Review of the Exige in Australian MOTOR mag [pics]

[Randy Chase]

True. Wings can have large effects at even lower speeds. Definitely at normal freeway speeds. Same is true with splitters and air flaps.

[agent.5]

Will the wing be included in the option "Fast and the Furious" in the Federal Elise?

[jml1952]

Is it just coincidence that it's called a "spoiler"? I think not, as that's the effect it has on the appearance of the car.

The one on the Exige doesn't look as bad as those I've seen on Porsches, but that's not saying much.

[ivan1]

I think if it is done right it looks pretty good...

pic from http://www.alvan-motors.com

[xxxotic]

XXXotic - get out of the rice-burner scene. This is Lotus you are talking about.

Yeah, but they put a Japanese engine in it

If spoilers are an option whats next- Neon windshield washer nozzles and tire valve caps to increase visability?

How do you spell Lotus in Japanese? maybe the ricers will want that on the rear instead of LOTUS or the badge

[jml1952]

Actually, you can buy Lotus tire caps in various styles, such as with the badge logo on them.

Sorry, Ivan1, that wing looks pretty tacky to me.

[MickOpalak]

Originally posted by ivan1
I agree about the spoiler. I would definitely get it if it was an option. Anyone want to start a new petition???

This company offers an Exige rear wing and front splitters for the S2 Elise.

[Mark]

3.2-litre V6 from Alfa Romeo --- Hmmmmm -- think what you could do with that...


First thing you should do with the Exige is take that waste of space interior rear view mirror out !

Second thing - take the cat off

or maybe these two should be the other way around ...

[ivan1]

Originally posted by jml1952


Sorry, Ivan1, that wing looks pretty tacky to me.

In general I am not a fan of big spoilers - I think the spoilers on the WRX STi and Mitusbishi Evo are a little much... but anything that makes the elise look more like an exige to me is a good thing....

[Mark]

How heavy is it ?

The car not the wing

[adamant]

Thanks for the post , Randy. That was a very informative article. If the Exige comes to the US as road legal I would buy one in a heartbeat. Sadly some spoilers are decoration. At least Porsche and Lotus are not. Seems a pity that the gearbox is so much heavier. Maybe someone will make a lightened one, it does not sound like it was designed with weight in mind.

[Arno]

Weight of components is always a problem when using 'commodity' parts in a car like the Elise. Tradeoff between cost and engineer design wishes.

I have no doubt that a gearbox builder like Quaife could do a box that's 1/2 the weight, but unfortunately (looking at their prices) it would probably end up costing very serious amounts of money (think upwards of $9000 for a gearbox)

Bespoke parts cost money.. How light can you afford to make the car

Bye, Arno.

[Mark]

Hi Arno
I was thinking about changing my c/r box for a nice Quaife 6 speed one.

But you're right muchos denarios.

I'm now thinking about going for the Lotus u/c/r one instead.
I'm avoiding the temptation to go for square cut.

[shinoo]

Originally posted by Mark
3.2-litre V6 from Alfa Romeo --- Hmmmmm -- think what you could do with that...

Now that is a beautiful engine! A clear engine cover would have to be mandated!!! It also sounds wonderful.

[Lotus Fury]

Significantly, the new model gets ABS for the first time, though it's been tuned to operate only when it is really required.

WTF? Dude - THIS IS AN EXIGE! I can understand the new Elise having ABS for the street but come on, the Exige? What's up with that? Tuned ABS or not this cars isn't for the masses. Man, what's next - Cupholders and 12' subs with 2000 watt sound system? How about some fine leather appointments? Oh, and umbrellas in the door so Sir or Madam doesn't need to get wet in the inclimate weather?

I really truely hope that Lotus isn't selling out with the Exige. The Elise I can see as being a little more Daily Driver friendly but the Exige should be a dyed in the wool animal. There's no excuses for this. You want luxury go buy a freaking SUV.

[Randy Chase]

As mentioned before, the Exige is really no different than the USA Elise. I believe the ABS is added to increase performance, not soley in order to save the clueless. That is what I think anyway.

[Lotus Fury]

If you're braking hard the ABS kicks in and you're not braking in a straight line you might as well just pull out the cell phone and call the insurance agent.

In my little exprience ABS systems will pretty much releases all brake pressure to the affected wheel. If even for a part of a second that will throw the car out of balance. Crappy drivers like me will then loose control and start screaming like little girls.

Ugh, I need driver training.

[L8BRAKR]

Originally posted by Lotus Fury
ABS systems will pretty much releases all brake pressure to the affected wheel.

a properly tuned brake system will modulate the brakes to keep the tires at the level of adhesion. Old systems could do this 8 times per second and I'd imagine new systems are even better. It has been tested many times and the best drivers in the world couldn't match a good ABS system in stopping distance. If it was allowed in F1 it would be on the cars. How much have the lap times dropped since traction control has legalized? I'd bet that improvement would be doubled with ABS.

[meat]

ABS takes the skill out of it. Modulating your brakes is part of the fun! ABS just means mash on them as hard as you can and don't worry about it.

[MickOpalak]

Originally posted by Lotus Fury
WTF? Dude - THIS IS AN EXIGE! I can understand the new Elise having ABS for the street but come on, the Exige? What's up with that? Tuned ABS or not this cars isn't for the masses. Man, what's next - Cupholders and 12' subs with 2000 watt sound system? How about some fine leather appointments? Oh, and umbrellas in the door so Sir or Madam doesn't need to get wet in the inclimate weather? I really truely hope that Lotus isn't selling out with the Exige. The Elise I can see as being a little more Daily Driver friendly but the Exige should be a dyed in the wool animal. There's no excuses for this. You want luxury go buy a freaking SUV.

ABS isn't a luxury item. It's a safety item. It's been proven many times to provide shorter stopping distances than a human can, especially in low traction situations. All while maintaining steering control. It's so affective in racing that all the Formula One teams were using it until it was banned a few years ago. I'll take it anyday.