SWAPPING FOUR FOR TWO WITH CATERHAM

Best known for its recent foray into the world of F1, and for delivering quality kit cars and other sports vehicles, Caterham has now launched its newest ambition, which will broaden its appeal in the automotive market. In fact, their efforts have seen them half the number of wheels they’ll be working with.

The latestproject from the ambitious manufacturer has seen it launch Caterham Bikes, just in time for the International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan.

A total of three bikes were unveiled for the public, including the Brutus 750, the Classic E-Bike and the Carbon E-Bike, with each having their own unique quirks and functions.

Caterham has revealed that the bikes will be launched throughout 2014 as part of its strategy to improve their international standing through growth and intelligent partnerships.

The Caterham brand was purchased by Lotus owner Tony Fernandes and Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun in 2011, and the view is to further extend its offering.

These latest department will sit alongside Caterham’s other areas of expertise, including the F1 Team, Racing (GP2), Technology & Innovation, Composites and the Moto Racing Team.

It is hoped that the bikes will continue the brand’s goal to deliver “accessible fun”, while maintaining the underlying tone of British Heritage that extends throughout its offerings.

The Brutus 750 design is, by the manufacturer’s own admission, the ‘SUV of motorcycles’, and it’s not difficult to see why it has been given that monika.

Thick, chunky wheels, with deep grooves to allow for more grip, the rubber almost dominates the motorbike, before the tidy engine and the standard Caterham green and yellow colouring becomes the second and third area of focus.

It has a tough attitude, which is fitting for its durability over a number of different terrains and surfaces.

According to Caterham, the car could operate as a street bike, off-road machine and could even be a competent snowmobile if it is called upon to tackle such an environment.

Elsewhere, the Caterham Classic E-Bike is an exceptionally streamlined example of a classic bicycle, but with an electric motor. It can tackle ranges of up to 80km and riders are not required to obtain a licence in the EU.

It looks fantastic with its almost optical frame, robust wheels and almost level seating and handlebar arrangement.

Finally, the Carbon E-Bike is expected to be a limited edition version of the newly designed two-wheelers, with exclusive F1 input and materials currently being sourced.

It is designed to evoke the stylings of F1, but it looks like something from the movie TRON. The futuristic frame, seating and handlebar configuration makes it unlike anything that has been seen before. Again, it’s the chunky wheels that make the distinction from the average electric bike.

Mr Fernandes, co-chairman of Caterham Group, explained the shift to bike designs.

“Expanding our interests into the two-wheeled market is another natural progression for us and is a good opportunity to showcase the breadth of knowledge, experience and creativity we have at our disposal across the Group, now in the two-wheeled world in addition to all of our other automotive, technology and innovation interests,” he said.

His associate, Mr Kamarudin Meranun, said that expansion into the motorcycle market has been a long term ambition of the Caterham Group since they took the reigns.

“We are establishing ourselves in markets where we can bring new thinking, innovative concepts and products that will be game-changers; Caterham Bikes does exactly that.

“Having launched our Moto2 team recently at the Malaysian Grand Prix, the launch of Caterham Bikes takes us from the track to the road – we have partnered with industry experts and we have long-terms plans for the business that are ambitious but achievable, the perfect mix for success,” he added.