Top Ten Supercars of Last Decade – Caterham R500
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 30 August 2008
Like all the best things in life, MT’s Top Ten Supercars of Last Decade must draw to a close. But like the great motoring information performer that we are, it’s going out in style.No fizzle and whimper here – no siree – but the usual riot of colour and fervour, explosion of the all-important facts and figures, and the good turn of the vernacular you’ve grown accustomed to in such a short (longer than we’d agreed – Ed) space of time.So who exactly can carry out such a demanding requirement, when you note what’s gone before? Who – or rather what – can do this brief dip into the world of supercars justice as the chequered flag nears?With the level of anticipation and excitement on a par with knowing that you’ve got just an otherwise irrelevant sticker of Partick Thistle’s Gordan McQueen short of completing your 1981 Panini football sticker album, the mood is tangible, the atmosphere, electric.So without further (string it out as much as you can – Ed) ado about something, MT gives you part 10, the final instalment of our at times arduous mini-guide to what we consider the Top Ten Supercars of the Last Decade.
Caterham R500 Superlight
Cost: £37KSpeed: 150mph+Claim to fame: The engine in the original R500 Superlight – from which this was derived - was the Rover K Series block that used to sit in a Rover 25, albeit subjected to witchcraft. Don’t fret. This one’s from a Ford.Why it gets our thumbs up: At any one time it’s like an active volcano waiting to erupt into life, and burn more than the fingers of those who make the mistake of crossing its path.A R500 fob is one set of car keys you won’t find in any pot on any suburban semi.Not so much a production car as much as it’s a sixth form CDT project on first appearance, the R500 doesn’t take many prisoners on the roads. Neither for that matter does it take many passengers.A 263bhp 2.0-litre four pot Ford Duratec engine gets things off to a flying start, with 117lb-ft of torque sent directly to the rear wheels. An optional sequential six-speed transmission gives the driver the final say over what’s going on - when, where, yet not necessarily why.With unbridled power to weight ratio (500bhp – hence the name) that’s higher than anything excepting a McLaren F1 car, the Caterham R500 Superlight shreds 62mph into tatters within 2.8 seconds, and tears away to 150mph plus. In something that would be catapulted skyward by a pair of sneakers on the opposing side of a set of scales.And that’s because the Superlight is shod in aluminium, Kevlar and carbon fibre, and is two parts Kellogg’s Cornflake. Well, it must be at 460kg.Brought crash, bang wallop right up to date by the surrendering to new-fangled keyless ignition, Launch Control System, digital dash and a quick release snap-off steering wheel, the R500 Superlight’s interior is possibly not the comfiest place you’ve ever found yourself in.The Kevlar bucket seats are paper-thin and the amount of flesh on your bottom bones determines how pleasant your ride is going to be. Every crucial component may be within easy reach - unlike on any other supercar we know of – but that’s within easy reach of your tongue. You can reach out and touch everything apart from faith. If you happen to be simian-armed, chances are your elbows might be grazed by the Tarmacadam.With a look best described as somewhere between commitment and insanity in their eyes, R500 drivers are a hardy breed though, and are amply rewarded for their calculated risk taking in the key pot of supercar-living life.• View the full Top 10 Supercars of Last Decade articles: • Bugatti Veyron • Morgan Roadster • Lamborghini Reventon • TVR Sagaris • Nissan GT-R • Ferrari 360 Modena • Porsche 996 GT3
• SSC Ultimate Aero • Spyker Laviolette C8 • Caterham R500
See Also:
Click here for more British marques stories
Click here for more Caterham stories
Click here for more Performance stories
Click here for more Supercar stories
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