With regard to the hardtop it can be removed but we do not recommend this for high speed or aggressive use such as track driving as taking it off does affect the areodynamic efficiency of the rear wing and reduces the intercooler efficiency slightly, which will reduce engine power .
Nick
There has been lots of chat over 'ere about that. It doesn’t seem that it is that big an issue for driving around, just don’t expect any downforce! Some time soon I’ll be ordering the Elise softtop and install it for our summer weather.
posted on SELOC by Heathcliffe Robertshaw, General Manager Lotus Cars UK and Ireland - so its now official:
"I wouldn’t take the top of an Exige S for all the obvious reasons. It is an aircooled Supercharger and the hard top venting offers better ram effect. It performs better with the roof on - that was why it was designed as a hard top - it also looks better with the roof on!
The Exige S is a fixed roof car, not a soft top convertible.
The Exige (190) hasn’t got the air intake as it’s blanked off. We don’t recommend that people take the roof off, people do - it’s their choice, but we don’t recommend it. "
[color:“red”] “Whatever, the fact remains there are benefits that remain with the roof on; if you want a soft top, buy an Elise.”[/color]