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Mariner

The Facts: Caterham Superlight R500

Engine: 1.8-litre XPower K-Series, 16-valve DOHC, dry sump, front-mounted
Power: 230bhp @ 8,600rpm
Torque: 155lb ft (210Nm) at 7,200rpm
Transmission: Caterham close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive.
Suspension: Front: Adjustable, aerofoil section double wishbones; anti-roll bar.Rear: de Dion axle located by lower A-frame and Watt linkage, adjustable anti-roll bar.
Wheels and tyres: 6.5in front/ 7.5in rear x13in Magnesium wheels with Avon CR500 tyres
Dimensions: Length 3,100mm; Width 1,575mm; Height 800mm; Wheelbase 2,225mm; Weight 460kg
Body: Two-seater, open sports with built-in rollover and side impact protection
Performance: 0-60mph: 3.4 seconds. Top speed: 150mph.
Brakes: Ventilated front discs with four pot calipers; solid rear discs. Twin circuit, split front/rear with low level warning system. Handbrake operates on rear wheels.
Steering: Rack and pinion, 1.93 turns lock to lock

Caterham Superlight and SV

With a range of models based on the unique style of the original Lotus Seven, and a choice of engines ranging from the 1.4-litre power unit in the entry-level Classic to the outrageously quick 230bhp Superlight, Caterham builds every car to order, very much in the tradition of a bespoke British sports car. To the uninitiated, one Caterham looks very much like another but there is a vast difference between models, with a dizzying choice of engines and options. The buying decision is made even more complicated by the choice of a factory-built vehicle or a car in component form for home-assembly.

At the sportiest end of the range is the Caterham Superlight. Although still ostensibly a road car, there is little point in buying a Superlight unless you're a regular circuit driver. Standard fittings include a stripped out interior, four-point race harness and a wind deflector instead of a windscreen. Hoods cannot be fitted with this model - making a full-face helmet essential rather than just more practical than sunglasses. Under the Superlight umbrella are three models: the R300 (new for 2002), R400 and R500, all with a 1.8-litre XPower K-Series engine but offering 300, 400 and 500bhp per tonne respectively.

It doesn't take much thought to realise that 500bhp per tonne is going to be fairly exciting and one glance at the performance figures is enough to make your jaw drop: 0-60mph in a mind-boggling 3.4 seconds. There are few supercars on the road today which would stand a chance against the Superlight R500.

At the more practical end of the Caterham range is the SV, which is longer, wider and taller than the standard car. Not only does this give taller drivers a lot more leg and elbow room, it also means more boot space and a larger fuel tank. But if you imagine that the SV lacks performance, think again. From rest, the top-spec version of this "touring" Caterham reaches 60mph in 4.9 seconds. It will take you, your partner and your luggage on a weekend away - and it will still take you there very quickly indeed.

The Driving Experience

In its niche, the Caterham has no convincing rivals. Originally a sales outlet for the legendary Lotus Seven, Caterham took over exclusive production rights for the Seven from Lotus in 1973, and since then has fought off countless attempts by other manufacturers to produce similar, often cheaper, cars. To the cognoscenti, however, the Caterham is the only one to have.

Why? The answer is simply that the Caterham carries the true pedigree of the original Seven and the engineers at Caterham understand precisely the driving experience they want to provide for their customers.

Driving a Caterham, particularly the Superlight which gives that clear view ahead without even a screen to look through, bears some startling similarities to a video game: the speed of response and the instant, outrageous acceleration set it apart from most other cars outside the virtual world. It feels light and strong and darts round corners like no other road car.

It's called the Superlight with good reason. Great attention has been paid to keeping the weight of every component as low as possible and concentrating all the weight in the best areas. Every control responds to the driver's commands like a racing car.

What really makes a Caterham Seven irresistible to the expert enthusiast? Answer: the devastating power to weight ratio, coupled with finely tuned independent suspension, a high-revving modified engine, the superb close-ratio six-speed gearbox (Caterham's own) and the very open cockpit which has no doors.

Plus, of course, the value for money. This kind of performance normally costs much, much more.

http://www.classicdriver.com/

DeleterFX · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:10 am Post subject:

if you crash that mariner, you will die a horrible, horrible death...That's the reason I dont touch motorcycles Shocked

my aunt had an accident on one *shudders*, she survived but that scared the crap outta me.

DeleterFX · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:10 am Post subject:

if you crash that mariner, you will die a horrible, horrible death...That's the reason I dont touch motorcycles Shocked

my aunt had an accident on one *shudders*, she survived but that scared the crap outta me.


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