Category: Affordable Sports 
Price Range: No data available
Supercar-slaying performance, beautifully balanced handling, great six-speed 'box, racecar-with-numberplates looks.
Unforgiving ride, no ABS, excessive care is needed in standing water.
Hardcore R300 is at home on the road and is our pick of the Caterham range.
We admire the stripped-back, stark philosophy adopted by Caterham. If it adds weight and slows you down you probably don't need it, says this half-century-old formula.
There are obviously limits to this approach but Caterham has chosen to ignore them with its Superlight range.
The windscreen, roof and doors were quickly ruled unnecessary extravagances and were promptly binned. Next up, a wider track and adjustable suspension were added, plus bigger 15" wheels with ultra sticky Avon CR500 tyres.
The old car's interior was ripped out and thrown away, replaced by lightweight race seats and a carbon fibre dash. A quick look at the options list and a 'Trackday' rollover bar and a plumbed-in fire extinguisher give a clear indication of who the Superlight has been designed for.
But has Caterham gone too far?
We tested the R300 to find out. Weighing in at just over half a tonne it doesn't lack speed, especially with a 175bhp 2.0-litre under the bonnet.
The Ford-derived lump drags the R300 to 62mph in just 4.5 seconds topping out at an impressive 140mph, but with prices starting at £27,995 for a factory built car it's far from cheap.
