| Caterham-Lola SP/300.R | |
| Manufacturer: | Caterham Cars Ltd and Lola Cars (jointly-built) |
| Engine: | 1999cc Ford Duratec, 16-valve 4cyl, Rotrex supercharged, 300bhp @ 7500rpm, 213lb ft@ 7500rpm |
| Transmission: | Hewland Six-speed sequential manual, rear-wheel drive |
| Predecessor: | Lola B08/90 |
| Length: | 4200 mm |
| Width: | 1700 mm |
| Height: | 1015 mm |
| Weight: | 545 kg |
| Chassis: | Aluminium honeycomb monocoque |
The Caterham-Lola SP/300.R, or simply SP/300.R, is a track-only, open roof Le Mans Prototype designed by Caterham Cars alongside Lola Cars. The SP/300.R is a limited edition with limited production to 25 per annum.[1]
The car is based on the Lola B08/90 Sports 2000 car, and was designed with low costs but high on track performance. The car's aluminium alloy monocoque chassis, that is shared with the Lola B08/90, means that it is significantly lighter than its steel tube frame rivals. Caterham turned to Lola for their CFD expertise in designing LMP cars to help design a body that is inspired by LeMans Prototypes. Its supercharged engine is claimed to produce 300 hp and provides the power for the car to sprint to 60 mph in only 2.8 seconds and only to a gearing limited top speed of 180 mph.
The SP/300.R's design was inspired by Lola's LMP cars, with sectioned body panels that can easily be removed in the pits, and a massive front splitter and rear diffuser to help produce downforce.
As with all other current Caterham products, the SP/300.R is powered by a 2.0-liter Ford Duratec engine that is supercharged and tuned by Caterham to produce around 300 hp. It has a sequentially paddle shifted transmission from Hewland, built to Lola's specification. Caterham has states that the SP/300.R is projected to weigh less than 600 kg, which should allow for 0-60 mph of just 2.8 seconds. The car reportedly is capable of 180 mph, according to Caterham.
The Caterham-Lola SP/300.R was originally developed for a one-off race championship that started in 2012, which took place in the United Kingdom. It was shipped to Dyson Racing that same year for another Grand Prix event in the U.S. In 2019, the SP/300.R again debuted in the 2019 French Grand Prix.