Caterham AeroSeven Concept previews future production model

Hot on the stripped-down heels of the Caterham Seven 165 and Caterham 620R, the company revealed a next-generation vehicle, the AeroSeven Concept.

The company’s newest road car benefitted from the entire portfolio of Caterham companies including Caterham Technology & Innovation, Caterham F1 Team, Caterham Composites and Caterham Cars. The company says the new concept hints at a future styling direction, including the new sports car that is being developed in conjunction with Renault, due in 2016.

The concept is based on the Seven CSR platform. The carbon-fiber AeroSeven uses a 2.0-liter Ford Duratec engine to sprint to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. Output is rated at 237 hp at 8,500 rpm while max torque is 152 lb-ft at 6,300 rpm. That may seem low, but the featherweight AeroSeven only comes in at around 1,200 pounds. Power is routed through a six-speed manual to the rear tires.

The AeroSeven will be the first Caterham model fitted with traction control. The company developed a new engine management system that governs the engine and also allows for launch control.

The new car gets a Formula One-style pushrod double wishbone suspension up front with a fully independent rear. Four-piston calipers with vented discs stop the front wheels while solid discs control the rears. A Bosch race-derived antilock braking system is fully adjustable by the driver.

Though this is called the AeroSeven Concept, the company says production will happen in Dunford, U.K. with the “production version of the concept model” arriving in August of 2014.

Go to www.uk.caterhamcars.com.

By Jake Lingeman