R400 - end of the line?

R400 - end of the line?

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Discussion

GetCarter

Original Poster:

29,546 posts

284 months

Sunday 2nd May 2010
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I read there is a new R400 to be on sale next year. Would you buy a new one now, it being the end of the line?

timrw81

244 posts

193 months

Sunday 2nd May 2010
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That's interesting. Where did you read that? Have you any more details?

GetCarter

Original Poster:

29,546 posts

284 months

Sunday 2nd May 2010
quotequote all
http://www.motorstv.com/car/others/caterham-uk-ser...

The Caterham R400 Superlight Championship has been cancelled due to a lack of entries.

Entry numbers dropped as low as seven in some races last season and only a handful of drivers had confirmed that they would race in 2010. Series organisers had originally planned to pair the R400 category with the new Britsports Caterham series, but drew little interest from competitors.

With a new R400 model set to be launched in 2011, the championship has now been dropped for 2010 in order to focus on a new series next year.

“With numbers in decline, we had secured an option to run the championship within the Britsports Caterham series,” explained Caterham’s Motorsport Manager Simon Lambert. “However, it became clear that very few (drivers) would look to compete in every round – most clashing with other events that (they) had planned.

“Cancellation means that we will no longer be distracted by efforts to encourage every driver to compete and instead, our time (and budget) can be focused on ensuring a successful launch of the R400’s replacement series in 2011.”

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 2nd May 18:16

timrw81

244 posts

193 months

Sunday 2nd May 2010
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Thanks Steve.

Hmmm. That article seems to be the only information on the net. There's not even a hint in this month's newsletter from Caterham.

Dave J

891 posts

271 months

Sunday 2nd May 2010
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most likley a new version of the R400 race car rather than road car.

I imagine it would use the R300 race car as a base with a bit fat upgrade pack ........ all good income for caterham smile

timrw81

244 posts

193 months

Sunday 2nd May 2010
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That said, it would seem to be the next logical step, with the Roadsport 175 and R300 still fresh and the R500's impact not fading. A certain three letter performance car magazine rates the R400 at 4 stars with the R300 and R500 both at 5. The increase in value of more extensive use of carbonfibre could be offset against a slightly lower tuned engine. I'd like to see a sub-500kg standard Caterham.

taffyracer

2,093 posts

248 months

Sunday 2nd May 2010
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I think Dave is correct, when i looked into it end of last year I was told it would most likely be a power and sequential box upgrade for the existing R300

BertBert

19,497 posts

216 months

Sunday 2nd May 2010
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So that's strange. There's a D R300, 400 and 500. What can they do to produce a new R400? A few package changes or something more substantial?
Bert

pw75

1,032 posts

203 months

Monday 3rd May 2010
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Its is the new r400 race car, based on an upgraded, and therefore (in theory) lower cost engine than the current 400D. Details are all to sketchy to be confirmed but sounds pretty interesting.

Seems almost a certainty in my eyes to have an engine based on the 300, avon zzr's, sequential box and between 220-230bhp.

Its designed to be lower cost to run than the previous outgoing car and upgradeable from the 300 race cars.

Hope that helps.

James.S

585 posts

217 months

Monday 3rd May 2010
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sounds super......

pw75

1,032 posts

203 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
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would sir like an upgrade??

GetCarter

Original Poster:

29,546 posts

284 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
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Having toyed with the R400, in the end I couldn't stop myself, and have bought an R500. Mid July delivery. smile

pw75

1,032 posts

203 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
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nice one. Be sure to get the camera on it.

jackal

11,249 posts

287 months

Tuesday 4th May 2010
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GetCarter said:
Having toyed with the R400, in the end I couldn't stop myself, and have bought an R500. Mid July delivery. smile
nice one steve !

James.S

585 posts

217 months

Wednesday 5th May 2010
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That will be a yes Mr. Wilson. Its the whining i am looking forward to.....lol

Rumoured spec sounds good though, supercharger, sequential, mountune development....should be at Rock for viewing if the CMS rumour mill is accurate.

ZZR's in the wet should be fun......


pw75

1,032 posts

203 months

Wednesday 5th May 2010
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Sorry to thread jack. I poo poo'd that idea to slam after aqua planning into the wall down hanger.

James.S

585 posts

217 months

Wednesday 5th May 2010
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Yeah, but you aren't any good in the wet. Greasy maybe but wet.....nah.....and yes i am there on Friday.


pw75

1,032 posts

203 months

Wednesday 5th May 2010
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ok I bite....

pish and tish blackadder....as combe in the wet is the current subject of debate my first outing in the rain ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdL4rMZ3xPw

I thought 31st to 12th in 4 laps at easter was pretty good going on an engine that had run for less than 5 minutes....unfortunately I didn't see out the 5th lap is somewhat of a shame. Bigger shame is the lack of video. Would of made a nice memento in exchange for the nasty hole in my bank account.

darth_pies

698 posts

222 months

Friday 7th May 2010
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BertBert said:
So that's strange. There's a D R300, 400 and 500. What can they do to produce a new R400? A few package changes or something more substantial?
Bert
From a conversation with someone at CC last year:

- the Duratec R400 was launched a couple of years before the Duratec R300/500
- The early R400 press car was not quite as polished as it should have been when Evo etc. drove it
- CC have learned a lot from the latter two cars
- The Cosworth Duratec race cars (i.e. a differenct engine to the non-cosworth road car) are now retired by the sound of it.
- CC will launch a new Duratec R400 race car and road car using all their learnings from the R300 and R500.....so more of a refresh of the road car than anything really new.

That was a while ago now...maybe they're cooking up an "R450" or something?!?!



Edited by darth_pies on Friday 7th May 19:35

timrw81

244 posts

193 months

Friday 7th May 2010
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Eeeexcellent (drumming fingers).