Car companies Caterham and Lola have had a baby in the form of the new SP/300.R. Assuming Caterham is the father, it definitely takes after its mum.

It’s a number of firsts for Caterham: it’s their first properly new car ever as far as I can tell, rather than being a new engine or component based around the old Lotus Seven. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great cars, but like a 2011 Morgan 4+4, I still wouldn’t call it a new car. It’s also the first time Caterham have made a sports prototype racer, which is where Lola step in; although they don’t get the attention of teams like Peugeot, Audi or Ferrari, they’re responsible for such cars as the legendary T70 and Aston Martin’s current Le Mans racer, as well as helping develop the Ford GT40. In short Lola is the company other companies go to when they want to win.

Unlike some of Lola’s previous efforts though, this car isn’t destined to win at Le Mans, instead it’s being made to compete in a one-make race series that’s starting in 2012. Initially the series will start in the UK but plans to continue abroad are still on the table. Only 25 of the cars are to be made each year, with a price tag of £60,000 ($95,000). Power comes from a supercharged Ford Duratec engine and is expected an output of around 300hp, with 0-62 times of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 170mph.

There’s been no word yet as to whether there will be a “build your own car” option as there are with current Caterhams, but unless you’re a fully qualified pit stop crewmember, I wouldn’t recommend it.

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