REMOVABLE ROOF CONCEPT
Elise
The Lotus Elise has been designed to exploit the pleasures
of open top motoring, the better to enjoy exposure to the natu-
ral environment, without the restrictions and confinement of a
cockpit roof.
In order to provide some weather protection to the occupants
and car interior, and allow the continued enjoyment of the car in
unfavourable weather conditions, a simple hard or soft top roof
may be fitted. The load cycling to which the car’s structure is
subjected in variable use, and the tolerances required to allow
for repeated easy removal and refitting of the roof, means that
minor wind noise, and seepage at joints between the roof, body
and doors may occur in certain areas. Complete weather sealing
cannot be guaranteed under all climatic conditions.
NOTICE: Do not subject the car to an automatic car wash. The
soft top may be damaged by the brushes, or suffer leaks due to
the high pressure water streams directed in areas which would
not apply in normal driving conditions.
Exige
The Lotus Exige has been conceived and configured as a
sports coupé with a removable roof. The aerodynamic perform-
ance of the bodyshell including the front spoiler, rear aerofoil,
roof panel and tailgate have been tuned to provide the optimum
handling balance, with the roof scoop on supercharged cars
providing the cooling airflow for the chargecooler.
The roof panel may be removed for better access to the
interior for servicing, and the car may be driven without the
roof fitted, but wind buffeting and increased noise levels will be
experienced, together with a slight decrease in maximum power
on supercharged cars. Complete weather sealing of the roof
cannot be guaranteed under all climatic conditions.
WARNING:
The soft or hard top roofs should be removed only whilst
the car is safely parked. Do not attempt to remove the soft
or hard top roof whilst the car is in motion.
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