This Caterham's Extreme Makeover Is Turning Heads... For All the Wrong Reasons?
Imagine taking a classic, beloved sportscar and giving it a facelift so radical, it divides opinions faster than a split-second gearshift. That's precisely what happened when a certain Caterham CSR 200 underwent a radical redesign, courtesy of the Helvetic Motor Company in Switzerland back in 2013. This wasn't just any tune-up; the car emerged from its transformation with a new identity - the CSR 200 GT, sporting a bodywork so unique it could either be termed as revolutionary or what some might less kindly call, a design debacle.
Constructed from a mix of GRP and carbon fiber, the new bodywork bears the signature of a former Sauber F1 designer. While it’s a notable pedigree, the end result is a car that looks like no Caterham we've ever seen before - or perhaps, like any other car on the road, for that matter. It's currently catching eyes on the used car market, with a price tag floating between €40,000-50,000 ($43,400-54,300).
Unique Features That Set It Apart
Gone are the exposed wheels, half-doors, and absence of a roof, hallmark features of its donor. In their place, the CSR 200 GT boasts a fully enclosed body, complemented by enormous butterfly doors. These doors, in a flamboyant flourish, open up alongside sections of the roof, offering an easier ingress into the rather snug two-seater cockpit than ever before.
Not just the doors, but the front and rear of the GT have been given a total overhaul. From an innovative grille cover to aerodynamic extensions framing the round LED headlights, and from wide protruding fenders to a wraparound rear glass, flat rear deck, slender LED taillights, and dual exhaust pipes, the alterations are nothing short of audacious. The interior hasn't been spared either, featuring a reimagined dashboard, black Alcantara upholstery, repositioned gauges, aircraft-style toggle switches, and racing seatbelts.
Performance Intact Despite the Aesthetic Controversy
Luckily, for purists and performance enthusiasts alike, the heart and soul of the CSR 200 remain untouched beneath its polarizing exterior. The CSR 200 GT houses a Cosworth-tuned 2.3-liter Duratec four-cylinder engine, still delivering a respectable 200 hp (150 kW / 203 PS). With just 9,536 km (5,925 miles) on the clock and no track days to its name, it promises the thrilling drive Caterhams are renowned for, albeit with a very different visual presentation.
As unique as it is, the Caterham CSR 200 GT has found a home in Austria, despite its registration in Germany. Interest in the car has remained high, with online auction bids hovering around the €30,000 mark - a steep decline from its asking price but a significant rise from its last sale price at a Bonhams auction in 2022 for €20,251 ($22,000).
The Verdict
Whether you view the CSR 200 GT as a fearless foray into automotive design or an unconventional step too far, there's no denying it commands attention. This unique Caterham incarnation is for those who dare to drive something different, something that shakes up the status quo. Love it or hate it, it makes a statement - the question is, is it the statement you want to make?