Caterham Seven Review 2024

March 2015

Caterham 7 Range for 2015 announced

The Caterham Seven 270, 360 and 420 are all available in the UK immediately. These three new variants simplify Caterham’s range to five core models. In addition, all Caterham Sevens can now be specified with brand new ‘S’ or ‘R’ equipment packages.

The three new Ca`terham 7s sit between the existing range bookends – the Suzuki powered entry-level Seven 160 and the supercharged 620R, the most powerful production Seven ever built.

Launched in 2013, the Seven 160 embodies the pioneering spirit of the original Lotus Seven with its compact 3-cylinder Suzuki engine and live-axle rear suspension. Next up is the new 270 model, powered by the latest-generation 1.6 belt cam Ford Sigma engine with variable-valve timing technology and offering a 10bhp power upgrade from the outgoing Roadsport 125 it replaces.

Sitting in the middle of the range is the Seven 360, which runs the same 2.0 chain cam Ford Duratec power unit as Caterham’s flagship R300 race cars, offering the perfect balance between road and race track.

The penultimate model in the line up is the Seven 420, which features a dry sump and is also powered by the 2.0 chain cam Ford Duratec, but benefitting from modifications that lift it to 210bhp. At the top of the range, is Caterham’s mighty 620R, which also runs a finely-tuned 2.0 Ford Duratec that pumps out an extreme 310bhp and reaches 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds.

The British sportscar maker has also introduced two brand new equipment packages, which are available on all models. The new ‘S’ and ‘R’ packs offer specially-tailored trim and equipment packages to suit both road and track drivers.

The ‘S’ pack is geared towards the casual road driver and includes creature comforts such as a fully-carpeted cockpit, full windscreen, hood and side screens and leather seats. Meanwhile, the ‘R’ pack**** is more track-focused, whilst retaining its road car status by offering limited-slip differential, sports suspension and a four-point race harness.

The ‘R’ pack also offers 15” Orcus alloy wheels, which have been exclusively designed for Caterham and are 10% lighter than the outgoing 15” alloy wheel. In the cockpit, the unique ‘R’ rev-counter has been orientated to optimise it for use at high rpm. For customers with pure track driving in mind, a 13” alloy wheel is available as an option with the ‘R’ pack; customers choosing this option will also benefit from an upgraded suspension geometry set-up to ensure the ultimate in race track handling.

Caterham Seven 270 Specification

Engine: Ford Sigma 1596cc, four cylinder, Ti-VCT, belt cam naturally aspirated.
Max Power (bhp/rpm): 135bhp @ 6,800rpm
Max Torque (Nm/rpm): 165Nm @ 4,100rpm
Weight: 540kg (270S)
0-60mph: 5.0 seconds
Power-to-weight: 250 bhp-per-tonne
Top Speed: 122mph

Standard equipment

• Caterham tuned 135bhp Ford Sigma 1596cc, four cylinder, Ti-VCT, naturally aspirated.
• 5-speed gearbox
• Aluminum painted body with composite panels. Choice of Black, Red, Green, Yellow
• Cloth adjustable seats
• Motolita steering wheel
• Inertia reel lap + diagonal seat belts
• S Pack includes: Leather seats, carpeted interior, heater, full windscreen and hood, Momo steering wheel and a choice of four paint finishes.
• R Pack includes: Limited slip differential, lightweight flywheel, ‘Sport’ suspension, 15” Caterham Orcus aluminium wheels, Uprated brake master cylinder, carbon-fibre dash, race seats, Momo steering wheel, four-point harness seat belts and a choice of four paint finishes.

Suspension:

Front: Unequal length double wishbones, anti-roll bar, coil springs over Caterham Bilstein road dampers. (R Pack = plus ‘wide track’ front suspension geometry).

Rear: Dedion semi-independent suspension with radius arms and A-frame linkage; progressive coil springs over Caterham Bilstein road dampers. (R Pack = plus adjustable anti-roll bar).

Brakes: Twin circuit split front/rear with low level warning system. Discs front and rear.

Steering: Rack and pinion, 1.93 turns lock to lock

Wheels and Tyres: Tyres Avon 185/60/R14 (R Pack = 195/50R15)

‘Classic’ 8 spoke aluminium wheels 6" x 14" (R Pack = ‘Orcus’ 6 spoke aluminium wheels 6.5”x15”)

Caterham Seven 360 Specification

Engine: Ford Duratec 1999cc, four cylinder, naturally aspirated, chain cam
Max Power (bhp/rpm): 180bhp @ 7,300rpm
Max Torque (Nm/rpm): 194Nm @ 6,100rpm
Weight: 560kg (360S)
0-60mph: 4.8 seconds
Power-to-weight: 321 bhp-per-tonne
Top Speed: 130mph

Standard equipment

• Caterham tuned 180bhp Ford Duratec 1999cc, four cylinder, naturally aspirated
• 5-speed gearbox
• Aluminum painted body with composite panels. Choice of Black, Red, Green, Yellow
• Cloth adjustable seats
• Motolita steering wheel
• Inertia reel lap + diagonal seat belts
• S Pack includes: Leather seats, carpeted interior, heater, full windscreen and hood, Momo steering wheel and a choice of four paint finishes.
• R Pack includes: Limited slip differential, lightweight flywheel, ‘Sport’ suspension, 15” Caterham Orcus aluminium wheels, Uprated brake master cylinder, carbon-fibre dash, race seats, Momo steering wheel, four-point harness seat belts and a choice of four paint finishes.

Suspension:

Front: Unequal length double wishbones, anti-roll bar, coil springs over Caterham Bilstein road dampers. (R Pack = plus ‘wide track’ front suspension geometry).

Rear: Dedion semi-independent suspension with radius arms and A-frame linkage; progressive coil springs over Caterham Bilstein road dampers. (R Pack = plus adjustable anti-roll bar).

Brakes: Twin circuit split front/rear with low level warning system. Discs front and rear.

Steering: Rack and pinion, 1.93 turns lock to lock

Wheels and Tyres: Tyres Avon 185/60/R14 (R Pack = 195/50R15)

‘Classic’ 8 spoke aluminium wheels 6" x 14" (R Pack = ‘Orcus’ 6 spoke aluminium wheels 6.5”x15”)

Caterham Seven 420 Specification

Engine: Ford Duratec 1999cc, four cylinder, naturally aspirated, chain cam

Max Power (bhp/rpm): 210bhp @ 7,600rpm

Max Torque (Nm/rpm): 203Nm @ 6,300rpm
Weight: 560kg (420S)
0-60mph: 3.8 seconds
Power-to-weight: 375 bhp-per-tonne
Top Speed: 136mph

Standard equipment

• Caterham tuned 210bhp Ford Duratec 1999cc, four cylinder, naturally aspirated
• Dry sump lubrication
• 5-speed gearbox
• Aluminum painted body with composite panels. Choice of Black, Red, Green, Yellow
• Cloth adjustable seats
• Motolita steering wheel
• Inertia reel lap + diagonal seat belts
• S Pack includes: Leather seats, carpeted interior, heater, full windscreen and hood, Momo steering wheel and a choice of four paint finishes.
• R Pack includes: Limited slip differential, lightweight flywheel, ‘Sport’ suspension, 15” Caterham Orcus aluminium wheels, Uprated brake master cylinder, carbon-fibre dash, race seats, Momo steering wheel, four-point harness seat belts and a choice of four paint finishes.

Suspension:

Front: Unequal length double wishbones, anti-roll bar, coil springs over Caterham Bilstein road dampers. (R Pack = plus ‘wide track’ front suspension geometry).

Rear: Dedion semi-independent suspension with radius arms and A-frame linkage; progressive coil springs over Caterham Bilstein road dampers. (R Pack = plus adjustable anti-roll bar).

Brakes: Twin circuit split front/rear with low level warning system. Discs front and rear.

Steering: Rack and pinion, 1.93 turns lock to lock

Wheels and Tyres: Tyres Avon 185/60/R14 (R Pack = 195/50R15)

‘Classic’ 8 spoke aluminium wheels 6" x 14" (R Pack = ‘Orcus’ 6 spoke aluminium wheels 6.5”x15”)

September 2015

Caterham relaunches its original 1.6 Sigma engined Superlight priced at £29,995. Only 20 are being built with a similarly extreme spec sheet to that of the original. The Superlight Twenty gets a 135PS 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine, 6-speed close ratio gearbox, ‘Sport’ suspension pack, lightweight flywheel and a limited slip differential.

The bodywork has numerous carbon fibre components, including cycle wings, rear wings, nose and minimalist aero screen. The body is finished in bare aluminium, as per the original Superlight, which saves six kilograms further contributing to the ultra-lightweight approach.The new Caterham also gets a numbered dash plaque, unique gauges, key and a gear knob bearing the ‘Superlight Twenty’ motif and is equipped with a titanium coloured chassis, carbon interior panels and specially-embroidered carbon sports seats.

Performance is 60mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 122mph, but to keep the flies out of your teeth you will need a full face helmet.