For This is the fastest Caterham you can buy, and although it's similar to other Superlight models the R500 is one step closer to being a fully blown racecar. With 500bhp per tonne it will go from 0-60mph in 2.88secs, as long as you've got the guts to wring all 263bhp out of the engine. Every component has been honed to add performance, and there are only a few options to add if you've got any spare cash.
Against This is a no-compromise car, with a price tag to match. Forget quiet Sunday drives - this is a frenetic track car, that's not for the faint-hearted. There's no traction control or ABS to stop you from making a mistake, and with all that power on tap in a rear-wheel drive car you'll need to be careful in less that perfect conditions. Forget any creature comforts, or protection from the elements. It's also not available with the wider SV chassis.
What Car? says
Although there are more expensive models available the R500 is officially the fastest Caterham you can buy. The price reflects the time and effort taken to strip the car back to the bare essentials, and extract so much power from the 2.0-litre engine. Running costs will be high, and it probably won't hold onto its value as well as less-potent models. You may also find that lesser models offer better value.
What Car? readers say
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Calculate equipment options
| Comfort | |
|---|---|
| Electric Sunroof | Not Available |
| Manual sunroof | Not Available |
| Air conditioning | Not Available |
| Cruise control | Not Available |
| Electric mirrors | Not Available |
| Heated mirrors | Not Available |
| Electric windows front | Not Available |
| Electric windows rear | Not Available |
| Seat height adjustment | Not Available |
| Climate Control | Not Available |
| Power Steering | Not Available |
| Steering adjustment reach | Not Available |
| Steering adjustment rake | Not Available |
| Power Seats | Not Available |
| Engine & Transmission | |
| Auto | Not Available |
| Entertainment | |
| Radio/Cassette | Not Available |
| RDS Radio/Cassette | Not Available |
| CD | Not Available |
| Multi CD | Not Available |
| Exterior | |
| Metallic paint | £1,480 |
| Alloy wheels | Standard |
| Interior | |
|---|---|
| Hands Free Phone Kit | Not Available |
| Satellite navigation | Not Available |
| Leather Seats | No Cost Option |
| Split/fold seats | Not Available |
| Safety | |
| Passenger airbag | Not Available |
| Side airbags | Not Available |
| ABS | Not Available |
| 3 Point centre belt | Not Available |
| Driver's airbag | Not Available |
| Belt pretensioners | Not Available |
| Side Impact Bars | Not Available |
| Traction control | Not Available |
| Electronic stability programme | Not Available |
| Security | |
| Alarm | Not Available |
| Immobiliser | Standard |
| Deadlocks | Not Available |
| Central locking | Not Available |
| Remote locking | Not Available |
| Unique fit stereo | Not Available |
| Marked Parts | Not Available |
| Etched Windows | Not Available |
| Locking Wheel nuts | Not Available |
| Visible VIN | Not Available |
| Secure spare wheel | Not Available |
| Running costs | |
|---|---|
| Town mpg | |
| Out of town mpg | |
| Average mpg | |
| Tank capacity (litres) | |
| CO2 Rating (g/km) | 0 |
| Carbon offset cost | TBA |
| Green rating | |
| Insurance group | |
| Typical insurance | |
| % Value retained (3yrs/36000 miles) | |
| Typical contract hire | £0.00 |
| Pence per mile | 0 |
| Servicing costs - 3 years | £0.00 |
| Service intervals | 6000 |
| Warranty period | 1yr/12k + Paint + Perforation + Breakdown |
| Company car tax | |
|---|---|
| Percentage charge | TBA |
| Benefit in kind | TBA |
| Tax payable 20% | TBA |
| Tax payable 40% | TBA |
Performance and measurements
No schematics available
| Body type | Open |
| Number of doors | 2 |
| Number of seats | 2 |
| Engine (cc/type) | 1999/4 |
| Number of Valves | 16 |
| Fuel type | Unleaded |
| Max power (bhp/rpm) | 210/4600 |
| Pulling power (lb/ft) | 150 |
| Engine position | F |
| Driven wheels | Rear |
| Length (mm) | 3100 |
| Width (mm) | 1575 |
| Height (mm) | 990 |
| Kerb weight (kg) | 525 |
| Manufacturers figures | |
|---|---|
| 0-60 mph (secs) | 2.9 |
| Max speed (mph) | 150 |
| Euro NCAP Test Scores | |
|---|---|
| Adult protection | Unavailable |
| Child protection | Unavailable |
| Pedestrian protection | Unavailable |
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