The car still looks the same, but rest assured, it's shape is probably the only thing it has in common with its predecessor: the R500.

This is the Caterham Seven 620 R, the sports roadster that Caterham is touting as the replacement model of the range-topping R500.

Despite having the similar body character of pretty much everything Caterham->ke1252 has built in recent years, underestimating what the 620 R is capable of is an unwise thing to do. For one, it comes with an improved nose that allows for freer airflow. It also has a new gunmetal chassis, a race-spec cooling system, a De Dion rear suspension, a wide front track and a set of 13-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Avon ZZR tires.

Inside, the modifications were kept to simple yet profoundly indicative to the kind of car this sports roadster is. A "performance-focused instrumentation and ergonomic switchgear" was added, as was a new Q/R race-spec steering wheel, carbon-fiber racing seats, a carbon-fiber dash and carbon-fiber interior panels.

The Caterham Seven->ke3209 620 R is powered by a 2.0-liter Ford Duratec engine that develops 311 horsepower and 219 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful and torque-filled Seven to date. This is enough oomph to hit 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds with a top speed of about 155 mph.

If you're looking to see this car live and in the flesh for the first time, you should head over to the Goodwood Festival of Speed->ke3879 later this month because that's when Caterham will officially introduce the Seven 620 R to the world.

The 620 R will hit British showrooms in late 2013 at a base price of £49,995 ($74,272 at the current exchange rates). There is no mention of whether Caterham will release the 620 R in the U.S., but we're pretty sure it will see our streets at about $65,000. For those that find this price a little too rich, Caterham plans to unveil a less expensive and milder 620 S later in 2013.

Click past the jump to read about the Caterham Seven

2013 Caterham Seven 620 R

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Caterham Seven 620 R
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 311
  • Torque: 219
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Caterham Seven->ke3209

The Caterham Seven can be best described as a super-lightweight sports car that traces its history back to 1973 when it was based on the Lotus Seven. Back then, the model was offered with a Lotus Twin Cam engine but has since evolved in such a way that the current models come with either a 1600 Ford Sigma or a 2.0-liter Caterham Powertrain (CPT) Duratec.

In its base version, the engines deliver 125, 150 or 175 horsepower, while in the Superlight R600, the 2.0-liter engine delivers a total of 275 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, good enough to allow the sports roadster to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.88 seconds with a top speed of 148 mph.