Caterhams with ESP?

[Elapido]

I've read a piece of news about the fact that all cars sold from 2013 onwards in Europe will have a ESP fitted, as a compulsory rule. Will this also affect Caterhams? It would be really stupid for a car like this. Do you think they will find a way to be excluded? If not, how much weight would that element add to the car? I hope we europeans can keep on enjoying pure sportcars without uncessary addons like ESPs. Who knows. After all, I also read many time ago that ABS is obligarory nowadays in all cars, and there are some new models which do not fit it.

[ewenm]

These type of rules are usually avoided by the very low volume manufacturers. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a minimum volume before any mandatory ESP rule applied.

[7SS]

Wish mine had extra sensory perception to tell me where the cops with speed gun were.

[sam919]

just turn it off

[edb49]

It is probably only ESP for type-approved cars, not cars that go through the IVA test. (E.G. Each individual one is checked for road-worthiness.)

[Nicodema]

I find I can "think" mine round corners. Must be what they mean by ESP, right? Awfully clever technology.

[Chris71]

For the time being we're probably safe in the UK (with the IVA as mentioned above), but much of the rest of Europe is rather more hardline on its safety regulations so it may pose some interesting challeneges for exports.

[Elapido]

That norm I mentioned applies to all countries in the European Union.

[Chris71]

Elapido said:

That norm I mentioned applies to all countries in the European Union.

There already are type approval regulations that a Caterham would almost certainly fail. Currently small firms get away with putting their factory cars through the same Individual Vehicle Approval process that you would for a kit built car.

I can see the IVA loophole staying open in the UK, but the rest of the EU has always been a bit less tolerant and a British IVA may no longer be seen a adequate.

[mickrick]

Spain for instance, won't register a home built car.
The only Caterham that can be registered here has to have a CoC. Caterham will ony issue one for factory built cars.
So indeed, some EC coutries are more hardline.

[Elapido]

What's a CoC?

[Atomic Gibbon]

Certificate of Conformity.

[rj]

But low volume cars have lesser demands than ordinary high volume cars.