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Anyone who claims to know anything about the world of supercars has surely heard of the Bugatti Veyron.
It became a legend the second it was designed, completely changing our perception of automotive boundaries. It became the
fastest production car in history, capable of a mind boggling 253 miles an hour. The quad-turbo W16 motor makes an astonishing
1001 hp, taking the car from 0-60 in just 2.6 seconds. And to park one in your garage, it will cost you a jaw dropping 1.4
million dollars. The thought of this car alone is enough to induce goosebumps and bring a dreamy look to your eye while your
mind tries to comprehend the incredible numbers. The Bugatti Veyron is clearly the new leading performer of the supercar world.
The
engineering involved to create this car is simply astounding. The Veyron is littered with computers and electronics, constantly
adjusting the suspension, ride height, aerodynamics, and the power to each of the four drive wheels. As a result, it weighs
a massive 4500 lbs. That's more than a Mclaren F1 and a Lotus Exige combined. And yet, regardless of this, it still manages
to out perform the greatest of expectations.
So, what if I told you there is in fact a car that puts the Veyron to
shame? Well, there absolutely is.
It's the new Caterham R500 Superlight. It is incredibly simple, and carries no computers, or advanced electronics
of any kind. It's only two wheel drive, with a regular six speed gearbox, and a limited slip differential. It sports a front
mounted 2.0 liter motor from Ford that makes just 263 hp.
So, the R500 is small, is powered by a four cylinder engine,
and has no parts that require a Ph.D. in engineering wizardry to understand. Up to this point, this sounds like a generally
primitive and horrible car. But through an incredible mechanical miracle, Caterham has turned this car into a stunning supercar
monster. And I quite think that this is the most brilliant machine the world has ever seen.
Regardless of it's minuscule
motor, this car goes from 0-60 in 2.88 seconds, and while sitting in it's open cockpit, it will tear your face completely
off. But the true secret to the R500's performance is not under the hood. The car is littered with carbon fiber, and weighs
just 1115.73 lbs, allowing it to produce a shocking 519.76 bhp per ton. . . making it more powerful than even the Bugatti
Veyron.
There's absolutely no denying that the Veyron is indeed an incredible engineering achievement. To create a
4500 lb car that does 253 miles per hour is just. . . absolutely staggering. But along with the complex computers and electrical
breakthroughs comes frequent and expensive services. For example, the tires need to be changed every 2500 miles, setting you
back over ten thousand dollars. You'll also have to come up with forty-two liters of fresh oil at your next oil change. And
when you purchase a Veyron, you have to sign a contract saying you'll have all of the work done by a highly qualified Bugatti
technician. So, if your check engine light comes on, you'll have to fly in a specialist from France or drop the car off yourself.
But,
none of this really matters. At 1.4 millions dollars, the chance of ever seeing one in person is about the same as taking
Mila Kunis out to dinner. . . maybe even less. So then, you can stand back and wholeheartedly appreciate this engineering
marvel. But sadly, the closest you'll ever get to it is the poster on your wall.
Strange then how the Caterham R500
Superlight is almost completely opposite, and yet it too is special. . . but on a totally new level. This car is indeed a
greater masterpiece than even the Bugatti Veyron. It represents the exact precision of mechanical perfection. Its natural,
unadulterated, and free of complicated computers, and has no unnecessary electricity coursing through sensors, relays, or
sending units. This car is the basis of automotive excellence, completely unspoiled by modern technology. And to make this
car perform at such a thrilling level, using only the simplest of mechanical concepts, is truly inspiring. And with no traction
or stability controls to aid in cornering, braking, or throttle management, this is surely the purest ultimate driving experience.
But perhaps the most exciting thing about this car is the price tag. For just $62,000, all of your wildest supercar
dreams can be parked in your driveway. And if you think that sounds like too much, then you haven't realized that the Superlight
is an astonishing $1,340,000 less than the Bugatti Veyron. So then, this incredible car has truly made the supercar world
available to the everyday man.
Unmistakably, Caterham has created the purest and most innocent machine in existence.
The R500 is, quite simply, as fundamental as the number one
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