The latest Lotus Elise and Exige parts and services and motorsport plans from Hangar 111 Lotus Performance

A short customer review following installation of the Komo-Tec EX460 upgrade kit to his V6-powered Exige:

“I picked my V6 up from Hangar 111 on Saturday with the 460 kit installed and ready for action. Greg had already warned me that ‘it’s a bit rapid ‘. He showed me what had been done and spoke of magic and witchcraft that will put a smile on my face when I drive it.

At this point I would like to thank Hangar 111 again for looking after my car. Every time I have it upgraded or worked on it always comes out of the work shop as it went in. I understand that the 460 kit was a big job and I was delighted to see no oil, grease or residue anywhere on or in my car or in the engine bay from all that had been done. That in itself is a credit to Hangar 111.

I took what was going to be a long way home, but the volume of cars and dirt on the road meant I was destined for home and rarely got above 60mph. However, one week on, I soon managed to rack up just over 200 miles in the sun with my roof off, and managed a further 250 miles today in the sun around Suffolk & Norfolk. I didn’t see one other Lotus!

So what’s changed to me as a normal driver of a V6? Especially as I already had a 430 kit installed. Well, just about everything seems to have changed in terms of power because there is so much of it. It seems to have more bang, even lower in the rev range, and continues through to what seems the limiter. Fourth gear has never been used so much for coming out of the corners because it feels like third. Second is a few blinks of the eye and it’s all over. Even fifth from about 70mph feels like it’s been on steroids.

The power delivery is different from the 430, Its more aggressive and soon gives you a shove in the back like never before – it just keeps pulling until I thought my hair was going to come out at the roots. The car has run effortlessly and really has made the car a new experience to drive and enjoy. It’s nice knowing that everything is cooler as well so hot days won’t cause an issue with power.

I have a Komo-Tec system but with a Larini back box and the sound has also changed. I get a few more pops and bangs than I did, which I love, but it screams with amazing depth and the sound of power which matches the car.

It definately eats fuel faster than before, which is no problem, but it is noticeable. I managed 160miles out of a filled tank until the light come on (but I wasn’t hanging about). And after calm had set it in a further 185 miles was clocked up before the light come on from full (maybe 10 – 15 less miles than before?) but I’m not counting it’s just for comparison. I did all of this with the roof off and I Imagine with it on you may hear a little more of the supercharger.

At the same time, I had the carbon fibre side sills installed, and the quality is amazing. They go back far further than expected into the chassis and they are finished with a lovely edge. Hangar 111 improved the original idea of them as well, and I managed to keep my front mud guard on combined with them, so it looks finished now and of course will help to protect the sides of my car.

I am off to the Highlands tonight in it which will rack up about 2500 miles over the next week, and I hope to enjoy every moment of it which you can’t fail to do in a Lotus of any kind.

And for the people that are about to say ‘What’s the point in all that power if you don’t track it’ – it’s the same reason why you upgrade your phone, it does exactly the same but just a whole lot faster.”

Here’s some recent feedback we have received from some of our customers…

“Catching up after a fantastic weekend driving the Exige. As you said, it really is stunning. It feels transformed. From the sheer power, responsiveness, turn in, cornering to the overall feel of the new cockpit. A very large thank you for getting it to me by Friday. Thank you for all of your help and advice. I’m very pleased with the result.”

CM – Exige S – EX460 upgrade installation.

“Yes yes love the steering wheel, happy happy. Thank you!!”

GB – Elise S2 – Quick release Momo steering wheel fitted.

“I just thought I would drop a line to say that your newsletter is ace, most news letters are rubbish and I just delete them. They tend to be a waste of time. This I actually read and find really interesting. I have dealt with nearly all of the various companies in the Lotus community and none of them come close to the presenting themselves in such a decent way. It’s just really nice. I just thought you’d like to know as often people just hear bad things and not positive and often people over look the effort that people go to.”

AR

“Just to say the car is fantastic, can’t stop driving it!  Awesome. Acceleration in second gear is unbelievable! Living the dream!”

Rob – Elise 111R – 280S supercharger kit installation.

“I fitted the replacement system last night and managed to get a brief drive out late evening and into work this morning. Initial impressions are very positive as the quality of workmanship is superb and the sound at WOT is spot on. From a ‘bum dyno’ point of view it feels a little more urgent in the low to mid-range, especially on partial throttle opening which I was not expecting as I thought I’d only notice benefits at peak… So, in summary, a great product that’s well made, looks superb, sounds great and most importantly has made a noticeable improvement to performance.

Also, at the risk of sounding sycophantic, I’ve found your customer service to be excellent and I’m really grateful for your patience and time going back to when I initially phoned for advice when buying the car.”

Chris – Elise – Signature exhaust system.

“Still breaking the ‘old girl’ in, but definitely much smoother and a far better overall driving experience.  ‘Speed limits’ are coming up quicker, corners are even more exciting and 5^th gear is being used a lot more.  Random pops and burbles are very amusing!  The attention to detail under the bonnet is great – well done to all.”

SC – Sport 160 – Throttle bodies and Emerald upgrade.

“Just to say a big thank you for the instructions and for accommodating me just dropping in. Harnesses and exhaust fitted perfectly, and were tested fully at Snetterton last night 🙂 – exhaust is sounding fantastic and getting better with each mile.”

JH – Elise – Harnesses and Signature exhaust.