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altezza
04-07-2004, 10:14 PM
Caterham unleash Superlight R500 evolution

Honed on the race circuits of Europe, and with nearly half a century of heritage, the explosive new Caterham Seven Superlight R500 evolution has arrived.

Weighing just 470 kg, the lightweight Seven packs a 530bhp per tonne punch from the specially bored 1998cc K Series engine. Impressive figures but the real clout comes from the 190lb ft of torque that kicks in at less than 4,000 revs, serving up the 125bhp per litre quicker and with more gusto than anything else on the road.

Engineered, designed and hand built in Britain, the new R500 evolution will sit at the top of the hugely successful Superlight family – joining the world record breaking R500, the R400 and fastest ever selling Seven, the R300.

The minimalist cabin is dressed with lightweight carbon-fibre trim, carbon-kevlar race seats and the classic Superlight Stack speedometer. New lightweight 13-inch eight-spoke wheels shod with Avon CR500 tyres help convert the raw power into road performance, whilst the AP Racing brakes have been fine-tuned at endurance events at Nurburgring and in the USA.

Fully adjustable dampers allow those buying the R500 evolution for track day hedonism to travel en route to the circuit with a set-up more tuned to the road conditions, only to alter and lower for the rigours of high-speed tarmac action.

"Designed for the experienced driver, the Superlight R500 evolution perfectly sums up the spirit of the Seven and in doing so, sets a new standard in terms of performance, agility and enjoyment," explained Simon Nearn, managing director of Caterham Cars.

On sale from end of April, the Superlight R500 evolution is priced at £42,000 on the road.

Further details from Caterham Cars on www.caterham.co.uk

Technical Specification
Engine
4 cylinder 1998cc MG Rover K Series, prepared by Minister Racing Engines
Power 250bhp at 8000rpm
Torque 190lb ft at 4000rpm
Power to Weight 530bhp per tonne
Top Speed 150mph
0-60mph 3.2secs
Length 3100mm
Width 1575mm
Height 800mm
Wheelbase 2225mm
Weight 470kg

http://www.zippyimages.com/files/7078/070404cat-.jpg

jorge
04-07-2004, 10:27 PM
i read somewhere (i think autocar) about the R600, altough the R500 must be more than enough for everyone i think

dutchmasterflex
04-07-2004, 11:31 PM
Power to Weight 530bhp per tonne

sounds like a damn nice track car for me :) :)

Chingachgook
04-08-2004, 03:58 AM
Incredible track car!impressive!

But for me even a R300 is enough, this must be crazy

astonmartinandy
04-10-2004, 11:18 AM
That car would be absolutely manic to drive! Haha well done Caterham for making such a stupidly wonderful go-kart!

jon_s
04-10-2004, 11:26 AM
Nice price tag for a go-kart!

BADMIHAI
04-10-2004, 12:54 PM
Holy expensive! But it must be blisteringly fast! 3.2 s. 0-60! That's Macca territory.

yg60m
04-11-2004, 01:20 AM
This is a monster ! I think the R600 seen in Autocar was this one. It had the same caracteristics.

SFDMALEX
04-11-2004, 01:10 PM
OMG! I want to cry. I want one of these so badly you cant even imagine.

TeflonTron
04-13-2004, 04:29 PM
Okay, this does 0-60 in 3.2 and a Diablo 6.0 cracks the 60 in 3.9. At what point does the Diablo 6.0 overtake this car? After about 120mph is my guess.

Tomerville
04-13-2004, 04:50 PM
I remember, that is like the quickest track car you can buy according to CAR magazine two years ago. It doesn't have much top end though does it?

nthfinity
04-13-2004, 11:10 PM
id say i wouldnt want to have it..... very VERY few 4 bangers do it for me
the wrx models, and crotch rockets... mabey a drive in an Evo VIII too... and at one time, the 2.0 saab turbo motor.

engine noise is a big must, and the evo, and saab dont have a spectacular sound... superbikes do, and the wrx has the flat plane crank warble not so dissimilar to ferrari, just baby ferraris lol