Caparo building two new cars beyond the T1
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Caparo T1.
The British engineering team at Caparo has quickly made a name for itself by diversifying its production and design expertise with the absolutely insane T1 supercar, while simultaneously landing the contract to supply body structures for the equally revolutionary, if far less expensive, Tata Nano. Caparo is looking to expand its line of products to include two new models that also span the spectrum from high-strung super coupe to a compact, lightweight city car.
Currently, Caparo has sold 20 T1s and has taken in around £4 million, which will aid in the development of both vehicles. The new high-performance model will be a more useable version of the T1, but Caparo's chief exec, Angad Paul, remained mum on the details. The other model will make use of innovative materials and packaging, and is likely aimed at smart's fortwo and other small, urban runabouts. The major push by Caparo is to make composite body panels less expensive in an effort to reduce weight and increase efficiency. "The carbon fiber route is not just for expensive cars," Paul maintains, "We are thinking of the Fiat Punto class."
Gallery: Caparo T1
[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jeff 3:17PM (3/27/2008)
I have been rewatching Top Gear season 10, and they review the T1 in one of the episodes. While watching that episode, I kept thinking "if only these guys would put their efforts towards developing something slightly less insane!"
A lightweight city car is a little too sane for my tastes, but a Caparo super coupe could be super cool. Glad to hear they're working on it!
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416Hammy 4:46PM (3/27/2008)
I'm thinking they will apply similar insanity to the city car concept.
I'd love to see a small, light, composite-bodied, high-revving city car with good fuel efficiency, great handling, and a sub 5-sec 0-60 capability!
madgamer 4:14PM (3/27/2008)
Now you too can have a car whose floor falls out, brakes lock at random, catches fire, and requires a team of mechanics just to run for 15 minutes. I look forward to a Caparo sedan so my whole family can get crispy fried and travel Flinstones style with parts flying off. In all seriousness, they do make super cool stuff though, so it should be neat looking whatever they make.
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XGM 5:54PM (3/27/2008)
Isn't that what the Jaguars back in the day did ?
David(Postal) 5:22PM (3/27/2008)
I would love to drive one of these if I didn't value my life so much
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Derek 6:15PM (3/27/2008)
Even after watching Top Gear, I'd still buy a T1 but for the price. Here's to hoping that they will produce something in a remotely affordable price range!
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