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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Useless Fact of the Day: Sunseeker Predator's Boot Easily Fits a Caterham Seven

So, what does Sunseeker International's new Predator 108 Special Edition luxury yacht have in common with the lightweight Caterham Seven sports car? Well, for most, nothing much other than they wouldn't mind owning the keys to both. But for the luxury super yacht builder, the storage of the Caterham Seven in the garage area at the stern of the Predator is "the ultimate expression of the millionaire lifestyle".

We know a few Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin -you get the picture- owners that would disagree, but whatever.

The Sunseeker Predator 108 Special Edition seen here with the Caterham made its world debut at this week's London International Boat Show 2010 (LIBS) that's open until the 17th of January.

Notably, it is the largest craft ever to be displayed inside the ExCel centre, in London's Docklands.

According to Sunseeker, the Predator 108 Special Edition is capable of speeds up to 34 knots with prices starting from around £7.1 million or at today's exchange rates, US$11.3 million / €7.9 million.

Aspid: Caterham-esque Sportscar with up to 400Hp Coming to London Show

The never ending saga of small firms popping up from nowhere continues with the Aspid that will make its world debut at the British International Motor Show in late July. The Aspid (Spanish name for the snake that killed Cleopatra) has been developed by the automotive engineering consultancy IFR Automotive that was founded by automotive engineer Ignacio Fernández Rodriquez who has worked in the past for Prodrive and the Mitsubishi World Rally Championship team.

IFR Automotive supports that the Aspid is the only car in the world to meet both FIA safety requirements and European homologation standards. Initial prototypes feature a 2.0-litre engine; either naturally aspirated to deliver 270Hp or supercharged to 400Hp with power delivered in both cases to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential. -Continued

The lightweight aluminium and carbon structure of the car, which has a mass of just 700kg (1,550lb) and the resulting 570Hp-per-tonne (1.75kg/Hp) power-to-weight ratio give awe-inspiring performance figures with the Aspid accelerating from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in just 2.8 seconds and 100mph (160km/h) in a mouth dropping 5.9 seconds. Maximum speed is restricted to 155mph (250km/

The Aspid braking performance is equally impressive with IFR Automotive supporting that the sportscar can come to a complete halt from 100mph (160km/h) in a mere 3.0 seconds. When cornering, the car has been said to generate an intense 1.6g of lateral acceleration.

IFR Automotive says that journalists will have the opportunity to drive the first production models later this year, with the first cars being delivered to customers in summer 2009. Prices are set to start at £75,000 (€95,000) with fully loaded models expected to cost twice as much. (Pic edited by Auto Cars 2011)

Caterham 7 RST-V8 with 500+ HP Supercharged 2.4L V8

As if 400 HP weren’t enough for the cart-like Seven roadster, Caterham has introduced an even more extreme version of the car developed in conjunction with niche engineering house, “RS Performance”. Dubbed as the Seven RST-V8, the ultimate Caterham packs a supercharged 2.4-liter 40-valveV8 engine that delivers more than 500 bhp at 10,000 rpm and 300 lbs-ft or torque at 8,500 rpm. -Continued

As if that wasn’t enough, weight reduction runs throughout the car, from the carbon fibre interior finished with Kevlar seats down to the hosing used on the cooling systems. According to Caterham, the RST-V8 weighs in a mere 520 kg or 1,168 lbs.

In terms of acceleration figures, the Brits claim that the ultimate Seven goes from nought to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 3.0 sec. In case you’re interested, prices for the RST-V8 start in the UK at £115,000 or $226,300 / €152,700.

Caterham Releases Limited Edition 2008 Calendar

It’s that time of year when car manufacturers release calendars, Christmas tree ornaments, candles and various other non-automotive products to get us into the Christmas (spending) spirit. Caterham on its behalf has announced the release of a limited edition 2008 calendar featuring images of road-going Sevens, like the R400, CSR and Roadsport 125 and wheel-to-wheel racing shots from the various action-packed Caterham race series. Priced at £14.99 ($31 or €21), just 1,000 of these calendars have been printed and are only available to buy through Caterham’s website – www.caterham.co.uk. -More pics after the jump

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.

Technorati: Caterham+Seven, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Auto Cars 2011, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

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.

Technorati: Caterham+Seven, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Auto Cars 2011, blogs, 2007, pictures, images