Caterham Launches it's all new car, £69, and made fully from plastic, we bring you the Seven Lego car.

Caterham has today unveiled a brand new model which features a rather different build process to its usual run of 500 cars a year – the brand’s very first immortalisation in LEGO® form.

Technicians from the legendary British sportscar manufacturer have downed their tools and picked up the plastic, teaming up with the equally iconic toy maker to create the first ever LEGO Caterham, due to hit the shelves this October.

 

The plastic bricks, resplendent in Caterham’s typically garish yellow, create the beautifully engineered LEGO Caterham 620R, capable of reaching a heart-racing* top speed of 6mph**.

Originally submitted by fanatic Carl Greatrix to the LEGO Ideas platform, in which fans can submit their ideas for new LEGO sets, the Seven gained the requisite 10,000 votes and the LEGO Ideas Review team selected the 620R to go into production.

Consisting of over 770 pieces, including a replica 620R engine and gear stick, the LEGO Caterham stands 10cm tall and 28cm long. Other unique features which may cause fans to blow a gasket include:

• Removable nose cone
• Removable engine cover
• Steering wheel
• Opening boot
• Functioning axle stands which allow the wheels to be removed

Caterham Chief Commercial Officer, David Ridley, said: “Caterham has always prided itself on producing bespoke, hand-built cars for its customers. Our army of fans who build their own Caterham Sevens are equally discerning when it comes to the detail and craftsmanship which is central to Caterham, and we worked closely with the LEGO team to ensure the LEGO model replicated that.

“The LEGO 620R has various unique features – the intricately-designed engine was certainly a surprise when we lifted the bonnet for the first time. It’s really satisfying to know that fans can recreate and build their own 620R with LEGO bricks.”

*Heart-racing for toy drivers

**not scientifically proven

One of the UK’s top Mini events takes place this weekend at Santa Pod, Beds with 100's of Mini's due to attend.

• One of the UK’s top Mini events takes place this weekend at Santa Pod, Beds
• Chance to win a classic Mini
• ‘Club Mini Push’, 120mph karts, 150mph gas turbine drag bike, precision parallel parking and the ‘Turbonator’ to be part of the live action
• Beatles tribute act The Brighton Beatles to headline evening show

With less than a week to go before the big day, Mini fans have a lot to look forward to at this year’s Mini in the Park which takes place at Santa Pod, Beds, on Sunday August 14^th.

One of the more entertaining features of the day will be the ‘Club Mini Push’, with representatives of some of the country’s biggest and best Mini clubs competing head to head in a battle to push a classic Mini around an obstacle course in the fastest possible time.

Visitors will also have the chance to enter a competition to win a classic Mini, sponsored by specialist insurers Carole Nash. 

The two-door saloon has been dramatically transformed during the 2016 show season, and the draw to win it will take place live at the show, with one lucky winner getting to drive away in the all-time British classic.

Renowned Mini stunt driver, Alistair Moffatt, promises to be a big draw as he shows off his millimetre-perfect handbrake turn parallel parking in a classic Mini – a breath-taking display for fans, as he slides into a parking space with just inches to spare.

In addition, there will be a hotly contested concours competition, featuring some of the finest cars on the Mini scene, plus a Mini-only ‘Run Wot Ya Brung’ contest on Santa Pod’s famous drag strip, with prizes at stake. Four runs down the famous strip can be bought for just £20 on top of the standard show entry.

Non-club members will also be able to enjoy the show, with a special Mini-only parking area reserved for their prized cars, and even a special award for the best ‘non-club’ Mini attending the event.

The event is also host to MiniWorld magazine's 25th anniversary celebrations, and most notable among this will be a display of featured cars from the past, present and future issues. Expect restored classics and some beautifully modified examples to excite and inspire every Mini fan.

Each year, over 1,000 Mini fans choose to start their MITP experience early, with a festival feel family friendly campsite, plus live music and Santa Pod’s famous funfair. Gates open at 2pm on the Saturday, with entertainment from 7.30pm. Admission is £5 per person in advance or £10 per person on arrival (gates close 2am Sunday morning). 

The evening at MITP 2016 will include the Brighton Beatles, one of the best fab four tribute acts in the country. Prizes for those wearing proper 60s get-up are up for grabs in a Beatles-based fancy dress competition.

MINI to have a world premiere and some special models at this years Goodwood Festival of Speed.

• World premiere of MINI Seven, the first design model of current generation
• Unveiling of brand new UK-only model, MINI John Cooper Works Challenge
• The fastest production car exclusively built for UK market will go up the Hill climb along with the MINI Challenge Race Car
• MINI ambassadors, Harry Hunt and Charlie Butler-Henderson available for interviews on MINI stand throughout the weekend
• 3D virtual exhibit showcasing the MINI VISION NEXT 100 vehicle, developed to celebrate 100 Years of BMW Group

The world premiere of the first MINI design model of the current generation will take pride of place on the MINI stand at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

MINI Seven, inspired by classic Mini heritage fused with modern design and technology, will be on display for the very first time from 23-26th June and will showcase specially designed exterior and interior looks unseen before on this generation’s model line-up.

Joining MINI Seven on the stand will be the new MINI John Cooper Works Challenge, developed exclusively by a specialised team of racing drivers at Plant Oxford for the UK market.

Based on the ultimate performance MINI, John Cooper Works Hatch, and inspired by the MINI Challenge Race car, the MINI John Cooper Works Challenge takes performance to a new level, while also offering a thrilling on-road driving experience without sacrificing everyday comforts and refinement.

As well as experiencing the latest production models, visitors to the MINI stand at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2016 will be able to interact with a 3D virtual exhibit showcasing the MINI VISION NEXT 100 vehicle.   Developed to celebrate 100 Years of BMW Group and show the brand's vision for mobility of the future, the MINI VISION NEXT 100 will be revealed at the Roundhouse, Camden, London on 16th June.

Elsewhere at the festival, Dakar driver, Harry Hunt will be on hand with the MINI ALL4 Racing car, which he drove to finish 10th in his debut Dakar race this year. MINI Challenge racing driver, Charlie Butler-Henderson will also be driving the new MINI John Cooper Works Challenge up the iconic Goodwood hill.

For those wishing to try their hand at racing themselves, the MINI stand also has its very own MINI Challenge Racing Experience. Budding amateur drivers can use the virtual driving experience to pit themselves against their friends driving the MINI Challenge race car.

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will host the global debut of the new special edition, MINI Seven.

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 23-26) will host the global debut of the first design model of the current generation of MINIs, MINI Seven.

Taking its name from the very first Mini, the 1959 Austin Seven, MINI Seven has been designed to fuse the brand’s classic heritage with modern design and technology.

MINI Seven joins the current MINI Hatch range in 5-door or 3-door form and features specially designed exterior and interior looks unseen before on this generation’s model line-up.  

The new car, which will also feature a bespoke option pack called MINI Seven Chili, will be unveiled for the very first time at Goodwood’s Moving Motor Show on Thursday, June 23.

As well as the world premiere of MINI Seven, MINI will also have the new John Cooper Works Challenge Edition going up the famous 1.16-mile Hillclimb course in the First Glance category during the main FOS days.

The Festival of Speed will also represent MINI CHALLENGE racer Charlie Butler-Henderson’s debut as MINI’s newest brand ambassador, since working hard to defend his title as the CHALLENGE champion in 2015.

MINI will also have brand ambassador and Dakar Rally ace, Harry Hunt on hand to drive the MINI ALL4 Racing car, in which he finished 10^th in this year’s Dakar at his first attempt on the world’s toughest road race.

BMW Group – BMW, MINI, Rolls Royce and BMW Motorrad – will celebrate its illustrious sporting past and the diversity of its brands at this year’s Festival of Speed, with BMW taking centre stage as the Honoured Marque.

BMW and MINI will continue the centenary celebrations at Goodwood, during which they will focus on the future of mobility. As part of this, MINI will showcase its ‘Vision Vehicle’, created through partnerships with three pioneering experts in the fields of design, art and interactivity.

The week-long exhibition celebrating 100 years of the BMW Group, which is free to the public will showcase its three innovative ‘vision vehicles’ to the Roundhouse in Camden from 18^th – 26^th June.

MINI laucnhes a new special edition the Seven, a retun of the name from the very first Mini in 1959

• MINI launches first design model of current generation
• MINI Seven inspired by classic Mini heritage fused with modern design and technology
• Exclusively designed exterior and interior design features
• Bespoke option pack, MINI Seven Chili developed specifically for MINI Seven
• Available as a MINI 3-door or 5-door Hatch in four engine types: Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD
• Now on sale, priced from £18,545 OTR

MINI today has launched its latest design model, MINI Seven.

Taking its name from the very first Mini, the 1959 Austin Seven, MINI Seven has been developed to showcase both the distinctive style inspired by the original Mini and the current modern values of the brand.

MINI Seven joins the current generation MINI Hatch range in 5-door or 3-door form with specially designed exterior and interior looks unseen before on this generation’s model line-up.

MINI Seven is instantly recognisable by its striking MINI Yours body finish which comes as standard in Lapisluxury Blue - the most intensive blue tone ever applied to a MINI. Three other body finishes from the MINI paint range are also available to choose from; Pepper White, Midnight Black and British Racing Green.

A Melting Silver roof and exterior mirror caps come as standard contrasting with the distinctive body finishes. MINI Seven door sill finishers and side scuttles with the MINI Seven logo as well as 17-inch light alloy wheels in exclusive MINI Seven Spoke two-tone design complete the exterior look.

For those wanting to add their own personal style to the exterior design of MINI Seven, bonnet stirpes in Melting Silver with surround in Malt Brown are also available as an option.

Inside, the eye-catching design cues continue with sports seats in the fabric/leather finish Diamond Malt Brown, designed exclusively for MINI Seven.

There is also a MINI Seven logo on the central instrument which surrounds the MINI Visual Boost 6.5’’ colour display which also comes as standard alongside MINI Connected, Bluetooth Handsfree with USB audio, floor mats, MINI Excitement Pack, automatic dual-zone air conditioning and storage compartment pack.

In addition to the high quality standard equipment offered, MINI Seven has its own bespoke option pack, the MINI Seven Chili. The MINI Seven Chili offers customers MINI Yours features such as the Lounge Leather Upholstery in Carbon Black and the MINI Yours Steering Wheel in Walk Nappa leather with a waxed hand stitched seem.

The MINI Seven Chili pack also offers additional features which are unique in the small car segment including LED headlights, multifunction controls for the steering wheel and cruise control with brake function.

Additional optional equipment from the MINI range is also available to further customise MINI Seven. This includes the popular panorama glass roof, windscreen heating, front driver and passenger seat heating, the Harmon Kardon hi-fi speaker system as well as MINI Connected XL and MINI Navigation System.

MINI Seven will be have its first UK premiere at Goodwood Festival of Speed on the MINI stand from 23-26th June with orders being taken now. Prices start for MINI 3-door Seven from £18,545 OTR and from £19,145 for MINI 5-door Seven.

Donington Park see's Caterham move from Silverstone to become the flagships dealership and experience site.

• New showroom will open at prestigious race track in January 2016
• Caterham Experience will also be housed at new facility
• Caterham Cars UK dealer network continues to grow with four sites across UK

Caterham Cars has appointed BookaTrack, based at Donington Park race circuit, as its new dealer in the Midlands as it continues to expand its UK dealer network.

The brand new showroom will be based at one of Britain’s premier circuits, and will open its doors in January 2016. The move will also see Caterham’s Experience day activities relocate from Silverstone to Donington Park from January 2016.

The move marks the first time that prospective Caterham customers will be able to experience retail demonstrations in a Seven on track, due to the exclusive circuit access that Donington Park has given to BookaTrack Caterham at selected times.

BookaTrack Caterham will sell Caterham’s five-strong model range of lightweight sportscars, as well as offering a full aftersales and servicing package to new and existing customers. The BookaTrack team is already well-versed in the servicing and maintenance of Caterham Sevens, through its Experience fleet of 12 Sevens, including R300 race cars and Seven 620 Rs.

Aftersales activities will begin with immediate effect and will provide Caterham’s Midlands based customers with service, warranty and parts support in a central location conveniently located just off the M1. BookaTrack Caterham will also offer a store and forward service, allowing customer cars to be stored indoors and securely at Donington Park.

Caterham’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Ridley, said: “We are delighted to be able to expand our UK dealer network in partnership with a company as knowledgeable and experienced with the Seven as BookaTrack.

“Donington Park is perfectly aligned to the Caterham brand thanks to both of our rich motorsport heritages.

“Additionally, the opportunity to deliver Caterham Experience events alongside a showroom in tandem with having exclusive access to the legendary circuit for customer demonstrations is a ground-breaking move for Caterham.”

BookaTrack’s Director, Jonny Leroux, said: “The opening of our own Caterham franchise at Donington Park is the culmination of over 15 years worth of passion, enthusiasm and commitment to both brands. The strong partnerships BookaTrack has forged with both parties makes this a natural progression for us and one that we're all very excited to be involved with.

“Our new purpose-built showroom and the inclusion of the Caterham Experience in-house at Donington Park perfectly complement our existing range of services and ensures BookaTrack are able to offer a complete progression from first timer to seasoned racer."

Donington Park Commercial Director, Roger Lowe commented: “We are delighted that Caterham are heading to Donington Park and further strengthening the presence of BookaTrack on our site. Both companies are industry leaders and this announcement further adds to the recent regeneration of the circuit, and is another indication that Donington Park, with its central location is a key site for the motorsport industry. We look forward to the opening of the showroom, and of course the increased levels of driving participation for visitors to our circuit.”

BookaTrack is the UK's largest independent car track day organiser. Caterham has been working with the company since its inception in 2000 and throughout its progression as a premium track day provider. BookaTrack will continue to operate a fleet of Caterhams at around 120 events per year at race circuits across the UK and Europe.

Limited Edition Caterham Superlight launched to celebrate 20 years of Seven Superlight models in 2016.

• Limited run of 1.6-litre ‘Superlight Twenty’ to celebrate raucous 1996 original
• Original Superlight became the template for a generation of Sevens
• New Superlight Twenty SE gets 135bhp, 6-speed gearbox, LSD and carbon fibre components  

Caterham has revived the spirit of one of its most illustrious Sevens - the boisterous 1.6-litre Seven Superlight – with the launch of a new special edition model.

Just 20 of the special edition cars – launched at the Goodwood Revival recently, ahead of the 20^th anniversary of the original Superlight in 1996 – will be built.

The original Superlight’s production run ceased in 2004, but it heralded a new era of purposeful, track-biased Sevens designed to offer even more performance and low weight at a pared down price point.

Despite its ultra-minimalist character – even for a Seven – the Superlight went on to become one of Caterham’s most coveted models, selling some 200 examples while in production.

Priced at £29,995*, and sporting a similarly extreme spec sheet to that of the original, the Superlight Twenty receives a 135bhp 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine, 6-speed close ratio gearbox, ‘Sport’ suspension pack, lightweight flywheel and a limited slip differential.

The bodywork benefits from numerous carbon fibre components, including its cycle wings, rear wings, nose and minimalist aero screen. The body is finished in bare aluminium, as per the original Superlight, which saves six kilograms further contributing to the ultra-lightweight approach.

The new vehicle also gets a numbered dash plaque, unique gauges, key and a gear knob bearing the ‘Superlight Twenty’ motif and is equipped with a titanium coloured chassis, carbon interior panels and specially-embroidered carbon sports seats found only on Caterham’s flagship model; the Seven 620 R.

The special edition is only available as a Series 3 chassis with a limited list of options; in keeping with the minimalistic theme of the model. Just paint, weather equipment and a heater are available.

Caterham Cars CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: “When Caterham created the original Superlight, it was a big hit. We sold every one we built and it inspired the development of future models.

“As well all the five-star reviews and animated feedback from customers for its driver appeal and roisterous character, it always represented excellent value by being a genuinely accessible performance car bargain – which is why we’ve tried to recreate that magic by celebrating the 20^th anniversary of its launch.”    

By no means the fastest Seven produced to date – the new model will hit 60mph in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 122mph – it is however one of the most visceral performance models Caterham has built since the original. Every Seven meets slightly different driver demands, but perhaps more than any other in the range, the Superlight Twenty epitomises Colin Chapman’s fundamental principles of performance through light weight. 

Macdonald continued: “Those unable to buy one first time around now have the opportunity to snap up one of a limited run of vehicles – it’s not an exact replica of the original but it’s most definitely cut from the same cloth and we know customers will love it for all the same reasons.”

The order book for the Superlight Twenty opens immediately, priced at £29,995*