Don't tease: Caterham Superlight R500
Caterham has released a teaser to follow in the over-powered, stripped-down footsteps of its predecessor, the R400. The Superlight R500 is rumored to be powered by a 2.0- or 2.3-liter Ford four-pot, hits 60 in under 3.4 seconds and tops out at around 150 mph. With a curb weight less than 500 kg (1,100 pounds) and body panels, dashboard and seats made up of carbon fiber, the R500 is expected to crest the 500 hp/per ton mark with ease. Sales will begin later this year with pricing expected to be around £40k.
[Source: Caterham via Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
FEW 2:47PM (4/09/2008)
I don't get it.
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Stuka 2:56PM (4/09/2008)
What don't you get?
Its a really light car with great performance.
John P. 3:06PM (4/09/2008)
and no doubt a blast to drive! what's not to love there?
FEW 3:19PM (4/09/2008)
Followed the link. Was a stupid question: i get one of those.
2004m3driver 3:18PM (4/09/2008)
what not to love is:
highly impractical
40pound price tag which = around 80k usd
the new v8 Ariel Atom looks way better
Lee Gibson 8:09PM (4/09/2008)
Impractical? Are you high? Dude, it's a LOTUS SEVEN. There is nothing remotely practical about it. It's arguably one of the best, most successful sports car designs in history.
Complaining that a Seven is impractical is like complaining that a 747 is hard to park. You're totally missing the point. This whole "practicality" jones is what gets sports cars rated by how many golf bags fit in the trunk. WHO CARES about golf bags? I wanna DRIVE!
(And, for the record, my Seven will be based on Miata running gear. It will be mine. Oh yes!)
Piecemakr 1:52AM (4/10/2008)
If it is sold in the US it will most likely cost less than $80K because of purchasing power parity. More like $60K give or take. Still not very cheap considering your getting whats little more than a chassis and an engine. That said Caterham USA claims on their website that the current Caterham CSR does 0-60 in 3.1 with a top speed of 155 mph for only $44K....
rodan32 4:49PM (4/09/2008)
I've got nothing but good shivers for this thing. Sign me up.
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Dan 4:01PM (4/09/2008)
I've got $5 says it looks like a Lotus 7 Series II
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Corey Smith 4:46PM (4/09/2008)
I don't think many people will take you up on that bet; Caterham purchased the rights to the Lotus 7...
Tarakonaz 5:23PM (4/09/2008)
There's no way that foolish americans could understand what a great car that is, because american cars are awful.
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kiff 6:51PM (4/09/2008)
Tarakonaz: I'll admit American car companies don't make the lightest, most nimble cars. But we do understand "what a great car that is." There really isn't a cause and effect relationship there, either. That's like saying Belgians make beer and thus can't appreciate a good French Bordeaux.
Keep your sh*t comments off this American blog, please.
Tarakonaz 7:03AM (4/10/2008)
So you are saying that it's much better to drive feeling like swimming in the sea with a boat? Because that's what it feels like driving an AMERICAN car.
Garibaldi 7:23PM (4/09/2008)
I get it; but I don't care.
This is a car that will be used about 15 minutes a week.
99% of the people who try to drive it will be scared sh**less. The suspension will feel worse than getting ridden out of town on a rail.
In closing, trying to put that power to the ground even with gumball tires will be impossible. This thing is an adolescent w*tdream.
Garibaldi
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