Autoblog

With only eight examples of the Caterham RS V8 Levante being produced, it's no surprise that well-to-do track-tards have snatched up all of them after it went on sale this spring.

The 500-hp Caterham is packing a supercharged 2.4-liter V8 driving the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox, and with a body comprised almost entirely of carbon fiber, Kevlar and aluminum, the 1,150-pound ode to maximizing minimalist motoring is able to hit 60 in under three seconds. That kind of firepower isn't cheap, with each example fetching £115,000, and thankfully, Caterham is requiring all the RS Levante's owners to enlist in a two-day advanced driving school when they take delivery.

Check out all the details about the Caterham RS V8 Levante here and make the jump to read the automaker's press release, along with a video of the Levante in action.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Caterham RST-V8 Levante.

Caterhams have always been the model for minimalist motoring and it's rare that owners have been wanting for more motivation, but RS Performance has answered the call of a few owners that want insane power to match the Caterham's spartan looks.

Packing a supercharged 2.4-liter, V8 driving the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox, RS Performance is giving well-heeled drivers 550 hp (at 10,000 rpm!) to simultaneously dry their hair and wet their pants. With a curb weight of almost 1,150 pounds, that means a power to weight ratio of around 1000 hp per ton and a 0-60 time of under three seconds.

Getting that grunt to the ground is difficult, at best. With the majority of the body panels being replaced with carbon fiber bits, along with an F1-style front splitter, steering wheel and Kevlar seats, the lack of mass is something drivers will have to overcome. Thankfully, the chassis, sticky rubber and traction/launch control should keep things in check.

If the £115,000 cost of entry for the supercharged version is a bit more than your wallet can bear, a naturally aspirated variant is available as well producing a "paltry" 380 hp. Included in the cost of the RST-V8 is a two-day driver training course when you take delivery. Good call Caterham.

The full press release with all the technical details is posted after the jump.