Ushering in new models often means out with the old. It may be necessary, but that doesn’t mean the car that set lap times faster than the Bugatti Veyron and won over many won’t be missed. The last production model unit of Caterham’s Superlight R500 left the factory on July 7th, and after 174 model units being produced, the Superlight R500 is now consigned to history. Many credit the car with bringing Caterham’s world of Lotus Seven based production into the modern era, with Caterham CEO Graham MacDonald remarking on the vehicle,

“To some extent, it represented the start of a new era in which Caterham stepped into the 21st century, but it perfectly encapsulated Colin Chapman’s original ethos and harnessed our determination to provide accessible fun like no other.”

The Superlight R500 began its life in 2008, when the new model, Caterham’s most powerful ever until then, was first produced. Since then, buyers from all over the world have lined up to buy the flagship model of the Caterham line. Technologically, the Superlight R500 was a milestone for Caterham. Using the supercharged 2.0 liter straight-four Ford Duratec engine, the car produced 263 horsepower. That may not sound like a lot, but consider that the car only weighs in at 1,116 lbs., giving a power to weight ratio of 560 hp per ton. The car came available with a five-speed traditional manual or sequential gearbox delivering power to the rear wheels, being the first Caterham model with the sequential gearbox available.

Nowhere was the Superlight R500 more of a force to be reckoned with than on the track. With a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 2.88 seconds, the car could rival the world’s fastest supercars. Top Gear did a track test of the Superlight R500 and set a track record, beating the Bugatti Veyron’s time by half a second. The Caterham Superlight R500 was subsequently named Top Gear’s Car of the Year.

Of course, even as the sun is setting on the Superlight R500, it isn’t leaving the droves of Caterham fans out there without a worthy successor. The new 620R, its replacement, is even more potent under the hood than its predecessor. The 620R, also featuring a supercharged 2.0 liter Duratec engine, has an output of 310 hp, and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 2.77 seconds. Released in 2013, the Caterham 620R is now the fastest Caterham or Lotus Seven derived car out there. Colin Chapman would most certainly be proud.