The Lotus-based Caterham Seven has been around for quite awhile with the first sports car model setting its wheels to the road back in 1973. A lot has changed since then and Caterham is now up for the challenge of producing a speedier model derived directly from the race car that competes in the highly-successful Caterham Supersport championship. The new model is appropriately called the Supersport and can be purchased for £19,995 (including tax) in self-build form (about $32,600 at the current exchange rates).
Caterham Cars engineering director, Mark Edwards, said: "The SP/300.R was our first brand new model for 15 years. But the Supersport is all about our roots. The Seven was born out of motorsport and this new model illustrates the values – accessibility, affordability and unadulterated fun – that have made Caterham the iconic brand it is today and which will ensure the Seven’s continuing global success. We’ve built faster and more powerful accelerating cars before, but the Supersport’s character, value and low running costs have generated a machine that will excite sportscar fans, including those on a budget."
Hit the jump to read more about the Caterham Seven Supersport.
Exterior and Interior
The new Caterham Seven Supersport carries the DNA of Colin Chapman’s 1950s concept of ’less is more’ and remains true to his philosophy of lightweight, minimalist machines. It comes equipped with 13" wheels wrapped in Avon tires and composite race seats and a four-point race harness instead of standard seat belt for the interior.
Engine
The new Seven Supersport is powered by a Caterham Motorsport-tuned 1600 cc Ford Sigma engine that delivers a total of 140 HP and is mated to a five-speed ‘sprint’ ratio gearing, lightweight flywheel and race-prepared suspension. With a total weight of just 1146 lbs, the Seven Supersport will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and will achieve a top speed of 120mph.
The Caterham Seven SuperSport also features uprated springs and dampers borrowed directly from its race car cousin, stiffer anti-roll bars, track biased dash with integrated change up lights, and an aero screen.
Pricing
The car is perfectly road legal and can be purchased for $32,600 for the ’self-built’ variant or $37,600 for the factory built version.
Competition
The problem with the Caterham Seven Supersport is that it is not the only car of its kind out on the market. Customers can always opt for the KTM X-Bow, a model that is more powerful and faster than the Caterham. Don’t like the KTM? Well, customers can also choose the Ariel Atom which also presents a serious challenge for the Caterham.
The KTM X-Bow is powered by an Audi sourced engine with an output of 220 HP in its basic version with a 0-60mph sprint time of 3.9 seconds. In its R version, the X-Bow gets an incredible 300 HP. However, with more speed comes a heftier price tag. The R-version sits with a price of $103,500, making the Caterham look kind of nice in comparison.
The Ariel Atom is a pretty tasty choices as well with a variety of engines and outputs ranging from 245 Hp to 500 HP for the latest V8 500 version. The Atom kills the competition in power output, but also comes with an astronomical price tag of $225,000.
Road legal
Cheaper than competition
Most impressive Seven in the line-up
Develops less HP than most of the competition
Not as fast as similar models on the market
Posted on
04.12.2011 @ 01:03