marcos_eirik
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- Joined
- Nov 28, 2004
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- 4,178
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- Oslo, Norway
- Car(s)
- Mostly my feet, occasionally a Tesla
Well, first, the teaser...
Then the details:
Last, but not least, the performance...
The heads that are pistons have confirmed with an inside source at Caterham that the R500 Superlight due for release in the coming weeks will not be equipped with the rumoured RS Performance V8 but instead receive a different gearbox. PistonHeads goes on to speculate that paddle shifters could be available as an option since it was recently announced as being available on the limited edition RS Performance RST-V8 Caterham. Weighing less than 490kg and packing over 500bhp, the R500 Superlight is expected to vaporize itself on the way to 60 mph in under 3.6 seconds!
Then the details:
Well, that was one of the most short lived teasers of recent memory. CarTribe.co.uk has busted the nut open just one day after we posted our smart teaser article. According to CarTribe, Caterham recently had a viewing of the vehicle and some press materials were made available.
Far from the rumored 2.4 liter superharged RS Performance V8 engine, the R500 will receive a reworked 2.0-liter Duratec Ford engine which pumps out 263bhp and revs to 8,500 rpm. Standard is a 6 speed manual transmission but as an option a Quaife 6 speed sequential transmission is available plus launch control. Unfortunately, no weight figures have been given, yet. Where's my calculator...
On the outside the R500 Superlight to non-afficionados looks exactly like every other Caterham, however, for those in the know, the R500 gets the CSR nose, aero wishbones, 13-inch anthracite wheels and clear lens tailamps.
The R500 Superlight costs a tear jerking ?37,000 but teletransports itself to 60mph in under than 3 seconds!?! For supercar thrill seekers, that's a bargain...
Last, but not least, the performance...
Source: WorldCarFans.com and Pistonheads.comNow officially official, vital details beyond what has already been mentioned yet from here and here have been released by Caterham today on their ballistic cruise missile, the R500 Superlight. Highlights include:
* 0-60mph in 2.88 seconds (Bugatti Veyron territory)
* Kerb weight 506kg (516kg ? sequential gearbox)
* All-new electronic dashboard including keyless ignition
* On sale immediately starting at ?36,995