Want to Try out the New Caterham-Lola SP/300 R? Here’s How

With the development of the new Caterham-Lola SP/300 R now complete, the British carmaker is ready to give potential owners their first taste of the prototype-racing car on the tarmac. The dates on which racing drivers and trackday enthusiasts alike can get behind the steering wheel of Caterham’s 300bhp, 180mph (289 km/h) sports prototype are:

-Saturday, August 27 at Donington Park
-Wednesday, September 7 at Donington Park
-Thursday, September 15 at Snetterton
-Wednesday, September 21 at Donington Park

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F1’s Team Lotus Acquires British Sportscar Maker Caterham

The owners of Formula One Team Lotus announced today the acquisition of lightweight sportscar manufacturer Caterham, for an undisclosed sum from the shareholder consortium led by Corven Ventures.

Based in England, Caterham has made a name for itself for building the Seven, a lightweight two-seater sports car that was designed by Lotus founder Colin Chapman and who sold the rights of the car to Caterham in 1973.

Team Lotus chiefs Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin said in a statement that the company plans to expand Caterham’s profile and product family while also continuing the development of the Seven.

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Caterham Seven Supersport

Caterham has announced a track-focussed addition to its Seven range. Called the Supersport, it has been developed directly from the version used in the Caterham Supersport championship.

Power comes from a 140 bhp (104 kW / 141 PS) 1.6 litre Ford Sigma engine, connected to a five-speed gearbox with ‘sprint’ ratios. A fairly modest output but, as the Supersport weighs only 520 kg (1,146 lbs), it’s enough for a zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) time of 4.9 seconds. Claimed top speed is 120 mph (193 km/h).



The chassis set-up features uprated dampers and springs, a limited slip differential and 13” wheels shod with Avon CR500 tyres. Completing the race-inspired package are composite race seats, four-point harnesses, dash-mounted gear change up lights, a lightened flywheel and an aero screen.

UK price for the Caterham Seven Supersport is £22,995, although those seeking the satisfaction of building their own car can order it in component form for £19,995.



Related post:

Caterham Seven Monaco

Caterham-Lola SP/300.R

A previous attempt by Caterham to expand its range beyond the iconic Seven was not a great success. Only forty-eight examples of the 21, launched in 1994, were ever built.



Now it’s having another go with the SP/300.R, a shrunken Le Mans Prototype in the style of cars such as the Westfield XTR and Radical SR series.

The project has been developed in collaboration with Lola Cars, which was involved in engineering the aluminium tub chassis and perfecting the aerodynamics.



As with the current Seven line-up, power is provided by Ford. In the case of the SP/300.R it’s a two-litre Duratec motor which, thanks to the addition of a supercharger, produces 300 bhp (223 kW / 304 PS). Drive to the rear transaxle is via a Hewland semi-automatic FTR gearbox.

With the Caterham-Lola weighing less than 600 kg (1,322 lbs), that set up is enough for a zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) time of about 2.5 seconds. Top speed should be in the region of 170 mph (273 km/h).



Keeping the SP/300.R on the tarmac is race-derived suspension. There are dual wishbones front and rear, pushrod dampers and an adjustable ride height, all of which is assisted by down force from the front splitter and rear wing.

Although a road-legal version might appear later, for now the SP/300.R is destined for the circuits only. There’ll be a UK-based one-make series from 2012, although the Caterham-Lola will probably find its way into other championships as well as numerous trackdays, too.



The price of the Caterham-Lola SP/300.R is £60,000 (about €71,600 at today’s exchange rate) excluding local taxes. Annual production volume is anticipated to be twenty-five units.

Caterham Seven Monaco

Caterham has launched a special version of its iconic Seven. Based on the Roadsport 125, the Monaco is supposed to ‘evoke the elegance, class and rich motorsport heritage of Monte Carlo’.

Regardless of whether it achieves that or not, the brushed aluminium bodywork with black nose and wheel guards certainly looks the part. The red and white stripes (a reminder of the Monegasque flag) and the ‘Monaco’ script aren’t too subtle though, and might not be to everyone’s taste.



But the price should more than make up for that. While the standard Roadsport 125 costs £21,200, the Monaco (which features a normally optional black leather interior with red highlights) is £20,995. Even better, the first twenty cars ordered will be offered at a bargain £19,995.



Power comes from a 1.6 litre Ford Sigma engine, which produces 125 bhp (93 kW / 126 PS) and 162 Nm (120 lb/ft) of torque. That might not sound like much but, as the Seven only weighs 550 kg, 0-60 mph (96 km/h) takes just 5.9 seconds. Top speed is 112 mph (180 km/h), and a five-speed gearbox is fitted.



As with other Roadsport models, the Monaco can be specified with the SV chassis option. Costing £2,000 extra, this increases the length and width of the car, improving cabin space and luggage capacity. Another benefit is the greater range from a larger fuel tank. Although there’s a 25 kg weight penalty, Caterham says the SV chassis particularly suitable for anyone over 6’2” (187 cm).