RE: Caterham Seven Sprint announced
Discussion
ukaskew said:
This is normally said in a very negative tone, why is that? They are a business, the model is clearly working if they've sold more than 10% of their entire yearly output in 7 days.
To put it another way, why wouldn't they do it?
Well for me, as a former owner, I would love them to push some real innovation through. There has to a limit to how many paint schemes they can sell, or not I suppose? No doubt they are lovely things, deliver an exceptional experience etc but, and perhaps I am missing the point, why can't the model develop? I'll repeat what I said about the CSR, it should never have been allowed to die in the way it did. I had the chance to look at the IRS car that one of the Caterham blokes built, it seemed obvious. Visiting Caterham South and seeing the still born aero car just annoyed me. It could all go a bit 'TVR' if they aren't careful.To put it another way, why wouldn't they do it?
yonex said:
Well for me, as a former owner, I would love them to push some real innovation through. There has to a limit to how many paint schemes they can sell, or not I suppose? No doubt they are lovely things, deliver an exceptional experience etc but, and perhaps I am missing the point, why can't the model develop? I'll repeat what I said about the CSR, it should never have been allowed to die in the way it did. I had the chance to look at the IRS car that one of the Caterham blokes built, it seemed obvious. Visiting Caterham South and seeing the still born aero car just annoyed me. It could all go a bit 'TVR' if they aren't careful.
I'd say they were are at much less risk of 'going a bit TVR' chiefly because of their conservatism.HustleRussell said:
I'd say they were are at much less risk of 'going a bit TVR' chiefly because of their conservatism.
I was about to say exactly that. Assuming they are moving along quite nicely the occasional boost of 60 models or so sold in quick time seems like a nice way of existing. Not every business needs to grow constantly to survive. It would appear as though cars are back-ordered for at least 9 months in some cases.
It's great for Caterham of course but reading the specs, only 79 bhp and turbocharged to achieve this and a 3 cylinder engine as well, not to mention the price.
The retro colour scheme looks good and some nice detail touches but aside from that I can't see the appeal.
Handbrake is in the wrong place too. Under the passenger side dash as featured on earlier cars was a much better idea and keeps the centre tunnel uncluttered to make a nice armrest.
The retro colour scheme looks good and some nice detail touches but aside from that I can't see the appeal.
Handbrake is in the wrong place too. Under the passenger side dash as featured on earlier cars was a much better idea and keeps the centre tunnel uncluttered to make a nice armrest.
yonex said:
Well for me, as a former owner, I would love them to push some real innovation through. There has to a limit to how many paint schemes they can sell, or not I suppose? No doubt they are lovely things, deliver an exceptional experience etc but, and perhaps I am missing the point, why can't the model develop? I'll repeat what I said about the CSR, it should never have been allowed to die in the way it did. I had the chance to look at the IRS car that one of the Caterham blokes built, it seemed obvious. Visiting Caterham South and seeing the still born aero car just annoyed me. It could all go a bit 'TVR' if they aren't careful.
Trouble with that was, it was pig ugly and everybody knew it. If you want an "aero 7", you'll be after a 2-11 or a Fisher Fury or similar, which actually looks good. Every "modern" take on a closed-wheel roadster I've seen ends up being ugly, classic lines just suit them much better.ash73 said:
Renault Sport Spider is the best modern interpretation I've seen.
The Renault was swept away the day Lotus launched its cheaper, and better, Elise. Nonetheless I've always had a soft spot for the Renault - so long as it's one with a proper windscreen. I just couldn't see £28k for one of these Caterhams but it's great that they're finding some customers.
Saw one in the flesh today at Goodwood breakfast club. It really is a lovely thing but one thing really let it down in my eyes. The fibre glass front wings aren't gel coated on the inside and it's rough matting painted body colour. Sounds trivial but from a profile view you can see a hell of a lot of it.
Looked at this at the Revival and can't see the justification for the additional money over and above the 160 on which it's based, other than the exclusivity.
Although according to Lowflying (L7 owners club magazine), Caterham have "relented" and instead of building 60 in total will build 60 for the UK and Europe and another 60 for Japan. As these can be expected to be repatriated in a few years time (as with the MG RV8s), I can see a lot of people being pretty pissed off that their limited edition is not quite as limited as there were first told.
Although according to Lowflying (L7 owners club magazine), Caterham have "relented" and instead of building 60 in total will build 60 for the UK and Europe and another 60 for Japan. As these can be expected to be repatriated in a few years time (as with the MG RV8s), I can see a lot of people being pretty pissed off that their limited edition is not quite as limited as there were first told.
Ozzie Osmond said:
If that's true you can bet your life the next very similar "special edition" will be along in about 10 minutes time...
Like this you mean 
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
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