Filed under: Convertibles
Caterham R500 Superlight, warps time and face
Click above for a gallery of the Caterham R500.
Caterham teased us yesterday, and today we get our first glimpse of its new minimalist masterpiece. While the paltry pics don't do it justice, we've got confirmation that the R500 will be packing a 263-hp, 2.0-liter Duratec four that can spin upwards of 8,500 rpm. Power is shoveled down to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed sequential 'box and launch control is part of the £37,000 package. While we don't think the clear plastic hood will make it to production and there's no word on weight, there's little doubt that the R500 will get you to 60 in under three seconds and do things to your hair only a jet turbine-powered blow drier could.
Gallery: Caterham R500 - First pics
[Source: CarTribe via Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Michael 6:21PM (4/10/2008)
Do want.
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Jon Barrett 6:22PM (4/10/2008)
"While we don't think the clear plastic hood will make it to production"
Sorry guys, that isn't a clear plastic hood. That is a Photoshop effect essentially layering pictures of the car with and without the hood and then making the layer with the hood opaque so it would appear to be see-through or "clear plastic".
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zmf001 7:16PM (4/10/2008)
I assume they knew this, and mentioned it with a bit of sarcasm.
Clear plastic doesn't fit the definition of this car in any manner. Cool photoshop effect though.
nardi 6:45PM (4/10/2008)
This thing needs a turbo'd GSXR1300 motor in it (yes it has been done to the previouse version) cut even more weight, 13000rpm, 250+ hp and all that noise!!!
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Lupo 8:37PM (4/10/2008)
thats wicked!(R500) ^ thats annoying!(ad)--->
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Bungle 10:31PM (4/10/2008)
0-60 in under 3 seconds... wow.
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mikew 11:15PM (4/10/2008)
And doing all the above with, I am guessing, better than average gas mileage. I wish they could find a lightweight way to enclose the cockpit for better aerodynamics. All the performance and decent mileage, I think we are looking at the future of the sports car.
Now where do I put my golf bags?
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Naveed 3:36AM (4/11/2008)
passenger seat fastened in with a seatbelt
Olivier 8:46AM (4/11/2008)
I'm a little dissppointed Damon that you don't understand what "R500" stands for with Caterham. R500 mens 500bhp per metric ton. So 263bhp here implies tht this things weighs 526kg.
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PJ 9:41AM (4/11/2008)
Utter insanity.
Still want one.
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Das Boese 1:02PM (4/11/2008)
Mmm, sexy.
If I had the choice between this and the Atom, I'd definitely take the Seven. The Atom can probably still beat it around the track, but I just like the Seven's simplistic, brutal beauty.
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gbgt2 2:49PM (4/11/2008)
It weighs 506kg so 520bhp-per-tonne, 0-60mph in 2.88 seconds
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Thom 4:58PM (4/11/2008)
Can you say Lotus Super 7
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