Thursday 9th September 2010

New Caterham Monaco Revealed

Classic Motorsport meets Casino Culture in latest special 7

---

Caterham says it wants to evoke 'the elegance, class and rich motorsport heritage of Monte Carlo' with this cool retro-styled special edition - the Roadsport 125 Monaco.

The latest incarnation of the iconic Seven harks back to Colin Chapman's original 1957 design in both its lightweight philosophy and its bespoke styling, they reckon.

The Monaco features brushed aluminium bodywork, with black nose and wheel guards, while the familiar red and white of the Monegasque flag (don't worry, we had to look that one up, too) form a motif that runs the length of the car.

In the cockpit, the theme is continued, with black leather interior featuring red highlights pairing with the black body trim to capture a colour scheme reminiscent of the roulette wheels found in Casino Square complete the evocative '50s feel, the official press release goes on to say.

It's supposed to cost £20,995, but for reasons that aren't declared, the first 20 cars to be ordered will attract a £1,000 discount.

Under the skin, the car is standard Roadsport 125 spec, which means a 1.6-litre Ford engine produces a top speed of 112mph and a power-to-weight ratio of 227bhp per tonne.

The 5-speed gearbox propels the lightweight 500kg chassis from 0-60mph in under six seconds and full weather kit means the Roadsport is thoroughly enjoyable in any conditions.

Options include the wide SV chassis and a lowered floor for extra comfort in the cockpit, while all black trim is also available.

 

[OwenK]

At the risk of being cliched - yawn!

What's with the font of the "Monaco" on the side, too? Is it a reference to something I'm not aware of, because to me it looks cheesy - as if it should be the naff little trim badge on the side of a 1.1 Peugeot 106 "Style" or "Breeze" etc.

[DrTre]

Think it looks cool

Font evokes these (Art deco? can't remember):

Edited by DrTre on Thursday 9th September 10:20

[evenflow]

Strange choice of name I think. I for one certainly don't associate Caterhams with the French Riviera, motorsport connotations or not.

I can imagine a Lambo or Bugatti Monaco Edition, cars targeted at the boulevard cruiser maybe. Caterhams are about track action, surely?

Edited by evenflow on Thursday 9th September 10:31

[GKP]

Specialeditionstickertastic.

[scubadude]

A "proper" Seven... (drool)

Ignore the Monaco sh*te and just look at it- engineered simplicity, if there is a finer drivers car in the world I've yet to see it- minimal power, low weight, reasonable tyres, engine in the front, power to the back. Beau-Tee-Full IMVHO.

Probably the fastest thing you can buy and still use a good % of its capability on the public highway.

Edited by scubadude on Thursday 9th September 10:35

[r11co]

The Monaco connection is quite valid. Prince Albert has a (mint, of course) Series IV Lotus Seven on prominent display in his personal collection.

I'll upload a photo I took of it later.

(Don't have access to it atm).

Edited by r11co on Thursday 9th September 10:36

[SAndals]

Can it really be classed "retro-styled" if the design hasn't actually changed in 50-odd years???

Edited by SAndals on Thursday 9th September 10:46

[louismchuge]

They could have at least dont the photo shoot for the car in Monte Carlo!

[jp-speed-triple]

hand brake issues?



and give it a polish....that panel work looks awful from this angle.

[soad]

It's just another Caterham 7.

[Oddball RS]

It just looks a bit, how can i say? pre owned by someone called Keith who lovea the Monaco GP, sorry if that upsets anyone.

[Dagnut]

the autocar review on youtube was quite favourable towards it, no lsd but

[The Wookie]

Sounds expensive for an unpainted base spec Caterham.

'Brushed Aluminium'

[Cock Womble 7]

Oddball RS said:

It just looks a bit, how can i say? pre owned by someone called Keith who lovea the Monaco GP, sorry if that upsets anyone.

I know what you mean. I want to love it, because it's a Caterham and obviously they can do no wrong, but that wacky 'Monaco' sticker on the side puts me right off. And the fact that they've wrapped that bestickered body around one of the lowlier engines in their range is disappointing.

I can't see this being a top seller.

[anonymous-user]

not sure about the monaco thing either, monaco is all about luxury and excess, of opulence and brashness. To me a caterham is simple, basic and under-stated, small fist big punchand all that....

should have had aero screens too. and another 50 bhp.

[soad]

Should have at least offered the option of a bigger engine, me thinks.

[jake15919]

I must have missed something here. To me it seems to be the same car as always with a £5 sticker on the side.

I like Caterhams, but what's the point?

[dirty boy]

I love Caterhams, but that does shout out 'shed built kit' to me, although I fully understand the thinking behind it, it is, in my opinion flawed.

Good luck nonetheless.

[Fluffsri/?]

Oddball RS said:

It just looks a bit, how can i say? pre owned by someone called Keith who lovea the Monaco GP, sorry if that upsets anyone.

OI! Im upset now

[fido]

soad said:

Should have at least offered the option of a bigger engine, me thinks.

Yep, it's hardly going to feel special with a ashmatic 1.6 duratec when it can hardly keep up with a modern super-hatch.