While most of the makers are focusing their attention on building SUVs and hybrid cars, Caterham remains faithful to its traditions. The company has just announced a new 420 Cup version, a model placed between the 420R and the Seven Championship racecar. It will only be offered in the UK and the U.S. and has been described as "the best track-day Seven we’ve ever built."

When looked at from the exterior, it will be very easy to recognize the 420 Cup as a Caterham, but it also comes with a few updates. When compared to the rest of the 420 models, the Cup version will feature a race-style nose cone, a centralized petrol filler, and new LED rear lights. As an option, the model will offer a race roll cage and racing wing mirrors.

The interior will also receive a few updates. As a standard feature, the 420 CUP will be offered with new styled composite seats, while carbon-fiber seats with model-exclusive embroidery will be offered as an option. Alcantara will be applied on the transmission tunnel and headrests, while the 620-style dashboard finished in satin carbon. Additional logos and custom track-day graphics will complete the picture.

Under the hood, Caterham placed the same engine from the 420R: a 2.0-liter Duratec that delivers a total of 210 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque. With a total weight of 560 kilos (1,25 pounds), the new Seven 420 CUP has a power-to-weight ratio of 375 horsepower per ton. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and can hit a top speed of 136 mph. It also lapped the famous Oulton Park circuit in 1 minute 45 seconds. While the rest of the Caterham 420 lineup is offered with a five-Speed gearbox, the new 420 Cup will be the first to be offered with a six-speed sequential gearbox with flat-shift.

Also as a first, the model is offered with fully-adjustable Bilstein dampers that can be placed in any one of their ten stiffness settings without the use of any tools and in just a couple of minutes." The model will also be equipped with Avon ZZR tires as standard, while Avon ZZR Extreme track tires will be offered as an option.

The new Caterham Seven 420 CUP will only be offered in both UK and U.S. markets - mostly because of emission regulations. U.S. prices will be set at the dealer level, though those of you in the U.K. will be asked to pony up £54,990 ($68,800 at the current exchange rates). The model will be displayed at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed and will go into production in early 2023.