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The Caterham design philosophy:
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Caterham Seven (7) driving experience.
A car unlike any other, designed purely for the fun of unadulterated driving pleasure in its purest form.
True to the design philosophy of Colin Chapman, the Caterham Seven’s original designer, less truly is more in this case.
Less weight, more performance!
It is a simple philosophy really and still very true, but hard to find in other cars in this era of obese car design.
Are you a keen driver?
If you answer no to these questions, then a Caterham is probably not the car for you.
If on the other hand you answer yes, then you really do need to involve yourself more fully in the Caterham experience.
A bit of history about the “clubman” market:
Colin Chapman designed the Lotus Seven in 1957 and thereby invented what is now generally referred to as the “clubman” car. It also kick-started Lotus as a manufacturer and formed the backbone of the financial structure of the young company during its formative years.
This ingenious design has now withstood the test of time and with Caterham Cars officially taking over the manufacturing rights of the Seven in 1973, it is now 52-years since the original concept first entered production.
If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, then the Caterham Seven is doing well. Over the years, many (unauthorised) other “clubman” style cars have copied the basic design of the timeless (Lotus) Caterham Seven.
The simplicity of the “clubman” design has also encouraged many enthusiasts to home build a car from a “kit”. Whilst always easier said than done, the idea of building your own “clubman” is certainly an idea which has been popular with enthusiasts since the first Lotus Sevens entered production.
The possibility of some “savings” was an added attraction, albeit somewhat “hidden” behind the time cost it takes to actually complete a car.
Times change:
In most developed countries, “kit” cars are now frowned upon by authorities. The strict rules imposed on car design and the emphasis on safety and emissions by authorities has meant the gradual decline of the “kit” market.
With the demise of the MG Rover group in 2004, Caterham found itself without an engine supplier, as all models were at that time powered by MG Rover K-Series engines.
Fortunately the new “flagship” Cosworth powered CSR models were just then entering production, to usher in a new era of sophisticated ultra high performance Caterhams.
To replace the “entry level” models in the range, Caterham selected Ford as its new partner. Not only did Ford have a new low weight, affordable and Euro 5 emissions compliant Sigma engine coming on stream, but it revived a longstanding tradition of Ford powered Caterhams, indeed dating back to the very first Lotus Sevens.
So, what about the Australian market?
With the new Ford powered models about to become available, Caterham decided to enter the Australian market in its own right as a manufacturer in 2006.
In former times, various importers had represented the brand in Australia, some building up kits supplied by Caterham from the UK and others bringing in factory built cars.
However, with Australian Design Rules (ADRs) becoming ever more strict and with the Australian Government discouraging “kit” cars, it has become extremely difficult to register a car built from a “kit”.
Consequently, a decision was taken to only import factory built Caterhams that comply with Australian Design Rules.
It should be noted that the Australian cars are in fact based on European Type Approved cars and that none of the cars as sold under the SVA registration system in the UK are eligible for ADR compliance.
What are the effects of this policy?
As always, there is good and bad.
Firstly the bad news:
European Type Approval is an expensive process. Hence more production cost.
Secondly, Australian Compliance is another expensive process. Hence even more cost.
The result is that the manufacturing costs of Caterhams for Australia are significantly higher than for apparently similar cars sold in the UK under the SVA system, which is unique to the UK.
The higher factory price is then compounded by the freight cost to Australia (being a specialized product, all cars are containerised) and upon arrival, face a barrage of Australian Federal Taxes:
The final result is that our factory build, Euro Type Approved and ADR certified cars cost more than was the case in the past. By only using premium new components, they also cost more to build than cheaper imitations.
Now the good news:
Better resale value:
Within the “clubman” genre that it founded, the Seven (7) has over the years typically had the best resale value of “clubman” type cars. Furthermore factory built cars have usually commanded higher resale values than “kit” cars.
Only new components:
Another key reason for Caterham’s good reputation and higher resale value is that Caterhams have always used new components, whereas some other “kit” cars have used components to keep the price down.
Better quality control:
Only by factory building a car can a manufacturer control quality. This is a key reason why the Australian Government is encouraging only factory built cars. All Australian Caterham are now factory built in England in compliance with ADR requirements.
High quality components:
Caterham sources parts from well respected high quality suppliers such as Cosworth, Ford, Bilstein, Eibach, Quaiffe and Avon. Key components are not compromised to enable savings.
Better reliability:
Being factory built under a quality control procedures, also means that a Caterham is more likely to provide reliable and trouble free long term motoring.
Continuing the tradition:
A Caterham is the original and we believe is still the best of its genre.
By becoming a Caterham driver, you are becoming part of a proud history and heritage enjoyed and appreciated by true motoring enthusiasts.
It is the original and it is the best!
So, what’s available?
It has taken quite a lot of work to obtain Australian Compliance for the Caterham and to the end of 2008, we have only had one “flagship” model on offer, the Cosworth powered SVR 200 model.
This has changed.
For the 2009 model year, we are pleased to confirm that an even better "flagship" model is now available, the Cosworth engined CSR 200.
But, as not everyone can afford a top model and indeed may not even want an ultra high performance Caterham, we are pleased to alternatively offer the substantially more affordable "entry" model, the 1.6 litre Ford engined SVR 120. The range is now completed with the addition of the SVR 175 model, which is powered by a Caterham developed 2.0 litre Ford engine.
All these cars offer undiluted driving pleasure in its purest form and all are road registerable anywhere in Australia.
Being a “clubman” type of car, they are all also ideally suited to many types of motorsport, from track days, to tarmac rallies, sprints, hill climbs and racing.
So, whether your ideal is to have an intimate road car to enjoy on a country road, or to cruise “down the along the beach” on a nice day, or to indulge in some motorsport, a Caterham is there to please.
Australian Model Range and Pricing
For the start of the 2009, the Caterham model range in Australia is as follows:
Brief model descriptions:
Both SVR models feature the 110 mm wider and 80 mm longer laser welded SV chassis, in comparison with the smaller original Caterham Classic models.
This means more interior space and a bigger boot and fuel tank. Significantly, using the SV chassis also means that the cars comply with the latest ADR seatbelt and occupant safety regulations.
The “R” in the name indicates that these cars are also based on European Roadsport models, designed in the first place for normal road use. Hence the SVR model branding used in Australia.
SVR commonalities
All SVR models also share the traditional outboard front suspension design, with exposed front wheels and cycle guards.
At the rear, all use a proven semi-independent De Dion rear suspension design.
Besides the ADR related issues, Australian Caterhams also offer a higher level of standard specification to UK cars, with standard equipment including:
Full weather protection accessory components are also supplied free of charge, comprising of a soft-top and sidescreens.
Although equipment levels are deliberately kept low to keep weight down, all SVR models also come as standard with:
SVR differences
The main differences between the three SVR models are in the different types of engines used.
The Caterham Seven SVR 120
The SVR 120 uses a very new design, 1.6 litre Ford Sigma engine, which is compliant with Euro 5 emission standards. Being all aluminium, of compact dimensions and blessed with a wide spread of torque, the Ford engine is an ideal power plant for use in the light weight Caterham.
Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, the SVR 120 model captures the spirit of the original Seven in a modern form. It is a quick car and offers all the fun that customers expect of a Seven.
It is quite happy to be driven in traffic and can be used as a “daily-driver” by an enthusiast owner, yet is always best enjoyed on an “open” road.
There is even a usable practical shaped boot!
Options include the Caterham designed 6-speed gearbox, ventilated AP Racing front brakes, Avon CR500 tyres on 15” alloy rims and a carbon fibre dash.
The Caterham Seven SVR 175
A new Caterham Seven SVR 175 model has now joined the Australian Caterham model line-up, neatly filling the price and performance gap between the “flagship” Cosworth engined models and the 1.6 litre SVR 120 model. As the name suggests, this new model offers 175 bhp, which provides brilliant performance in the light weight Caterham chassis. The engine is based on a 2.0 litre Ford engine, substantially modified by Caterham, to provide extra performance. However, being based on a Ford engine, it is substantially less costly to produce than the excellent but expensive hand built 2.3 litre Cosworth engine, fitted to the SVR 200 and the CSR 200 models. Yet, it provides much improved performance over the SVR 120, for not much more money.
The Caterham Seven SVR 200
This is a serious machine!
In contrast to the SVR 120 and SVR 175, the SVR 200 uses a race oriented, hand build (and rather expensive) 2.3 litre Cosworth Ford engine.
Whilst using a Ford Duratec aluminium block, these engines are built in the pristine Cosworth racing engine factory by specialist engine builders, using Cosworth internal components, cylinder head and dedicated special ECU. Items such as the inlet manifold are unique to Caterham and mated to the bespoke Caterham 6-speed gearbox.
Furthermore, in true racing style, this Cosworth engine has a lightweight flywheel and a dry sump lubrication system.
The SVR 200 model also comes as standard with adjustable suspension platforms and an adjustable rear anti-roll bar.
It is also fitted with upgraded “race spec” ventilated front disc brakes as standard. A limited slip differential is available as an option.
It is a very quick car!
The Caterham Seven CSR 200
This is the ultimate Seven.
It shares its mechanical drive train with the SVR 200, so in straight line acceleration performance terms is the same between these two Cosworth powered cars.
The CSR 200 differs mainly in the area of its suspension.
Here, the front suspension is mounted inboard for better aerodynamics, resulting in this model having a higher top speed. The front guards are also aerodynamically shaped for less drag and better downforce.
Subtle nose aerofoil extensions also assist high speed aerodynamics, by increasing front downforce.
At the rear, the CSR 200 utilizes a fully independent rear suspension and wider rear wheels and tyres providing better lateral grip for high speed cornering.
This results in the CSR 200 being a quicker car on a circuit than the SVR 200.
Caterham Options
Caterham offers an extensive list of options, particularly for cars intended for use in competition.
However, for road cars, it is useful to bear the following in mind:
Deposit Policy:
As all Caterhams for Australia are custom built exactly to customer requirements, orders are only accepted in conjunction with a deposit.
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For more information, please contact:
Chris van Wyk at Caterham Cars Australia
Please note that Morgan Cars Australia Pty Ltd trades as Caterham Cars Australia and is associated with the Zagame Automotive Group Pty Ltd, from whose premises it operates.
Address and contact details are as follows:
Level 1, Zagame Building, 577 King Street, West Melbourne, Victoria, 3003. Telephone: 03 9320 8888 (Zagame switch board) Fax: 03 9320 8868 Email: chris@caterhamcars.com.au Site: www.caterhamcars.com.au |