Caterham-Lola SP/300R: British Sportscar Maker Reveals its First Ever Prototype Racer, Road Going Model a Possibility

The Autosport International Show in Birmingham, UK, welcomed the world premiere of Caterham's first ever sports prototype racing car, the Caterham-Lola SP/300R. Created in partnership with legendary British racing and engineering brand Lola, the SP/300R is currently in the final stages of development and will be ready for a one-make championship in 2012, with the company planning to build up to 25 examples per year. Caterham said that a road-legal version of the sports car is also being considered.

The prototype model features the debut of Caterham's new supercharged version of the Ford 2.0-liter Duratec power plant, expected to produce around 300bhp. A Hewland-sourced paddle-shift sequential gearbox transfers power to the rear wheels.

Caterham said that the prototype weighs under 600kg [1,322 lbs] translating into 500bhp-per-tonne, and is capable of completing the 0-60mph [96 km/h] sprint in around 2.5 seconds, while reaching a top speed of around 170mph [273 km/h].

The SP/300R is built on a bespoke chassis designed by Lola. The basic chassis is an aluminium tub with a longitudinally mid-mounted engine, coupled to a stress-bearing rear transaxle. A forward splitter and large rear wing reduce lift, while a flat underbody maximizes ground effect benefits.

The prototype's bodywork also features an F1-style raised nose section and sectioned panels, which are said to help reduce repair costs, ease maintenance and more importantly, allow single-handed removal of body panels track-side.

The front and rear suspension are dual wishbones with pushrod dampers and adjustable ride height, with the design of the rear axle derived from that used at the rear end of the Lola Formula 3 and World Junior cars. The car rides on bespoke racing tires fitted to 13-inch race rims.

Prices for the Caterham-Lola SP/300.R will start at £60,000 [~US$94,300 or €72,200], excluding local taxes.

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Caterham Retires The Stig's Superlight R500 [with VIDEO]

The Caterham Superlight R500 took the world by surprise in 2008 with its 263 hp 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-pot and sub-3.0 seconds 0-60mph sprint time. The same year it was launched, Top Gear’s racing driver, The Stig, drove it around the show’s test track completing a lap in just 1 minute and 17.9 seconds. That's the seventh fastest official lap time ever recorded on the show, putting to shame “heavyweights” like the Bugatti Veyron.

But everything comes to an end, and today, Caterham announced that the special model is making its final journey next week before being retired from active service.

Caterham Cars’ marketing manager, James Drake, commented: “The white and orange R500 has already claimed its place in motoring history. It’s worked hard since the new R500 was launched in 2008 and we feel it’s now time to let it have a rest. It will still be available as a static display car, but its hard driving days are over. We’re stopping short of wearing black armbands in the office, but it’s still going to be a sad day when its final public engagement is over”.

This will happen after it’s going to be displayed at the Marks & Spencers store in Kent, with the purpose of promoting a new range of remote control R500s. These motorized scale models will be available in the classic color scheme (white with orange stripes), and also in red with white stripes.

It seems that Caterham has no intention of selling the car, so Top Gear enthusiasts will have to be satisfied with the “regular” R500. Those who can’t afford the £40,200 price tag for the real deal, can check out M&S stores this Christmas, where they will be able to buy the RC for just £19.50.

By Csaba Daradics

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Caterham launches Roadsport 125 Monaco Special Edition

Caterham is ready to release another "entry-level" special edition Seven in order to celebrate the amazing city-state that is Monaco. Called the "Roadsport 125 Monaco", this Seven gets a unique paint scheme representing the Monegasque flag to highlight its aluminum body; also, "Monaco" is pasted down the side if people can't make the connection.

Inside, you'll find black leather with red stitching to complement the exterior. While black and red usually looks good and needs no reason to exist on a car, Caterham says that in this car, it's meant to symbolize "the roulette wheels found in Casino Square".

Power for Caterham's latest seats-on-wheels open fun machine is the basic 1.6 liter Ford Sigma inline-4 with 125 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque; the engine's mated to a 5-speed transmission.

Caterham says the mill can push the 500 kg (or 550 kg, if going by the website) car to 112mph (181km/h) and produces "a power-to-weight ratio of 227bhp per tonne", allowing it to complete the zero to 60mph (96km/h) sprint in 5.9 seconds.

The car also supposedly comes with a weather kit that makes it "thoroughly enjoyable in any conditions"; if it's raining, why don't we just take the Rolls instead?

Price of entry into the world of James Bond, F1, and wealth beyond your wildest dreams is £20,995. However, there's a bonus if you know you simply have to have one RIGHT NOW: the first 20 buyers can take another £1,000 off that price.

By Phil Alex

Caterham launches Roadsport 125 Monaco Special Edition

Caterham is ready to release another "entry-level" special edition Seven in order to celebrate the amazing city-state that is Monaco. Called the "Roadsport 125 Monaco", this Seven gets a unique paint scheme representing the Monegasque flag to highlight its aluminum body; also, "Monaco" is pasted down the side if people can't make the connection.

Inside, you'll find black leather with red stitching to complement the exterior. While black and red usually looks good and needs no reason to exist on a car, Caterham says that in this car, it's meant to symbolize "the roulette wheels found in Casino Square".

Power for Caterham's latest seats-on-wheels open fun machine is the basic 1.6 liter Ford Sigma inline-4 with 125 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque; the engine's mated to a 5-speed transmission.

Caterham says the mill can push the 500 kg (or 550 kg, if going by the website) car to 112mph (181km/h) and produces "a power-to-weight ratio of 227bhp per tonne", allowing it to complete the zero to 60mph (96km/h) sprint in 5.9 seconds.

The car also supposedly comes with a weather kit that makes it "thoroughly enjoyable in any conditions"; if it's raining, why don't we just take the Rolls instead?

Price of entry into the world of James Bond, F1, and wealth beyond your wildest dreams is £20,995. However, there's a bonus if you know you simply have to have one RIGHT NOW: the first 20 buyers can take another £1,000 off that price.

By Phil Alex

Caterham Superlight R400: New version with a 210bhp 2.0 litre Ford Duratec based unit

The Superlight R400 is the latest addition in Caterham’s range and it features a 210bhp 2.0-litre Ford Duratec based unit tuned in-house by Caterham Motorsport. The all-alloy unit produces 152lbs ft of torque at 5,750 rpm while at 4,000 rpm the R400 will transfer 140lbs ft to the rear axle –taht about 16 percent more than the outgoing K-Series powered model at the same level.

The new engine hasn’t had any affects in the weight department with the R400 retaining its featherweight overall mass (525kg or 1.157 lbs). According to the Brits, the R400 sprints from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3,8 sec. Interestingly enough, the prices for the R400 start at £25,995 (51.200 USD or 38.300 EUR), which is over £1,700 less (3.300 or 2.500 EUR) than the outgoing K-Series powered model. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release & high-res pics

MOTORSPORT INSPIRED R400 UNLEASHED BY CATERHAM

Fifty years after Colin Chapman unveiled the first Seven, Caterham launches the latest in a long line of pure racing-bred British sportscars, the Superlight R400.

Inspired by the track, and designed for the road, the R400 packs a mighty 400bhp per tonne punch thanks to the introduction of an engine tuned in-house by Caterham Motorsport.

The new heartbeat of the legendary R400 is a 210bhp 2.0 litre Ford Duratec based unit that delivers a perfect balance of power and effortless performance. From a standing start, it will reach the magic 60mph mark in less than 3.8 seconds, well into supercar performance territory.

However, it’s not just about power.

The Caterham Motorsport badged powerplant, incorporating a bespoke plenum chamber, achieves excellent reliability, good fuel economy, smooth running at high engine speeds and a strong torque output, all of which combine to unlock an adrenaline-fuelled driving experience.

The all-alloy unit produces a staggering 152lbs ft of torque at just 5,750 rpm. Even at 4,000 rpm the R400 will transfer an impressive 140lbs ft to the rear axle – that’s a full 16 percent more than the outgoing K-Series powered model at the same level.

The Seven design may be celebrating its 50th birthday this year, but the level of ride and handling in the R400 has been further honed from its already benchmark status.

Mated to the all-new robot-jig welded chassis, the R400 provides the driver with even more confidence to plant the legendary sportscar into corners. The rigidity of the spaceframe has increased by 12 percent and the greatly reduced flex provides improved grip, improved feedback to the driver and ultimately more speed on the track. This chassis performance gain is delivered with no weight penalty and the R400 retains its featherweight 525kg overall mass.

The torque characteristics of the R400 powerplant provide instant performance, and more than ever before there is an emphasis on ensuring all the messages from the road are faithfully transmitted to the driver through the suspension and steering.

An improved progressive feel to the rear suspension has been achieved through no fewer than 30 changes to the dampers, including improvements by Bilstein to reduce rod to guide friction levels, plus optimisation on the anti-roll bars and road springs (front 170 lb/in, rear 140 – 250 lb/in).

Sitting purposefully on bespoke Avon CR500 tyres and 15” Caterham-designed alloys, the new R400 is fitted with a limited slip differential, 6-speed gearbox, wet sump and composite bucket race seats as standard.

For those venturing regularly on the track, the R400 will also feature the option of an exclusive Caterham-designed dry-sump system to provide added protection from oil surges at high speed.

The Superlight engineering team, which includes Dave Minter, the man responsible for ride and handling development for the Lotus Elise, and David Taitt, a world renowned powertrain expert, have remained true to Chapman’s design philosophy of performance through low weight and superlative ride and handling.

Carbon-fibre front cycle wings are matched by a carbon-fibre dash, Momo quick-release steering wheel, road 4-point harness, gear change lights, ventilated front discs and 4-point callipers plus Caterham’s legendary Superlight suspension to present an undiluted racetrack inspired package. Prices for the R400 start at £25,995, which is over £1,700 less than the out-going K-Series powered model. On sale now.

Technical Specification

Engine 2.0-litre Caterham Motorsport Ford Duratec
Max Power 210bhp @7800
Max Torque 152lbsft @ 5750
0-60mph 3.8 secs
Top Speed 140mph
Wheelbase 2225mm
Overall length 3100mm
Overall width 1575mm
Height 800mm
Ground clearance 80mm
Weight 525kg

Standard Equipment

1. 2.0-litre Caterham Motorsport Ford Duratec
2. 6 Speed Caterham Gearbox
3. Limited Slip Differential
4. Superlight Suspension (wide track front and de Dion rear with Watts linkages)
5. Carbon front cycle wings
6. Carbon dash
7. ACES change-up lights
8. Black pack
9. Ventilated front brake discs with 4 pot calipers
10. 15” Anthracite Alloy Wheels with Avon CR500 tyres
11. Composite interchangeable wind deflector
12. 4 point Road Harnesses
13. Quick-release Momo Steering Wheel
14. Composite seats

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Caterham celebrates Golden Jubilee with exclusive anniversary pack for the Seven

I haven’t had the luck to drive a Caterham, but from what I’ve read and been told by pals of mine who’ve taken a Seven for a spin, it’s a unique experience. As for the anniversary pack, not much to say as the “chosen” ones (since availability is limited to 50 units) will have the choice of two distinctive color schemes, a Platinum Silver Metallic paint with a Gold/Black anniversary twin-stripe and noseband, or the reversed scheme with Sapphire Black Metallic paint with Gold/Silver stripes. Caterham also throws in a signed copy of the book ‘The Magnificent 7’ and two VIP tickets for the celebrations at Caterham’s Golden Jubilee Race Weekend at Donington Park, 2-3 June 2007. The pack costs 1.957 BP (3.850 USD – 2.900 EUR). -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release and more pics

PRESS RELEASE - CATERHAM CELEBRATES HALF A CENTURY WITH EXCLUSIVE ANNIVERSARY PACK

As part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations, the iconic Caterham Seven can now be purchased with an exclusive Anniversary options pack. Available only on Caterhams ordered during 2007 and limited to just 50 units, owners will have the choice of two distinctive color schemes, both featuring a striking gold motif.

The colour options are Platinum Silver Metallic paint with a Gold/Black anniversary twin-stripe and noseband, or the reversed scheme with Sapphire Black Metallic paint with Gold/Silver stripes. The limited edition Anniversary pack also includes gold ‘7’ grille, gold trimmed leather seats*, an individually numbered special edition certificate and dashboard plaque, plus bespoke gold wheel centres, 50th Anniversary decals and Union Jack badging.

In addition, buyers will receive a special signed copy of the newly updated book ‘The Magnificent 7’ by Chris Rees and two VIP tickets to join in the celebrations at Caterham’s Golden Jubilee Race Weekend at Donington Park, 2-3 June 2007.

In recognition of the 1957 launch of Colin Chapman’s original 7, the Anniversary Pack will cost just £1,957 including VAT. The Anniversary Pack is available to order now on the complete range of Caterham 7’s, including the new range of Ford Sigma engined cars. As well as adding the Anniversary Pack option to the range, every new car manufactured in 2007 will feature a special 50th Anniversary nosebadge and standard 12 months RAC cover.

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