Autoesque

Fans of light cars will definitely appreciate the new Caterham Seven 170, because it can weigh as little as 440 kg (970 lb).

Caterham had intended to introduce the Super Seven 1600 at its Easter Open Day. However, no public events are happening at the moment, so the decision was made to go ahead with an online launch instead.

Maybe those people who frequent Harrods will believe that Caterham’s latest special edition is the epitome of good taste. They’d be wrong though, because the result is a gaudy mess.

Next year marks sixty years of Seven production and, naturally, Caterham isn't going to let such a special birthday pass without commemoration. Indeed, the company is starting early with the launch of the extremely retro Seven Sprint.

Compared to the existing Seven 270, the new Seven 310 benefits from an extra 17 bhp (13 kW / 18 PS). That increase – which results from revised mapping and high-performance camshafts – takes output from the 1.6 litre Ford Sigma engine up to 152 bhp (113 kW / 154 PS).

When the extreme Seven 620R was first announced in the middle of 2013, Caterham promised that a less intense 620S model would also be joining the range. Now, after rather a long wait, it's here.

In 1996, Caterham introduced the original Seven Superlight. Now, to celebrate the model's upcoming twentieth birthday, a special edition has been created.

Two additional versions of the Caterham Seven have been launched in the United States. Called the 360 and 480, they join the 280 and 620R models which have been available there since January.

Kamui Kobayashi is Japanese and he drives for the Caterham F1 Team. So the creation of a Caterham Seven Kamui Kobayashi limited edition exclusively for Japan seems like a logical move.

Caterham's brand stretching continues. To go with its recently-announced Moto2 race team, a range of road-going motorcycles has just been unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan.

With its narrow rear wheel arches, 14” steel wheels and live rear axle, the Caterham Seven 160 nicely recalls the earliest versions of this minimalist sports car.

Caterham last created another model based on its long-running Seven back in 1994. The result was the unsuccessful 21, which had a production run of less than 50 cars.

Despite the joint sports car project with Renault sub-brand Alpine and talk of new crossover and subcompact models, Caterham hasn’t forgotten its iconic Seven.

In 1973 Caterham took over production of the diminutive Seven sports car from Lotus. Now, to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of that occasion, a limited edition ‘40 Years of Caterham’ pack has been launched.

Caterham has launched the new Seven Supersport R, which combines a 535 kg (1,179 lbs) kerb weight and a 180 bhp (134 kW / 182 PS) 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine. Unsurprisingly, the result is very rapid acceleration, with the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint taking just 4.8 seconds.

Caterham has launched the Superlight R600, the fastest Seven it has ever built and the first to feature a supercharger. The use of forced induction results in a power output of 275 bhp (205 kW / 278 PS) from the car’s 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine, while peak torque is 271 Nm (200 lb/ft). Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential transmission and, usefully, a Titan limited slip differential is included as standard. But this latest Seven isn’t intended for road use. It has been created to compete in the new Superlight R600 Championship, a race series that’ll have its inaugural running next year. Caterham is hoping for a sixteen-car grid in 2013, with around twice that number of entrants the season after. The Superlight R600 is priced at £44,995. An upgrade package will also be offered to allow existing R300 owners to convert their Sevens to R600 specification. Related posts: Caterham Seven Supersport Caterham-Lola SP/300.R

Caterham has announced a track-focussed addition to its Seven range. Called the Supersport, it has been developed directly from the version used in the Caterham Supersport championship. Power comes from a 140 bhp (104 kW / 141 PS) 1.6 litre Ford Sigma engine, connected to a five-speed gearbox with ‘sprint’ ratios. A fairly modest output but, as the Supersport weighs only 520 kg (1,146 lbs), it’s enough for a zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) time of 4.9 seconds. Claimed top speed is 120 mph (193 km/h). The chassis set-up features uprated dampers and springs, a limited slip differential and 13” wheels shod with Avon CR500 tyres. Completing the race-inspired package are composite race seats, four-point harnesses, dash-mounted gear change up lights, a lightened flywheel and an aero screen. UK price for the Caterham Seven Supersport is £22,995, although those seeking the satisfaction of building their own car can order it in component form for £19,995. Related post: Caterham Seven Monaco

A previous attempt by Caterham to expand its range beyond the iconic Seven was not a great success. Only forty-eight examples of the 21, launched in 1994, were ever built. Now it’s having another go with the SP/300.R, a shrunken Le Mans Prototype in the style of cars such as the Westfield XTR and Radical SR series. The project has been developed in collaboration with Lola Cars, which was involved in engineering the aluminium tub chassis and perfecting the aerodynamics. As with the current Seven line-up, power is provided by Ford. In the case of the SP/300.R it’s a two-litre Duratec motor which, thanks to the addition of a supercharger, produces 300 bhp (223 kW / 304 PS). Drive to the rear transaxle is via a Hewland semi-automatic FTR gearbox. With the Caterham-Lola weighing less than 600 kg (1,322 lbs), that set up is enough for a zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) time of about 2.5 seconds. Top speed should be in the region of 170 mph (273 km/h). Keeping the SP/300.R on the tarmac i...

Caterham has launched a special version of its iconic Seven. Based on the Roadsport 125, the Monaco is supposed to ‘evoke the elegance, class and rich motorsport heritage of Monte Carlo’. Regardless of whether it achieves that or not, the brushed aluminium bodywork with black nose and wheel guards certainly looks the part. The red and white stripes (a reminder of the Monegasque flag) and the ‘Monaco’ script aren’t too subtle though, and might not be to everyone’s taste. But the price should more than make up for that. While the standard Roadsport 125 costs £21,200, the Monaco (which features a normally optional black leather interior with red highlights) is £20,995. Even better, the first twenty cars ordered will be offered at a bargain £19,995. Power comes from a 1.6 litre Ford Sigma engine, which produces 125 bhp (93 kW / 126 PS) and 162 Nm (120 lb/ft) of torque. That might not sound like much but, as the Seven only weighs 550 kg, 0-60 mph (96 km/h) takes just 5.9 seconds. Top...