Next-generation of Caterham Superlight R300 to return in 2009

The Caterham Superlight R300 which was recently released completes the famous Caterham “Superlgiht” family. Patterned after the R400 and R500, the current Seven has an acceleration rate of 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds thanks to a new 2.0-liter Ford Duratec engine, tuned by Caterham Powertrain (CPT) to provide a responsive 175 hp.

Started in 2002 and outfitted with a Rover engine, the former R300 was the manufacturer’s best-selling Seven with the aid of an obsessive nature triggered by its wonderful mixture of performance and driving ease. The fresh Ford-powered version constructs from this foundation with added engine performance and chassis improvement, all of these but at the same time preserving the R300’s winning character.

The current 515 kg rendering of Colin Chapman’s famed philosophy of ‘lightweight minimalist’ attractively balances power and chassis to excellence, providing an outstanding 339 hp-per-ton.

Amid the numerous modifications, the new R300 profits from the elegant prompts and technological advancements initially seen on its bigger model, the volatile Superlight R500, with the addition of a comparable flush button dash design and no-key ignition, built-in as standard.

Together with an extensive range of optional extras, tough fans will also be able to add Stack data logging instrumentation, a dry sump oil system and, for regular track days, a differential equipped with limited slip system.

The CR500-shod Superlight aluminum wheels are spun at a ceiling speed of 140 mph (225 km/h) through Caterham’s tested and proven 6-speed gearbox and its 2.0-liter engine’s 175 hp and 139 lbs-ft of torque (188 Nm).

As power increases so does torque and propinquity, the R300 has a price tag of £24,995 ($39,800 or €31,300) in its component form and £27,995 ($44,580 or €35,064) for the factory built version with availability beginning in the spring of next year. Adding more options for buyers is the addition of another new Seven, the Roadsport 175.

Even though it is equipped with the enormously competent Series 3 chassis and employing the same 175 hp 2.0-liter CPT Duratec engine of the R300, the fresh Roadsport is targeted at drivers mainly focused on the B-Road blasts and touring. The Roadsport exchanged its track specific features, such as lashings of carbon fiber and track-biased suspension and brakes, with weather equipment and a heater as standard. Other variance to the R300 consists of a 5-speed gearbox with longer ratios and 14-inch alloy wheels.

The fresh Roadster 175 version reinforce the extremely famous Roadsport line-up next to the 1600cc Ford Sigma driven 125 and 150, numerically suggestive of their particular power yield.

The Roadsport 175 has a sticker price of £21,995 ($35,040 or €27,540) in component form and £24,995 ($39,800 or €31,300) for the factory built version. Together, the R300 and Roadsport 175 are offered in a SV ‘wide chassis’ variant, adding a cost of £1,750 ($2,790 or €2,190).