Caterham

Caterham Cars was founded in 1973 by Graham Nearn, who purchased the production rights to the Seven from Lotus founder Colin Chapman after Lotus decided to discontinue the model. Initially a major Lotus dealer based in Caterham, Surrey, Nearn’s company transitioned into a full-scale manufacturer, preserving the lightweight 'Seven' philosophy while introducing incremental engineering improvements such as the De Dion rear suspension and upgraded spaceframe chassis. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Caterham expanded its lineup and technical capabilities, moving away from the original Lotus-sourced components toward bespoke engineering. This era saw the introduction of the 'JPE' (Jonathan Palmer Evolution) model, which briefly held the world record for the fastest-accelerating production car. The company also established various engine partnerships, transitioning from Ford Crossflow units to Rover K-Series engines, and eventually to the modern Ford Sigma and Duratec powerplants used today. In 2011, Caterham was acquired by Tony Fernandes, the entrepreneur behind AirAsia and Team Lotus. This period marked an ambitious expansion that included the creation of the Caterham Group, an entry into Formula 1, and a joint venture with Alpine to develop a new mid-engined sports car. However, the F1 team was eventually sold, and the Alpine partnership dissolved, leading Caterham to refocus on its core Seven product line and track-day heritage. In April 2021, Caterham was acquired by VT Holdings, a Japanese automotive retailer that had served as the brand's Japanese importer since 2009. Under new ownership, the company has begun a significant modernization phase, including the opening of a new multi-million-pound global headquarters and production facility in Dartford in 2024. The brand is also preparing for the future of electrification, having revealed the EV Seven technology demonstrator and the Project V electric coupe concept.