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6^th July 2005 (Source: Cranfield University )

A team from Cranfield University and Caterham Cars is participating in the Shell Eco-marathon this week thanks to Government backing, and will be the first road-legal four-wheel car to enter the annual fuel efficiency competition in recent years.

The entrant, called 'Caterham 2R' (record-breaker and research), is based on a Caterham Seven, one of the most extreme road-going sportscars on sale and recent holder of startling performance records*. The programme has backing from Motorsport Development UK under its EEMS (Energy Efficient Motorsport) initiative that has enabled some limited modifications to be made to the donor vehicle.

Dr. Steve Cousins, Caterham 2R project leader, said: "This project is an experiment to investigate how a light-weight car can participate in the Eco-marathon without major technical amendments. As far as we know, no previous entries have been driven to the event before, but the Caterham 2R will certainly be arriving at Rockingham on its own four wheels. We hope to learn a great deal about the potential for increased fuel efficiency in road legal cars that we can put to valuable use in the future."

The project has been running since April at Cranfield University as a joint effort between its International Ecotechnology Research Centre, its Centre for Lightweight Composites, and its Motorsport Unit. A masters engineering student Floriane Decq (23), whose thesis is on the design of the rear suspension box, will be driving the car at Rockingham. At this stage relatively minor modifications have been made to the car, including fitting lightweight seating, changes to the bodywork to improve aerodynamic efficiency and the use of low rolling resistance tyres.

EEMS project leader Dr Steve Bunkhall said: "The Shell Eco-marathon is a wonderful event for the pursuit of fuel efficiency. Supporting the Caterham 2R programme demonstrates our commitment to promoting efficiency in motorsport. What appealed to us was that a Caterham road car renowned for high performance on road and track might also demonstrate impressive credentials in fuel efficiency while remaining road legal."

The Shell Eco-marathon is the UK's foremost fuel efficiency competition. It features cars designed and built specifically for the event, and the current world record of 11,195mpg was set by Japanese team, Fancy Carol in 2004. Entrants will attempt to complete a series of runs at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby, Northants on 6 and 7 July, maintaining an average speed of at least 15mph for 10 miles.

The Caterham 2R is powered by a standard MG Rover 1598cc K-series engine, modified only to incorporate the fuel measurement flask required for the competition. The 115bhp engine is capable of propelling the road-going Caterham Seven to 60mph in 6.2 seconds and to a top speed of 122mph.

ENDS

Editor's Notes

* - until last month, the R500 variant of the Caterham Seven held the record for Britain's fastest car from 0-100-0 mph, according to Autocar.

Caterham 2R project team:

From Cranfield University: Dr Steve Cousins (project leader), James Dunster (design), from the International Ecotechnology Research Centre; Andrew Mills and Jim Hurley from the Centre for light weight composites; John Nixon from the Motorsport unit; Floriane Decq, an engineering masters student.

From Caterham Cars: Engineering Director, Jez Coates

Cranfield University
Cranfield University is one of the world's finest postgraduate centres for strategic and applied research, development and design. Cranfield students are at the forefront of progressive thinking in aerospace, defence, engineering, management, manufacturing, health and life sciences. The excellence that is developed and honed at Cranfield has become synonymous with the very best in international research.

Caterham Cars
Caterham Cars have been manufacturing the iconic Seven two-seater sports car since 1973. Although the origins of the Seven can be traced back almost 50 years, a continuous process of research and development means that it is still the world-beater it was at its launch in 1957. As well as winning numerous plaudits and awards for its handling and performance on the road and track, the Seven is the most raced production car in the world today.

EEMS
The aim of Motorsport Development UK's EEMS initiative is to establish UK global leadership in energy efficient motorsport through the development of the commercial, entertainment and environmental aspects of energy efficient racing formulae.

Motorsport Development UK is leading a £16m five-year programme to sustain and develop UK motorsport. It integrates the motorsport interests of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and Advantage West Midlands (AWM), the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). Board members also include senior representatives from the UK's motorsport and automotive industry.

The overall objective of MDUK is business and economic development for the motor sport sector. The programme stimulates action in several key areas, by working with and part-funding programmes delivered by motorsport stakeholders. Examples include Energy Efficient Motorsport, support for the training of volunteer officials, programmes aimed at widening participation in the sport and a 'Learning Grid' of education initiatives.

For more information and for a stylist's image of the Caterham 2R, please contact:

Mike Stainton - or
Patrick Peal -
Band & Brown Communications
+44 (0)1603 417722

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