The New Caterham Super Seven 1600 Is A 565kg Retro Joy
Although it might not look it, the car you see here is brand-spanking new. It’s the Caterham Super Seven 1600, a newly released retro-inspired version of the iconic sports car.
Unlike the limited-run, classically-styled Sprint and Super Sprint 60th anniversary specials, though, the Super Seven is a permanent addition to the range. And it’s also a lot faster: the previous two retro-fests were powered by 660cc inline-threes, but this - as the name implies - has a 1.6-litre engine.
OK, so a 1.6 inline-four may not sound like much, particularly as it’s naturally-aspirated, but the Ford Sigma unit’s modest output of 135bhp is plenty in a car that weighs just 565kg. 0-60mph is sorted in five seconds dead, and the top speed is 122mph. There’s even DCOE throttle body injection, intended to look like classic Webber carbs and capable of producing what Caterham refers to as a “distinctive growl”.
You’ll need to rev it out to extract the full power figure, given that it arrives at 6800rpm. When it’s time to change gear, you can call upon a five-speed manual gearbox with a deliciously short throw. As is the Caterham tradition, there’s no traction control, nor ABS.
For the full throwback experience, the Super gets flared front wings, a spare wheel carrier at the back, and the choice of seven “heritage” paints. The Minilite-style 14-inch wheels are available in a two-tone silver/gold finish and shod in Avon ZT7s.
The retro feel is continued inside (can you can call a Caterham’s cabin ‘inside’?), with “classically tailored” leather seats and a leather-trimmed dash. The wood-trimmed steering wheel is a nice touch, too.
It’s available in two guises - in the ‘S3’ standard body or the more capacious ‘SV’ widebody. Prices start at £33,495, and it can be supplied ready built or as a kit - the latter option being particularly tempting considering current circumstances.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
“designed to evoke the glamour, colour and joy of motoring in the 1970s”
Ironic given roads are as empty as they were in the 70’s right now
Also, £33.5k in kit form seems rather a lot doesn’t it? Think that’s about the same as a 360R
I don’t get why Caterhams are so expensive.
They don’t pack any new tech, the body doesn’t require modern techniques to manufacture, it doesn’t have any driving assist at all.
I mean, it’s a cool car, one of the best still produced to this day, but it’s so unjustifiably expensive, imo.
Or i’m just missing something and everything i said above is completely wrong.
They hold their value pretty well, so maybe that’s a reason people aren’t afraid to buy one.
If you have a factory build they’re handbuilt by skilled craftsmen; they’re usually a bit cheaper if you build them yourself although some of the harder bits still come pre-built. I guess some of it is also that Caterham are a low output small company who then have to pay Ford etc for their engines.
Awesome