Caterham unveils a new generation.CATERHAM'S famous 'Superlight' family is now complete with the British manufacturer releasing details of a new generation of its Superlight R300. Following in the rear tyre tracks of the motorsport derived R400 and R500, the latest Seven punches from 0-to-60mph in 4.5 seconds courtesy of a new 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine The Duratec is a range of four, six and twelve-cylinder gasoline engines used in Ford cars. Originally there was a 2.5 L V6 introduced with the Mondeo. When the 2000 Mondeo was introduced, the 1.8 L and 2.0 L engines became Duratecs too. , tuned by Caterham Powertrain (CPT CPT See: Carriage Paid To ) to deliver a responsive 175bhp. Originally launched in 2002 and fitted with a Rover engine, the previous R300 was Caterham's bestselling Seven thanks to an addictive character fuelled by its perfect blend of performance and driving pleasure. The new Ford-powered model builds on this platform with increased engine performance and chassis developments, and all this whilst still retaining the R300's winning personality. The latest 515kg interpretation of Colin Chapman's famous 'lightweight minimalist' philosophy beautifully balances power and chassis to perfection Adv. 1. to perfection - in every detail; "the new house suited them to a T" just right, to a T, to the letter , delivering an impressive 339bhp-per-tonne. Among many developments, the new R300 benefits from styling cues and technical evolutions first seen on its 'big brother' - the explosive Superlight R500 - with the addition of a similar flush button dash design and keyless ignition system, fitted as standard. Amongst a wide range of optional extras, hardened enthusiasts will also be able to add Stack data logging instrumentation, a dry sump oil system and, for track-day regulars, a limited slip differential A limited slip differential (LSD) is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity of the output shafts, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. . Translated through Caterham's proven 6-speed gearbox, the 2.0-litre powerplant's 175bhp and 139 lbs-ft of torque is able to spin the R300's bespoke be·spoke v. Past tense and a past participle of bespeak. adj. 1. Custom-made. Said especially of clothes. 2. Making or selling custom-made clothes: a bespoke tailor. Avon CR500-shod Superlight aluminium wheels to a top speed of 140mph. With more power, more torque and more immediacy, the Superlight R300 will start at pounds 24,995 in component form and pounds 27,995 factory built with delivery starting in spring 2009. Further expanding the range to offer customers a wider range of choice is the addition of another new Seven - the Roadsport 175. Prices for the Roadsport 175 start at pounds 21,995 in component form and pounds 24,995 for factory built. Both the R300 and Roadsport 175 are available in a SV 'wide chassis' version, |
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