Lotus Exige S and Roadster Vmax

[Richie200]

There seems a rather large discrepancy between the official top speeds of the two car 170 and 145 respectively. Does anyone know the reason for this? Is the Roadster figure based on it having the top removed but will actually do the 170MPH with the top fitted, or is it electronically limited in all situations in the Roadster. I like both variants and guess that the Roadster is just about as dynamically abled as the S? The problem is over here in Germany the 145MPH top speed would force the decision to the S but I think the Roadster really does look the part. Any help much appreciated.

[Stephanie Plum]

The Roadster is electronically limited due to the soft roof. A friendly dealer would probably remove it for you.

[BibsTLF]

If the limiter were removed, you were doing 170mph along the autobahn and the roof was sucked off, can you imagine the consequences?

The added the 145mph limiter as they believe there's a good chance this will happen due to the low pressure over the top of the car at higher speeds.

[Richie200]

So they come with a soft roof as standard then. I guess that there is not a hardtop option then??? And if so; with a hard top fitted, would the 170 then be ok?

[Stephanie Plum]

I don't think there is a hard top. And with ref to exceeding the advised limit with the soft top on, I think some common sense would probably kick in for most of us.

[Captain Muppet]

Richie200 said:

So they come with a soft roof as standard then. I guess that there is not a hardtop option then??? And if so; with a hard top fitted, would the 170 then be ok?

The Elise hard top fits - it's the same roof.

[BibsTLF]

The coupe has a front splitter and wing which I'm sure add to the high speed aerodynamics and while the Roadster has a revised geo to compensate for this, I'm sure a splitter keeping air from under the car and a wing adding downforce at the rear at speed would be of huge benefit. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable in a Roadster with a hardtop and no aero at over 145mph, the factory didn't set the car up for this as, as far as their concerned, it'll never do it.

[kambites]

The standard Elise generates down-force at both ends, surely the Exige will be the same, even in roadster guise? If it is, it will be a damned slight more aerodynamically stable at speed than most cars.

[Stephanie Plum]

So Bibs how do you think all the Honda powered S1s manage? They are capable of well in excess of these speeds and don't seem to take off. Having watched how much some of the old Exige S wings wobble about on the boot lid I wouldn't be putting too much faith in the downforce

Lotus have to be seen to being responsible. They are erring on the side of caution.

[Nyj]

I have a Roadster with a removable hard top (which is an option if you ask for it) it is bolted in place and won't go anywhere unless I want it too. When it was being built I wangled a private factory tour and talked to them about this. The view is that above that speed they couldn't guarantee the soft top won't shred.

I can't see why with the race pack (which comes only with the harder suspension setup) and hard top it isn't going to be stable at 170.

The removal of rear wing was due to disruption of airflow with no roof on, and front splitter was removed the balance that.

I haven't gone through my run in period yet, but look forward to making that ECU mod when I have!

Edited by Nyj on Wednesday 25th December 00:09

Edited by Nyj on Wednesday 25th December 02:46

[pthelazyjourno]

kambites said:

The standard Elise generates down-force at both ends, surely the Exige will be the same, even in roadster guise? If it is, it will be a damned slight more aerodynamically stable at speed than most cars.

About 2kg at 3,000mph, knowing Lotus!

It's more the negative lift thing they were working on, following the staggering success (chortle) that is S1 aero (or lack of).

I'd imagine the relative light weight, even if it does meet the claimed downforce figures (pretty low still) means it's still more flighty than a big uber saloon at speed.

That said, for all the scare stories, my S1 was fine at 135mph (albeit on different dampers, and back in the day it was capable of reaching silly speeds without leaving me stranded), seemed perfectly stable. Big difference between that and 150, 160, 170mph granted.

[kambites]

pthelazyjourno said:

About 2kg at 3,000mph, knowing Lotus!

Yes but that's still not lift, what is what matters.

[bogie]

Have done 168mph maxxed out in my old Honda Elise on the autobahn, with the roof on and off...its noisy either way and you need earplugs

Lotus are just playing it safe....what you do with your own car is up to you i.e. delimit the Roadster version