BruceBe Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Caterham is introducing a new Seven model ladder in the USA, and they are as follows: Seven 160 Entry level for the model range, the Seven 160 includes a Suzuki-sourced, 80HP engine, mated to a Caterham 5-speed transmission. Highlighted standard features: Cloth seats Black powder-coated interior Inertia reel 3-point seat belts Wind deflector 14" wheels with Avon ZT5 tires Highlighted optional features: Full weather equipment Black-out package Heater Leather seats Carpeted interior Seven 280 Second in the range, offered with a 140HP Ford 1.6L Sigma engine mated to a 5-speed Caterham transmission. Highlighted standard features: Cloth seats Carpeted interior Heater Push-button start Full weather equipment 14" wheels Highlighted optional features: Available in SV chassis configuration (4" wider) Sport Package Race Package Track day rollbar 13" wheel/tire upgrade Lowered floors Seven 360 Third in the range, offered with a 180HP 2.0L Ford Duratec engine mated to a 5-speed Caterham transmission. Highlighted standard features: Cloth seats Black powder-coated interior Suede steering wheel Blackout package Supersport suspension with limited-slip differential 13" wheels on Avon CR500 tires Full weather equipment Highlighted optional features: Available in SV chassis configuration (4" wider) Sport package Race Package Carpeted interior Heater Lowered floors Seven 480 Fourth in the range, offered with a 240HP dry-sumped 2.0L Ford Duratec engine mated to a 6-speed Caterham transmission. Highlighted standard features: Black leather seats Black leather tunnel top Black powder-coated interior Race harnesses Black wind deflector Carbon components - front wings, fender shields, dash, sill guards Push-button start Superlight suspension with 15" wheels and Avon CR500 tires Ventilated front disk brakes with AP 4-piston calipers Highlighted optional features: Sport package Race package Available in SV chassis configuration (4" wider) Full weather equipment Lowered floors Carpeted interior 13" wheel upgrade with staggered wheel widths Seven 620R Currently top of the range, offered with a 310HP supercharged 2.0L Ford Duratec engine mated to a 6-speed sequential Sadev gearbox Highlighted standard features: Adjustable padded carbon seats Race harnesses Carbon interior panels and dash Lowered floors Q/R momo steering wheel Bespoke gauge cluster and sequential gear-change display Aero wishbones Race damper system Upgraded brake master cylinder 13" Apollo diamond cut wheels with Avon ZZR tires Blackout package Carbon front and rear wings Highlighted optional features: Full weather equipment Exhaust bypass pipe The standard and optional features above are a highlighted list, and not comprehensive. The 280/360/480 all include "Sport" and "Race" packages. Generally, the sport package includes upgraded brakes, wheels/tires, leather seats, and a limited slip differential. The race package is additive to the sport package, and generally includes race harnesses, track-day roll bar, composite race seats, carbon front wings, and alternate wheels/tires. Both packages have specific badging, and are progressive as the model numbers increase. For example, the 360/480 race package includes a race damper setup and aero wishbones, but the 280 race package does not. Interestingly, the 360 race package includes a Stack dash display, but the 480 does not. Also noteworthy, is the absence of a CSR model. This is a temporary situation, and models utilizing the CSR chassis will be introduced later this year. We (Beachman Racing) specialize in CSR performance and track preparation, so look forward to the re-introduction of those models. A word about the 620R - currently, the 620R is only available in RHD, as it is not EU-compliant, and the larger markets worldwide for Caterham are RHD. However, if the demand (e.g. placed orders) for a LHD 620R is significant, it is very likely that Caterham will invest in the necessary engineering and packaging changes to start manufacturing it. With Superformance taking the helm of US distribution, Caterham is migrating to a model of delivering "rollers", instead of unassembled "kits", as has been previously the case here in the US. Power-train packages are separately available, fully dressed to drop-in to the intended model. This approach simplifies complete vehicle assembly, and mitigates some of the difficulties and complexities of sourcing donor engines. Hopefully, this overview of the new model lineup (as it currently stands) will provide some clarity as the US Caterham business ramps up. Cheers, -Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) It's nice to see the 160 make an appearance. I think it will do better than anticipated despite the US drive for power/big. I am really sad to see a roller only strategy. I think that will kill about half of the interested buyers (it certainly would me). I'm glad I bought last year. *edit* Maybe 1/2 is harsh and maybe the added visibility of the brand will more than offset those lost sales. But, it does reflect a change in direction that is less pleasing to me. I would be interested to hear some counter arguments, but my guess is most people start thinking about a kit car before they focus on a 7. I suspect it is only after looking at the options that some people opt for a roller. If only rollers are available it marks an attempt to attract a different type of person. Maybe this person is the average adult, but I like being part of a community made up of people who wrench for fun. Stepping off the soap box now.... Daniel Edited January 19, 2014 by TurboWood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihckb2 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Interesting that Caterham is bringing in the 160 and 280 with 14" wheels. Ever try to buy 14" tires in North America that are any good besides racing tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 It's nice to see the 160 make an appearance. I think it will do better than anticipated despite the US drive for power/big. I am really sad to see a roller only strategy. I think that will kill about half of the interested buyers (it certainly would me). I'm glad I bought last year. *edit* Maybe 1/2 is harsh and maybe the added visibility of the brand will more than offset those lost sales. But, it does reflect a change in direction that is less pleasing to me. I would be interested to hear some counter arguments, but my guess is most people start thinking about a kit car before they focus on a 7. I suspect it is only after looking at the options that some people opt for a roller. If only rollers are available it marks an attempt to attract a different type of person. Maybe this person is the average adult, but I like being part of a community made up of people who wrench for fun. Stepping off the soap box now.... Daniel I've been seeing for some time now - say 30 years - that people are just too busy. Developing skill and insight are hard and part of the process is failing and all take time. Our economy seems to have thriven (?) by promising instant gratification and that's the culture now. I think it can only come to a bad end, but then I'm just a dinosaur and the world changes. Still I'll join you in mourning the passing of such things. (When the journey is as important as the destination.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breezy7 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 BruceBe do you have a price for each model? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 John, I agree that's the direction of our society. A decade ago I worked at a hobby store and R/C kits were plentiful. Now it's all pre-built except for the very high cost kits (for racing). Appealing to that market doesn't justify a company eliminating the kit; it just means they must also sell a roller. I would venture to say that's walking a very thin line of not being a kit car anymore. I understand it is by the letter of the law, but not by an intuitive definition of kit. What a shame for Caterham since that's the roots of the company. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoPho Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Maybe if they sell them now as rollers, all the necessary parts will actually be mounted on the car instead of missing from the box :hurray: Maybe 1/2 is harsh and maybe the added visibility of the brand will more than offset those lost sales. But, it does reflect a change in direction that is less pleasing to me. I would be interested to hear some counter arguments, but my guess is most people start thinking about a kit car before they focus on a 7. I suspect it is only after looking at the options that some people opt for a roller. If only rollers are available it marks an attempt to attract a different type of person. Maybe this person is the average adult, but I like being part of a community made up of people who wrench for fun. Stepping off the soap box now........... .....John, I agree that's the direction of our society. A decade ago I worked at a hobby store and R/C kits were plentiful. Now it's all pre-built except for the very high cost kits (for racing). Appealing to that market doesn't justify a company eliminating the kit; it just means they must also sell a roller. I would venture to say that's walking a very thin line of not being a kit car anymore. I understand it is by the letter of the law, but not by an intuitive definition of kit. What a shame for Caterham since that's the roots of the company. Daniel While the cost savings of buying used was a major factor, after having already done a 3 year ground up restoration of a Lotus Elan in my life, I had little to no interesest in building a 7. I was not looking for kit cars, I wanted a Caterham since High School in the 80's. As a matter of fact I've always disliked the "stigma" of it being a kit car, and when people ask I tell them it was bought as a complete car (which it was- original owner had it built by the dealer). Caterham (and Lotus) has always had the option of buying the cars complete in other countries. I believe the US is the only place they sold them in Kit only form. So the complete build is in the roots too. My only regret in not building it is that I would know the car inside and out for when something broke, but living in a city, I didn't have the garage space to build one even if I wanted to. And I wrench because I have to, I don't find it fun. Driving is fun! I bought my 7 in hopes that it would break less than my Elan did so I could drive more, I was wrong, but at least it is much cheaper and easier to fix. That said, I read elsewhere that they will still offer the car in kit form here at a savings of a few grand. . Edited January 19, 2014 by MoPho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdog Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) All one has to do is look back through the history of the Bradley GT in America. And you will soon see why there is a stigma attached to a "kit" car. The Bradley GT's weren't an inherently bad car. They just more often than not had bad builders. The old saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" pertains very much to kit cars. It makes selling a kit car you built such a hard sell as well. The instant gratification of our modern culture may play a part, I do also believe that it is our culture that we are never very far from the office. I.E. Those hideous cell phones means that your work normally follows you home. Kids no longer just go to the park and play any more either. Oh no, It needs to be organized with teams, Uniforms, & silly stupid schedules. It used to be that in the 1980's when I lived in Tokyo. The Japanese worker was at the office more hours than any worker world wide. That honor is now held by the Americans. Edited January 19, 2014 by bigdog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2k7 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) "And you will soon see why there is a stigma attached to a "kit" car." I like the approach of Superlite cars --- they don't call it "kit car" My next project..... Edited January 19, 2014 by s2k7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 You guys make good points. I realize not everyone wants a kit. That's why I revised my statement of 1/2 which may have been largely an emotional based exaggeration. I'm supportive of selling rollers and can easily understand the justification for doing so. I'm just hoping they leave the door open to kit builders. In Europe Caterham offers an inspection service that would help retain the value of professional builders. I don't know, but imagine US Caterham would do something similar if asked. Maybe I've over reacted a bit here. The expansion of the name should help bring vendors and parts state side which would be great. I do share the concern for 14" tires; that's an odd size. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 "And you will soon see why there is a stigma attached to a "kit" car." The question "Is it a real one" used to bug me a little until I realized it was normally posed by a guy wanting to seem knowledgeable. I've now stopped using my smart ass answer of "Well if it's not real I have a long walk home". I fact my car is likley seen as the lowest of the low. It came to Canada in 76 in 3 crates a roller only kit. My drive train was already 13 years old by that time. Regardless of it's parentage it's still tons of fun and the owners of the average sports car/sedan will only ever view my rear licence plate disappearing, especially through the wiggly bits. But it's all a bit academic as we will never see the new range of Caterhams in eastern Canada and if we do they will be vastly overpriced despite the value of our $. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Lots of good dialogue in this thread. I love my popcorn, but thought I’d through a couple of cents on the table for the sake of discussion. In the circles in which we travel, there are lots of terms used in an attempt to describe just exactly ‘what’ it is we build, own, drive, etc. Below, I've made an attempt to list a few of those phrases (at least, as I know them--I’m sure there are a host of others) and attach my own loosely developed (made up) interpretation of each. I’m by no means saying I’m right/correct with any of the definitions I've provided; any (all) of these terms are absolutely open to interpretation and very well may solicit a completely different descriptive for another. . . . . . . Dissect and enjoy. Component car: a car that is delivered from the manufacturer with minimal necessary parts where the majority of parts are sourced and supplied by the builder. This is the category in which I would place my Stalker. It came with a frame, body panels, aluminum panels, headers (based on engine of choice), some suspension components and a few other bits and pieces; all basic for the completion of the car. The fitting and trimming of some body panels and all aluminum panels was required by me. See photo: http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=6233 Kit car: a replica or original design car where the car is purchased with all/most parts necessary for completion with the builder being responsible for no/minimal sourcing and assembly. In some cases, only the drive train (engine, transmission, rear diff? and drive-shaft?) only need be sourced. Roller car: a car (replica or original) that is assembled to a certain degree prior to purchase. A roller is usually just that; it can be ‘rolled’ (pushed) around using wheels and tires mounted on the car’s chassis and suspension assembly. A roller could be considered to come in the form of a basic, minimally assembled car to that of a turnkey-minus car. Replica car: any car (component, roller, kit, turnkey, turnkey-minus, etc.) that mimics a manufacturer’s original design. Turnkey car: a replica or original-design car that is fully assembled, painted, sorted, etc. and contains a drive train; the car is ready to be driven at the time of purchase. Turnkey-minus: a turnkey car sans the drive train (engine, transmission, drive-shaft?). This type of car requires that either the purchaser install a drive train or have the drive train installed. Once the drive train is installed and sorted, the car is ready to be driven. Other: a car that . . . . ? . . . . . . . :lurk: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 The question "Is it a real one" used to bug me a little until I realized it was normally posed by a guy wanting to seem knowledgeable. I've now stopped using my smart ass answer of "Well if it's not real I have a long walk home".( A lot of that has to do with owner of non-Lotus cars putting Lotus badges on their car. Sometimes it is to fool the DMV sometimes to add a bit of prestige. I wish everyone was proud of their Se7en independent of the origin. To my mind the coolest cars are those who were totally scratch built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) For what it is worth, Birkin has been selling rollers and kits for many years. I am not sure if they still do the kits at all but it was way more rollers anyway and somebody found that his kit was actually a disassembled roller. I do see an advantage of making sure that all the parts actually fit together and as Morgan mentioned that everything is included. This is not trivial in the environment of a small manufacturer who probably does not have a sophisticated engineering document and revision control system linked with incoming and outgoing materials like the big guys. The prudent builder will probably anyway partly disassemble and reassemble certain parts to make the build easier and to assure proper bolt torque, lubrication and the like. Edited January 19, 2014 by slomove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 A lot of that has to do with owner of non-Lotus cars putting Lotus badges on their car. Sometimes it is to fool the DMV sometimes to add a bit of prestige. I wish everyone was proud of their Se7en independent of the origin. To my mind the coolest cars are those who were totally scratch built. I'm not sure why mine has a Lotus badge but it's also registered as a Lotus actually a Lotu because "manufacturer" is only a 4 digit field here in Canada. If the year doesn't give it away the Seven Cars Caterham plate under the bonnet does. Now I think of it I've never seen a Caterham badge on a very early Caterham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfox Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 As I recall, excluding the moderns such the Éclat, Elise etc, up to 1973, the +2 was the only non-kit Lotus - so we are playing with kitcars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 "Is it a real one" . . . . "Well if it's not real I have a long walk home". I like that . . . . :hurray: . . . . . and I'd leave the Lotus badge alone too. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Interesting selection. Not what I would have guessed that would sell best, at least initially, but perhaps they have done some actual market research. The roller only strategy makes sense to me. That is as long as they put them together well. If they want to portray a sense of heightened quality, taking control of the build process could go a long way here. Plus, like others have mentioned, how many folks actually have the time or resources to build the cars from the kit? I imagine they talked to Superformance a lot about this. Superformance seems to be roller only and they sell a lot of Cobra replica's. Back to the model lineup, I would have ditched the 160 and 360 and gone with a 3 model lineup of the 280/480/620 to keep things simple. Between the options available on the two 'lesser' models you have a lot of coverage here without having to make so many power options available. I am actually surprised so many of their models, particularly the 160, will be available. Save for the CSR, this is basically their full line-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Does anyone have a closeup picture of the new Caterham badge/logo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 There's one here: http://www.motor-vision.co.uk/latest-news/cars/supercharged-caterham-guns-for-king-of-the-lightweights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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