New Caterham coming in Jan.

[supersportsp]

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=137900432932252&id=371952447689

 

"Caterham launches a new chapter in its history

by Caterham Motorsport on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 3:06am

 

British sportscar maker, Caterham Cars, will introduce an entirely new model to its line-up at next month’s Autosport International Show

 

The latest addition to the renowned Caterham stable marks the beginning of a new dawn for the Company, but one that remains true to the lightweight, minimalist DNA of the legendary Seven and will complement its continuing global success.

 

Powered by the next-generation Caterham Motorsport engine, the model will provide a logical expansion to the Company’s racing and trackday portfolio and open an exciting new chapter in its future.

 

The new model makes its world debut on Thursday, January 13, 2011, at the Autosport International Show, NEC, Birmingham."

[Kitcat]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words:)!

[bball7754]

The thread on this topic on Blatchat seems to be leaning toward Caterham taking over Zolfe. http://www.zolfe.com/

 

Jez Coates, Tech Director at Caterham, apparently headed up development of the Zolfe. There appear to be two US dealers.

 

You can also sign up to receive info on the announcement here:

 

http://countdown.caterham.co.uk/

 

Steve

[scannon]

I hope that is not where Caterham is headed. IMHO it looks like a hodgepodge of styling clues looking for a theme and could be a recipe for disaster for Caterham.

[RossD]

They should turned it into a remake of this: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Lotus_Elite_at_Mallory_Park.JPG/800px-Lotus_Elite_at_Mallory_Park.JPG

[Kitcat]

RossD: AMEN! Perhaps the prettiest car ever made.

[Ruadhd2]

I thought somebody did and its called a Miata

[Mondo]

The zolfe's not bad... I like a more bulbous type flared fender.

 

Just found this, looks like a pretty fun kit..

 

 

http://www.murtayausa.com/index.asp

Edited December 15, 2010 by Mondo

[Boxologist]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/in_the_showroom/article5574290.ece

 

thats from 2 years ago. Jez Coates is involved back then. Is Caterham bring the $$ to the party? That's a pretty big step for a niche manufacturer. never heard of Zolfe before, but the design does not look bad. I wonder if they are working in association w/ Zolfe, are they trying to resurrect the intent of the 21?

 

I would hope the announcement is for another powertrain. westfield played w/ the electrical concept, i'd like to see a diesel motor fitted.

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

I thought somebody did and its called a Miata

 

Not sure how you go from an elite to a miata. The Miata is similar to the Elan, but not the elite IMHO

[BruceBowker]

I think it looks great in the picture! Not sure what it looks like live though.

[Ian7]

Not sure how you go from an elite to a miata. The Miata is similar to the Elan, but not the elite IMHO

 

agreed. Miata is a nice incarnation of an Elan, but an Elite it's not...

 

(friend races an Elan with a vanity plate that reads " 66MIATA" :-)

[Ruadhd2]

But, yes it is pretty.

[supersportsp]

From the announcement:

 

"...the model will provide a logical expansion to the Company’s racing and trackday portfolio..."

 

I don't think the Zolfe or any Elite reincarnation is likely. I am thinking more along the lines of Westfield XTR or Radical. Something small and lightweight that hugs the ground as it goes faster, instead of trying to leave it. Something with actual aerodynamics.

 

I have often thought that something like a mini Panoz LMP1 Roadster would be really cool. A front engine/rwd super light car with some modern aero. Forgiving front engine/rwd handling in something that won't hit a brick wall at 115 mph and will actually stick to the pavement better the faster it goes.

 

Put a body something like this on a CSR 260 chassis...

 

http://www.mulsannescorner.com/Panoz-GC5.jpg

[Alaskossie]

I'd put money on the possibility that Caterham's new car is a minimalist, road-license-able track-day car with a rear engine (4 cylinders), all-independent suspension, and an aerodynamic body with space for two.

 

If Colin were drawing a car today with the motivation and the parameters similar to those he had in 1957, this is what today's "Seven" would look like.

 

Let's hope that Caterham without Graham Nearne does not lose its way -- or this could sink the company.

 

BTW, the Miata's supposed design inspiration was the Lotus Elan, not the Series 1 Lotus Elite. I always thought that the Miata's claim of Elan inspiration was a bit of a stretch, since the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce was much closer to the Miata in terms of weight, wind-up windows, steel body construction, etc. The only thing that the Veloce lacked (and that the Elan and Miata had in common) was IRS.

[escondidoron]

At work during lunch we often talk about cars. We have often discussed what a Seven would look like if Chapman and company were to draw it today. One of the group, my friend Kurt, proposes this sketch:

http://www.midlana.com/Diaries/Current/Midlana%20rough%20sketch.jpg

 

Here are a couple of shots of his progress to date:

http://www.midlana.com/Diaries/Current/IMG_2592.JPG

 

http://www.midlana.com/Diaries/Current/second_side_panel_on.JPG

 

http://www.midlana.com/Diaries/Current/rear%20mesh2.JPG

 

If you're interested you can see more at his build diary site:

http://www.midlana.com/Diaries/Current/

 

Regards,

Ron

[MHKflyer52]

Now that is VERY COOL and I would have to say that is what I would also figure that Caterham is going to come out with something to that order of design.

Post up some more specifications on your friends build as I know there are a lot of folks that would be interested in it.

[Ian7]

@ escondidoron:

 

your friend has drawn an Elfin, an Australian LSIS, (google it) which I personally find stunning and highly desirable :-)

[Alaskossie]

Au contraire, escondideron's friend's car has a transverse rear engine/rear drive -- the Elfin is a true LSIS, with front longitudinal engine/rear drive.

 

I'd like to see the f/r weight distribution of escondideron's friend's car... it's got to be pretty tail-heavy....30/70?

[escondidoron]

If you're truly interested in topics like specifications, weight distribution, etc, I recommend that you read through Kurt's build diary, join his forum, or you can wait for his next book (This book, documenting the complete build process will be his second. The 1st deals with his last built-from-scratch car; a very nice tube frame / carbon body / mid-engine / Honda powered Mini) with even more complete details. You may have seen that car on the cover of Grassroots Motorsport (Nov '06 I think). There's a link to the build dairy of that car at the Midlana web site.

 

Here's a link to a review of the 1st book:

http://http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1964272

 

Most intriguing to me is that he is doing this in a one-car garage pretty much single-handed. While we have lengthy discussions on many issues, ultimately he is doing this all on his own. Pretty cool I think.