Considering Ben Collins has retired/been fired from his role as the Stig on Top Gear UK, it was only appropriate that the Caterham Superlight R500 would see its eventual end as well. Known for making its rounds at the hands of the Stig on Top Gear and as Top Gear’s 2008 Car of the Year, the R500 will be making its last public appearance at the Marks & Spencers store at the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, UK between December 6th and 12th.
Caterham Cars’ marketing manager, James Drake said: “The white and orange R500 has already claimed its place in motoring history. It’s worked hard since the new R500 was launched in 2008 and we feel it’s now time to let it have a rest. It will still be available as a static display car, but its hard driving days are over."
Like a retired police officer volunteering as a DARE representative, the Caterham Superlight R500 will now fill its days with promotional work, including promoting the launch of the remote control versions of the real vehicle. Priced at £19.50, these remote controlled R500s will come in the Stig’s color scheme of white with orange stripes, as well as a red version with a white stripe. Do we smell a perfect Christmas present?
Press release after the jump.
Press release
The Caterham Superlight R500 in which Top Gear’s erstwhile Stig set the BBC programme’s test track alight is making its final journey next week before being retired from active service.
The iconic R500 CC, which embarrassed many far more expensive supercars and was named Top Gear’s 2008 Car of the Year, will be on display at the Marks & Spencers store at the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent.
It will be promoting the expanded M&S range of remote control R500s – as well as the Stig’s colour scheme, you can now also buy a red version with a white stripe.
While customers seeking the ultimate Seven drive will still be able to buy their own R500 models, the Bluewater appearance will end R500 CC’s time on the Caterham Cars press fleet, the car only being made available for special events.
Caterham Cars’ marketing manager, James Drake said: “The white and orange R500 has already claimed its place in motoring history. It’s worked hard since the new R500 was launched in 2008 and we feel it’s now time to let it have a rest. It will still be available as a static display car, but its hard driving days are over.
“We’re stopping short of wearing black armbands in the office, but it’s still going to be a sad day when its final public engagement is over.”
The car’s many fans can celebrate its achievements with the remote control versions, available in time for Christmas from all M&S stores, priced £19.50.
Meanwhile, the real thing will be on display at the Bluewater store between Monday, December 6 and Sunday, December 12 and the R500 model is still available from Caterham Cars from £40,200
Because the Veyron was build solely to be super-quick around Top Gear’s Test Track? Yeah I know, I take this too serious, still a rather boyish comparison. A go-cart would likely go even faster around the track, if its got the appropriate grunt, I still would not like to drive it on a normal road in normal traffic.
the Bluewater appearance will end R500 CC’s time on the Caterham Cars press fleet, the car only being made available for special events,” stated the press release
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01.30.2011 @ 22:26