Difference between an Elise SC and an Exige S?

[lotush3]

When I look at the "features" of an 07/08 Elise SC and Exige S, they look identical. I have established that an Exige S has an intercooler, and clearly the body shape differs.

On the other hand, 0-60 times differ pretty dramatically on the cars. Can anyone help me understand the performance differences between the cars.

So far, I have driven a 08 Elise SC (at the dealer) and a 06 Elise (one of the forum members). Even though they were several days apart, it really seemed that the SC was much "quicker". This may be partially my imagination.

At this point, I am considering an Elise, Elise SC (if I can find a good one) or an Exige S.

[jmiesse]

ok...ummmm.........wha wha what?

[...m...]

...well, the elise SC should be faster than a naturally-aspirated elise due its extra thirty horsepower - other than aerodynamics, weight, and (possibly?) suspension tuning, it's identical to the 2008 exige S...the 2007 exige S, however, was intercooled, with all the benefits and liabilities that offers, and i'm pretty sure that as of 2009, lotus no longer offers a non-intercooled exige...

[apk919]

Well, the short story on engine power is this:

Factory stock USA market:

2005-2007 Elise, 2006 Exige... normally aspirated, 190HP
2008 Elise SC, 2008 Exige S supercharged (MP45) 220HP
2007 Exige S intercooled supercharged (MP62) 220HP
2008 Exige S240 intercooled supercharged (MP62) 240HP
2009 Exige S260 intercooled supercharged (MP62) 260HP

The supercharged cars will feel much faster since they have a much higher torque curve at mid-RPMs

The intercooled Exige's engine power is really determined by the ECU tune... something that's available in the aftermarket can get you to 265HP with no mechanical modification (Gotham265).

If you're considering aftermarket mods, all bets are off... you can take any Elise/Exige and surpass those numbers...

[lotush3]

So the 07 Exige S and 08 Exige S have different engines? I think this explains some of the confusion I was having.

Sounds like the Exige S 07 would be a better option then the 08. I am in Houston TX. Any cooling is a benefit.

I was reading a bit about the Gotham265 ECU mod. This is something I would not do until the car was out of warranty. I had an APR ECU tune on a GTI. Yes it gave the car more power, but was a bit more twitchy. All and All, I preferred driving the GTI with the ECU tuned.

At this point it really comes down to how much I want to spend. 30's, 40's or 50's (including TTL).

Thanks for the help.

[Gizmo3000]

Originally Posted by BenLevy3

So the 07 Exige S and 08 Exige S have different engines? I think this explains some of the confusion I was having..

Unless I'm mistaken, I believe they all have the same engine, (and same pully and intercooler on the Exiges) and it's the tune that lets them squeak out the extra horsepower from 220 to 260 (or more like 257).

[apk919]

Originally Posted by BenLevy3

So the 07 Exige S and 08 Exige S have different engines? I think this explains some of the confusion I was having.

No, same engine, different supercharger. All Federal Elise/Exige have the Toyota 2ZZ-GE 1.8L 4cyl engine, with Yamaha heads.

Originally Posted by BenLevy3

Sounds like the Exige S 07 would be a better option then the 08. I am in Houston TX. Any cooling is a benefit.

Short answer, yes.

Originally Posted by BenLevy3

I was reading a bit about the Gotham265 ECU mod. This is something I would not do until the car was out of warranty. I had an APR ECU tune on a GTI. Yes it gave the car more power, but was a bit more twitchy. All and All, I preferred driving the GTI with the ECU tuned.

The Gotham265 tune has absolutely no negative effects on driveability... in fact, it may actually sort out some idling issues with the stock tune.

Originally Posted by BenLevy3

At this point it really comes down to how much I want to spend. 30's, 40's or 50's (including TTL).

Thanks for the help.

You're welcome.

[FIRME]

Originally Posted by ...m...

...well, the elise SC should be faster than a naturally-aspirated elise due its extra thirty horsepower - other than aerodynamics, weight, and (possibly?) suspension tuning, it's identical to the 2008 exige S...the 2007 exige S, however, was intercooled, with all the benefits and liabilities that offers, and i'm pretty sure that as of 2009, lotus no longer offers a non-intercooled exige...

For the record, in 2008 the only Exige S 220 Lotus ever built were Club Racers (20) and 1 non-Club Racer which was ordered for Vanocuver, BC and ALL had an intercooler. This idea that a 2008 Exige S was available without an intercooler is a myth that the ex-marketing agency for Lotus (e2amp) are to blame for mistakenly listing this as an option in the brochures. a 2007 Exige S220, 2008 Exige S220 and 2008 Club Racers are all the same mechanically...WITH an intercooler. For 2009, Lotus has discontinued the Exige S220 and only offer the Exige S240 which was introduced in 2008 and a limited run of Exige 260 Sport which were to be limited to (50) however, less than that were ordered and built.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by FIRME

For the record, in 2008 the only Exige S 220 Lotus ever built were Club Racers (20) and 1 non-Club Racer which was ordered for Vanocuver, BC and ALL had an intercooler. This idea that a 2008 Exige S was available without an intercooler is a myth that the ex-marketing agency for Lotus (e2amp) are to blame for mistakenly listing this as an option in the brochures. a 2007 Exige S220, 2008 Exige S220 and 2008 Club Racers are all the same mechanically...WITH an intercooler. For 2009, Lotus has discontinued the Exige S220 and only offer the Exige S240 which was introduced in 2008 and a limited run of Exige 260 Sport which were to be limited to (50) however, less than that were ordered and built.

Interesting... that would explain why no one has actually seen a 2008 Exige S without an intercooler...