Caterham chairman confirms plans for Renault-based Evoque rival

Wed, 10 Jul 2013

Caterham will be radically expanding beyond its core market of track-day specials with a new Renault-based CUV and city car. Following our initial reports back in November, the new models, which we can only hope are as ridiculously sporty as Caterham's other offerings, have been confirmed by Chairman Tony Fernandes to news agency Reuters.

Destined for Asian markets in 2016, the new offerings are to be based on Renault platforms, although the particular models aren't mentioned. Partially completed vehicles will be shipped to Asia, where assembly will be finished. This news follows the initial collaboration between Caterham and Renault for a new sports car, which will wear an Alpine badge. According to Fernandes, "Sports cars will do well but the city car and SUV are what the (Asian) market really wants. If we get the SUV right it will be huge."

Details about the SUV (read: crossover) are scarce, but the success of the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque was mentioned as an influence to get into the high-riding business. Given that vehicle's size, we wouldn't be surprised to see it based on the new Renault Captur (shown), and the city car modeled on the Twingo.

Is Caterham risking its hardcore cred by branching out into such disparate segments, and/or is this just the price of doing business these days? Have your say in Comments.

By Brandon Turkus