Tokyo news: Caterham unveils new CSR

That Caterham even bothers to show its cars at the Tokyo show underlines that Japan is a big market for the classic British sports car. With two existing models on show, and a new CSR debuting, the small car firm drew a large crowd in the Tokyo show hall.

What's all the fuss about?

Caterham attracts a very keen audience and the stand in Tokyo was buzzing with anticipation. Given that all Caterhams look identical, slight details aside, nobody was really sure what the firm would be talking about. It seems, though, that the orange car on the stand is a world debut, a CSR with inboard suspension - much like F1 cars.

Anything that stands out?

Aside from the dodgy translation of Caterham boss Ali Ansar's speech, the overheard fact that the blue Superlight on the stand had been a Roadsport only five hours before underlines the ease by which Caterhams can be worked on. More seriously, Ansar discussed the fact that Caterham isn't ignoring the future and is looking at electric and hybrid applications - particularly in motorsport.

When can I buy one?

You can buy any Caterham tomorrow, and if you're handy with the spanners you can save a few pounds and build it yourself. Or update it, or change the specification entirely like the chaps did to create the Superlight on the stand.

Kyle Fortune