Caterham Supersport R, 2013

 

 Caterham Supersport R, 2013

The Caterham has added to its iconic range of Sevens, giving the acclaimed Super sport a steroid-induced brother - the two-litre Caterham Super sport R, which packs 180bhp and track-bred dynamics.
Like the standard Super sport, the new edition has many circuit-orientated performance essentials, but gains a bigger engine and a five-speed gearbox to boost outright performance significantly.

Designed to sit immediately above its 1.6-litre sibling in the Seven range, the new adaptation's 2-litre Ford Duratec engine has proven its durability and performance on the track, having been developed during three years in Caterham's R300 race championship.

Competitively priced at £24,995 (incl tax) in self-build form or £27,995 fully-built, the new model benefits particularly in mid-range 'punch' and features a 25% power increase on the Super sport, as well as 5bhp more than the R300 road car.

The Caterham Cars announced a bold new joint venture engineering partnership this week with Renault, which will result in a range of brand new vehicles, starting with an ambitious 'everyday' sportscar that will deliver the brand's 'accessible fun' philosophy to new markets. But the Caterham Super sport R shows the firm's continuing commitment to develop the iconic Seven, which it has been engineering and building for nearly 40 years.

The front-mounted Caterham-developed Ford Duratec engine pairs up with a limited-slip differential to further enhance its performance credentials.
Meanwhile, grippy Avon CR500 tyres, Supersport dampers and race springs ensure the car's handling is highly-focussed but still supple enough for the road.

Weighing just 535kg, the new vehicle extends the Super sport line, which already includes road and track versions of the 1.6-litre model.

Inside the cabin, a bespoke Super sport steering wheel, integrated change-up light, composite race seats and four-point race harnesses complete the track-inspired experience. Naturally, an aero screen comes as standard.

The Caterham Super sport R's DNA stems from the Caterham Super sport Championship, which is the fourth rung of its motorsport 'ladder' and is Caterham's fastest-growing series.

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Caterham Seven 160, 2014

 

 

 

 Caterham Seven 160, 2014

Caterham Cars has opened the UK order book for the Caterham Seven 160 - its new entry-level variant of the iconic sportscar, powered by a super-compact, turbocharged Suzuki engine.

Priced from £14,995 in component form, the car's live-axle rear suspension, compact engine and low weight embody the pioneering spirit of early Sevens and represent a new entry-point to the Seven range.

The Caterham Seven 160 - EU customers will get an altered version, called 165 - produces 80hp from its 660cc, three-cylinder, turbocharged engine, enabling it to accelerate to 60mph in a brisk 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 100mph.

With fleet-of-foot charm and handling finesse, rather than outright performance dictating the driving experience, the new car redefines the budget sportscar segment while introducing new levels of efficiency and value for money to the Caterham range.
The new rear axle, a throwback to early Sevens in terms of simplicity and purity of design, complements the Suzuki Motor Corporation engine and lower overall body weight, while delivering Caterham's acclaimed, intuitive handling experience and a balanced yet playful chassis.

To meet the desired performance criteria, the Caterham Group's engineering consultancy, Caterham Technology & Innovation (CTI), fine-tuned engine performance from its standard output of 64hp to 80hp, while boosting fuel economy and reducing vehicle emissions. The vehicle conforms to EU5, EU6 and JC08 emissions regulations.

The number five at the end of the EU spec car's moniker signifies that the vehicle complies with the EU5 emissions standards, allowing it to be sold across mainland Europe and beyond.
Production of the Caterham Seven 160 and 165 is expected to begin in January 2014, with first deliveries in the Spring.

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Caterham R600 Superlight, 2013

 

 Caterham R600 Superlight, 2013

The iconic British road and race car manufacturer, Caterham Cars, has developed its most extreme race-ready Seven to date - the Superlight R600.

With stunning performance potential and all the character of existing Caterham circuit cars, the new supercharged incarnation of the Seven will represent the top echelon of the Caterham racing spectrum in the Superlight R600 Championship from 2013.

Powered by a supercharged, 2-litre Ford Duratec engine, producing 275bhp, the R600's dedicated championship will further extend the Caterham Motorsport 'ladder', currently topped by the hugely successful R300 series.

The R600 race car, which costs £44,995, will be the first Seven ever to feature forced induction technology, making it the fastest ever production Seven and a natural progression from the advances made with Caterham's sports prototype, the SP/300.R, which uses a similar power plant.

The Caterham is expecting at least a 16-car grid for the debut championship season in 2013, with 30 cars anticipated to compete the following year.

A clear development from the Academy, Roadsport, Tracksport, Supersport and R300 race cars, the R600 will transfer driving characteristics inherent to all Sevens but will be more aggressive - with 200lb-ft of torque, it represents a 13% increase on the current top-of-the-range road-going Seven, the legendary Superlight R500.

Meanwhile, 275bhp is directed to the rear wheels through a six-speed, sequential gearbox.

The headline specification also comprises a Titan limited-slip differential and Avon radial slicks or wets, for increased traction and quicker lap times.

The latest variant of the Seven can be bought as a new car or existing R300 owners can upgrade their vehicles to R600 spec.

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Caterham Aero Seven Concept, 2013

 

 

 

Caterham Aero Seven Concept, 2013

As the first model designed with significant input from all of the Caterham Group's specialist business arms, the Caterham AeroSeven Concept signals the brand's intentions in terms of product engineering processes, speed to market, as well as a hint to its styling direction for future models, including the all-new sportscar being developed in conjunction with Renault and due for release in early 2016.

The Caterham Aero Seven Concept, which draws heavily on methods used by the F1 team, will be the first ever Caterham model to be fitted with traction control. Thanks to a newly developed Caterham Engine Management System, drivers will be able to enjoy fully-adjustable traction and launch control functionality.

Based on an updated interpretation of the highly acclaimed Seven CSR platform, the carbon-fibre bodied concept vehicle, which will reach 100km/h (62.5mph) in under 4 seconds, will initially draw its power from the normally-aspirated, EU6-approved, 240ps (237bhp) engine developed by Caterham Technology & Innovation for the recently launched Caterham Seven 485. Other engines are also being assessed for suitability.

The Aero Seven Concept is stacked with race car-inspired features, including aerodynamic styling, an exclusive steering wheel with driver-focussed functionality, and an intuitive fully active Graphical Display Unit (GDU).

The Exterior
It is in the car's full bodywork styling that the most striking differences to past Caterham products lies.
The stunning design of the two-seater balances function and form to increase downforce while vastly improving the drag coefficient; the new body shape also imparts subtly different handling characteristics to complement the revised chassis.

Using inputs from Caterham F1 Team performance director, John Iley, and the CTI design team, the fundamental shape of the car was created. Ongoing optimisation continues to take place using Computational Fluid Dynamics expertise from the F1 aerodynamic group, in conjunction with circuit and wind tunnel testing.

The Caterham Aero Seven Concept incorporates a completely new rollover structure, to aid safety and improve aerodynamic performance and enhance aesthetics

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Caterham Seven 620R, 2014

 

 Caterham Seven 620R, 2014

As the lightweight sportscar manufacturer celebrates 40 years of developing and building the Seven, Caterham is re-inventing the already enviable parameters of its iconic model, with the Seven 620R setting a new benchmark in outrageous performance.
A newly-engineered, two-litre supercharged Ford Duratec engine pumps out 310bhp, providing even more of a kick in the back for the driver and propelling the Seven 620R from 0-60mph in under 2.8 seconds.

The priced at £49,995 (incl VAT) fully built, such extreme performance, pushing on to a top speed of 155mph,  put the 620R at the top of the current range, replacing the legendary Superlight R500.
The 620R is diametrically opposed to the new ultra-efficient, affordable entry-level Seven that sit at the opposite end of the range when Caterham unveils it in Autumn this year.

Like all Sevens, the 620R adheres to Caterham's brand mantra of delivering 'accessible fun' and the traditional Caterham minimalistic, lightweight approach to the engineering of the car is ever-present.

The car features a unique gunmetal chassis, an air-flow optimised nose cone and a race-developed cooling package. De Dion rear suspension and wide track front suspension units are complemented by high-performance dampers all round, while the car sits on lightweight, 13" alloy wheels fitted with track-inspired Avon ZZR tyres.

In the cockpit, there are more noticeable improvements, with features including performance-focused instrumentation and ergonomic switchgear.
Carbon fibre interior panels and dash plus carbon fibre race seats and a Q/R race steering wheel complete the sports feel to the interior.

Specification
    Suspension
        Front: Adjustable double wishbone with roll bar
        Rear: De Dion axle located by lower A-frame and Watts linkage
    Brakes: Twin circuit split front/rear with low level warning system. Discs front and rear
    Steering: Rack and pinion, 1.93 turns lock to lock

    Wheels and Tyres
        Front: 6J x 13" AVON ZZR
        Rear: 8J x 13" AVON ZZR

    Engine: 2.0-litre Ford Duratec (supercharged)
    Max Power: 311 bhp @ 7,700rpm
    Max Torque: 219 lbs ft @ 7,350rpm
    0-60mph: 2.79 seconds
    Top Speed: 155mph

Standard equipment

•     6-speed sequential transmission with flat-shift
•     Limited slip differential
•     Unique gunmetal chassis
•     Carbon-fibre wings
•     Air flow optimized nose cone
•     Race developed cooling package
•     De-Dion rear suspension with high performance dampers
•     Wide track front suspension with high performance dampers
•     Ventilated front discs and quad piston calipers
•     Carbon-fibre interior panels and dash
•     Carbon-fibre race seats
•     Lightweight 13" alloy wheels with Avon ZZR tyres; 185/55R13 front and 215/55R13 rear
•     4 point race harness
•     Q/R Race steering wheel
•     High performance focused instrumentation and ergonomic switchgear
•     Toggle switch ignition
•     Immobiliser
•     Sequential shift lights
•     Carbon aero screen
•     Black pack

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