Sports car manufacturer Caterham Cars is to launch a new version of its signature Seven model with developments taken from the brand’s motorsport programme.
The Seven 310 is said to hark back to what many regard as the best-balanced Caterham Seven model to date, the Superlight R300. It gains the upgrade to the 1.6-litre Ford engine, including high-performance camshafts and revised mapping, that was produced for Caterham racers to upgrade from the Tracksport to the Supersport category.
Apparently a power increase of up to 20bhp was a surprise discovery during the upgrade process, the engine now putting out 152bhp.
According to Caterham, the changes add an exceptional driving experience to the car. Simon Lambert, the brand’s chief motorsport and technical officer, says that the Seven 310 will be loved by Caterham enthusiasts but will also convert car fans in general who understand that creating a genuinely fun driving experience is not about simply adding more and more power.
“When we were going through the engineering process on the race engine upgrade, we had one eye on the aftermarket, of course. But, once the re-worked car hit the road, we knew it was far too good to be marketed simply as an option,” Lambert adds.
Order books are now open for the Seven 310, at prices from £24,995 fully built, or £21,995 as a home-build kit, and with first deliveries expected in early 2017.
Owners of existing Seven 270s can also upgrade their car to the new specification for £1,495, while the new car also debuts a new optional LED headlamp option which in due course Caterham will roll out across its range.
