There is a new addition to the Caterham Seven range as of this month. The current entry level 125bhp Ford Sigma engined variant is now available with 150bhp. The 125bhp Sigma engine proved so good when installed in the new, stiffer chassis that the Caterham engineers felt happy to raise the performance level of the planned mid-range car to 150bhp rather than the 140bhp originally intended.
A Roadsport version of the 150bhp car starts at just £17,495, an incredible price for a car boasting 270bhp/tonne. The Superlight model, a more track-focused variant, comes with carbon cycle wings, a six-speed gearbox and uprated suspension. It will cost £20,495; the reduction in weight bringing the power to weight ratio up to 300bhp/tonne.
An extra 25bhp has been liberated using a revised intake, butterfly throttles and a remap for the ECU and adds just £1500 to the price of the lower powered Roadsport version. The Sigma powerplant has undergone more than 10,000 road miles and 1,200 track miles making up the most rigorous R&D programme in Caterham's long history.
More new models are planned to fulfil Caterham's strategy to replace the long serving Rover K-series engine including a 50th Anniversary one-off special to be shown at the 7's Golden Jubilee celebrations to be held at Donington Park on 2nd-3rd June 2007.
Trevor Nicosia - 9 Feb 2007