Caterham: the future
Seven still 'core' but new road car is crucial to brand's survival and it might be built outside the UK, says Caterham's new boss
The recent departure of Ansar Ali lacked the scandal of Dany Bahar's exit from Lotus and while Caterham isn't facing dramas quite as significant as those in Hethel Macdonald clearly has some battles ahead of him, not least how to move Caterham on from dependence on the Seven and its endless derivatives.
The closest to a new model in recent memory
Earlier in the year Ali revealed to us that the new road car would be in the £40-£50K bracket, sub-1,000kg, driver focused, front-engined, rear-driven and based around a monocoque tub of some description. He also declared his preference for a normally aspirated engine, without ruling out the possibility of supercharging, a la SP/300.R.
And it would seem Macdonald has picked up this baton and, broadly, this continues to be the basic blueprint that he will carry through to fruition. But will it be built in the UK? Possibly not says Macdonald, with an accountant's eye to profitability and exchange rates, though Caterham's British identity will be maintained wherever it's constructed he insists.
He's still open-minded about what'll be under the bonnet and apparently six-cylinder engines have been considered. But it'll more likely stick to four, with the necessary extra performance delivered by supercharging.
The ghost of the 21 does still linger though, this being the last time Caterham tried its hand at a road car and, by any measure, a spectacular failure.
Track only SP/300.R could bridge gap to F1
Seven variants will continue to come but, clearly, the new road car carries a heavy responsibility. And, as the Exige S proves, great product alone isn't always enough to translate critical praise into sales success. Interesting times and tomorrow Macdonald will assert his position with a year zero strategy meeting with Caterham's senior managers in an attempt to nail down what the brand stands for and how it will progress under his leadership.
Such a shame when UK businesses don't recognise their business asset is their employees
If it's really necessary to build a new road car for their future (and I don't agree that that is a given), it's so full of risk. Fun to try and get it right, but if it's critical for the survival of company, then a huge challenge!
And all in the hands of an accountant??
Bert
Such a shame when UK businesses don't recognise their business asset is their employees
And yet, they're still here. With shareholder's investments comes the requirement for expansion. However, I don't think Caterham should expand in that respect - I think they should maximise themselves for the market they serve but no more.
The seven isn't exactly a unique product in the UK market; distance it in anyway from the loyal customer base and one of their competitors (or previous suppliers) will step right in.
But that's also an argument for satellite operations in distant markets. When it happens wealthy Chinese club racers and enthusiasts will expect a very high standard of backup and service.
Use them wisely.
20k for the base model
at £40-50k range your competing with a large range of competent machinery. Sorry to say but if i was to spunk £40k on a car (even a track toy) it would have to be a Porsche 911.
Yes i know its heavier and BHP/ton blah, blah blah but it can be stored outside, maintained by pretty much any garage and can be driven with ease too and from the track.
Dont get me wrong. If i could i would have a caterham (7) but its like an expensive motorbike. You have a car for when the "other vehicle" isnt practical.
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