New here from the States... question about SV-R?
Discussion
I am new to the forum, but no stranger to fine British autos. I drive a MY2002 Rally Blue WRX tuned to about 300hp w/ STi suspension and grippy tires. Lately, I have been feeling that every car coming out these days is just getting heavier and heavier, requiring mass horsepower to move them along. At the advent of the release of the Celica powered Elise in the USA, I am looking to get a timeless car that will provide the fun of the Elise but will absolutely hand it its backside on a track, on twisty roads, and will do it in style. To this end I was considering a Superlight R, but it appears that Caterham is on the verge of releasing a racer/road car based on the upcoming SV-R. It will, hopefully, feature double wishbone rear suspension, and a much cleaner front suspension with full wrap around front fenders. It will also provide a bit more room for cross country touring (something else I want to do with it). I guess I am looking for input on wether those of you who know these fine cars think the SV-R is worth waiting for. Financially I should be able to order one when they are ready to ship them, and hopefully we can get them here in the states.
Thanks for such a great forum on TVRs, Lotui(or is it Lotuses?), and other fine cars. There is a fan base in the USA for these great cars we can't seem to get.
-Chris
Thanks for such a great forum on TVRs, Lotui(or is it Lotuses?), and other fine cars. There is a fan base in the USA for these great cars we can't seem to get.
-Chris
Consensus seems to be that there may be a roadcar by late 2005 with the racer starting racing early 2005.
Will it be worth waiting for? Difficult to say but early indications are that it is VERY fast on circuit. Those that have been on track when it has been testing have said it really is very quick.
They are engineering it for LHD so you might get it in the states sometime.
Will it be worth waiting for? Difficult to say but early indications are that it is VERY fast on circuit. Those that have been on track when it has been testing have said it really is very quick.
They are engineering it for LHD so you might get it in the states sometime.
I hope they manage to get it fast as a road car as well, and that the double wishbone rear and front suspensions carry over. Right now it only seems as fast as the R400 with all the aero parts installed. Hopefully they are able to give it a similar ride to the Superlights while retaining its Seven looks.
chris
chris
Chris - can you get an R400 in your part of the US? If you can, do it now and you will not regret it.
If the SV-R is a quantum leap forward as and when it comes out (who knows when LHD ones will be out), trade up. Either way you'll have had at least 18mths, and probably substantially more in one of the quickest point to point cars you can buy.
If you want quicker still, don't Radical ship to the US? (Though less touring room in these).
If the SV-R is a quantum leap forward as and when it comes out (who knows when LHD ones will be out), trade up. Either way you'll have had at least 18mths, and probably substantially more in one of the quickest point to point cars you can buy.
If you want quicker still, don't Radical ship to the US? (Though less touring room in these).
The K Series engine doesn't comply with US emission regs does it? Plus one of the US tests requires that nothing fails on the car over a specified test period. I believe that these were just 2 of the reasons why Lotus released the Elise with the Toyota engine in the US. Given that fact, I doubt Chris could import a Caterham with the K. All US Caterhams have alternative engines don't they?
I think the road version of the SV-R is a little way off production yet - all the tests have been done to develop a race version, so don't hold your breath.
For all things Caterham go to www.blatchat.com and pose the same question.
I think the road version of the SV-R is a little way off production yet - all the tests have been done to develop a race version, so don't hold your breath.
For all things Caterham go to www.blatchat.com and pose the same question.
Correct. The only engine options are the Crossflow 1700cc and 2.0L Zetec. They don't make a R400 over here per say, the best they offer is the "Superlight R" which I suppose you can upgrade and tweak the engine to turn it into a R400 of your very own. Since I won't have the resources to get one until a year or two anyways, I can wait and see if the SV-R road car has the superior ride due to the suspension changes or not. Plus being able to fit more stuff (whether its bags or people's backsides) is always a plus with the roomier SV. If Caterham USA offered the engine equivalants they do in the UK, then I'd be all over a R400 or R500. But alas the best we can get is a ~200hp Supersport Zetec but the price goes through the roof. At any rate I'll be awaiting the SV-R and bringing my Scooby to the track (after it gets new rotors/pads/lines).
Chris
Chris
The SLR in the UK came with a VHPD K , so I guess your version isn't really a genuine SLR?
As to the ride - a de dion gives a great ride IMHO - better than loads of other performance cars as it happens.
Last time I spoke to some guys over here involved in the SV-R development (about a month ago) they told me all the development is for racing and that the car will be developed on the track first.
So your wait might be a long one!
As to the ride - a de dion gives a great ride IMHO - better than loads of other performance cars as it happens.
Last time I spoke to some guys over here involved in the SV-R development (about a month ago) they told me all the development is for racing and that the car will be developed on the track first.
So your wait might be a long one!
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