RE: Check out Caterham's new Miami Special Edition
RE: Check out Caterham's new Miami Special Edition
Tuesday 28th April

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:

286 posts

81 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
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

5,060 posts

146 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
Makes me think of this.


nigelpugh7

6,499 posts

216 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
Looks ace.

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

Luke.

11,921 posts

276 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
Looks like the least Miami thing that's ever had Miami written across it....

donteatpeople

870 posts

300 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
Master Bean said:
Makes me think of this.

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



fantheman80

2,480 posts

75 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
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

343 posts

116 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
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

6,627 posts

233 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
Luke. said:
Looks like the least Miami thing that's ever had Miami written across it....
+1 wink

J4CKO

46,403 posts

226 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
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

1,023 posts

219 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
Luke. said:
Looks like the least Miami thing that's ever had Miami written across it....
I disagree smile



Fetchez la vache

5,890 posts

240 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
Can't quite work out if I love it or hate it. A natural hatred of turquoise doesn't help.

PSRG

825 posts

152 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
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

14,290 posts

140 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
nismo48 said:
Luke. said:
Looks like the least Miami thing that's ever had Miami written across it....
+1 wink
+2

5lab

1,874 posts

222 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
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

21,064 posts

237 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
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.

Angelo1985

755 posts

52 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
I shouldn’t like it, but I do :-)

swisstoni

23,074 posts

305 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
I don't suppose anyone ever bought a Caterham for the looks, but that one looks really good in that livery.

biggbn

31,350 posts

246 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
Angelo1985 said:
I shouldn t like it, but I do :-)
I should like it...but I don't...

BertBert

21,064 posts

237 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
swisstoni said:
I don't suppose anyone ever bought a Caterham for the looks, but that one looks really good in that livery.
not just for the looks I agree, but I think they mostly look great (there have been a few rather tacky pain jobs, but not that many)

GTRene

21,637 posts

250 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
biggbn said:
Angelo1985 said:
I shouldn t like it, but I do :-)
I should like it...but I don't...
its not bad, ok many sort likes for sale I guess and it looks a bit high on its feet for a track toy, looks more made for UK roads and speed bumps.

I guess on a sunny day it gives fun, but I also guess with this model you need tight ballet shoes?