Had the roof of the Exige today to see if the S2 soft top fits the car, And the answer is yes. Took the car out for a run with the roof of and the sound was fantastic There did not seem to be any difference to the way the car handeld, well at least not up to 100-mph. So looks like it will be topless motoring on main roads and the roof on for the track work.
There you go.
To all of those wondering if it could be done, it can
Now there’s no reason not to have an S2 Exige…
I wont tell our lass because she,ll want one
8 S1 EXIGES parked up together in the paddock at Oulton today (3 more in the pits) - the only soft tops in sight were spectators’ Elises, & those Elises that were racing were fitted with hardtops - just as it should be. In other words, an Exige is a hardtop only, & an Elise can be either. Nowt wrong with softtop cars at all, but FFS an Exige’s raison d’etre, purity, & lines (ie designed as a hardtop)are completely ruined by the sacrilege of removing the roof.
It’s true, you don’t hear Marcus Gronholm complaining about not being able to find the roof button for his 307CC rally car - and he seems to get upset about EVERYTHING!
Ian
For some reason there must be something about this roof less thing that I (we) don’t understand.
But it seems to be important to some.
Bad examples are: the need to make a Noble cabrio, a BMW M3 cabrio, the 911 cabrio, the A4, etc. Ah, and the need to have a topless Exige.
In its purest form, racing cars need a roof for structural integrity (single seaters apart, because they have designed the cockpit as rigid as it can be, and the driver needs to see where he’s going)
But didn’t want to scare Kirk away. I know him, he’s a very nice lad, and the roffless thing is important to him (and others)
I say, if that small feature brings more S2 Exigers, let them come! the more the merrier! (and our residuals grow stronger )
But then this opinion comes from somebody that has never had a sunroof in any car, nor will ever. And if I had an Elise or VX220 or similar, it will have the hardtop on
Ok I understand all this stiffness suff/racecar stuff BLA BLA BLA, and I am a huge fan of the S1 EXIGE. But there are two good reasons to have a sports car where the roof comes of 1. you can here the engine much better.2. you are much more aware of everything around you and can become much more at one with the car. Now I am not saying that having the roof of is going to make you go quicker, But we are not professional race drivers we are just enjoying our cars and any one who thinks other wise should be entering competitve races instead of doing track days. Uldis if I could get my Exige to go round KH as quick as yours I would be happy Your S1 is mighty fast.Anyway we are all different, so roof on or off dont matter as long as we are all happy.
- you are much more aware of everything around you…
I hadn’t thought of that and I like it from a safety point of view. Although I feel quite exposed when there’s nothing/just fabric over my head (in addition to likely the roof from the race car integrity point-of-view).
I wonder why Lotus don’t like you doing it if it’s that simple to do?
Ian
Having driven 2500 miles in a 1956 AH 100-6, mostly in the wet this year without ANY top, side window or anything … I’ll take a hardtop thanks oh and a wiper system that sweeps more than once a minute
Open top - perfect for summer cruising - fixed top for track …
I wonder why Lotus don’t like you doing it if it’s that simple to do?
Ian
111R… maybe something to do with it ??
But it may mean more people buy the more expensive car. Surely that’d be a good thing for Lotus?
Ian
I wonder why Lotus don’t like you doing it if it’s that simple to do?
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They’ve allocated resources (designers & engineers) to produce an “integrated” package, which works. A significant part of their efforts has been focused on the aerodynamics & handling. Airflow over the roof plays an important part in all this - especially at speeds over 100mph, & the whole car has been “tuned” accordingly. I for one have confidence that the boyz at Lotus KNOW what they are doing in these departments. The 111R has in turn been “tuned” in line with it’s design characteristics - ie. roof off or on.
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It looks crap, & Lotus think so too. An Exige is by it’s very nature is a hardtop, fullstop.
Yeah, I know I’m being a grumpy old fart, but I’m passionate about the Exige’s (ANY Exige) design integrity - it’s a beautiful car, with an almost perfectly formed (& unique)personna of its own. I’ve lost count of the number of experienced race drivers (aged from 18 to 70, driving many different marques)) who have raved about the Exige’s on track performance, AND its “gorgeous” looks & presence.
Ok, scared now!
Whilst I completely agree with you, I meant more from a warranty point of view.
Ian
I am the first to agree with you on the performance of S1 Exige, And will be using my S2 Exige with the roof on when I do Track days, But and its a big but, I dont think because a roof comes off a car,that It makes it any less pure a driving machine (Carrera GT is a good exsample of this) This afterall is 2004 not 1904 when cars are made of exotic materials not WOOD. Now I don’t know if an S1 exige will lap a track quicker than an S2 with its roof off But i do know if the sun is shinning the S2 driver will not careless As he will be to busy catching flies with his Teeth
Kirk
Please don’t take offence, but I can’t see why you bought an Exige rather than an Elise.
The Porsche was designed as an open top car, as are the bulk of the Le Mans Prototypes, so they are engineered accordingly as well as looking right. As I have previously said, I have no problem with open tops (over the years I’ve had an Austin Healey Sprite, an MG Midget & 3 different Caterhams), & in fact would love an Elise 111R as my everyday car However, if you’re happy to do what you’re doing, stick with it Unfortunately, we’ll just have to agree to disagree, but I still look forward to meeting up with ya & the other Jocks for a trackday & a few beers & meal afterwards. (I’m only saying that cos someone’s told me you make Uldis look like a weakling & I’m a frail 5’6" )
This afterall is 2004 not 1904 when cars are made of exotic materials not WOOD
PMSL!!! Classic!!!
Very true I’m with Kirk, I do like the open toppedness of driving through the country side in summer
For example gave my GPS a test run coming back from Bedford and took a fantastic route! Some proper twisties, little country villages, beautiful countryside and scenery! Tell me that the m’ways are good
Anyway I’d have loved to not had my roof on, you can look at the old buildings easier, see the sky and just generally apprecite the wonders of life a lot more
Bit of a girly reason but what ever tickles your pickel really
LOL! Yer right… it’s a girly reason, but a good one.
Was too fecking hot in your car @ Bedford. Would annoy the hell out of me not being able to go topless on a day like that.
Bri
What I’ve gotta do is get some cooling sorted for my feet! Once your moving anywhere above the door line is pretty cool… Anywhere under is like a furnace
Bob VanM suggested open up the vents on the back of the front clam (just in front of the door) and duct some air to the foot wells… Seems like a plan to me
Bri, was good to meet you
Good to meet you too mate.
Just wait for the floorpans to corrode and you’ll get loads of fresh air
Just wait for the floorpans to corrode and you’ll get loads of fresh air
LOvL!