My thoughts on all things motoring, press releases, reviews & techie stuff, from around the world.
Please note that the pictures of vehicles within this blog are used as examples of the specific press releases, on occasions, due to the lack of available official pictures, examples are re-produced.
ANY AND ALL PROFANITIES WILL BE REMOVED AND THE PERSON/S RESPONSIBLE WILL BE BANNED, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Purpose
I will try my best to provide detailed info on various cars and what is like to live with them, I have already produced a few for Jaguar-car-forums, I will do my best to be unbiased, but it will be hard for some cars. I will re-produce press releases and copy from other motoring news.
Caterham appoints respected automotive distributor, Global X-Sports
Caterham has increased its global sales network by appointing respected automotive provider, Global X-Sports, as the Latin American regional distributor.
It’s the first time in Caterham’s history there has been a distributor for the whole Latin America region.
With over 19 years of automotive distribution experience, Global X-Sports will be offering the full Caterham EU range of lightweight sports cars including the Seven 165, 275, 355 and the range-topping 485 to Latin American customers.
It’s another exciting development for Caterham following a record-breaking year in 2016 which saw the car manufacturer toast its best sales in 20 years.
Caterham Chief Commercial Officer, David Ridley, said: “To increase our presence in Latin America is an exciting step. Following a record 600 sales in 2016, we want to carry the momentum into 2017.”
“As we celebrate 60 years of the Seven this year, we want people across the world to experience the pure, driving thrill the Seven provides.”
Fabrice Odeide, Managing Director, Global X-Sports Group said “The opportunity to bring Caterham to Latin America is one that is very exciting to us. We believe that there is a real demand for this desirable product that represents British automotive heritage and offers boundless joy behind the wheel.
“We look forward to bringing Caterham to a growing a network of dealers throughout the whole region, highlighting the unique, driving experience that comes with owning a Seven.”
Caterham has posted record sales figures for 2016, with over 600 Caterham Sevens sold in the last 12 months.
That figure is the highest 12-month sales result for Caterham since 1996. More than half (55%) of cars were sold to UK customers, with 45% exported overseas.
The increase in sales has been supported by further growth in Caterham’s UK dealer network, adding representatives in the Northwest, Southwest and centrally in the Midlands with the launch of a bespoke Caterham dealership, while expansion of the iconic manufacturer’s model range has also had a positive impact.
In 2016, the new Seven 310 and Seven Sprint models were unveiled. The retro-soaked Sprint in particular proved hugely popular, with all 60 examples – representing 10% of the year’s total sales – being sold within one week of the car being launched at the Goodwood Revival in September.
Despite the UK’s decision to leave the EU in June, Caterham’s export sales remained consistently strong, with over 100 Sevens hitting French roads alone and over 60 Sevens unleashed in Japan.
CEO Graham MacDonald said: “Despite the political change last year, as we forecasted, Brexit’s impact on our business has been negligible. Export customers may have benefited in the short-term due to the weaker pound but, when you look at the markets, the UK and other territories have not faltered in 2016.”
Caterham Chief Commercial Officer, David Ridley, said: “This milestone shows exactly what we’ve achieved thanks to our unique partnerships and growing number of dealers.
“Over the last 12 months, we’ve worked hard to expand our UK dealer network, had the 620R immortalised in LEGO and seen the 310 model become an instant favourite. We’re keen to continue this momentum in 2017 as we celebrate 60 years of the Seven.”
Caterham Cars will exhibit at the 2016 London Motor Show - the first major British motor show since 2008.
The show is open to the public from Friday May 6 to Sunday May 8 and will be held at Battersea Evolution, featuring new and historic cars as well as motoring celebrities. Caterham will be present throughout the weekend, including the Press and Trade day on Thursday May 5.
Caterham will be based on stand L65 in Hall 1, and will showcase the Seven 360R, Seven 420R and the latest iteration of the Seven, the 620S.
A race car from the Caterham Academy - the brand’s novice motorsport championship - will also be on display.
David Ridley, Caterham’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “As a proud part of Britain’s motoring heritage, we are delighted to announce Caterham will be at the 2016 London Motor Show. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that Caterham has to offer and engage with the British motoring community. We can’t wait to be part of it.”
The 2016 London Motor Show will take place between May 5-8 and tickets are still available.
Caterham Cars has expanded its UK dealer network with the launch of the BookaTrack Caterham showroom at Donington Park race circuit.
The new showroom, based at one of Britain’s premier circuits, will sell Caterham’s full five model UK range of lightweight sportscars, as well as offering a full range of aftersales activities, including service, warranty and parts support.
Caterham’s Experience day activities will be housed at the new facility, relocating from Silverstone to Donington Park.
To celebrate the showroom launch, BookaTrack held a launch event on Saturday 5th March with a range of on and off track activities at Donington Park. Attendees were able to enjoy drifting action, with the Caterham Drift Experience, and test drives in a range of Caterham models, including the recently released Seven 620S.
Graham Macdonald, Caterham Cars CEO, and Christopher Tate, Donington Park Managing Director, attended the event as well as members from the local Caterham Seven owners club.
Graham Macdonald, said: “Over 16 years, we have forged a strong and close partnership with BookaTrack. To open our fourth UK dealership with a brand that is so clearly passionate about Caterham, is an exciting new chapter in this partnership.
“This wonderful, bespoke site at Donington Park will ensure midlands-based sportscar enthusiasts enjoy the full Caterham brand experience, in location truly reflecting our values and heritage."
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.
British sportscar maker, Caterham Cars, has announced the most successful export year in its 42-year history. In 2014, Caterham sold 345 vehicles to customers outside of the UK, an increase of 6% on its record breaking export figures for 2013.
Export sales have comprised well over 50% of Caterham’s total annual sales for most of the last decade and the trend continues to grow as the brand is introduced to more markets.
A TRUE MISSED OPPORTUNITY
In the last 12 months, Caterham has opened dealerships in six new markets, taking its international presence to a total of 25 export territories across the globe and is looking to expand its rapidly-growing network of international dealers this year.
France, Japan, Germany, Switzerland and the USA remain Caterham’s most successful export markets but the brand is constantly seeking to expand further.
Caterham Cars Chief Executive, Graham Macdonald said “Our recent foray into the world of Formula 1 has introduced Caterham to a raft of new global audiences who had never heard of us before. Now, thanks to that international exposure, the Seven is on sale in markets as far flung as China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Colombia.”
Across the Atlantic, more South American dealerships are expected to open over the next year and Caterham’s visibility in North America continues to grow despite the logistical hurdles presented by the US homologation rules; last year, Caterham appointed its new American distributor, Superformance, which has dealers on both the west and east coasts of the country.
With motorsport at the heart of its heritage, Caterham has also used its on-track prowess as a platform on which to build in new markets.
Its domestic French motor racing championships remain the strongest programme outside of the UK but new championships in both Taiwan and Colombia have started this year and showcase the legendary Seven in the best possible light in its own habitat.
A report in Malaysia suggests that Tony Fernandes has put the British-based Caterham Group of motorsport, automotive and engineering companies up for sale.
Malaysian business journal The Edge, citing an unidentified source, reported on Sunday that group chairman Fernandes is looking for $589m (about £350m) for the whole business.
In addition to Caterham Cars and the Formula 1 team, the group includes engineering specialist Caterham Technology and Innovation (CTI ) and Caterham Composites.
The Edge’s report also said that a memorandum detailing the intention to sell has been circulated in the Middle East.
Back in 2011, Fernandes appeared to have secured the long-term future of Caterham Cars when he acquired the company from venture capitalist group Corven.
His ambitions to expand the size and scope of Caterham Cars experienced a setback earlier this year when it was confirmed that its sportscar collaboration with Renault had been annulled.
Additionally, the manufacturer’s plans to bring the striking AeroSeven concept to production have been delayed because customer feedback prompted an overhaul of the car’s design.
At the start of the year Fernandes said he could quit Formula 1 unless his team’s results improved.
After six races Caterham is bottom of the constructors’ championship, and lost ground when fellow minnow Marussia scored its first-ever points in Monaco on Sunday.
REPORT HERE (DONT READ THE CRAP COMMENTS FROM IGNORANT PEOPLE)
Caterham Cars will make its official debut in Colombia at this year’s Bogota Auto Show on November 19-30.
The iconic British sportscar brand has signed an exclusive dealer based in the Colombian capital, which will sell a full range of Caterham’s iconic Seven variants – the new Seven 165, Roadsport, Superlight, Seven 485, Seven 620 R and CSR 175.
Caterham Colombia (www.caterhamcolombia.com) will have its full stock of vehicles in place for the Bogota show but the dealer is already open and able to take orders.
The business is very experienced in the automotive retail sector and will offer a full parts and servicing package for its customers, supported by Caterham Cars in the UK.
Caterham Group CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: “We are continuing our rapid, global expansion and Colombia is the latest new market to join our ever-expanding list of territories. South America is an important market and one that we have high hopes for – within four hours of a Bogota newspaper announcing the signing of the new dealer, our team there had 30 unique sales leads.”
More information about Caterham Colombia can be found at the in-market website. For all other enquiries, visit www.caterhamcars.com.
Caterham is set to showcase its most exciting line-up to date at the 2014 Autosport International Show on 9th – 12th January 2014 at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
The British sportscar maker has enjoyed a landmark year and will display a whole host of products from across the entire Caterham Group; headlined by the AeroSeven concept car which was revealed at the Singapore Grand Prix earlier this year.
In addition to the concept, the 2013 CT03 Caterham F1 car will be on the stand, alongside the SP/300.R racing and trackday car, the new Superlight R300 championship race car, the Seven 485 SV and the Caterham Kart.
In Hall 4, the ever-popular Caterham Experience will be running for the duration of the 4-day-long show. Visitors can experience a thrilling passenger ride in a Seven alongside Caterham’s team of professional drivers on a bespoke indoor drift course. In addition, a limited number of lucky visitors will also have the chance to get behind the wheel and master the art of donutting for themselves with Caterham’s team of expert tyre screechers. Spaces on the Caterham Donut School are limited and are a firm favourite with show goers; book early to avoid disappointment.
The AeroSeven concept, which will go on sale next year, was designed with significant input from all of the Caterham Group divisions and draws heavily on methods and technologies used by the F1 team. The AeroSeven will be the very first Caterham to be fitted with traction control, thanks to a newly-developed Caterham Engine Management System. The concept features styling that hints strongly towards the future of Caterham design.
In October, Caterham launched its most accessible model to date – the Caterham Seven 160 – which is powered by a three-cylinder 80hp Suzuki engine and is priced from just £14,995 in component form. A special, handmade cut-away model of the entry-level car will be on show alongside Caterham’s most powerful Seven ever, the 620R. At the opposite end of the performance spectrum to the 160, the 620R boasts 310bhp and achieves 0-60 mph in just 2.79 seconds.
At last year’s Autosport International Show, the firm revealed the brand new Caterham Kart - which will form the basis of a new, accessible karting championship in the UK.
The new championship is open to 13 – 16 year olds and entry into the series is priced at just £5,994. True to Caterham’s ethos of making performance accessible, the championship intends to revive karting as a sport in its own right and will commence in 2015.
Visitors to the show will find Caterham on stand 2540 in Hall 20 and the Caterham Drive Experience can be found in hall 4. Any Caterham driver who brings their Seven key to the stand will also be entitled to a complimentary beverage in the exclusive customer area.
Co-designed and developed by the complementary divisions of the Caterham Group
Styling and engineering concepts reflect direction for future Caterham models
Caterham Cars has today unveiled the AeroSeven Concept at the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix – an exciting new performance concept road car.
As the first model designed with significant input from all of the Caterham Group’s specialist business arms, the AeroSeven Concept signals the brand’s intentions in terms of product engineering processes, speed to market, as well as a hint to its styling direction for future models, including the all-new sportscar being developed in conjunction with Renault and due for release in early 2016.
The AeroSeven Concept, which draws heavily on methods used by the F1 team, will be the first ever Caterham model to be fitted with traction control. Thanks to a newly developed Caterham Engine Management System, drivers will be able to enjoy fully-adjustable traction and launch control functionality.
Based on an updated interpretation of the highly acclaimed Seven CSR platform, the carbon-fibre bodied concept vehicle, which will reach 100kph (62.5mph) in under 4 seconds, will initially draw its power from the normally-aspirated, EU6-approved, 240ps (237bhp) engine developed by Caterham Technology & Innovation for the recently launched Caterham Seven 485. Other engines are also being assessed for suitability.
The AeroSeven Concept is stacked with race car-inspired features, including aerodynamic styling, an exclusive steering wheel with driver-focussed functionality, and an intuitive fully active Graphical Display Unit (GDU).
Graham Macdonald, Managing Director of Caterham Cars, said: “Over the coming years, we will be expanding our range of sportscars as we look to meet the differing needs and desires of potential customers – from the lifestyle customer to the ultimate thrill-seeker. The AeroSeven Concept is the first model in that journey.”
Delivery of the production version of the concept model will begin in autumn 2014.
Exterior
It is in the car’s full bodywork styling that the most striking differences to past Caterham products lies.
The stunning design of the two-seater balances function and form to increase downforce while vastly improving the drag coefficient; the new body shape also imparts subtly different handling characteristics to complement the revised chassis.
Using inputs from Caterham F1 Team performance director, John Iley, and the CTI design team, the fundamental shape of the car was created. Ongoing optimisation continues to take place using Computational Fluid Dynamics expertise from the F1 aerodynamic group, in conjunction with circuit and wind tunnel testing.
The AeroSeven Concept incorporates a completely new rollover structure, to aid safety and improve aerodynamic performance and enhance aesthetics.
At each corner, the AeroSeven Concept will sit on Avon’s acclaimed CR500 tyres, the motorsport-inspired performance rubber that is also the OE fit on a number of Caterham’s high performance-orientated Sevens.
Powertrain
Achieving a delicate balance between inspiring performance and stringent EU6 emissions regulations, the 240ps (237bhp) Ford Duratec-based engine which will power the vehicle initially delivers its peak power at 8,500rpm, helping to propel the AeroSeven Concept to 100kph in under 4 seconds.
The engine – which also powers the European-homologated Caterham Seven 485 – is one of the world’s highest revving EU6-compliant engines. The two-litre unit is mated to Caterham’s six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels.
Over the coming months, project engineers will be assessing a number of powerplant options for the final production version.
Dynamics
With expertise drawn from each corner of the Group to develop the bold AeroSeven Concept, the new car features a number of exclusive technologies and attributes not seen on any previous Caterham.
Based on the acclaimed Caterham Seven CSR chassis – featuring fully independent rear and F1-style inboard (pushrod) front suspension – new dampers, springs and anti-roll bars harmonise the car’s aerodynamic characteristics to deliver Caterham’s legendary agility and handling finesse.
Driver focussed chassis control systems debuting on the AeroSeven Concept include Caterham’s fully variable traction and launch control functions. Caterham is also analysing the feasibility of using Bosch’s race-derived anti-lock braking system.
The Caterham Engine Management System is completely adjustable via steering wheel mounted controls. The system, which can be completely disengaged, has been developed by Cateham Technology and Innovation to enhance the AeroSeven Concept’s performance while giving complete control to the driver.
Interior
Inside, more innovations give a firm nod towards Caterham’s future ambitions.
A brand new fully active graphical display unit (GDU) developed by Caterham Technology & Innovation integrates all display and instrumentation in a high-resolution, centrally mounted unit. It displays information such as engine speed, gear selection, vehicle speed, traction and brake settings, fuel and oil levels in a smart, intuitive ‘next-generation’, real-time 3D rendered display.
Additionally, the race-inspired steering wheel incorporates ‘Road’ mode, ‘Flash-to-Pass’ and ‘Pit Lane Speed Limiter’ functions.
The car’s default setting is ‘Race’ mode, the reverse of even the most track orientated vehicles. When the steering wheel-mounted button is depressed, ‘Road’ mode is engaged, altering the engine’s character by reducing peak power through a reduced rev limit.
The manufacture and tooling of components for the AeroSeven Concept will be split between Caterham Technology & Innovation in Hingham, Norfolk and Leafield, Oxon, Caterham F1 Team’s base. Production models will be constructed at the Caterham Cars factory in Dartford, UK.
