RE: Check out Caterham's new Miami Special Edition
RE: Check out Caterham's new Miami Special Edition
Today

Check out Caterham's new Miami Special Edition

US only, track only limited edition will be shown at this weekend's Grand Prix


What a transformation Formula 1 has enjoyed in the United States over recent years. Not so long ago, the idea of Grands Prix in Miami and Vegas would have sounded fanciful, yet here we are in 2026 with three F1 races in the USA. Plus Mexico and Canada. Drive to Survive surely has a part to play in that popularity, as will the return of Ford as a powertrain partner and Cadillac’s place on the grid. 

The increased visibility of the sport in such a huge car market clearly makes F1 even more attractive to the OEMs also. Certainly it’s something that Caterham is keen to take advantage of, with the reveal of this new Seven Miami Special Edition coming at this weekend’s Grand Prix in Florida. Maybe not the first sports car you’d think of debuting at a Formula 1 weekend across the Atlantic, but more Sevens in the world sounds like very good news to us.

Especially when they look as good as this. Course you’d be doing well to make a Caterham Seven that doesn’t look brilliant, such is its timeless style, but this Miami really is excellent. The Aqua paint is unique, as is the pink and white decal set. A Miami script and circuit outline on the rump had the potential to look a bit naff, but it works here. Once a Donington Edition Caterham has made it into the world, each one named after a corner on that track, the path is clear for pretty much everything else. Like that car, this Caterham gets a numbered plaque inside (there were 10 Doningtons; there’ll be 12 of these) and more Miami font. 

Unlike the Donington however, the Miami Special Edition will be a circuit only Seven. It isn’t entirely clear why, given it sounds like 420R spec - 210hp Duratec, five-speed manual - but that’s the decision that’s been made. Perfect thing for annoying Corvettes and Camaros at Willow Springs, perhaps. Or, indeed, at Miami - Caterham has recently confirmed a partnership with the Precision Drive Club, which offers up driving and hospitality at the Miami International Autodrome. 

Wherever these Sevens end up, there’ll be little chance of ever seeing one Stateside, as only 10 of the 12 will ever be sold there. Where the other two will reside hasn’t been announced. Neither has a price for the Miami SE, so probably good to assume a lot. Caterham’s Senior VP of Ops, Trevor Steel, said: “Miami has become a global hub for elite motorsport and luxury automotive culture, so to have this moment to unveil the Miami Special Edition is truly unique. This car represents the very best of lightweight British engineering, and seeing the car launched and on display at the race weekend will be a significant moment for our brand.” And while the Miami spec can’t be repeated (yet) for UK cars, we can get jolly close in the classifieds: a 420 Cup offers epic naturally aspirated track thrills, or Peppermint Green isn’t far from Aqua. Get Will Smith playing in the headphones when it’s sunny and it’ll feel just the same… 


Author
Discussion

Bobby Lee

Original Poster:

276 posts

79 months

Glad to see the company making some smart marketing moves. I’ve been a fan of the new owners. If you showed up somewhere in the US in a Caterham you’d get so much attention you might as well be in a spaceship I recon - 99% of the population have no concept such a car exists.

Master Bean

4,986 posts

144 months

Makes me think of this.


nigelpugh7

6,495 posts

214 months

Looks ace.

I’m sure they will sell everyone of those quickly.

Luke.

11,865 posts

274 months

Looks like the least Miami thing that's ever had Miami written across it....

donteatpeople

866 posts

298 months

Master Bean said:
Makes me think of this.

I had a very similar first thought, just a couple of decades later smile



fantheman80

2,445 posts

73 months

Luke. said:
Looks like the least Miami thing that's ever had Miami written across it....
Yep! The barbie and Ken edition.

Fair play for them trying something different, but the marketing guff in general that surrounds the Miami GP is nauseating not to mention the Sky presenters seemingly contractually obliged to talk the atmosphere up every 3 minutes.

Rant over.

Frogmella

334 posts

114 months

Hope they sell them! My impression would be an odd idea. But having just moved to Miami, the scene is not all Lambos and the gauche cars you would expect. Amazing and eclectic.

Case in point - I’ve seen a MGA parking outside Balenciaga more than once!

nismo48

6,446 posts

231 months

Luke. said:
Looks like the least Miami thing that's ever had Miami written across it....
+1 wink

J4CKO

46,078 posts

224 months

Cant help thinking thats more a base model Peugeot 106 or Saxo kind of "Special edition" branding exercise ?

But, colours do look quite good.

Oldwolf

1,013 posts

217 months

Luke. said:
Looks like the least Miami thing that's ever had Miami written across it....
I disagree smile



Fetchez la vache

5,885 posts

238 months

Can't quite work out if I love it or hate it. A natural hatred of turquoise doesn't help.

PSRG

812 posts

150 months

J4CKO said:
Cant help thinking thats more a base model Peugeot 106 or Saxo kind of "Special edition" branding exercise ?

But, colours do look quite good.
Spot on with Citroen, one model out wink


WPA

13,973 posts

138 months

nismo48 said:
Luke. said:
Looks like the least Miami thing that's ever had Miami written across it....
+1 wink
+2

5lab

1,847 posts

220 months

isn't it a track only special as the cars can't currently be run as normal road cars (don't meet all the legislation) in the US? From here it looks like its a bit of a faff (though possible) to bring a car in. I assume there'd be some back-door process to road-register one of the miami specials as well

https://rockymountaincaterham.com/ordering/

BertBert

20,992 posts

235 months

5lab said:
isn't it a track only special as the cars can't currently be run as normal road cars (don't meet all the legislation) in the US? From here it looks like its a bit of a faff (though possible) to bring a car in. I assume there'd be some back-door process to road-register one of the miami specials as well

https://rockymountaincaterham.com/ordering/
I think you are right, but it's not that faffy. If you want the dealer will take care of all the bits for you so you make the right orders from the right companies and it gets built, registered and delivered. I have no idea how the Trump tariffs effect it atm, but it's just money!

Caterham are quite optimistic about the US market prospects for them. Let's hope it's not misplaced.