Caterham Superlight R500 (2008): teaser photo

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

07 April 2008 15:33

This is the first picture of Caterham’s new Superlight R500. The teaser image appeared on the company’s website over the weekend, and is expected to be the Surrey-based manufacturer’s fastest-ever road car. Which makes it pretty darn quick. However, Caterham is remaining tight-lipped over details and won’t say anything more until the car is launched later in spring 2008.

What we can expect is that the R500 will demolish the 0-60mph sprint in less than 3.4 seconds and go on to 150mph. Power will come from a tweaked Ford engine, but it’s not yet known whether this will be a 2.0- or 2.3-litre unit.

Either way, expect the R500's kerbweight to be less than 500kg, thanks to parts like a carbonfibre dashboard and cycle wings, and composite seats. Power should be over 250bhp and this means the Caterham will better 500bhp/tonne, hence the name. Prices will be near £40k when sales kick off later in 2008.

Don’t expect to keep up with it at any track day...

By Ben Pulman