RE: All-electric Caterham Seven promised
Discussion
paulrockliffe said:
How is the weight likely to be impacted, does anyone know?
If that isn't too much different, you might be able to do interesting things with weight distribution, 4 wheel drive and torque vectoring
Well, the aforementioned Westfield WiSPER - admittedly with a much lighter and more sophisticated chassis than Caterham's - was quoted as weighing 550 kilos. (and 0-60 in 4.9 seconds), so pretty much identical to Caterham's current offerings.If that isn't too much different, you might be able to do interesting things with weight distribution, 4 wheel drive and torque vectoring
But like I said, that was a quarter of a century ago, and it had to rely on 200kg's worth of lead acid batteries.
Oh, and yes, it had 4WD as well...
uremaw said:
If they can secure the rights to the Elise chassis and share the EV platform across both models, I think they'll be on to a winner. I'd certainly be tempted.
It would be a bit of history repeating itself, wouldn't it?Ironically the Elise platform has already been EV-ificated by a now major OEM that happens to be run by a nutcase with a penchant for British sports cars.
Could it happen?
Could they possibly get round the rules being a small car company producing only X amount a year so not having to go electric and probably selling in kit form also?
Hopefully my R500 K Series owned for 12 years now will appreciate in value as it provides sensory overload above 8000 to 9000 rpm and 230bhp weighing in under 495kg. Something an electric car will not offer.
Hopefully my R500 K Series owned for 12 years now will appreciate in value as it provides sensory overload above 8000 to 9000 rpm and 230bhp weighing in under 495kg. Something an electric car will not offer.
uremaw said:
I built and ran a Caterham for 4 years. Loved the noise, vibrations and drama of the thing, but probably wouldn't have another. It's an itch thats been scratched. An EV version though is a different story - instead of bemoaning it as a Caterham minus the noise, i'd consider it an EV but with the style, handling and excitement of a Caterham. If they can secure the rights to the Elise chassis and share the EV platform across both models, I think they'll be on to a winner. I'd certainly be tempted.
“instead of bemoaning it as a Caterham minus the noise, i'd consider it an EV but with the style, handling and excitement of a Caterham.”Great point!
deadscoob said:
It’s quick, yes, but other than the start it’s like watching a video on mute. Aurally less exciting than a pushbike.
Agreed.EV driver here and find it a great drivetrain for a daily, but if i did buy a 7 for weekend fun would want it to sound like this or see little point.
king handful! I'd be interested to know what those who are dead against it think Caterham should do, just slowly die?
If we are to accept an EV future (and it seems we do) these smaller companies have got to give it a shot and they've got to do it really, really soon, and that would typically involve using their existing infrastructure and platforms as much as possible to avoid bankrupting themselves.
Dropping what I imagine is less than a million quid or whatever on a project that might mean your company can survive for the next 50 years seems a pretty reasonable investment at the crossroads we now find ourselves at.
If we are to accept an EV future (and it seems we do) these smaller companies have got to give it a shot and they've got to do it really, really soon, and that would typically involve using their existing infrastructure and platforms as much as possible to avoid bankrupting themselves.
Dropping what I imagine is less than a million quid or whatever on a project that might mean your company can survive for the next 50 years seems a pretty reasonable investment at the crossroads we now find ourselves at.
It might be okay, better than a some on here think.
Range is a huge issue for many people but that isn't normally an issue with a 7, it certainly wasn't for me; it's a Sunday toy. Agreed, not the same as it has been for 60 years, but providing they can manage the weight, it could be a new type of fun (don't like the sound of cameras / radar etc, though).
I'd seriously consider one.
Range is a huge issue for many people but that isn't normally an issue with a 7, it certainly wasn't for me; it's a Sunday toy. Agreed, not the same as it has been for 60 years, but providing they can manage the weight, it could be a new type of fun (don't like the sound of cameras / radar etc, though).
I'd seriously consider one.
Edited by TarquinMX5 on Thursday 13th May 21:16
All the discussion here is like the ants on the ground debating how it should be. We're way off target in terms of what's 'the plan'.
The Plan is a Palmer/AstonMartin-esque smoke-&-mirrors play to get the company sexed-up for an IPO. Then the senior management and investors will cash in & run off with their £10m each plus kick-backs on all the consultancy work, new over-sized production facilities etc to give credence to high sales projections.
The new models don't need to be any good at all, its just powerpoint slides that support up the illusion. Their top priority isn't the brand*, any more than it was at Aston Martin (*Palmer DID have some regard for Aston, but it was secondary).
BUT my 2-penn'orth: some people will like, some won't. I'm expecting be in the latter. I do sprint/hills with mine. With electric, once you know the optimism tyre pressure, you all set off at the same acceleration. No skill in clutch, revs, gearing, optimising your cars engine tune. Less interesting as a hobby. Just press a button and hang on. "Do it again? OK, do you want to press the button this time, or shall I?"
The Plan is a Palmer/AstonMartin-esque smoke-&-mirrors play to get the company sexed-up for an IPO. Then the senior management and investors will cash in & run off with their £10m each plus kick-backs on all the consultancy work, new over-sized production facilities etc to give credence to high sales projections.
The new models don't need to be any good at all, its just powerpoint slides that support up the illusion. Their top priority isn't the brand*, any more than it was at Aston Martin (*Palmer DID have some regard for Aston, but it was secondary).
BUT my 2-penn'orth: some people will like, some won't. I'm expecting be in the latter. I do sprint/hills with mine. With electric, once you know the optimism tyre pressure, you all set off at the same acceleration. No skill in clutch, revs, gearing, optimising your cars engine tune. Less interesting as a hobby. Just press a button and hang on. "Do it again? OK, do you want to press the button this time, or shall I?"
Edited by ggdrew on Thursday 13th May 16:55
SWoll said:
deadscoob said:
It’s quick, yes, but other than the start it’s like watching a video on mute. Aurally less exciting than a pushbike.
Agreed.EV driver here and find it a great drivetrain for a daily, but if i did buy a 7 for weekend fun would want it to sound like this or see little point.
ggdrew said:
All the discussion here I like the ants on the ground debating how it should be. We're way off target in terms of what's 'the plan'.
The Plan is a Palmer/AstonMartin-esque smoke-&-mirrors play to get the company sexed-up for an IPO. Then the senior management and investors will cash in & run off with their £10m each plus kick-backs on all the consultancy work, new over-sized production facilities etc to give credence to high sales projections.
The new models don't need to be any good at all, its just powerpoint slides that support up the illusion. Their top priority isn't the brand*, any more than it was at Aston Martin (*Palmer DID have some regard for Aston, but it was secondary).
Interesting. Do you want to say what your source is on that? Or provide any evidence?The Plan is a Palmer/AstonMartin-esque smoke-&-mirrors play to get the company sexed-up for an IPO. Then the senior management and investors will cash in & run off with their £10m each plus kick-backs on all the consultancy work, new over-sized production facilities etc to give credence to high sales projections.
The new models don't need to be any good at all, its just powerpoint slides that support up the illusion. Their top priority isn't the brand*, any more than it was at Aston Martin (*Palmer DID have some regard for Aston, but it was secondary).
I’ve briefly driven a Seven, been a passenger in one a few times and owned and Elise. I find the silence of an EV sorts car very attractive - I’d like blasting around without feeling antisocial and making it obvious that I’m winding it up. I think many of us think noise is good because we associate it with performance - kids born today may well prefer EV because they associate petrol with being slower. I appreciate a good noise but don’t need it at all.
I wish Honda would produce their concept sports car EV!
I wish Honda would produce their concept sports car EV!
Equus said:
A quarter of a century later than the competition, but somebody has finally woken up and smelled the coffee?!
They NEED this, to survive.
I know one or two people on this forum who are going to be terribly upset, though.
Good point about Westfield, I wonder how much development money and time they wasted all those years ago.
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