Aircon in a Seven; from a commercial perspective, why not?
Discussion
Mmmmm, that article was in 2012 from a note deposed MD. Of what relevance is it now?
chemistry said:
In terms of Asia, adding air con certainly was (is) on the agenda officially, albeit in connection with a new model:
“The company needs to appeal to new customers in new markets, and Ali has ‘no doubt’ that Caterham can sell 2500 units of the new car each year, split between the three road variants and the racing version.
The USA isn’t currently in Caterham’s road car plans (the SP/300R sports prototype should have a one-make race series there in 2013) so the new model won’t be federalised. But the Far East is high on Caterham’s agenda, helped by Caterham owner Fernandes’ business connections. Ali says that means new customer requirements: ‘We will offer doors, windows, and you can tick a box for air-con. Will air-con come as standard? No, but if we’re going to sell in the Far East, and India, and other emerging markets, no one’s going to buy a Seven, because apart from fact you might be too scared to drive it on the road, you’ll just die of heat exhaustion.“
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/spy-shots/caterham/ca...
“The company needs to appeal to new customers in new markets, and Ali has ‘no doubt’ that Caterham can sell 2500 units of the new car each year, split between the three road variants and the racing version.
The USA isn’t currently in Caterham’s road car plans (the SP/300R sports prototype should have a one-make race series there in 2013) so the new model won’t be federalised. But the Far East is high on Caterham’s agenda, helped by Caterham owner Fernandes’ business connections. Ali says that means new customer requirements: ‘We will offer doors, windows, and you can tick a box for air-con. Will air-con come as standard? No, but if we’re going to sell in the Far East, and India, and other emerging markets, no one’s going to buy a Seven, because apart from fact you might be too scared to drive it on the road, you’ll just die of heat exhaustion.“
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/spy-shots/caterham/ca...
PhilAsia said:
Bert Bert
Because it pinpoints why an ac is a necessary evil perhaps?
"..........you’ll just die of heat exhaustion.“
All that was just idle musing, as we all now know. Caterham really aren’t capable of doing that sort of thing; they’re barely able to make a fist of building the 7 as it is, let alone a more sophisticated car with features such as A/C. Because it pinpoints why an ac is a necessary evil perhaps?
"..........you’ll just die of heat exhaustion.“
As for it being a necessity in hotter countries, it’s all academic imo. Caterham’s often suffer from cooling issues in more temperate climes, God knows how a standard car would fare in a hot country with the added load of A/C
Not only is there the load generated by cooling air, it would be fighting against the significant heat transmitted from the engine bay and tunnel which would further limit its usefulness.
It’s wrong to equate A/C with a heater; a heater simply directs waste heat into the cockpit. It’s not comparable.
Again IMO, if a 7 were to be truly usable in hot countries, in traffic, it would need significant development from a standard car for the cooling system and whoever did that may as well well fit A/C whilst they’re at it.
I doubt that Caterham are capable of either.
REALIST123 said:
All that was just idle musing, as we all now know. Caterham really aren’t capable of doing that sort of thing; they’re barely able to make a fist of building the 7 as it is, let alone a more sophisticated car with features such as A/C.
As for it being a necessity in hotter countries, it’s all academic imo. Caterham’s often suffer from cooling issues in more temperate climes, God knows how a standard car would fare in a hot country with the added load of A/C
Not only is there the load generated by cooling air, it would be fighting against the significant heat transmitted from the engine bay and tunnel which would further limit its usefulness.
It’s wrong to equate A/C with a heater; a heater simply directs waste heat into the cockpit. It’s not comparable.
Again IMO, if a 7 were to be truly usable in hot countries, in traffic, it would need significant development from a standard car for the cooling system and whoever did that may as well well fit A/C whilst they’re at it.
I doubt that Caterham are capable of either.
Yes, undoubtably you're right. I got a very cold reception (see what I did there?) to my enquity a few years ago.As for it being a necessity in hotter countries, it’s all academic imo. Caterham’s often suffer from cooling issues in more temperate climes, God knows how a standard car would fare in a hot country with the added load of A/C
Not only is there the load generated by cooling air, it would be fighting against the significant heat transmitted from the engine bay and tunnel which would further limit its usefulness.
It’s wrong to equate A/C with a heater; a heater simply directs waste heat into the cockpit. It’s not comparable.
Again IMO, if a 7 were to be truly usable in hot countries, in traffic, it would need significant development from a standard car for the cooling system and whoever did that may as well well fit A/C whilst they’re at it.
I doubt that Caterham are capable of either.
I did some research a while back for my motorcycle travels here in Asia. This looks the job. Well thought out and versatile.
Perhaps this will be the way to go for those less inclined to accept melting as part of their enjoyment... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vzNShVA5D0g
Not sure that gentleman's motorcycle is smaller than a Caterham though...
As the OP, can I just say thanks to everyone for their contributions! I've enjoyed the comments and debate! 
My conclusions, for what it's worth, are that:
1) It might theoretically be sensible for Caterham to offer a/c in a Seven from a commercial perspective, to increase sales amongst people who might otherwise not consider buying one (people in hot climates, those seeking more comfort rather than ultimate lightness/performance, etc.).
2) In practice, a/c in a Caterham would have limited functionality, both with the roof off or in the poorly sealed roof-up environment. However, the ability to blow cooled air from dashboard or footwell vents in either scenario would still be appreciated by some.
3) Back in the real world, Caterham probably acknowledge 1 & 2 above (at least to some extent), but are selling enough cars already not to need to chase the (theoretical) additional sales and/or don't think that the (theoretical) additional sales generated would justify the increased development, inventory and installation costs associated with making a/c/ an option.
Your views might (will!) vary.
Have fun all!
My conclusions, for what it's worth, are that:
1) It might theoretically be sensible for Caterham to offer a/c in a Seven from a commercial perspective, to increase sales amongst people who might otherwise not consider buying one (people in hot climates, those seeking more comfort rather than ultimate lightness/performance, etc.).
2) In practice, a/c in a Caterham would have limited functionality, both with the roof off or in the poorly sealed roof-up environment. However, the ability to blow cooled air from dashboard or footwell vents in either scenario would still be appreciated by some.
3) Back in the real world, Caterham probably acknowledge 1 & 2 above (at least to some extent), but are selling enough cars already not to need to chase the (theoretical) additional sales and/or don't think that the (theoretical) additional sales generated would justify the increased development, inventory and installation costs associated with making a/c/ an option.
Your views might (will!) vary.
Have fun all!
I can tell you that Caterham can and do make a car capable of running in the traffic in the tropics, they have about 20 at Sepang owned and run by Caterham Cars. that are a bit of a mixed spec,and don't appear to quit fit into the UK model range, but they run a Duratec and all of them then very well in the tropical sun and temp,
I commented on the air con before, but if you want to add air con to a Caterham there are loads of kits available off the shelf., issue is where to mount the condenser, its actually not that difficult a job, physically, brackets to mount a compressor
I have air con in my Elan, one of plate made that bolts to the alternator mount and near side engine mount on a Twin Cam, the compressor bolts to that, heat exchange mounted flat (horizontally) in the nose.
I commented on the air con before, but if you want to add air con to a Caterham there are loads of kits available off the shelf., issue is where to mount the condenser, its actually not that difficult a job, physically, brackets to mount a compressor
I have air con in my Elan, one of plate made that bolts to the alternator mount and near side engine mount on a Twin Cam, the compressor bolts to that, heat exchange mounted flat (horizontally) in the nose.
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