Caparo unveils more powerful T1 Race Extreme and new Climate option

Though it's been involved in a fiery incident with a Fifth Gear host, scared the wits out of Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, and is generally completely impractical, the 575hp (429kW) Caparo T1 still exudes a sort of animal magnetism not many cars can lay claim to. Its close cockpit and semi-open-wheel layout is intended to bring alive the F1 driver in all of us, but as crazy as it may seem Caparo has decided to launch an even more extreme version of the car.

Appropriately named the T1 Race Extreme, the latest addition makes do with a more powerful 620hp (462kW) version of the company’s high-rev V8 enigne as well as a more focused suspension set-up. The car’s kerb weight has also been reduced to just 550kg, a 20kg saving over the standard model.

Some of the more specific details include fully adjustable suspension, an active aerodynamic package, and lightweight monoblock billet machined aluminum calipers with titanium pistons and 355mm carbon-ceramic discs. The T1 Race Extreme also utilizes six-piston calipers up front and smaller four-piston units in the rear.

In addition, the car’s upgraded electronic package contains a fully tuneable ECU, which ensures maximum performance from the engine and six-speed sequential gear box. The end result is a 0-62mph (100km/h) time of just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 208mph (335km/h).

Caparo also used today’s launch of the T1 Race Extreme to announce a new 'Climate' pack. The option is being introduced as a result of strong customer demand and can be installed on all new orders as well as retrofitted to existing T1 cars. The pack includes a plexiglass canopy (£21,760), which slides forward to allow access to the seat, as well as air conditioning (£3,750) for the first time.

For more on the Caparo T1, check out our previous coverage.