Future engines for the Seven?
Discussion
With the phasing out of petrol engines and the move to electric being discussed everywhere you look, it makes me wonder how long it will be before buying an NA Ford-engined Seven is no longer an option...
How long will Ford continue to supply Sigma and Duratec engines to Caterham?
Will Caterham move to Ford Ecoboost engines or will they go to another supplier for NA engines?
Will Caterham be able to source off-the-shelf batteries and motors to fit the S3 chassis?
Would there even be a market for an electric Caterham?
What do you think?
How long will Ford continue to supply Sigma and Duratec engines to Caterham?
Will Caterham move to Ford Ecoboost engines or will they go to another supplier for NA engines?
Will Caterham be able to source off-the-shelf batteries and motors to fit the S3 chassis?
Would there even be a market for an electric Caterham?
What do you think?
Edited by Gulf7 on Sunday 13th October 06:32
That's an interesting thought. It could mean cars sold before 2040 could be driven on the road but cars sold after 2040 couldn't, despite potentially still having the same engines. Of course under current plans, all cars will be affected from 2050.
A track-only Seven could appeal to purists, but I doubt Caterham could maintain current sales on that basis. Also, how many engine suppliers will continue manufacturing petrol engines after the move to electric?
A track-only Seven could appeal to purists, but I doubt Caterham could maintain current sales on that basis. Also, how many engine suppliers will continue manufacturing petrol engines after the move to electric?
Edited by Gulf7 on Friday 9th July 18:24
I'm sure there'll be an electric seven, and probably sooner than you think. Components are freely available and to borrow the IT term 'open source'. They are essentially much simpler than an ICE and will also out perform current models with exciting prospects for competition driving. But I agree that the typical Caterham customer profile may have to change quite a bit to accept the concept and make it commercially viable.
DCL said:
I'm sure there'll be an electric seven, and probably sooner than you think.
There have already been electric 'Sevens' from others, of course. It's perfectly straightforward: one easy way of doing it is to put batteries where the engine was, and motors where the diff. was. An unmodified S3 chassis wouldn't be optimal, though.
Edited by Equus on Saturday 12th October 13:05
Has anyone here had any experience of electric sports cars? Are they sporty? I know they can be very fast - even my Zoe has pretty neck snapping acceleration. But are they sporty?
Then I'm wondering how the mainstream manufacturers make the batteries safe from collision? Is the battery essentially contained in some form of safety cell? This feels very hard for Caterham to do in their 7 to me. But I only know what I have read on the internet, I'm no expert.
Certainly all the small volume conversions of classic cars (911s, beetles etc) feel generally a bad idea in a Luddite kind of way.
Bert
Then I'm wondering how the mainstream manufacturers make the batteries safe from collision? Is the battery essentially contained in some form of safety cell? This feels very hard for Caterham to do in their 7 to me. But I only know what I have read on the internet, I'm no expert.
Certainly all the small volume conversions of classic cars (911s, beetles etc) feel generally a bad idea in a Luddite kind of way.
Bert
Same old problem, many cells needed to match the performance and range of the ICE car, batteries heavy = pointless 750kg Caterham with 400lb/in suspension springs, probably electric power steering...
If you want a preview, go watch a video of those stiff and lumpen Formula E cars clattering their way from drain cover to drain cover...
ETA: I’m pretty sure Caterham are working on one in some way, no idea where they are with it. I’d like them to prove me wrong but I won’t ever be buying one in any case.
If you want a preview, go watch a video of those stiff and lumpen Formula E cars clattering their way from drain cover to drain cover...
ETA: I’m pretty sure Caterham are working on one in some way, no idea where they are with it. I’d like them to prove me wrong but I won’t ever be buying one in any case.
Personally I can't see a market for an electric Seven. Take away the engine noise, iconic side exit exhaust and possibly the S3 chassis, and rather than a continuation of the Lotus 7 you have something quite different. Right now Caterham has a unique offering - a 1960s Lotus with modern performance and reliability. The current Ford-engined models have even more connection back to the original.
I should say, I'm not anti-electric - I could imagine owning an electric version of my Fiesta ST when Ford make the transition, but I'm very glad I have a 310R on order now while it's still possible to get a 'real' Seven.
I should say, I'm not anti-electric - I could imagine owning an electric version of my Fiesta ST when Ford make the transition, but I'm very glad I have a 310R on order now while it's still possible to get a 'real' Seven.
Edited by Gulf7 on Sunday 13th October 09:52
BertBert said:
What jerky sloppy transmission would that be then?
Sorry I was not very specific. I was referring to the difficulty of driving in heavy traffic where the cars tends to kangaroo ( even with very sympathetic experienced drivers) . I had a 360 which did this and made driving for both driver and passenger uncomfortable. Of course this characteristic does not matter on the track !!!!!! I know many say that these transmission issues are part of the car, however IMHO this spoils the car.Roblot said:
Sorry I was not very specific. I was referring to the difficulty of driving in heavy traffic where the cars tends to kangaroo ( even with very sympathetic experienced drivers) . I had a 360 which did this and made driving for both driver and passenger uncomfortable. Of course this characteristic does not matter on the track !!!!!! I know many say that these transmission issues are part of the car, however IMHO this spoils the car.
I've driven a couple of these as well and they've been terrible. Put your foot down..........................................................and there it goes. It's like turbo lag............but without the turbo. We've had one of these on the rollers and re-mapped it. Sorted out the throttle response, flat spots and also gave it another 14bhp. Totally transformed it.Regards
SKC
Roblot said:
BertBert said:
What jerky sloppy transmission would that be then?
Sorry I was not very specific. I was referring to the difficulty of driving in heavy traffic where the cars tends to kangaroo ( even with very sympathetic experienced drivers) . I had a 360 which did this and made driving for both driver and passenger uncomfortable. Of course this characteristic does not matter on the track !!!!!! I know many say that these transmission issues are part of the car, however IMHO this spoils the car.My R400D, remapped when I had RBTBs fitted, idles steadily at 850 within a few seconds of starting, will move away and roll along smoothly with no throttle, and has no lag that I can feel.
It’s not hard to get it ‘kangarooing’ on bumpy lanes, if your foot is jerked by a bump the instant throttle response causes that. But in traffic on most roads it’s not an issue at all.
Nerdherder said:
Are the rules for low volume manufacturers not different regarding emissions regulation? Can someone shed a light on this so we can base this discussion on facts rather than speculation?
I'm not sure plans are that specific this far out are they?Edited by Nerdherder on Monday 14th October 10:51
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