Buyers flock to Caterham CSR
New, overhauled S7ven puts smile on kit car maker's face
A month after launch and following yesterday's story about the car's test debut, Caterham reports that its all-new version of the legendary Seven, the CSR, has already racked up nearly 100 orders.
The British performance sportscar firm had originally eyed an annual order book of around 125 for the new Cosworth-powered model. According to Caterham, that figure is now looking increasingly conservative, especially as the first customer car is not due to be delivered until next spring.
Caterham adds that sales of the Superlight R300 and entry-level 115bhp K Series Roadsports have also been boosted by the arrival of the new model.
“We’ve been blown away by the reception the car has had,” explains Simon Nearn, managing director of Caterham Cars. “Given that the car has not been released to the press or available for general road test, sales have been extremely encouraging.”
With EU4 emissions approval under its belt, Caterham has its sights firmly set on a European market, which, up until now, has been starved of a 200bhp version of the Seven. However, it has been the strong following for the car in the UK that has shown the initial take up.
Nearn added: “We haven’t even started opening up sales or delivering the demo cars across the Continent yet, and given the level of interest we’ve already received, the signs are very good. The road car has created enormous interest and the 2005 Cosworth Caterham Masters race series in Europe is already looking like reaching capacity before the end of this year.”
In addition to the new 2.3-litre all-alloy Cosworth engine, the Caterham Seven CSR includes F1-style front and fully independent rear suspension, 25 per cent stiffer chassis, improved aerodynamics and the most dramatic overhaul of its dashboard and trim in the model’s entire 48-year history.
Prices for the 200bhp version of the Caterham Seven CSR start at £27,450 and from £33,950 for the race focussed 260bhp version.
there's more than a few Duratec Se7ens already on the road, and a LOT more coming shortly. this is even before the CSR hits the streets. i'm quite impressed with the quoted numbers in the press for pre-orders, this will sell more than any other car they have built per year to date.
what the press hasn't made much noise about is Caterham is the last major mark in the UK which surprises me.
Steve-B said:
what the press hasn't made much noise about is Caterham is the last major mark in the UK which surprises me.
I think TVR and Morgan might have something to say about that.
Edit: Actually, I seem to recall that the biggest British car manufacturer these days is the company that makes the London Black Cab taxis.
>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 25th November 10:06
JonRB said:
what the press hasn't made much noise about is Caterham is the last major mark in the UK which surprises me.
I think TVR and Morgan might have something to say about that.
TVRski??
If they are Britsh anymore then so are Hondas, Nissans & Toyotas, those famous British car companies all have models built by British hands in Swindon, Sunderland & Derby etc.....
I have a MG-Rover, and an original TVR.
Oh, and here's my old Seven. (Series 3 Lotus)
[IMG]http://img49.exs.cx/img49/3038/MyLotus7.jpg[/IMG]
>> Edited by grahamw48 on Saturday 27th November 23:24
I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or vomit.
In the end I did none of the above, jumped in the venerable K series mobile, fired it up and splurted forth, revelling in the recalcitrance of low speed throttle action, wondering just how long it would take for my tseticles to thaw out following the return.
Typical.
They may have sold a number for a new race series but if I am correct the only sold a couple of hunderd 1.6 superlights in about 6 years.
And after about 4-5 years the SLR had only sold a couple of hundred.
And the R500 that its has been replaced by the new car I would be suprised if it had sold a 100 car in the past 4 years.
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