Tuesday 28th October 2008

Superlight Returns

Caterham brings back the Superlight R300

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Should be a heavyweight contender on track

A new Superlight R300 has been revealed by Caterham with a 2.0 Ford engine tuned to 175bhp.

Taking its styling cues from the no-holds-barred R500, Caterham’s latest track-focused model features the requisite number of carbon fibre body parts, as well as the R500’s flush button dash and keyless ignition system.

The R300 was first launched in 2002 when it had Rover power. The new version has increased engine performance and chassis developments but remains true to the original car’s winning personality, the company says. It’s also pretty damn quick, with an all-up weight of 515kgs giving a power-to-weight ratio of 339bhp per tonne. With a six speed gearbox that’s enough for a claimed 0-60mph sprint time of 4.5secs and a 140mph maximum. Optional extras will include Stack data logging, a dry sump sytem and a limited slip diff.

The new Superlight R300 will cost £24,995 in component form and £27,995 factory built – with deliveries starting in Spring 2009.

The Superlight R300 also has a new sister model which is biased more to road usage but gets the same 175bhp 2.0 litre engine. The Roadsport 175 trades some of the R300’s track features for weather equipment and a heater, while other differences include a set of longer ratio cogs in a five speed gearbox, and 14ins alloy wheels. The Roadsport 175 will cost £21,9995 for DIY completion or £24,995 fully built.

[Mafioso]

Any chance of a bigger version of that pic for desktop of the week (or whatever it is)?

[slikrs]

Very nice car, but the potential for slotting in the full 2.3 cosworth Duratec must be very tempting for many owners, 250bhp ish from that one or the full race 2.0 with upwards of 300bhp if you have the dosh.. Others such as Mountune offer similar packages and bolt on power upgrades to easily push the mild 175bhp over 200bhp.

Is there another model offered with similar engine options?

[Max Turbo]

"The Roadsport 175 will cost £21,9995 for DIY completion"

I'll just take an F40 for that money thank you!

[darth_pies]

Looks in that colour scheme!

Should be a fantastic car with enough power to 'make things interesting' without being bonkers like the R400/500.

Want one!

[atom-ick]

darth_pies said:

Looks in that colour scheme!

Should be a fantastic car with enough power to 'make things interesting' without being bonkers like the R400/500.

Want one!

Well said that man! I love the colour scheme too!

Should be a fantastic car - i look forward to reading some of the reviews as they crop up.

[ChapppeRS]

It's more like 280-295bhp/ tonne with an average driver and a tank of fuel in there, but still mighty impressive.

[dhutch]

Not a chance i can afford one, but i looks a nice enough car. £21k! Easy.

- Presumably if the roadsports on 14ins the r300 is on 13ins?


Daniel

[anonymous-user]

Just out of interest - not that I could afford one - how tricky are these to build from component form?

[general190]

£21,9995 for the Roadsport 175 in DIY form!!! thats hell-ishly expensive!!

Id rather spend 24,995 and keep the 195,000 change and buy a porsche 911 Turbo for the tow car!

[I WISH]

Mafioso said:

Any chance of a bigger version of that pic for desktop of the week (or whatever it is)?

Just left click on the pic to enlarge ..... then right click and select "Set as background"

[darth_pies]

Nyphur said:

Just out of interest - not that I could afford one - how tricky are these to build from component form?

Really not very difficult at all if you've ever used a spanner before.

Its really just like meccano set or a really big Tamiya radio-controlled car kit.....

If these guys can do it in one day whilst c*cking about then it can't be that tricky:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7i43JHHgvo

[l-plate]

I WISH said:

Mafioso said:

Any chance of a bigger version of that pic for desktop of the week (or whatever it is)?

Just left click on the pic to enlarge ..... then right click and select "Set as background"

Just tested this out - worked a treat !

Trouble is Im at work and we're not allowed screensavers and can't seem to remove it...says error

Doh.

Edited by l-plate on Tuesday 28th October 14:55

[GPSS]

Great car to look at, and even better to drive. I wonder what standard of MK Indy you could build with a £25K budget though.

[atom-ick]

GPSS said:

Great car to look at, and even better to drive. I wonder what standard of MK Indy you could build with a £25K budget though.

no matter how much money you threw at an MK Indy, you cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

[Mafioso]

I WISH said:

Mafioso said:

Any chance of a bigger version of that pic for desktop of the week (or whatever it is)?

Just left click on the pic to enlarge ..... then right click and select "Set as background"

You're joking right!? I'm not stretching a 700x700 picture onto my desktop!! Hence why I asked for a bigger one!!

[jackal]

all the power you ever need on the road
sensible prices too
big thumbs up

[dino ferrana]

GPSS, have a think about what a £25k Indy would be worth after 1, 2 or 5 years? The Caterham would have great residuals, the MK would be worth 3/5ths of fook all!

[Lost my mojo]

jackal said:

all the power you ever need on the road

How can you say such a thing? That is never possible is it?

[jackal]

Lost my mojo said:

jackal said:

all the power you ever need on the road

How can you say such a thing? That is never possible is it?

if anything its too much

in fact give me about 140bhp in a caterham and tiny 6" rims

sure, I won't be smoking GT2's on the motorway slip road but the car will dancing in every corner no matter what the traffic contraints...


once you've dont the whole 'i am the festest' thing , momentum driving and being at 95% 95% of the time is where its at

[AndrewD]

jackal said:

Lost my mojo said:

jackal said:

all the power you ever need on the road

How can you say such a thing? That is never possible is it?

if anything its too much

in fact give me about 140bhp in a caterham and tiny 6" rims

sure, I won't be smoking GT2's on the motorway slip road but the car will dancing in every corner no matter what the traffic contraints...


once you've dont the whole 'i am the festest' thing , momentum driving and being at 95% 95% of the time is where its at

How is your mum's Honda?