Caterham Shows 3 New Models In Tokyo

Ah Caterham, how do I love thee ... look, these cars are great, in my opinion. Sure, they're not for everybody. A car with no heater, no real roof to speak of and where even paint is a cost extra option will not appeal to your "average car buyer". Ah well, their loss. For me, these cars are great. I love the minimalism of them. And the performance.

And it seems that Caterham has decided to roll out three new models at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. Caterhams are very popular in Japan. I'm not really sure why, but I figure it's the same reason I love them. Plus, since you can still buy them as kits, that leans towards the strong tinkerer/hobbyist streak that the Japanese seem to posses.

So, Caterham rolled out the Superlight R300 EU4, making its Japanese debut, the CSR 175 EU4 got its world premier in Tokyo and they also showed off the Roadsport EU4. fine cars all ... and sure, we can all have our favorites, but if they were to give me anyone of these I'd be in the tall cotton.

Caterham has been selling cars in the Land of the Rising Sun since the 1970’s and managing director Ansar Ali had this to say: “Japan has always been one of our biggest export markets. During the early 1990s, Caterham was selling over 100 cars a year in Japan and now, with our new importer doing great work to highlight the company from their Tokyo base, we are looking forward to pushing sales up again.”

“I have no doubt we will achieve this objective as we now have a retail network of over 15 dealers in Japan who are committed to making Caterham another British success in this exciting and dynamic market,” he added.

And look, I'm not going to argue with the guy. Caterhams are street legal go-karts. They're motorcycles with four wheels. The only thing they could do to make them better (besides lowering the price so an automotive writer can afford one) is make a single seater.

Source: Paul Tan. Photos from Flickr users exfordy and michieldijcks.