Caterham Aims to Shed 10% of Seven’s Weight w/New Chassis

Caterham is a British maker of low volume cars inspired by the classic Lotus 7. The Caterham 7 has always been known as a lightweight performer, but the company is looking to shed even more weight. The automaker has devised a plan that resulted in a chassis that weighs 10% less than the current design.

In a car that is already a featherweight, a 10% reduction is significant. The new chassis came in partnership with bicycle-tube maker Reynolds Technology and Simpact Engineering. Most of the chassis tubes were replaced with butted tubes inspired by bicycle frame construction.

That sort of tube is lighter and thinner in the center, but larger at each end. Caterham figures this will improve stiffness and reduce weight. Caterham figures this new construction process will add up to $2,800 to costs for building the car. It plans to add the option for this chassis as soon as possible.