Caterham R600
Caterham continue their quest for yet more power from K Series
Autocar readers may have noticed that they ran a piece on the so called Caterham R600 last week.
Well here’s the Caterham line... There does exist a prototype evolution of the R500 running a 2 Litre version of the K series engine. Power, although not finalised, is expected to be in the region of 250 bhp, with a torque figure of around 190 lbft.
Jez Coates, Caterham’s Technical Director commented, “We have been working on a development of the R500 engine for over 18 months now, and we are very happy with its progress. It’s important that not only do we focus on power, torque and drivability, but we ensure that its all produced from a reliable power unit .”
The next generation R500, whatever it is to be called, is likely to be available from late summer this year.
Yeah you could be right but I think the Duratech R's flatter power curve and low down torque might be an advantage?
Anyway at the end of the day an R500 or Duratech R's capabilities will be way beyond mine so it's probably a bit academic
cheers,
Mike
*just spoken to them today as well as I just paid my first deposit - no going back now
Must admit, given the rave reviews from the motoring press recently, I did briefly consider an SR4 as an alternative but four things put me off:
1. I suspect the used market for SR3/SR4s is pretty small so it could be difficult to sell on when the time comes,
2. Now don't flame me for this 'cos it's just my impression, but I think I'd miss the hoonability of a 7 type chassis even though the SR3/SR4 is significantly faster,
3. I don't know how you go about being taken seriously enough by Radical to secure a test drive, and as I'm a lazy b@stard I couldn't be bothered to find out
4. I fancied a project/challenge so I'm building an R400 minus engine/clutch/gearbox etc and am then going to build and install a Duratech (I've ordered the R400 and am just deciding which Duratech spec. to go for but I suspect it'll be the 2.3litre 250bhp version
) Having said that if money were no object (and I didn't have to consider such things as education cost for my twin daughters) I'd have an SR4 as well (naturally it'd have to be the Supercharged version to be faster than you and Andrew
) Once I've got the Duratech up and running I'll see you on track (probably 2005)
cheers,
Mike
2. Can definitely see where you're coming from here. Have just got a set of crap gooning Yoko's to see what it's like to hold in slides!
3. Just call - can't remember there being an issue at all! Another interested punter on the test day managed to put the test SR3 backwards through some bales - of course he was the "race" driver ha!
4. Sounds awesome! Can't wait till I have the time to do a project.
Not at TVRCC Snett day in April?
£5300 (plus original engine) for a 270BHP 2l duratec.
www.totalkitcar.com/tested.shtml
If they can do it for a 2l, I'm sure they could do it for a 2.3l for roughly the same price.
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