Lake Farm Hill Climb: Rayfield Caliburn
Channel: Simon Brooke
Date: 01/05/2021

A review of the Rayfield Caliburn, from Cyberpunk 2077


Welcome to episode five of the Lake Farm Hill Climb.

This episode is dedicated to me friend Vakaris, in Lithuania, who requested it; and it's something of a bonus episode, in that we'll look at two cars, not one; and there's a blooper reel.

In the last two episodes I've looked at relatively inexpensive cars you can buy in the early game, the Mahir Supron and the Makigai Mai Mai. This time, we're moving from the ridiculous to the sublime; from the cheap to the eye-wateringly expensive; from the basic and functional to the sculptural and gorgeous.

This time, we're looking at the Rayfield Caliburn.

You'll notice that these cars -- there are two you can own, the white and gold one you can buy, the black one you can just find, if you're lucky -- you'll notice that from the outside they appear to have no windows.

This is because they have a technology called 'Crystal Dome', which I should have talked about when I reviewed the Javelina; instead of windows, these cars have armoured panels on the inside of which a realistic view of the outside world is projected.

The interior of the black car is mostly off white, with green and gold highlights; I find it quite tasteful. The interior of the white and gold car, not so much; this seems to me garish and just tacky. Outside though, it's very smart, in an attention-seeking sort of way.

The two car handle identically, so I'm only going to take one of them up the climb.

The first thing to notice is the engine sound. It's gorgeous: an eerie moan rising to an eldritch shriek under acceleration, and spitting like an angry cat on gear changes.

The second thing to notice is the brutal acceleration. You will have seen the video of an idiot losing control of a Ferrari while crossing a bridge in central London; this car drives like that. It is just ludicrously too powerful for anyone but a very skilled driver, and if you don't treat it with respect it will bite you.

I'm probably quicker up this climb in the comical MaiMai or the sturdy Little Mule than in the sleek and powerful Caliburn. I'm sure a skilled driver could slide it round thee turn as I can slide the much more forgiving Javalina -- the chassis is actually very good --  but I can't. Nevertheless by being careful, I am getting up the climb reasonably tidily.

Once at the top and on straighter roads, I can let it rip. The turn onto the lakeside straight is made sure-footedly, and we hit a peak indicated speed of just under 180 miles per hour. 

So that's the Caliburn. I do urge you to seek out the black one - it's challenging, but enormous fun, to drive, and it will win you the road races.



Oh, yes, I said there would be a blooper reel. Enjoy!