| Limited Edition Model | Caterham Levante |
We're used to sportscars from Caterham delivering supercar-slaying performance from modest engine outputs thanks to the Seven's inherent lightness. The Levante is different. Sure, it's still light, with options starting at just 520kg, but the engine output is not so modest - more than 500bhp.
The creation of the Levante is to celebrate the tie-up of Caterham with RS Performance, a partnership designed to offer Caterham buyers an endless degree of customisation and, it seems, power. The RST-V8 engine shares its specification with many race units, which may explain how RS Performance has extracted 380bhp at 10,000rpm and 190lb.ft of torque at 8,500rpm from the naturally aspirated 2.4-litre version. As if that weren't enough, there's a supercharged option, with correspondingly ludicrous outputs of over 500bhp and 300lb.ft.
Naturally, the £115,000 Levante will house the higher spec unit, which is said to endow the featherweight with a 0-60mph time of less than three seconds and a top speed of 150mph. As you'd hope, the brakes and suspension are designed to cope with this performance and RS Performance will even fit traction and launch control. Wisely, all buyers of the Levante will receive a two-day driver training course too.
Not that you'll see many examples of this car on the road, as only eight will be produced. It may already too late to get your hands on one, though RS Performance will be very happy to discuss what you'd like to do with your next Caterham...
Check out
www.rsperformance.co.uk for more information.
Shane O' Donoghue - 26 Feb 2008