Thursday 29th March 2007

The R400: fast, and finally here

The new Caterham R400 goes on sale

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The new R400

Caterham has launched the R400, nearly a year after the model was announced. The delay has been officially attributed to fine tuning, and the introduction of the Ford Sigma powered models in the meantime.

The specification is much the same as before, with a Caterham Motorsport version of the Cosworth developed Duratec engine producing 210bhp. With a kerb weight of 525kg, Caterham is claiming 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds. The dampers, springs and anti roll bars have been revised and the price is now lower by £1,000, starting at £25,995.

 

 

Technical Specification

Engine                         2.0-litre Caterham Motorsport Ford Duratec
Max Power                  210bhp @7800
Max Torque                 152lbsft @ 5750
0-60mph                     3.8 secs         
Top Speed                  140mph
Wheelbase                  2225mm
Overall length              3100mm
Overall width               1575mm
Height                        800mm
Ground clearance       80mm 
Weight                       525kg

Standard equipment

1. 2.0-litre Caterham Motorsport Ford Duratec
2. 6 Speed Caterham Gearbox
3. Limited Slip Differential
4. Superlight Suspension (wide track front and de Dion rear with Watts linkages)
5. Carbon front cycle wings
6. Carbon dash
7. ACES change-up lights
8. Black pack
9. Ventilated front brake discs with 4 pot calipers
10. 15” Anthracite Alloy Wheels with Avon CR500 tyres
11. Composite interchangeable wind deflector
12. 4 point Road Harnesses
13. Quick-release Momo Steering Wheel
14. Composite seats

Original PH news story

[Lord-Flasheart]

Bargin. Unless you care about your hair-style (and don't mind a few insects between your teeth) :P

Edited by Lord-Flasheart on Thursday 29th March 13:13

[L100NYY]

I soooooo want one of these, I miss my old R400.


A lot.

[Bafty_Crastard]

Like a few of use….putting on a few pounds in weight!!

Seem to remember the old SLR kerb weight was stated at 470 kgs

Bafty

Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Thursday 29th March 13:48

[lathamjohnp]

"Composite interchangeable wind deflector"

What's that then? Presumably interchangeable with full windscreen? Are both included?

IMO needs:

- Proper harnesses. 4 points? What's this, a limo?
- 13" wheels and tyres (does Mike Barnby still do his specials?).
- Full cage.
- Ignition kill switch.

John

[Pugsey]

lathamjohnp said:

"Composite interchangeable wind deflector"

What's that then? Presumably interchangeable with full windscreen? Are both included?

IMO needs:

- Proper harnesses. 4 points? What's this, a limo?
- 13" wheels and tyres (does Mike Barnby still do his specials?).
- Full cage.
- Ignition kill switch.

John

.....................which is precisely why you won't find a well specced R400 leaving Caterham for as little as £25,995!

[Nuggs]

It does look the nuts, doesn't it?

Do you think the human brain could cope with the feeling of speed and the levels of feedback offered by one of those monkeys?

lathamjohnp said:

IMO needs:
- 13" wheels and tyres (does Mike Barnby still do his specials?).

Just out of interest, why do you say that (not having a go, genuinely interested)? Looking at the Caterham website, the 13"ers are standard on the lower models and ticking the 15" wheels options costs a fair whack...

[bertbert]

Bafty_Crastard said:

Like a few of use….putting on a few pounds in weight!!

Seem to remember the old SLR kerb weight was stated at 470 kgs

Bafty

Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Thursday 29th March 13:48

The caterham webby says 500kg which I guess is with the aeroscreen. The 525kg prob has the screen, wipers, paint etc. You need more carbon and a lighter boat-anchor to get down to anything like 470.

Bert

[Bafty_Crastard]

To be honest I have an old CC brochure in my desk at work which has the SLR as a current model with the stated weight…if you remember it had all carbon bits and bobs & was screenless

As the cost suggests the new R400's weight was for a "base" car...now't added, so still a little above the "K"

Bafty

Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Thursday 29th March 18:43

[xxplod]

I've really got to test drive one of these......

[Pugsey]

bertbert said:

Bafty_Crastard said:

Like a few of use….putting on a few pounds in weight!!

Seem to remember the old SLR kerb weight was stated at 470 kgs

Bafty

Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Thursday 29th March 13:48

The caterham webby says 500kg which I guess is with the aeroscreen. The 525kg prob has the screen, wipers, paint etc. You need more carbon and a lighter boat-anchor to get down to anything like 470.

Bert

Probably easier - and cheaper - to miss out on a few Olympic Breakfasts!

[oppressed mass]

Nuggs said:

lathamjohnp said:

IMO needs:
- 13" wheels and tyres (does Mike Barnby still do his specials?).

Just out of interest, why do you say that (not having a go, genuinely interested)? Looking at the Caterham website, the 13"ers are standard on the lower models and ticking the 15" wheels options costs a fair whack...

The 13" wheel gives a lower unsprung weight (if i recall correctly Caterham did have some 13" magnesium jobbies on the R500)

[Fort Jefferson]

bertbert said:

The caterham webby says 500kg which I guess is with the aeroscreen. The 525kg prob has the screen, wipers, paint etc. You need more carbon and a lighter boat-anchor to get down to anything like 470.

Bert

But only worth it if you weigh 10 stone. If your a 16 stone bloke, you're power to weight is going to be back down nearer 300 bhp/ton anyway.

[mikee]

I've been test driving mine for the last 2.5 years so I'm not surprised the motoring press are impressed with CC attempt at the same formula

[h_____]

13" wheels, lighter, so less mass of car, lower unsprung weight and lowers the COG on the car. Its no suprise then that all (is it all, or just the ones I can think of?) Caterham race cars run 13". The only issue is fitting big brakes (if you need them), and bottoming out, esp on CR500s!!!

[Bafty_Crastard]

I think its down to the Avon’s being a controlled tyre.....standard size 13" having a taller tyre wall gives a better ride which is all down to the Caterham having....well shall we say….a slightly old design suspension system

Bafty

[pesmo]

Did the original R400 have a Stack display ? Presume that this version hasn't got one

[Pugsey]

pesmo said:

Did the original R400 have a Stack display ? Presume that this version hasn't got one

It's a £500 option.

[tvr350tim]

"delay officially attributed to fine tuning, and the introduction of the Ford Sigma powered models in the meantime"

More like due to the fact that CSR engines were blowing up all over the place and they can't afford another fiasco........

[stowc]

Pugsey said:

lathamjohnp said:

"Composite interchangeable wind deflector"

What's that then? Presumably interchangeable with full windscreen? Are both included?

IMO needs:

- Proper harnesses. 4 points? What's this, a limo?
- 13" wheels and tyres (does Mike Barnby still do his specials?).
- Full cage.
- Ignition kill switch.

John

.....................which is precisely why you won't find a well specced R400 leaving Caterham for as little as £25,995!

And at £25,995 it only leaves in kit form.

If you want wet weather gear (screen)and the deflector add £1,100.

[Pugsey]

tvr350tim said:

"delay officially attributed to fine tuning, and the introduction of the Ford Sigma powered models in the meantime"

More like due to the fact that CSR engines were blowing up all over the place and they can't afford another fiasco........

Factory built - to a good spec - it's £34k ish.