Caterham’s new Superlight R400 is a part of a range that are the successors to the original Lotus Seven by Colin Chapman launched 50 years ago. The 400 in the Superlight R400 refers to it’s massive 400 horsepower per tonne power to weight ratio, thanks to it’s Caterham-tuned Ford Duratec 2.0 litre engine putting out 210 horsepower at 7,800rpm and it’s stripped down 525kg weight. Thanks to this power to weight ratio, those 210 horses take the Superlight R400 from 0 to 100km/h in less than 3.8 seconds! This engine is much more powerful than the K-Series engine used in the previous Superlight. You shift through 6 gear ratios (Caterham’s own design), and power is sent trashing through the rear wheels with a De Dion setup LSD differential.
The new chassis tubes are precision laser-cut and are jig-welded by a Panasonic robot and is an all-new design, tweaked to offer 12% more rigidity, thus increasing grip, feedback, resulting in an increased ability to get faster lap times around the track. The rear suspension has also been improved with 30 changes to the dampers, as well as optimization to the anti-roll bars and road springs.
Check out this video of a Caterham-clone car going around an autocross track. It is not a real Caterham but one of those home-built clones. Nevertheless, a spectacular performance.
More photos after the jump.
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Wow… i felt caterham is improving more then the lotus… thx to his parent company ford they get the better engine and technology in their cars.. but P1? Even lotus still using old toyota engine.. And what lotus are great for? handling? well easy, becoz lotus car are low in gravity center and have a lot of strut bars.. If satria neo dont have the 16' rims and lowered spring, i think the handling will sucks! Try putting a 14' rims and 185/60 r14 tires i bet that satria neo will be bouncing entering corners! but i am sure that satria neo will gain more fuel improvement, coz the 16' rims are damn heavy!
I shall not diss old-looking lightweight cars from Britain. I shall not diss old-looking lightweight cars from Britain. I shall not….
Speechless ler, mini monster on the loose.
This practically a 4 wheel motorcycle interms of fun factor. I once saw a K-series engined caterham on the road here. It is like a go kart on steroid!
Yep…superbike region/if not equaling power to weight ratio/accelaration…. this car will certainly give yer the GRIN/FUN factors normally associated wt superbikes…eventhough u can't slide yr knees wt it ….hmmmm ths will be gud for old ppl who still wants the thrills minus the back aching/numbness/physically demanding bikes!
Kit car. DIY. Out of the box.
littlefire85, satria neo doesnt come with lowered springs in case you didnt know. and you can stil get a car to handle well with 14" rims and 185/60 tyres, even a satria neo. you are plucking facts out of thin air. Yes, the satria is still a proton and is not a perfect car, but one things for sure, it is recognised for its class leading handling.
Also, have you ever seen a lotus elise stripped off its bodyshell? you will find not one single strut bar in that car. please get your facts right.
and handling isn't all about wheel size, and lowered springs. Its an exact science that not many car manufacturers till today can get right. Why do you think the whole automotive world has so much respect for lotus? its not something you get by chance.
and btw, how can you say caterham is "improving" over lotus? They are not even competing against one another and are totally different cars and different markets. and for your info, FORD doesnt own caterham, they are an independent company. besides that, Lotus sells more cars than caterham can sell in a couple of years. They are an extremely niche market, more niche than even lotus.
lotus uses and old toyota engine? do you even know what engine the lotus uses today? and what about the ford duratec? its been around for donkey years.. does that make it a new engine? i think maybe you should get some answers first before you start posting.
i dont know much about lotus but its current exige s or 240r using a toyota 1.8 liter 2ZZ-GE VVTLi , (id say a modern toyota engine unit) , supercharged, and management system remap by lotus,
lotus id say a great chassis and suspension tuner,
anyway previous k series engine, is no good, some smaller displacement k series in rovers car, easily give away its head gasket last time,(friends there told me)
yea…i second hondadriver
its a classic design indeed
check the link below for the original
http://super7cars.com/images/7img/chassis_origina…
Hondadriver is 100% spot on, have a look at this link and you will see an Elise without it's bodyshell – now lets all play "spot the strut bar" should keep you going for hours cos they must be REALLY well hidden!!
http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/thecar/chas…
Having owned a Mk1 K-series powered Elsie a few years back I can tell you the motor was more than reliable – which is more than can be said for the Lotus electrics and the water proofing of the hood!!!
If you have a problem with claustaphobia then the Seven will scare you. It's BLOODY tight fit but if you can handle that and the low to the ground feeling, it's fine. A bit on the pricey side though. Same money can get you EVO, a used Elise, Type R, Golf GTi, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_K-Series_engin…
design fault of a k-series, engine
What is 7 meant? Why not 4?
this is hardcore stuff; posers, preppy boys and wanabees need not apply. on another note its lite weight should give good consumption figures.
When you roll two dice, 7 is the most probable number in terms of permutations when the two dice are 6-sided ones. Hence, the often heard statement that 7 is a gamblers lucky number.