Meet the prototype mid-engined Caterham destined for a one-make race series coming soon...
Tracksters, meet your new hero: the Caterham-Lola SP/300.R.
It's an entirely new Caterham - not just a rehash of the existing scaffolding und engine combo - prototype racing car and was made with the help of Lola Cars, that iconic British firm which has developed models for nearly every sphere of motorsport.
See more pics of the Caterham-Lola SP/300.R
At its heart, the SP/300.R will pack a Caterham-tuned, supercharged version of the Ford 2.0-litre Duratec engine producing 300bhp. Together with the Hewland semi-automatic FTR ‘box - geared for maximum rpm in top gear at the end of Spa-Francorchamps's Kemmel Straight - it packs 500bhp per-tonne and is estimated to hit 62mph in just 2.5 seconds. Yes, as fast as that four-wheel-drive automotive behemoth. Top speed is estimated at around 170mph.
Lola designed the SP/300.R on aerodynamic lines rather than looks, using an aluminium tub as its basic chassis, front splitter and large wing to reduce lift, and a flat underbody. It also features an F1-style raised nose section which should help weekend racers with maintenance, apparently.
The SP/300.R gets full race suspension - dual wishbones, pushrod damers, adjustable ride height - coupled with 13-inch racing rims, as well as racing gubbins such as fire extinguisher, six-point harness, et al.
Just 25 will be made a year, in preparation for the first one-make race series in 2012 which Caterham says will start initially on UK circuits, with the possibility of having one round abroad.
It costs £60,000, and you wants it.
It's an entirely new Caterham - not just a rehash of the existing scaffolding und engine combo - prototype racing car and was made with the help of Lola Cars, that iconic British firm which has developed models for nearly every sphere of motorsport.
See more pics of the Caterham-Lola SP/300.R
At its heart, the SP/300.R will pack a Caterham-tuned, supercharged version of the Ford 2.0-litre Duratec engine producing 300bhp. Together with the Hewland semi-automatic FTR ‘box - geared for maximum rpm in top gear at the end of Spa-Francorchamps's Kemmel Straight - it packs 500bhp per-tonne and is estimated to hit 62mph in just 2.5 seconds. Yes, as fast as that four-wheel-drive automotive behemoth. Top speed is estimated at around 170mph.
Lola designed the SP/300.R on aerodynamic lines rather than looks, using an aluminium tub as its basic chassis, front splitter and large wing to reduce lift, and a flat underbody. It also features an F1-style raised nose section which should help weekend racers with maintenance, apparently.
The SP/300.R gets full race suspension - dual wishbones, pushrod damers, adjustable ride height - coupled with 13-inch racing rims, as well as racing gubbins such as fire extinguisher, six-point harness, et al.
Just 25 will be made a year, in preparation for the first one-make race series in 2012 which Caterham says will start initially on UK circuits, with the possibility of having one round abroad.
It costs £60,000, and you wants it.
