(Tue 28 Oct 08)

Caterham has announced that the former Superlight R300, which quickly became the company's best-selling model when it was introduced in 2002, has been replaced by a new version.

The old R300 used an engine supplied by MG Rover, so you can see how that wouldn't have worked out. The replacement car has a two-litre Ford Duratec which Caterham itself has modified to produce a maximum of 175mph. Between the engine and the road are a six-speed gearbox and Avon CR500 tyres on Superlight alloy wheels.

The R300 is by no means as quick as the other cars in the Superlight range (the scorching R400 and R500, which it resembles in having a flush-button dash design and keyless ignition), but it's not exactly slow either. Top speed is 140mph - impressive considering the reluctance of the body shape to let air flow smoothly over it - while 0-60mph takes just 4.5 seconds.

The cost is £24,995 in component form or £27,995 if you let the factory build the car for you. Options include a widened chassis for larger-girthed buyers, Stack data-logging, a dry-sump oil system and a limited-slip differential.

At the same time, Caterham has also revealed that there will be a softer version of the same car called the Roadsport 175. This comes in at the top of the Roadsport range, which also includes the 125 and 150 models, and is intended for road rather than track use, with higher gearing, weather equipment and a heater. The extra weight slows it down a little, but it will still do 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds. Prices are £3000 less than for the R300.

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