Caterham has announced a new entry-level version of the Caterham Seven.
The car, priced at under £17,000, will take the firm back to its roots and will pay homage to the brand’s DNA. “Adding lightness” will form a big part of the car, which will come with a Euro-6 compliant engine.
The announcement is timely as Caterham celebrates 40 years of developing and manufacturing the Caterham Seven.
The car is expected to be launched in the autumn, with first deliveries expected before the end of 2013.
Caterham Cars CEO Graham Macdonald said: “As we celebrate our 40th anniversary at Caterham, it feels good to be taking the brand right back to where it started. Colin Chapman designed the original Seven to be entirely ‘fit-for-purpose’ – a racing car for the road with the driving experience at its heart.
“With that in mind, the new entry-level Seven will be uncomplicated, easy to run and, most important of all, an intuitive and exciting drive.”
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New Engines Maybe?
I think if Caterham are going to move the Seven into this new era then lets see either the the 1.0 litre 3 cylinder 123BHP engine from Ford, which would be logical becuase of the long association with them as a supplier, to keep it sort of made in England why not the new BMW Mini 1.5 litre 3 cylinder engine with 125 BHP from the new Mini 3 Cooper or even forth coming Cooper S version with around 180 BHP. Both from the Hams Hall production facility. Great sound, responsive, efficient and low CO2 emmissions. Lets see which way they go?
What about Renault
Renault have a turbo 1.2 TCe in the Clio which may be an option considering links between Caterham and Alpine?
3 cylinder turbo
As I understand it the 3 cylinder turbo is both more expensive and heavier than the sigma/duratec that it replaces. In addition Caterham are stressing simplicity, so I'm inclined to dismiss a turbo or supercharged engine.
Surely this must be a Classic replacement - there can't be many new K series engines left, and it certainly isn't Euro-6 compliant. So I'd expect very light 3 or 4 cylinder engine with about 105bhp that can be fitted North South. That doesn't leave many options...
There is the 80bhp (non Ecoboost) variant of the 3 cylinder engine - but surely that is too feeble for even an entry level Caterham - fit a windscreen (an extra I'd imagine) and the car wouldn't even reach 100mph, surely 100bhp is the minimum.
Can't really think of a likely alternative, unless there is (say) 1.2litre version of the engine in the pipeline.
Agree with Will86, love the
Agree with Will86, love the 7, especially in purer, more affordable form.. Any guesses at the power source? Downsized turbo petrol?
@ Peter Cavellini. I know
@ Peter Cavellini. I know what your saying but do we really want to rid this sterotype. At least they cars act as beacon to avoid the facial hair and the political arguments that will ensue if you bump into them in your local pub.
Then again a 17k sub brand might paint the 7 pink, add more vanity mirrors and give additional discounts to those that work in property management.