Caterham SP/300R: the first all-new car since 1994

Caterham partnered-up with Lola to develop the brand’s first all-new model since 1994: the SP/300R. The british make chose the Autosport International in Birmingham as the location for the world debut of the new model.

Produced at Caterham's Dartford factory the SP/300R is a two-seater sports prototype racer designed in a partnership with Lola Cars and will be destined for the track day market and a single-make race series.

The lightweight car (under 600kg) will be powered by a supercharged 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine, which has a power output of 305bhp and produces torque of 290Nm at 7500rpm. Thanks to this engine Caterham says that the SP/300R is able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and to reach a top speed of 290 km/h.

The gearbox fitted in the SP/300R will be a semi-automatic Hewland unit. Caterham will also offer the vehicle with advanced data logging and an overboost function.

On the new model Lola was responsible for the design. The SP/300R features an aluminum tub with a longitudinally mid-mounted engine, working with a stress-bearing rear transaxle.

The SP/300R has also been fitted with several aerodynamic features including a front splitter, fine-tuned ducts and dive-planes, an F1-inspired raised nose and sectioned panels.

Caterham is also considering producing a street-legal version of the car. For now the intention is to only build 25 units of the vehicle each year.