Caterham Group launches Caterham Bikes division

caterham-bikes-brutus-750

That’s right, Caterham is putting two wheels on the roads for the first time! The Caterham Bikes division has been launched by Caterham Group at the International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan, following the recent launch of the Caterham Moto2 race team at the Malaysian MotoGP.

Three prototype products have been unveiled for launch throughout 2014, with preliminary specs available on the Caterham Bikes website. The first to go into production will be the Brutus 750 (above). Dubbed “the SUV of motorcycles”, the dual-terrain bike is powered by a 750 cc twin-cam single-cylinder engine that’s mated to a CVT, and the company claims it can even be converted into a snowmobile in under four hours.

Next up, the Classic E-Bike (below). This one’s a bit of an anachronism: it features retro styling that harks “back to the golden age of British motorcycling”, but is totally electric, with a 40-80 km range. A 250-watt brushless centre motor with torque sensor is fed by a 36-volt lithium battery, with the option to add a second battery pack. Transmission is handled by a three-speed Shimano Nexus gearbox.

caterham-bikes-classic-e-bike-2

Finally, the Carbon E-Bike takes inspiration from Formula One tech, and is accordingly styled. The carbon-aluminium frame can be had in three sizes, and there are disc brakes all round. The electric powertrain is similar to the Classic E-Bike’s, except the Shimano has eight gears here. A limited edition version with exclusive F1 input and materials is currently being explored.

Caterham Bikes joins Caterham Cars, Caterham F1 Team, Caterham Racing (GP2), Caterham Technology & Innovation, Caterham Composites and the latest arm, Caterham Moto Racing Team, in the rapidly-growing Caterham Group, which Graham Macdonald is now CEO of, having been promoted from his role as Caterham Cars CEO.

The two-wheeled division will start with the European, North and South American markets, but Asia will be its key growth market. Al-Ishsal Ishak will lead Caterham Bikes as CEO, and on the management team are chief designer Alessandro Tartarini, chief engineer Zeno Panarari, plus businessman and ex-MotoGP racer Andreas Leuthe, who will be responsible for distribution and sales.

caterham-bikes-carbon-e-bike-1

“Expanding our interests into the two-wheeled market is another natural progression for us and is a good opportunity to showcase the breadth of knowledge, experience and creativity we have at our disposal across the Group, now in the two-wheeled world in addition to all of our other automotive, technology and innovation interests,” said Caterham co-chairman Tony Fernandes.

Having brought out an entry-level Seven and a range-topping Seven, the Malaysian-owned British company recently unveiled the AeroSeven Concept at the Singapore GP. The AeroSeven previews a two-seater performance road car that’s set to go on sale next year. It has also been revealed that Caterham is planning a Renault-based SUV and subcompact car, and the Alpine-Caterham sports car has been spotted track-testing by our Euro spies.

“We are realistic and honest enough to know that we’re not in the business of rivalling the establishment; we’re here to offer an alternative that befits the spirit of Caterham,” said Ishsal, who was previously ancillary income group head at AirAsia.

“Just as the Caterham Seven is a motoring icon because of its unique design and engineering credibility, Caterham Bikes’ products will be aimed at a niche audience seeking exceptional quality, bespoke design flare and bikes easy enough for anyone to ride.”

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Annihilate.d on Nov 06, 2013 at 10:12 am

    these bikes are for niche market.
    IMO, I’m not sure if caterham bikes sell well given that this is their unexplored territory

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • dafuq on Nov 06, 2013 at 10:33 am

    Apart from the Brutus, are these not glorified bicycles?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • SamShowedMeTheHilux on Nov 06, 2013 at 10:50 am

    Unfocussed company. Sure to fail. Then Malaysian gomen will buy it for 100 million Euro and then sell it for RM1

    And syiok sendiri tell people we got British know how. Put labels like “powered by Caterham” on all our bikes.

    What happened to MV Augusta? Our tax payers money loh….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 26
    • VoidDance on Nov 06, 2013 at 11:24 am

      But why would the gomen buy it? They are not even GLC like Proton/Lotus.

      It is privately owned.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 2
      • Dude, it’s owned by Tony Fernandez. He may not have succeeded in all his ventures, but he surely will put in lots of efforts in the businesses that he runs. Although he can’t guarantee profit at the end of the day (nobody can), his commitment and forward-thinking mentality separate him from those who run the GLCs. So it is most unfair to compare his Caterham to GLCs.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 1
        • caterham creates product that is niche and for people with money. They are not producing a car of average people, its like comparing ferrari with toyota.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
    • Akira on Nov 06, 2013 at 6:54 pm

      Actually this Sam Loo don’t know anything :D

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • motorhead on Nov 06, 2013 at 10:55 am

    Cars cannot sell.. So making bike? So obvious.. Some ppl reluctant to change. Prepare to bungkus.. Soon.. Very soon..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 26
    • VoidDance on Nov 06, 2013 at 11:23 am

      What the heck are you talking about? Caterham is not an everyday car company. They build midgets that suppose to be driven on racetrack and occasionally with enough bravery, on the road. Surely it will not sell by truckloads.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 2
      • motorhead on Nov 06, 2013 at 2:24 pm

        Im talking about cars that can sell.. Market.. Business.. Demand.. How big is not everyday cars market anyway? Why not you buy one.. Go ahead, buy la.. Or just talk cheap & crap… This company will bungkus.. You just wait & see… It’s not profit making company anyway.. Sold few times dy..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 18
        • looks like the lubricant in the motor inside your head all leaked out already..

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
    • Ferrari make bicycles, deal with it
      http://autos.yahoo.com/news/bikes-from-car-companies.html

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • ApapunBoleh on Nov 06, 2013 at 11:02 am

    Ugly…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • The Brutus is really really Badass!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • donno on Nov 06, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    A niche market low cost sportscar brand trying to sell premium motorcyles cobbled up with cheap taiwanese parts? Look at the brutus, fastace footwork (they do mostly cheap pocket dirtbikes suspension) and DINLI atv engine (charged with fraud in court by USA dealers) to name a few…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • bikelover on Nov 06, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    What a refreshing design. Compared to the same old same old that we get from all the japs, we finally have something unique and creative. They challenge our normal perception of how a bike should look like and it’s a much needed injection of fresh ideas into the biking world. Whether these prototypes will finally make production or priced attractively is still too early to judge, after all they are just prototypes. I wish they will do well as they have some interesting ideas.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Tokyonite on Nov 06, 2013 at 12:58 pm

    I am really impressed by this Tony Fernandes’ visioned company, Caterham that is making new moves to grow the company, than Proton owned Lotus, where Proton has Lotus in their disposal for so long but nothing significant has been done to capitalise on its brand and know how to generate profit, either by helping Proton or growing Lotus as a car company itself.

    Notice the trend:
    Air Asia, bought over by Tony and Co. with millions of debts in its name.

    After 3 years: Positive earnings over millions.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
    • Eyesore on Nov 06, 2013 at 11:35 pm

      Oh really?
      Tell Tony… MAHB says hi. They asking, when AirAsia going to pay the overdue airport tax? going to ask govt help to just delete em again?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • tengkiu amat on Nov 06, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    Please look at Italy’s motorcycles company Italjet, it’s look similar?
    http://italjet.com/en/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • amat tengkiu on Nov 06, 2013 at 1:51 pm

      Correct, these are all just rebadged Italjet bikes, including the Brutus.

      http://www.gizmag.com/et-tu-brutus-suv-motorcycle/25021/

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • makcikbaruang on Nov 06, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    what happen to lotus 2 wheel project. no update till today…aiya…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Jeff wang on Nov 06, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Brutus sounds vulgar….feels and sounds like the combination of ” brutal ” and ” anus “… After Brutus, maybe fisting? Maybe DPxtreme?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 7
  • GenXMotor on Nov 06, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    Well, Tony didn’t bought Caterham to make money, but to promo AirAsia through F1 racing team…make money is his second priority……… as long as AirAsia make money , he won’t mind to own caterham though not making profit, like how he bought over QPR…… AND HE NEVER ASK OUR GOVERNMENT TO GIVE MONEY TO RUN IT AS WHAT PROTON DO WITH LOTUS!!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
    • Eyesore on Nov 06, 2013 at 11:37 pm

      LOL… he did burn quite millions of govt money over the scam ‘1Malaysia Racing Team’…. right?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • motorhead on Nov 06, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    Some people think they manufacture & produce cars for fun eh? Not everyday cars eh? No need to sell meh? No need big market? No business also can meh? You think car industry worth how much? Workers no need to pay? Overheads? You think they build cars for fun? To please few people? It just business, it’s nothing personal. No business sure die one. Get real.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
 

Add a comment

required

required