British car maker Caterham used the Singapore F1 Grand Prix to preview its new generation 2014 road car, the AeroSeven concept.
The uncompromising speedster has no roof, no windscreen, no wing mirrors, and will go into production in the third quarter of 2014 says Caterham, ahead of a new model onslaught that will include SUVs and small cars for global markets.
The radically styled 176kW speedster adheres to Caterham's ethos of light-weight, pared back sports cars, but the AeroSeven represents a departure for the brand via its progressive new exterior style.
Eschewing the retro-style of its current 'Seven' range, which includes models such as the entry-level Caterham Seven Sports SV 120 ($57,275) the Surrey-based company has forged a new path with the concept, which is set to influence future models.
The AeroSeven concept exposes sleek, minimalistic carbon-fibre body work wrapped around Caterham's lightweight Seven CSR chassis. It has a large snout to gulp down the fresh air needed for its high-revving engine and features a trademark Caterham grille outlined in yellow which is flanked by LED headlights. It also boasts a large rear diffuser, pumped rear wheel arches and stylised roll bars matched with small buttresses, signifying the car's strict two-seat policy.
The new model is powered by a 2.0-litre Ford Duratec-based engine that cranks out 176kW at 8500rpm and 206Nm of torque at 6300rpm, enough mumbo to propel the car from 0-100km/h in under 4.0 seconds. Driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, the AeroSeven concept debuts a number of firsts for the brand, such as the inclusion of fully adjustable launch and traction control systems, which are manipulated via steering wheel controls.
Caterham is also weighing up the viability of an anti-lock braking system.
Leveraging its F1 know-how, Caterham's AeroSeven concept makes use of a F1-inspired inboard front suspension, while a compact fully independent setup suspends the rear wheels.
Caterham has also improved the interior of the lightweight sports car, which now sports a high-res colour screen that replaces the traditional instrument panel, displaying everything from road and engine speed to fuel and oil levels.
Graham Macdonald, Managing Director of Caterham Cars, said the extreme concept is the debut model in a new "journey" being undertaken by the niche UK-based car maker.
"Over the coming years, we will be expanding our range of sportscars as we look to meet the differing needs and desires of potential customers – from the lifestyle customer to the ultimate thrill-seeker."
Caterham Group Chairman and former Lotus Racing F1 team owner Tony Fernandes went further, confirming that Caterham has plans to enter the mainstream passenger car market with a strategy to develop and produce SUVs and city cars.
"It has been a British institution for the last 40 years, and automotive secret in many ways, but in the very near future, the Caterham name will sit proudly on crossovers, city cars as well as a range of sportscars for everyone," stated Malaysian-born Fernandes.
The Caterham and AirAsia boss singled out Asia as a key market for its new vehicles but wouldn't be drawn on how many cars it plans to sell.
"We’re focused on developing the right products; with the right retail experience, in the right markets, at the right time. The sales will then come," Fernandes said.
Caterham is also partnering with Renault with help develop a brand-new Alpine sports car, which will relaunch the classic brand in early 2016.
Caterham AeroSeven Concept specifications
Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder normally-aspirated Ford Duratec |
Maximum Power | 176kW (237bhp) @ 8500rpm |
Maximum Torque | 206Nm (152 lbft) @ 6300rpm |
Gearbox | Caterham 6-speed manual gearbox |
0-100km/h | Less than 4.0 seconds |
Front suspension | F1-Style inboard pushrod double wishbone suspension |
Rear suspension | Full independent double wishbone suspension |
Front brakes | Four-piston front calipers with ventilated discs |
Rear brakes | Single-piston with solid discs |
Front wheels | 195/45R15 Avon CR500 tyres on 6.5Jx15 alloy wheels |
Rear wheels | 245/40R15 Avon CR500 tyres on 9Jx15 alloy wheels |
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