MG Rover in Partnership with Caterham Cars

MG Rover Group has signed a business and marketing partnership with Caterham Cars, the British manufacturer of the famous specialist sportscar the Caterham Seven.

Charis Whitcombe motoring writer and regular contributor to ‘Enjoying MG’ tries her hand with the MG X POWER Caterham

The agreement includes an exclusive contract for Powertrain Ltd, its engine and gearbox subsidiary, to supply all power unit requirements for Caterham Cars. Additionally, Caterham will also be able to access MG Rover’s powertrain technology and benefits related to the investment in K-series engines.

Commenting on the award of this contract, Gordon Poynter, commercial director, Powertrain Ltd, said: “Caterham has been using K-series for over 10 years in extreme performance conditions. We are delighted that as a result of proven reliability, technology and cost, they have decided to appoint us as their exclusive supplier.”

However, this groundbreaking partnership is greater than just the supply of powertrain and technology. It also allows Caterham to use MG Rover’s XPOWER branding on its racing and high performance road cars. Speaking at the joint press conference, John Sanders, group marketing director, MG Rover Group said: “Our contract as the exclusive powertrain supplier to Caterham opens up the potential for a much deeper relationship. Fundamentally, we are both in the racing business and our products share the same engines. We can therefore both exploit the strength of the XPOWER brand to our mutual benefit. This is going to be a true partnership and we will work hard on initiatives that benefit us both.”

The option of using BMC or MG engines goes right to the late fifties when Colin Chapman first offered the self-assembly Lotus Seven with the option of an A series engine, a much more tempting prospect than an 1172cc Ford unit. The K series power plant therefore follows a very long tradition and has been used most effectively in the Caterham.

Caterham in XPOWER grey with MG logos, gives a dramatic finish to a dramatic car

As a part of the Press Launch of this new partnership the assembled journalists were all offered the chance to try out an XPOWER MG K series Caterham Seven around a short test track set up in the car park at Longbridge. It seemed really strange to see the well-known, almost iconic shape of the Caterham, formerly Lotus Seven, adorned with MG and XPOWER logos. Various journalists took the chance to get behind the wheel and embarked on the test circuit with loads of wheelspin and tyre smoke. All this drama did very little for their times and even those with experience ended up facing the wrong way and losing time. However, Jonathan Kimber of MGOC Technical Support was able to put up a very impressive time which lasted until professional racing driver and motoring writer Tony Dron took on the challenge. I have always wanted to drive a Caterham and was very pleased with my first drive, also to get round only a second or so behind Jonathan. The power to weight of this little K series powered rocket is excellent with the Caterham instantly spinning its wheels with the just the slightest application of the throttle. Operating through a tiny leather wheel the steering was surprising heavy although no worse than an MGB and like the B it was very precise, making the little car easy to pilot through the cones. MG XPOWER and a Caterham chassis provide a very clever combination, with the Caterham making for a superb road car or an ideal weekend Clubman racer.

The Caterham employs a minimalist approach to sports car motoring being a very simple but very well constructed body chassis unit in tubular steel and aluminium; there are no doors to weaken the structure and the base model comes with aero screens. However, you can opt for a flat windscreen assembly with a pair of clip on sidescreens to keep the worst of the wind and rain off. Roadholding is excellent as the Caterham is fitted with a most effective suspension system comprising coil over shocks on all four wheels with a de Dion rear axle. Power is transmitted via a five speed gearbox or you can specify the option of a six speed box. The entry level ‘Caterham Classic’ is supplied as a complete car in component form with 1.4 K series engine for £12,950 or factory built from £15,200. There is a wide range of model and power options through the range right up to the 150 mph ‘Caterham Superlight’; for more detailed information visit their website www.caterham.co.uk or telephone 01883 333700.

You have to be lithe and supple to get in and out of the Caterham, particularly when the hood is erected. However, once you are seated behind the tiny wheel this little car offers a great deal in terms of driving experience; what it may lack in creature comforts it more than makes up for in dynamic ability. The K series powered Caterham is a true modern classic with up the minute performance and handling.

One cannot help speculate, albeit wildly, about the future possibilities of this new MG partnership with Caterham; perhaps we may be fortunate enough to see the development of a small K series powered sportscar with a diminutive lightweight body along the lines of the pretty Caterham 21. Such a car would certainly provide a truly worthy successor to the MG Midget.