RE: A Caterham For All Seasons: R300 Vs Roadsport 175

RE: A Caterham For All Seasons: R300 Vs Roadsport 175

Thursday 13th August 2009

A Caterham For All Seasons: R300 Vs Roadsport 175

PH compares the racy Superlight with the, er, roady Roadsport.


For a car built in such low volumes, and with effectively only one bodystyle, there are a simply astonishing number of variations on the theme of the Caterham 7.


You can have a 2.3-litre Cosworth-tuned lump with either 200bhp or 260bhp; a 2.0-litre Ford Duratec motor with 175bhp, 210bhp, or 263bhp; a 1.6-litre Ford Sigma with 125bhp or 150bhp; or you can even still get the venerable 105bhp 1.4-litre K-series Rover engine.

That's just the engines. You can also have a choice of three transmissions (five-speed, six-speed or six-speed sequential), De Dion or independent rear suspension, a variety double-wishbone set-ups for the front, and 14, 15 or 16-inch wheels.

There are even three different basic bodyshells: the classic standard car, the wide-body SV for the larger gentleman or lady, or the more sophisticated CSR.

You can't pick and choose freely between all these elements - the sequential gearbox is R500-only, for instance - but you get the point: there is, pretty much, a 7 out there for everyone.


Which is where the two cars you see here come in. Caterham has been doing the Roadsport and Superlight R versions of the 7 for some time now, but it's only recently that the two have shared a powerplant. Before now the Superlight R was only available with either the 210bhp or 263bhp 2.0-litre Duratec, while the Roadsport was only offered with either the 125bhp or 150bhp 1.6-litre Sigma unit.

As the name suggests, the Roadsport is the more comfort-oriented, less hardcore version, so features a windscreen and roof as standard, less hardcore suspension settings, properly adjustable non-bucket seats and a more 'traditional' cockpit. Our test car also had the longer, wider (and 25kg heavier) SV chassis, which we think suits the more 'everyday' nature of the 7 better. In all it weighed in at 575kg, some 60kg more than the R300.


Although our R300 also featured a windscreen and hood, this equipment is optional, and the R300 is a much more pared-down proposition, with the smaller, lighter body, a more sparse dash, lightweight bucket seats and a six-speed box as standard. In deference to the more focused nature of the R300, our car was also fitted with the optional limited-slip diff, four-point harnesses and 13-inch alloys.

So, though both cars have the same engine, they are clearly very different beasts, and aimed at very different customers. For that reason we decided to put the R300 in the hands of die-hard Caterham fan RacingPete, while the Roadsport would have the task of winning-over 7 sceptic Garlick.

Would the R300 live up to RacingPete's expectations? And could the Roadsport convince Garlick? Over to the subjects of the experiment...

 

RacingPete on the R300:


My head's pounding, there is ringing in my ears and my jaw aches from clenching my teeth tight in concentration. Someone has turned the temperature up on my left leg and it is nearing an uncomfortable heat.

But this motorised torture chamber is not something I want to swap out of in a hurry. The sensations of roof-down, doors-off, pure-adrenaline driving is stopping me from going home and I wait at another traffic light with the push-button indicator loudly beeping - in the wrong direction.

Weighing in at just 515kg the latest superlight R derived Caterham delivers 300bhp per tonne. With performance figures to turn more exotic cars green with envy, this is a fun place to sit and, like its older siblings the R400 and R500, as close to a full motorsport experience on the road as you're likely to get.


You can't argue against the philosophy Colin Chapman followed with these wonderful little cars - lightweight minimalism. If you want creature comforts, a radio, heaters or immaculate hair, go somewhere else. Every traffic light leaves me with the slight trepidation I feel before a race start, green lights illuminating and accelerating to 60mph in under 4.5 seconds.

Light weight-ness isn't all about those magic bhp per tonne figures; it's also the way the car transfers this weight through the corners. The car is immensely balanced and nimbly changes direction without too much concerns. With bespoke Avon CR500s at each corner, the speed you can negotiate roundabouts, hairpins and supermarket car parks is immense.


The superlight R300 is a welcome return to the Caterham line-up. If you get a chance to sit in one of these superbly fun cars I have no doubt that this new version will catch your heart and make this version Caterham's top-selling 7 once again. I am scouring the PH classifieds for one as you read this.

 

 

Garlick on the Roadsport 175:

Three years ago I spent the best part of a week with an Ariel Atom and from that moment I wouldn't really consider any other super lightweight sports car. I've driven a KTM since then and that couldn't change my opinion. And as for Caterhams? Well I had driven a few of them, mostly on track, and I just couldn't get my head around them. Usually I was spinning them off the track with my ham-fisted movements on the controls.


So it was odd that, when a brace of Caterhams were offered to PH, I found myself putting my hand up for one of them. Now I already knew that I didn't like them that much, but the sun was due to shine and I thought I might as well take something with a 'soft top' to the Goodwood 'Soft-top Sunday' Breakfast Club that weekend. While the rest of the team got excited about the R300, I was quite happy to take the SV175 Roadsport....besides, it was finished in a much more pleasant colour scheme.

Heading home that evening I was looking forward to seeing what the fuss was all about, but to be honest I was still not expecting that much. Starting it up I was instantly happy with the noise it made from the side-exit exhaust a few inches from my ear. The gearbox was fantastic and the view across the headlights, watching the cycle wings move up and down, was rather special. Heading through the fairly light London traffic I was 'pointing and squirting' through gaps and generally having a ball. Other traffic let me out of junctions and everyone who spotted it gave a smile.


I didn't get home until very late that night. I just drove and drove, relishing the purity of the experience. I had a headache from a mixture of wind buffeting, exhaust and engine noise, but I didn't want to stop. It was then that I realised you don't need 300bhp, extreme styling or superchargers; you just need a fantastic chassis with a combination of perfectly matched components. I have never driven a car that rewards and excites as much as this, and I'm feeling a little embarrassed that I have always dismissed them - probably the most foolish opinion that I have ever formed.

The next day was Friday, meaning I had the entire weekend to drive it. It rained, predictably, so on went the roof (which is a 30-second job and not as hard as people make out) and down the rain-soaked A3 I went with the little wipers working hard. Even that was fun; the cabin was spacious enough (well, it was the SV - Riggers), the wipers worked to a decent standard and I didn't get wet. There was a lot of heat inside the cabin, but it was liveable enough that I actually started to consider a Caterham as a daily driver. In fact I still can't think of a reason not to buy one. You simply cannot fail to be impressed by the way in which everything works together so well and the back-to-basics way that it is YOU that drives the car and makes it react. Who needs electronic aids?

In the days that followed, the sun came out and I spent more time sitting in the SV175 than I did on my sofa. It's that sort of car, you just can't help yourself and I will say right here that it is the best car in its class. New variants of the lightweight sports car come along with more power, more modern styling and more extreme performance but do you know what? You don't need it; why fix what isn't broken. You can keep your skinny lattes with an extra shot and vanilla syrup. I prefer to keep it simple with an espresso, small, effective and a true untouched original. Don't try and improve on it because you can't; perfection has already been achieved.

 

 

 

 

 

Author
Discussion

Staffy1984

Original Poster:

316 posts

179 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
Nice one Garlick, great write up, you've made me want to try one of these out.

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
clapwoohoo Another convert! Welcome to the fold! And yes, you can use a 7 as a daily driver but sometimes it does take the shine off the experience.

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

208 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
Great article. I couldn't agree more - electronic aids - Bad AIDS. biggrin

edit: there are people here who will confirm how I haven't stopped driving the doors off my MX-5 since I bought it... maybe I should consider going one step more hardcore?

Edited by Gizmo! on Thursday 13th August 11:39

danmalk

18 posts

245 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
200,000 miles in my first caterham.... used as my only car and daily driver, as well as my sprint car which competed successfully with all the other cars despite the mileage...just turn up, slap some numbers on, empty to pie wrappers from the cockpit and boot...and away you go! ..

You do get a little 'used' to the performance and sometimes it seems ordinary... until you go through a roundabout and realise just how much faster it is through there than most things... and just how easy it is to have a little bit of fun!

For even more fun.... look of the caterham graduates forum... lots of well used race cars on there... my classic..with 100bhp.. rock hard tyres and shedly appearance is massive fun to race, relatively cheap - ie full season incl testing for not much more than 6k! and it's still road legal..if I chose to run it on the road!

will_

6,027 posts

202 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
Are some of those pics in Richmond Park? That's the first place I took my first Caterham for some decent photos. Now on my second (an R400 this time) and wondering what would replace it! "Bang for buck" it's pretty much unbeatable, with kit car insurance and relatively cheap parts, low depreciation, they're well put together and even the lowest spec cars are sub-6 seconds to 60. I actually prefer the snugness of the standard chassis and found the Tillet seats very comfortable even on long-ish journeys. I also fitted an aeroscreen which added to the whole experience too. Great cars, good write up chaps.

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
danmalk said:
Stuff...
wavey Hi Dan, long time no see!

Did you flog your mega-miles 7 or did it die of overuse/misuse? wink

Edited by ewenm on Thursday 13th August 11:52

danmalk

18 posts

245 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
Hi Ewen!

Yup... been a while... the old 7, is still awaiting repair before I decide what to do with it! ... Nothing much wrong with it, other than needing a long front...

Racing at Brands on 22nd if you fancy a day out watching some close racing with overtaking..... I will be attempting to achieve a decent result again at Brands... hopefully better than last weekend! ;-)

L100NYY

35,075 posts

242 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
I miss my old Caterhams oh so very much, that purity and rawness.......... cry

Chris71

21,535 posts

241 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
I'd say all seasons is a must. Damp roads plus an LSD equipped Seven are a fantastic mix (given an iota of common sense).

Altrezia

8,517 posts

210 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
What I want (and would buy) is a Caterham with an aeromax style hard-top. (removable or not - not bothered either way).


L100NYY

35,075 posts

242 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
Chris71 said:
I'd say all seasons is a must. Damp roads plus an LSD equipped Seven are a fantastic mix (given an iota of common sense).
yes

I think that I mangaed approx 8k miles in 9 months of ownership with my R400, rain or shine I would take it out for a blast. In fact some of the best drives and trackdays were in the wet.

Here's my R300 at Brands -


havoc

29,917 posts

234 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
Nice write-up. smile

Paul - I drove a similar car to your one about two months back, except w/ Superlight suspension. Stunning piece of kit, so immediate and so instinctive, albeit a very physical car to drive!

However, I found it tramlined and camber-hunted a lot - you needed to actively steer the car even when in a straight-line (on country roads, at least). Did yours do the same?

Edited by havoc on Thursday 13th August 12:34

tonym911

16,408 posts

204 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
havoc said:


However, I found it tramlined and camber-hunted a lot - you needed to actively steer the car even when in a straight-line (on country roads, at least). Did yours do the same?
Exactly right. I borrowed a VVC 1.8 to go to France with a bunch of nutters a few years back and nearly got bounced into a field while attempting to keep up with a 355 along a bumpy (and heavily cambered) country road. If the suspension gets out of synch with the road in any car, you'll be in trouble, but Caterhams need extra respect when they're on the limit as even small control inputs at high speed will have a noticeable effect.

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
tonym911 said:
havoc said:


However, I found it tramlined and camber-hunted a lot - you needed to actively steer the car even when in a straight-line (on country roads, at least). Did yours do the same?
Exactly right. I borrowed a VVC 1.8 to go to France with a bunch of nutters a few years back and nearly got bounced into a field while attempting to keep up with a 355 along a bumpy (and heavily cambered) country road. If the suspension gets out of synch with the road in any car, you'll be in trouble, but Caterhams need extra respect when they're on the limit as even small control inputs at high speed will have a noticeable effect.
You get used to holding the wheel more gently than you would in a "normal" car. Caterhams respond better when you let them hunt around the road a bit so keeping a light grip and letting the wheel move a little in your hands is good. Obviously not too much though yikeswink

Edited by ewenm on Thursday 13th August 13:58

tonym911

16,408 posts

204 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
I found taking a light grip of the wheel was producing a tightness elsewhere in the trouser department (rear section). I think maybe I was just going too fast.

Eugene7

739 posts

193 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
I've had my Caterham for some 23 years...

Started life as a 1600 crossflow SuperSport, and has been threough a number of variations since... Bit like Triggers broom on Only Fools And Horses...

For many years it was my only transport, and even now I would rather jump in it than the Elise or Freelander I also have, even with the brooklands and slightly more bhp than originally on-tap...

See Here

It really is a very special mode of transport!

pistolp

1,719 posts

221 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
sounds to me like you might have been driving beyond your capabilities. caterhams are widley renowned for being one of the most forgiving cars on the limit.

Eugene7

739 posts

193 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
As for tram-lining, and hunting cambers - stay away from wide wheels with stupid low profiles. The Seven when setup with good suspension and correct types is a joy to drive and will out-handle just about anything else...

Over 200,000 miles in my Seven has made me understand this well.

havoc

29,917 posts

234 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
ewenm said:
tonym911 said:
havoc said:


However, I found it tramlined and camber-hunted a lot - you needed to actively steer the car even when in a straight-line (on country roads, at least). Did yours do the same?
Exactly right. I borrowed a VVC 1.8 to go to France with a bunch of nutters a few years back and nearly got bounced into a field while attempting to keep up with a 355 along a bumpy (and heavily cambered) country road. If the suspension gets out of synch with the road in any car, you'll be in trouble, but Caterhams need extra respect when they're on the limit as even small control inputs at high speed will have a noticeable effect.
You get used to holding the wheel more gently than you would in a "normal" car. Caterhams respond better when you let them hunt around the road a bit so keeping a light grip and letting the wheel move a little in your hands is good. Obviously not too much though yikeswink
I was driving in a 'relaxed' style (so loose hands) @ ~5 or 6/10ths of what I judged the car's abilities to be (have driven Superlights on-track before), so the springs and dampers weren't getting a real work-out, and yet it still writhed all over the place - I found myself the wrong-side of the centre-line on one B-road on about 3 occasions...one when there was a Landy coming the other way! Was riding on the standard 15% 9-spokes (9?).

I'm used to letting cars 'sort themselves out' on a bumpy road - the ITR is very good at it, and a v.8 STi I drove was spookily attuned to the road almost no matter how-fast you pushed the car - but this one didn't seem to - it was as if there was no castor (self-centering) in the geometry set-up at all...I suspect the much-shorter (height-wise) suspension than a 'normal' car contributed. Probably my only (justifiable) criticism of the car...I really do like them!

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
Another thing to note is that no one Caterham is ever the same as any other one. They are very setup-dependent, so small changes in suspension setup can cause large changes in behaviour.

Mine is setup for road use, so softer than many. As such it's pretty well-behaved on road, but does tend to have roll-induced oversteer on track (which can be fun!).