Spinney Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) I love love love that roof. Would be very happy if Lotus could make something similar but with a central joint so you could stow both sections behind the seats and some sort of clip arrangement that doesn't require a spanner or Allen key to fasten. Can't help thinking Lotus are missing a potentially lucrative opportunity here if they ignore something like this, or maybe I've unwittingly just described the Evora Roadster roof. I prefer the look of the Elise/Exige with a hardtop but the problem is that once on, you are stuck with it when out and about and if the sun comes out, you can't obviously take it off to continue the journey. This pano roof seems to offer a pretty good half way solution though. Edited April 26, 2016 by Spinney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkSol Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 I recently received some details from the manufacturer regarding the two versions available: (Prices are US dollars) Premium version $3290 - Frame-lightened fiberglass - Total weight around 5.0 kg - Double-scratch treatment (external and internal sheet) - Storage Bag - Cleaning kit Basic Version $2590 - Frame fiberglass - Total weight of 5.9 kg - Anti-scratch, only on the outside IMO that's a lot of $$ for saving 0.9 kg, adding a storage bag, double scratch protection and a glass cleaner... Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon mac Posted April 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 I agree with Darksol the premium is hard to justify (I went for the basic). Had mine weighed yesterday... 5.8kg. Not sure what an OEM top weighs, but almost certainly more. So one way to remove weight from the car, and arguably from the right place after unsprung weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trcm Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 S3 Elise (2012) hardtop weighs 11.1kg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
French Frie Posted October 13, 2016 Report Share Posted October 13, 2016 as winter is coming, I think about this Hard top again ... Any update, Simon ? did you use it on your summer tour, as planned ? some other pics ? thanks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkSol Posted October 13, 2016 Report Share Posted October 13, 2016 I also will be ordering one in the next couple of months. My car is currently at the body shop having front and rear CF clams fitted, primed and painted Going to retain my GG (Graphite Gray) color but may add some more pearl to the paint mix. I think that this roof matches GG perfectly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon mac Posted October 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 Sorry not been on the forum for a while, a lot of stuff going on at work... I haven't put the roof back on yet, though it will be being reattached this week. I'll take some more photos then In the end I didn't take it on this year's road trip (Nottingham UK, to the Transfagarassan Highway) instead opting for the soft-top. In hindsight I probably should have taken it though, because it was so hot in Romania, we ended up with the roof on and A/C running so much. The Visium probably would have been a better compromise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
French Frie Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 thanks for the feedback, Simon ... would please also take pics of the fixing system, and also show where the shape differs from the OEM hardtop ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkSol Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 So I finally bit the bullet and ordered the premium version - because I'm pretty damn OCD when it comes down to weight. AND I come to find out that the top + all mounting hardware (no tool / bag / cleaning kit) weighs in at 6.163kg... much to my dismay. I'm sure that if I take off all the mounting hardware and reweigh it will lose 500gms+ but that's not the point... they should state that "naked top weight" is 5kg. argh. I won't have the chance to test fit it yet since the car's off at the shop getting repainted (with new carbon clams)... stay tuned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.