Help design Caterham's next sportscar with Project Splitwheel
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Caterham R500
Caterham is making a new sportscar. But we can't tell you what it is, because you haven't designed it yet.
The British sportscar company has made its name by producing the Super 7 of Lotus fame long after Lotus had moved on. They've made a whole basketful of versions since, but it all boils down to that bare-bones, long-nose, cabin-over-rear-axle design. The format has legions of faithful fans around the world, but Caterham is preparing to move on with a second range to accompany the 7, and is opening up the design process to user submissions. The project is being undertaken in conjunction with Project Splitwheel, an open-source collaborative project that seeks to combine the efforts of gearheads around the world into one resource. Interesting idea, and Caterham is committed to producing at least a working prototype of the final design. The project kicks off in January, with the first prototype scheduled to debut sometime in 2010. Follow the jump to watch a brief explanatory video, or the link to Splitwheel's website for more info.
Gallery: Caterham R500
[Source: Project Splitwheel via Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pat 1:44PM (11/05/2008)
The 7 is such a simple and great design - that is why it has lasted so long. I hope the new design will be able to do this. My vote is for an MR design.
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means98 3:23PM (11/05/2008)
its a good idea to take consumers wants into play...
that said, the car is gonna end up costing a fortune because everyone will vote more power, lighter weight, max engineering on everything, etc...
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HotRodzNKustoms 3:43PM (11/05/2008)
I don't know... design by committee is what created the Aztec... and big government...
I see a left wheel drive lifted sports car with a V-7 engine on the roof in our future
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Affalterbach 4:06PM (11/05/2008)
Im thinking about a remake of the Integra Type-R. Make it light (so it'll have to be FWD), spartan, and thrilling to drive.
Also on my mind is an AE86 type car....but maybe Toyota will make something like that.
Lastly, something like the Mk IV Supra....a platform that offers limitless possibilities for tuning/modification.
Boy, can I dream on....
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Pseudopsycho 11:24AM (11/07/2008)
"...Make it light (so it'll have to be FWD)..."
Why does lighweight mean FWD? Caterham have made many ultra lightweight front engined, rear wheel drive cars... or the ariel atom or westfields etc. Or if we're going for more consumer/daily driver you could look at the MX5 (miata to the US) or S2000.
FWD doesn't imply light weight, nor does light weight require FWD. FWD does imply hindered handling, restricted and highly technical tuning, and terrible weight distribution.
eb110americana 12:08AM (11/06/2008)
Cater-ham?
Mmmmm. Catered ham...
Definitely not kosher.
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rob 12:12PM (11/06/2008)
series electrical design.
torque on demand, insane revs. put the motor in the driveshaft tunnel to a 2 or 3 speed transaxle out back to keep motor output at efficient motor range. use a capacitor bank for high output dump at line or out of corner for a 2 sec "boost". recharge capacitor bank on decelleration.
under the bonnet make a drop-in rack for a veggie/greaser/deisel generator that stop/starts at peak fuel effiencey or for high output. you could slide it in as a single unit or replace with some other form of modular power (batteries slide in, fuel cell slides in, ect.) depending on need or budget.
Electric motor on the tunnel could easily heat the car too...
could be done with most off the shelf stuff just need one hell of a controller.
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