Tony Fernandes Eyes Porsche as Inspiration for Caterham

CaterhamCaterhamUnited Kingdom, 1973 > present9 models
354 photos
1 video
owner Tony Fernandes says that he sees PorschePorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
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as the future for the brand. 

“Porsche is without doubt my vision for Caterham in the longer term. City cars and crossovers come to mind - and Porsche set a great template," said Fernandes. 

The company's goal is to launch the Renault co-developed car in 2015 for about £40,000. The Caterham version of the car will be similar in terms of chassis and engine but have a completely different body. 

After that, the company plans to start expanding. 

“Our playground is Asia, where the Porsche CayennePorsche Cayenne Gen.2Germany, 2010 > 201727 versions
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2 videos
and also the PanameraPorsche Panamera Gen.1 [970]Germany, 2009 > present31 versions
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are really successful," said Fernandes. 

The company will likely launch a large sedan or SUV with eventual plans for a supercar. 

 “A car that features F1 technology and Caterham DNA is the dream, but that’s not what the initial product will be," said Caterham Cars boss Graham MacDonald

Caterham is not giving up on its SevenCaterham 7United Kingdom, 1973 > present67 versions
109 photos
1 video
any time soon, but it will probably transition to Renault engines in the near future. 

Despite Fernandes' dreams, Caterham is still a very small company. It sells just 450-500 cars a year and really only has two models: the many variations of the Seven and the SP/300.RCaterham SP/300RUnited Kingdom, 2011 > present4 photos
. 

Source: Auto Express