Autoblog

Bowler EXR S vs Caterham Seven Supersport in spectacularly bizarre track battle

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 EST

The Bowler EXR S is a purpose-built SUV based on Land Rover bones with a 550-horsepower supercharged V8 designed to tackle off-road rallying events like the Paris-Dakar. The Caterham Seven Supersport is a feather-light track day weapon, purposely created to out-hustle just about anything on a winding race circuit. If asked to pick one of the as the fastest around a handling circuit in the UK, the smart money is clearly on the racing Caterham. Right?

Maybe, maybe not, as it turns out.

In what can only be the product of some right-place, right-time car loans, British publication Autocar has put together a wild on-track comparison between the Seven and the EXR S, with a pretty interesting outcome. We won't spoil it for you - go ahead and click it on below to watch the head-to-head for yourself.

Continue reading Bowler EXR S vs Caterham Seven Supersport in spectacularly bizarre track battle

Bowler EXR S vs Caterham Seven Supersport in spectacularly bizarre track battle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caterham Supersport R gets 40-hp boost from 2.0L Duratec

Chris Tutor — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Performance, UK, Racing

How do you make a Caterham Seven Supersport better? If you said more power, Caterham agrees, as it now offers the Seven Supersport R with more and just a bit more weight.

In place of the standard Supersport's 1.6-liter, 140-horsepower Ford engine, the R gets a 2.0-liter Duratec (also from the Blue Oval) with 180 horses. Torque goes from 120 pound-feet at 5,790 rpm on the SS to 143 at 6,100 on the R. In a car that weighs less than 1,200 pounds, 40 horses should be enough to make a real difference. According to Caterham, it's enough to shave its 0-60 time to 4.8 seconds, but that's only a tenth of a second quicker. Top speed is up 10 mph to 130 from the Supersport, however, and we have to wonder if it's mid-range passing power that sees the most improvement.

In the UK, a fully built Seven Supersport R works out to about $45,000 USD including taxes, or the buyer can choose to do some of the assembly and save about $5,000.

A five-speed manual is standard, but customers can opt to upgrade to six gears as well as a long list of other, mostly cosmetic, options. Check out the UK-spec press release below for all the particulars.

Continue reading Caterham Supersport R gets 40-hp boost from 2.0L Duratec

Caterham Supersport R gets 40-hp boost from 2.0L Duratec originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Team Lotus buys Caterham, celebrates with special Seven [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Lotus, Earnings/Financials, UK, Specialty

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

We've been waiting a while for official confirmation, and it's finally here: Team Lotus has acquired British sportscar manufacturer Caterham. Both outfits lay claim to Lotus founder Colin Chapman's legacy without any actual support from Lotus Cars itself (with which it is currently embroiled in a naming rights legal dispute) and are now joined under the common ownership of Air Asia chairman Tony Fernandes.

The Malaysian businessman and his partners bought out Caterham's previous owner, Corven Ventures, but have elected to keep Caterham's current managing director Ansar Ali at the helm. The new cash injection ought to help Caterham springboard off the SP/300R to further expand its lineup, while cementing the iconic Seven as a veritable staple of sportscar design.

To celebrate the tie-in, Caterham is preparing to launch a special run of Team Lotus Sevens, of which only 50 examples will be made - 25 for the UK and 25 for overseas. The special package can be added to any variant in the Seven range, bearing the same classic green-and-yellow livery as the team's Formula One racers and a special plaque in the cabin, along with a commemorative book and an invitation to tour the team's factory in England.

Click on to view the special edition in our high-res image gallery below, and follow the jump for a video announcement and press releases on both the acquisition and the special edition.

Gallery: Caterham Seven Team Lotus Special Edition

[Source: Team Lotus]

Continue reading Team Lotus buys Caterham, celebrates with special Seven [w/video]

Team Lotus buys Caterham, celebrates with special Seven [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Team Lotus to acquire Caterham

Noah Joseph — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus, UK, Rumormill

Colin Chapman's legacy is a great one, without a doubt. But Lotus - the automaker and engineering firm he founded - isn't the only one wielding it these days. So, too, do a number of manufacturers that build "continuation" versions of the famed Lotus 7, chief among them Caterham. And so does Team Lotus.

The latter Formula One racing outfit, as you may recall, originally licensed the name from Lotus' Malaysian parent company Proton. It then bought the team name from an outside party laying claim. All of this prompted a legal battle between the racing team and the automaker which is still ongoing, a situation that was further complicated when Lotus itself got into the sport by buying into the Renault F1 team.

Now it appears that the Malaysian-owned racing team could be seeking to outflank Lotus itself by buying-out Caterham, the leading manufacturer of contemporary Sevens, as well as new models like the SP/300R. A press conference is reportedly scheduled for next week, so we'll find out soon enough if the reports prove accurate. But for now, they certainly sound intriguing.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Caterham]

Team Lotus to acquire Caterham originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:31:00 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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Sondergard Automotive looking for startup capital for lighweight, low C02 roadster... on eBay?

Zach Bowman — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Earnings/Financials, Design/Style, Diesel

Sondergard Automotive Prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's hard to get a car company off of the ground these days - just look at Tesla. Despite strong financial backing from the federal government, partnerships with companies like Mercedes-Benz and Toyota and a strong IPO, many are still gun shy of Tesla stock. It's notoriously difficult to come up with the kind of capital necessary to move a vehicle from a computer rendering to a full-blown production prototype, which may be why it appears that Sondergard Automotive has taken to courting investors via the miracle of eBay Motors. The company is primarily concerned with building a low-weight, low-emission sports car that's as fun to drive as it is eco friendly.

According to the eBay ad, the company has already come up with one prototype that weighs just 1,300 lbs but packs more than 330 horsepower from an efficient diesel engine. How efficient? The company claims fuel economy well above the 80 mpg mark. Color us skeptical. If you're more of the optimistic persuasion, Sondergard is looking for an investor willing to drop $7 million to fund the Lotus Seven/Donkervoort-like project, though it will also consider a number of smaller backers with the need to pony up $500,000 each. For more information, check out the company's eBay auction listing.

Gallery: Sondergard Automotive Prototype

[Source: eBay Motors]

Sondergard Automotive looking for startup capital for lighweight, low C02 roadster... on eBay? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:29:00 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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Donkervoort tweaks the D8 GT for 24-hour race debut in Dubai

Noah Joseph — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Audi, Specialty, Middle East, MISC, Racing

2010 Donkervoort D8 GT(4) endurance racer - Click above for high-res image gallery

While fanatics around the world debate the supremacy of one sportscar over another based on numbers alone, here at Autoblog we postulate that such exotic machinery is only as good as its capacity to transport you to another place, if not in body then in your mind. So bear with us and imagine the following scenario: You're based in Holland. You've created what could be the ultimate neo-Lotus 7, and with it you've already placed in a major racing series. So where do you go next? Why, to Dubai, of course!

We're talking about the Donkervoort D8 GT, undoubtedly one of the most futuristically phallic retro road rockets on the street or track today. We got our first glimpse three years ago, and took a closer look in Geneva back in 2007, before production began last year. The 1400-pound cab-rearward track tool packs an Audi-sourced 1.8-liter turbo four driving 270 horsepower to the rear wheels. That's enough power to sixty in less than four seconds.

With the D8 GT, the Dutch manufacturer has already taken second place in the FIA GT4 European Cup, and it is now heading to its first 24-hour race at the Dubai Autodrome on the shores of the Persian Gulf. To prepare for the event, Donkervoort has tweaked the fuel system, the brakes, the aerodynamics, the carbon-fiber sandwich panels and aluminum chassis to create the D8 GT(4). The results ought to be interesting as the 24 Hours of Dubai kicks off in mid-January, but you can check it out now in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Donkervoort D8 GT endurance racer

[Source: Donkervoort]

Continue reading Donkervoort tweaks the D8 GT for 24-hour race debut in Dubai

Donkervoort tweaks the D8 GT for 24-hour race debut in Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: Caterham CSR 175 makes unexpected world debut

Chris Paukert — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Specialty

Caterham CSR 175 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It would be tempting to call this year's Tokyo Motor Show an entirely domestic affair, but that's not entirely accurate, as a few smaller specialty automakers like Lotus and Alpina took advantage of a surplus of available square footage by nailing down prime floor space for themselves. As a belated addition to the festivities, Caterham, England's merry band of Colin Chapman acolytes marked the occasion with the world debut of its CSR 175.

The new model slots in as a new bottom rung to the CSR franchise, which is paradoxically the marque's premium range. The 175 joins the range's existing trio of variants, the 200 bhp CSR200, the 260bhp CSR260 and the full-house 260 bhp CSR Superlight. If you're paying attention, you can therefore deduce that the new addition possesses 175 bhp. That may not sound like a lot of power, but in a car that weighs as much as an anorexic gnat, we reckon the Ford-sourced 2.3-liter Duratec four-pot will still be plenty entertaining.

Either way, traditional minimalist roadsters like the Se7en have never been about terminal velocity, they've always been predicated on leech-like cornering and giant-kiling acceleration. And given that the 175 shares the CSR family's stiffer spaceframe chassis, updated suspension and refined aerodynamics, Caterham's latest should continue corner like a cat on carpet. And given the vast empty expanses of the stuff here at the show, we'd be tickled if someone handed us the keys for a bit of after-hours fun...

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Caterham CSR 175

Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Caterham CSR 175 makes unexpected world debut

Tokyo 2009: Caterham CSR 175 makes unexpected world debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McGoohan in Memoriam: The Prisoner opening sequence

Alex Nunez — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 09:25:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos, Lotus, Celebrities

As you may or may not be aware, this week saw the passing of not one, but two greats from the world of entertainment. Patrick McGoohan died at the age of 80 in Santa Monica last Tuesday. He is of course best known for his work on The Prisoner, which he co-created, starred in, and executive-produced. (McGoohan would also end up writing and/or directing several episodes.) He famously turned down the roles of James Bond and Simon Templar (The Saint), and his career went on to include memorable turns in films such as Escape From Alcatraz, Ice Station Zebra and Braveheart. He'd also go on to win a pair of Emmys for guest-starring on Columbo; the first a 1974 episode, and the second a 1990 telemovie. Still, his signature role was and remains The Prisoner's Number Six, and so we present that show's opening sequence above. After all, McGoohan piloting a Lotus Seven through London is certainly appropriate to this venue, don't you think? Rest in Peace, Patrick.

McGoohan in Memoriam: The Prisoner opening sequence originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caterham to mark the Seven's 50th anniversary with switch to Ford power

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 16 May 2006 15:47:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, I.C.E., Plants/Manufacturing

British specialist automaker Caterham, stewards of the legendary Lotus Seven ultra-minimalist sports car, have announced a wholesale switch to Ford powerplants from the Rover K-Series engines that have been the mainstay of the marque for the last 15 years.

With MG Rover's closing, the clock was ticking to find a new power source before the current K-Series supply ran out, and What Car? reports that Caterham looked at 18 manufacturers before settling on Ford's 1.6-liter engine as it's K-Series replacement.

The company's top-line models, the CSR and the newest edition of the R400 (pictured), are already offered with Ford-Cosworth 2.3-liter and 2.0-liter powerplants, respectively, the latter propelling the superlight R400 from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds.

[Source: What Car?]

Caterham to mark the Seven's 50th anniversary with switch to Ford power originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forbidden Fruit: Brooke Cars Double R

Chris Paukert — Mon, 15 May 2006 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Supercars

You're looking at the Brooke Cars Double R, the latest purist roadster to hail from the UK. Powered by either a 2.0-liter or 2.3-liter Ford Duratec mill fettled by the high-performance blokes at Cosworth, the customer's engine of choice is mounted amidships in a steel tube frame that's clothed in composite bodywork.

According to Auto Express, properly equipped, the cycle-fendered sportscar will tag 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, but its likely happiest in the twisties, with a wide footprint, four wheel independent suspension, 15" OZ wheels help get the Blue Oval powerplant's gumption to the tarmac. Regardless, with three available states of tune (200 hp, 260 hp and 300 hp),

Unusual options befitting the weekend racing nature of the Double R include different sized steering wheels and windscreens, Quafe limited-slip differential, trackday exhaust silencer, lap timer/data logger, and a roll cage.

No word on any availability for minimalist-loving Yankees, but we can only hope.

[Sources: Brook Cars; Auto Express]

Forbidden Fruit: Brooke Cars Double R originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 May 2006 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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