Caterham's expansion has been head-spinning. There have been additions to the
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Alpine sports car
is in development and the firm has promised an SUV and city car too.
So if the Classic isn't to your fancy...
But motorbikes? That's the plan, says Caterham, who has unveiled three prototype bikes, one petrol-powered and two electric, that it says will be in production from next year.
The full list of Caterham Group companies now is as follows: Caterham Bikes, Caterham Cars, Caterham F1 Team, Caterham Racing (GP2), Caterham Technology & Innovation, Caterham Composites and Caterham Moto Racing Team (launched at the Malaysian MotoGP last month).
The justification for the bike project, unveiled this week at the Milan bike show, is identical to that for the Seven 160; Asian expansion. A demand for environmentally friendly and multi-purpose bikes is growing, and Caterham wants a part of it.
... how about the Carbon E Bike?
The bikes themselves are certainly bold. The Brutus 750 is described as the 'SUV of motorcycles' and has an automatic transmission according to the Caterham release, presumably a moped-style CVT.
Despite the appearance, Caterham promises the Brutus is nimble to ride. Should you feel the need, it can be converted to a snowmobile in less than four hours. Huh?
The Classic E-Bike features 'uniquely retro styling' and an electric powertrain with a range of 40-80km. And the third one, the Carbon E-Bike, is said to be inspired by F1 technology. Production for the Brutus will being in spring 2014, with the two electric bikes following later in the year. All will be 'priced affordably', according to Caterham.
Caterham Bikes production to begin in 2014
Heading up Caterham Bikes as CEO is Al-Ishsal Ishak, coming from Air Asia (the airline of Caterham owner Tony Fernandes). Ishak said of the project: "We are realistic and honest enough to know that we're not in the business of rivalling the establishment; we're here to offer an alternative that befits the spirit of Caterham".
Despite the Seven perhaps being the closest thing to a four-wheeled bike, it seems a little strange. Caterham of course describes the project as a 'natural extension to the expanding Caterham Group', but we're a long way from Kansas now, Toto.