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Caterham

Tuesday, 6th of January 2009

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At 1.6-litres, it’s far from a huge engine, but the Ford Sigma powerplant is tuned to deliver 150bhp, and in a car that weighs just 550kg, that means a power-to-weight ratio of 270bhp-per-tonne. If all that’s too much to digest then consider the 0-60mph time of five seconds – that’s enough to leave all but the most hardcore of supercars for dust off the line. The 122mph top-speed isn’t record-breaking, but that’s not what Caterham is all about. The side-mounted exhaust emits a constant throaty howl, much to the aural pleasure of any driving enthusiast. In short, you won’t find performance more exhilarating for anything like the £21,195 price tag (or £18,195 if you fancy building the car yourself).

If you’re used to run-of-the mill, front-wheel-drive hatchbacks then you’re in for the shock of your life. The Seven’s raw, uncorrupted set-up means that it’s about the purest from of driving going. There’s no electronic or power anything, so the steering is exceptionally heavy, especially when you factor in the tiny Momo wheel. On the road it’s a harsh, but incredibly communicative ride. You feel every single undulation in the road through the steering and the chassis, so despite the car’s wild nature, it is extremely easy to tell what’s going on at tarmac level. Just watch it in the wet, as one false prod of the throttle will break traction and send the car sideways.

Luxurious it ain’t, but one of the Seven’s biggest merits is its simplicity. There’s not much to it, which means there’s not much to go wrong, so common issues with electrics, air conditioning and the like aren’t a problem. It’s pretty well put together, too. The only real things to watch on used Sevens are cars that have been heavily tuned and/or extensively used on track days. Accident damage or botched DIY tuning attempts are the biggest failings of Caterhams.

Since its humble beginnings at the hands of Lotus founder Colin Chapman 51 years ago, the Seven has vastly improved in terms of its structure, so it’s far safer in an accident than examples of old. That said, the minimal nature means that there’s no room for anything like air bags, ABS or even proper doors – the Seven gets canvas items that you open and close by tucking a flap into the inside. Essentially, there’s no point investing in a Seven if you’re he cautious type or likely to spend your evenings peeking through the curtains to check on it.

Again, this sort of thing just isn’t the Seven’s forte. There’s enough room to squeeze a couple of overnight bags into the miniscule boot, but that’s about it. Travel alone and there’s always the option of the space in the passenger seat but nothing more. However, Caterham has taken steps to address the Seven’s woeful storage space. The SV chassis – a £1,500 option – offers extra cabin space for buyers over 6ft 2” and boosts luggage space too. It also benefits from a larger fuel tank and more stability thanks to a wider track, all of which adds just 25kg to the overall weight. Alternatively there’s always an aftermarket boot rack for even more luggage capacity.

All Caterhams appeal to the hardcore driving enthusiast, and those who crave anything in the way of luxury or comfort should steer clear. But if you get your kicks from experiencing motoring in its purest state then few cars can touch it. Track day types should also consider one, as it can be driven to and from the circuit. The even better news is that Caterham owners enjoy extremely strong residuals, so come resale time you won’t lose too much cash. It’s hot, bumpy and unrefined, but it will make you grin from ear to ear on a twisty bit of B-road.

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