Autoblog

Caterham lineup set to expand under Team Lotus ownership

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:32:00 EST

Caterham Seven Team Lotus Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

It was only a few months ago that we reported on Caterham's plans to expand its lineup. But a lot has happened since then, particularly for an automaker whose core product range is anchored in a design that goes back nearly six decades.

Since the launch of the SP/300.R, Caterham was acquired by Tony Fernandes - the same Malaysian entrepreneur behind Team Lotus F1. The new ownership is intent to keep the same management in place, but the cash injection is expected to lead to a further broadening of the company's lineup.

Just what that will entail remains to be seen, but Autocar reports that whatever comes next down the pipeline will (arguably unlike some of Lotus' own new products) remain faithful to Colin Chapman's less-is-more philosophy.

The report also indicates a two-way door between Caterham and Team Lotus, the latter's F1 cars set to feature the former's branding while F1-derived technologies are set to trickle down to Caterham's products. A Caterham Seven with regenerative braking and adaptive aerodynamics? Too soon to say, but the sky's the proverbial limit.

Caterham lineup set to expand under Team Lotus ownership originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caterham announces race-based Supersport

Noah Joseph — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Lotus, MISC

Caterham Supersport - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's not everyday that we get excited about a car with 140 horsepower and 13-inch wheels. But then the Caterham Seven is no everyday car.

Lately, Caterham has been focusing outside the mold of the Seven with new models like the SP/300R and plans for further new products. But after a couple of years when the only new additions to the Seven range have been cosmetic specials like the Monaco and Lambretta editions, the British automaker has announced a new Supersport model.

Modestly powered but sprightly in weight, the Supersport roadster is based on the track model used in the eponymous spec racing series. Its 1.6-liter Ford four is tuned by Caterham to produce 140 horsepower - a far cry from the 500hp supercharged V8 in the Levante model - but with only 520 kg (1,146 pounds) to schlepp around, it'll do 0-60 in a tidy 4.9 seconds, and it probably feels even faster thanks to the classic low seating position that's practically on top of the rear wheels and open cockpit.

Short gearing, lightweight flywheel, limited-slip differential, race-spec springs and dampers, stiffer anti-roll bars, racing buckets with four-point harnesses and a dashboard with shift lights round out the package that's available as a DIY kit for £19,995 or factory-built for £22,995 in the UK - equivalent to $33k and $37k in U.S. dollars (including British taxes), respectively. Follow the jump for the full press release and check it out in our gallery below.

Gallery: Caterham Supersport

[Source: Caterham]

Continue reading Caterham announces race-based Supersport

Caterham announces race-based Supersport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Caterham to expand lineup even further

Noah Joseph — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, UK, MISC

Caterham SP/300R - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Caterham launched the new SP/300.R just last month, it was only the second time (following the short-lived 21 of 1994) the company had veered away from the Lotus 7 formula into new territory. But it won't be the last. Not according to the latest reports.

Britain's Autocar weekly cites Caterham chief Ansar Ali on plans to expand beyond the 7 and the SP/300.R with an additional range or even several new models. The inspiration apparently comes from companies like Porsche that have expanded beyond their traditional sportscar roots with great success.

There's no word on what form the next offering from Caterham could take, but Ali promises it won't be far off from the purist performance machines for which it is known. Nor will it be abandoning the 7, either: to the contrary, Ali insists that the Seven will always be at the heart of Caterham's range.

Gallery: Caterham SP/300R

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Caterham to expand lineup even further originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caterham 7 special outfitted by Lambretta

Noah Joseph — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Lotus, UK, Design/Style

Caterham Seven Lambretta Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

While twist-and-go aficionados will recognize the Lambretta name for its classic Italian scooters, fashionistas know it as a British clothier. Now the latter has teamed up with Caterham to jump into the realm of open-air transport as well.

The special edition Caterham Seven by Lambretta features a special Union Jack paint scheme, matched inside on the dashboard, carpets and leather seats. A classic Moto-Lita steering wheel and the requisite special Lambretta logos complete the package, motivated by a 125-horsepower 1.6-liter four sourced from Ford and mated to a five-speed gearbox.

The special edition is available to British customers for £26,995, or about $42k in equivalent American funds. Get all the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Caterham Seven Lambretta Special Edition

[Source: Caterham]

Continue reading Caterham 7 special outfitted by Lambretta

Caterham 7 special outfitted by Lambretta originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked: 2009 BMW 7 Series photos hit the web

Alex Nunez — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:22:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW

Click above image for a gallery of the new 7

There's a crack in the dam somewhere at BMW, and what certainly appear to be official press shots of the new 2009 7 Series are now making the rounds. This leads us to believe that we should see an official release from the automaker sometime over the weekend (if the way the 1 Series leaks played out is any indication). Obviously, all we have to go on are the photos, so lets talk about what we can see. The new car's lines and overall appearance are remarkably conservative compared to the Bangleized E65/E66 cars we were presented in 2001. The 2006 facelift those cars underwent cured many of those visual ills, and this latest car mainstreams things even further.

Up front, the wide double-kidney grille is flanked by angel-eye lamps that have an "eyebrow" built into their assembly. Move to the rear, and you'll find a pair of somewhat bulbous-looking (in pictures, at least) taillamps that are likely to generate a good amount of for/against chatter. Integrated, parallelogram-shaped exhaust tips poke through the rear bumper of the gold long-wheelbase car, while the darker, diesel-powered standard-length machine has a traditional double-tipped outlet on the driver's side.

The interior sports a new iDrive controller with buttons mounted around it now, and the iDrive onscreen interface itself is new, too. The multifunction steering wheel now has 3 spokes instead of four, and one shot clearly shows BMW's new in-car Internet service onscreen. Finally, the rear-seat entertainment system gets screens on each front seatback instead of the single, low-mount center screen available in the current 7. We're sure there's plenty more to talk about as well. For now, the comment floor is yours, and we expect to be talking about the official details in the coming days. Thanks to all the tipsters!

Gallery: 2009 BMW 7 Series

[Source: 7Post]

Leaked: 2009 BMW 7 Series photos hit the web originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Mazda's Taiki-inspired RX-7 revival

Dan Roth — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Japan, Mazda

"We've just introduced a special edition of the RX-8" was the response from a Mazda rep when asked when we might get a new RX-7. Not the answer to the question, but we understand that it's all hush-hush when it comes to whatever might be in store on the 2-door, rear wheel drive, not-an-MX-5 tip. A new RX-7 (FE?) will debut within the next three years according to Autocar, and it will be the first production car to carry the design themes presented in Mazda's latest series of concept cars (Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki). The RX-8 will be freed up to evolve into more of a GT if the 7 comes to be. Autocar has had its digital image wizards whip up what they think the car might look like. We hope not, as it looks like what might happen if a Corvette stopped short in front of a Testarossa. In other words, it looks like 1988.

Joining the new "flow"-ing exterior lines will be a thoroughly revised rotary engine. Bumped out to 3.2 liters, the new Wankel will have direct fuel injection and sport forced induction via turbocharging. Reshaped combustion chambers are said to improve thermal efficiency, burn more completely, produce more low end torque, and return better fuel economy (woo-hoo!). We're surprised they didn't switch it's fuel to Unicorn sneezes, as the rest of the improvements seem like a fairy tale outcome for the wimpy, thirsty Wankel we know and love.

[Source: Autocar]

Rendered Speculation: Mazda's Taiki-inspired RX-7 revival originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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King of the 'Ring: Pagani Zonda F sets new Norschleife lap record

Noah Joseph — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Supercars

You can make a car that accelerates. You can make a car that brakes. You can make one that handles. One that corners. One with a high top speed. But to make one that does it all is a different story entirely. That's why automakers go to the Nürburgring. Its northern loop is twenty-two kilometers of twists, turns, dips, straights, chicanes...even a carousel. And it's got a new champion.

The Pagani Zonda F recently lapped the track that claimed Lauda's ears in a scant 7:27:82, edging out the previous ruler, the Porsche Carrera GT (which it also rivals for carbon-fiber content in its construction). The Zonda's hot lap shaved a mere two milliseconds off the Carrera's time, but those are two milliseconds the German supercar evidently couldn't muster on its own home track. How embarrassing, ja?

The specific model that hit the high time was a Clubsport version, which itself will be trumped by the even more extreme Zonda R before designer Horacio Pagani goes back to the drawing board for the Zonda's successor.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Gallery: Pagani Zonda F at Geneva 07

King of the 'Ring: Pagani Zonda F sets new Norschleife lap record originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6

Dan Roth — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Buick, Mazda

Here's another example of liking the individual hardware pieces, but being repulsed by the idea of the ultimate combination. RX7s are cool. Grand Nationals are cool. But a vehicular mash-up of a 1993 RX-7 powered by a Buick GN's V6 seems a little weird. Weird to think that it even gets past regulatory agencies, as it's an older, totally alien engine in a newer car, which might make it interesting to register in a state with California emissions. The swap is well done, though, even if we'd question the handling a heavier and much more powerful engine in the snout brings with it. It's fast, but does it understeer like a pig and snap the tail out? The seller seems to have focused on posting low elapsed times in the quarter mile, so think about that when you conjure what the dynamics may be. Follow the jump for more.

[Source: eBay via Carscoop]

Gallery: GN powered RX-7

Continue reading eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6

eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy 30th, 7-Series!

Noah Joseph — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, BMW

It's been thirty years since BMW introduced the first incarnation of its flagship luxury sedan. The original 7-Series (codenamed E23) made its market debut in 1977 to replace the four-door version of the smaller 6-Series and to compete with offerings from competitors, chief among them Mercedes-Benz.

Since then, the 7-Series has become a staple of the high-end luxury car market, doing battle with such models as the Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and Lexus LS. It is now in its fourth incarnation (not counting facelifts and cosmetic tweaks along the way), and has come a long way in the past 30 years. With the "controversial" styling, insanely complex iDrive system and worldwide portfolio of a dozen different variants, it's doubtful a buyer of the original 7 would even recognize its successor today.

From all of us at Autoblog, we wish the ultimate Ultimate Driving Machine a happy birthday. We look forward to a return to the simpler luxury sports sedan that we'd come to know.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Happy 30th, 7-Series! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy 50th Birthday Caterham: X330 Concept

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Click image for gallery

None of us at Autoblog HQ are knocking on the half-century mark yet, but we can only hope that we're saluted in the same way that Caterham decided to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The X330 Concept is exactly that, but it foretells the destiny of future Caterhams. A 2.3-liter, turbocharged Ford Duratec produces the concept's namesake, sending 330 HP and 221 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. Carbon fiber makes up the majority of the body panels, while a lighter steel frame holds it all together. The resulting thrust makes the lack of windscreen a disturbing proposition.

Although the X330 isn't slated for production, those of you who were in attendance at the Donington Park event this past weekend, celebrating the 7's golden anniversary, were in for a show.

[Source: Caterham]

Gallery: Caterham X330 Concept

Continue reading Happy 50th Birthday Caterham: X330 Concept

Happy 50th Birthday Caterham: X330 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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