyota engine, much more scope than the ol K series.
You have to appreciate Lotus have to sell cars and will do what they have to to do so. Personally I think they have struck the best balance to compete in today�s market.
The suspension can’t be swapped over to the S1 as the uprights are different in design. The only way to do it would be to swap over the entire corner- uprights, wishbones, hubs, wheels, dampers etc. And even after that the spring rates and damping would be wrong for the difference in static weight and aerodynamic weight.
As Pesky said, if you are happy with what you have and it fits what you do, is there really a need to upgrade? If you have the money and desire an evolution, an improvement in many areas then yes, get an S2. The best thing is to try one. Drive one at your local dealer on a motorway and around town, then try and get in one on a track somewhere, then make your decision. Ring ‘Ansar Ali’ at Lotus (01953 608 000) and ask when and where they are doing a dealer day at a track and get yourself on a list…oh and tell him you want me to be there ha-ha. If enough of you ring up they will organise something.
Hope that helps some of you? Food for thought huh?
Wow, thanks Hyla. That’s a pretty comprehensive set of answers.
I personally love the looks of the S2 apart from the side scoop thingies. I’m still waiting for my test drive on the road, but having driven one at Donington, I’m very impressed. I use my car mainly on the road, so I think the new one is definately more suited to me. I’ve just got to wait until my financial situtation improves a little before I can buy one
Another question for you; Although the brakes work very well on the S2, I’m not keen on the long travel on the pedal. I’m sure people will start experimenting with uprated pads, braided hoses, better fluid etc. Any idea if any of this stuff will help, and would it confuse the ABS system?
Blime Hyla, thanks!
Interesting on the order of styling and engineering. It’s sounds as if whoever starts it works the hardest (as in the S1 looks better but the S2 has better suspension/engine).
I believe Lotus didn’t send you to Exiges.com but they should be v.grateful for your efforts!
Ian
No worries, glad I could be of some help anyway.
Hello Vortex - I’ve got to wait until Saturday for my play with an Exige S2
Tony
Hyla
Thanks for the leg-work and spending time to write a great reply.
So … the toe link gave out huh
Do I take this as a pointer to the fact that the S2 is NOT a track based car then as it runs A048’s as standard ?
Not knocking - just that it seems all the “breakable” parts are still there ( except maybe the engine )
Andy
I hear where you’re coming from, but believe me, I was surprised that it didn’t break before it did, which was in the last 1/2 hour of the day. Hyla was giving passenger rides non-stop from 10.30am until 4.30pm, apart from a 1 hour lunch break. He was chucking it sideways (at some considerable speed) into & around every single corner of the circuit. The stresses on the toe links must have been tremendous.
You are correct, of course, in recommending that all regular Exige track drivers should invest a few quid in uprating the rear toe-links.
Here endeth my defence of the S2 - much more sensible to bung a different engine/gearbox in an S1, if you’re more into trackdays than road driving. The S2 is great looking, but it’s not a patch visually on an S1.Well that’s my opinion, & apart from Brendan (& possibly Hyla?), everyone else I’ve spoken to, including an S1 owner with an S2 on order
Hi AndyD,
No not at all. Was just one of those things. The combination of a workshop error and the track nature being hard on cars led to it. Something that’s not repeatable.
In addition to this subject on toe links. The toe link components are designed as the weakest link in that area for a good reason. In an impact for instance the first part designed to fail/shear/bend is the toe links. This prevents the pickups from being ripped/deformed from the chassis which as you will know is very nasty indeed!
So if any error/scenario should arise that threatens any part of the suspension makeup the first thing in the line is the toe link…(in an Ann Robinson style- “You are the weakest link…GOODBYE!!”
You are right in saying the 48’s do put alot of energy through the suspension components but is not the reason a toe link would fail in this case.
We have driven S1’s and now S2’s on track all day at fast demo pace at various circuits and not had failures 99.99% of the time. Now and again things do break, unfortunately it’s unavoidable with anything man made.
Well explained Pesky. Yes the car was driven hard through the day but always with something in reserve (job requirement). Sliding a car around won’t really stress everything that much and certainly not enough to break anything (unless there is something loose).
You are right in saying that uprating the toe links is a good thing to do anyway if you are planning on hounding your pride and joy around a circuit for a large part of it’s life. Putting tyres on an S1 Exige like A048’s would also benefit from uprated toe links…extra piece of mind.
I understand the comments - thanks - but
We were really “warned” to change the toe links on the S1 if we were going on track with slicks and A048’s generate a good deals of “stick” so … is the S2 version uprated ?
Also I’m interested to know if you have to put RS14’s and decent fluid in for track work … Oh and is the ride height adjustable ?
The reason I want to know is IF I spend 35K do I have to find another 1-2K to get it to the same spec as my S1 ?
There is a good reason for me to ask … I really quite like the S2 so its not a dig dig question session.
Cheers and I’m really mad I could not have been in UK for Angelsey now
Hi Andy,
Yep, as I said, changing the toe links on S1 with lots of life at the track is a wise move. The S2 already has uprated toe links due to the A048’s.
No worries with the questions. I’m at Silverstone today but will get some answers for you in the next couple of days. Sorry it can’t be instant
Hyla
Many, Many thanks -its really a breath of fresh air to have you here