What is it?
The Caterham Seven Supersprint is the second of two limited-edition cars introduced by the firm this year to mark the 60th anniversary of the original Lotus Seven. It’s also further proof that one of the most dependable tricks playable by purveyors of niche-market sports cars to guarantee success for their all-new models right now is simply to make them look like old ones.
This car went on sale at the Goodwood Revival earlier this year and reportedly sold out its 60-unit production run in just six hours. You’d imagine the Revival crowd might be receptive to any new combination of retro styling on modern mechanicals, of course – but there’s receptive and then there’s 'kerching every six minutes' receptive. July probably brings tougher days selling ice cream on Brighton Pier.
The Seven Supersprint picks up where the Seven Sprint left off earlier this year – but where the latter was intended for road-based enjoyment primarily, the former’s the kind of Caterham you can drive to and from a track day and blast down the pit lane in while you’re there.
Like the Sprint, the Supersprint is based on the Suzuki-engined entry-level Seven 160, but it has a more purposeful specification than even the Sprint had. A fettle for the Suzuki-sourced 660cc three-cylinder turbo petrol engine increases power from 80bhp to 95bhp, and that power finds its way to the Tarmac via the same five-speed manual gearbox and live axle rear suspension as both the Seven 160 and Sprint. In the Supersprint, however, you get a limited-slip differential as standard, as well as uprated adjustable suspension, complete with Bilstein struts, tuned for the track.
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Tesla
tesla would nuke it. When will caterham learn and move to hybrid/EV?
Wrong comparison
The comparison with a different spec Caterham 7 is not the most relevant comparison.
This car is a direct competitor with the Morgan 3 wheeler. What we want to know is which is the better buy for people in the market for such a retro car.
Absolutely Exquisite
I can't think of a more desirable vehicle on four wheels for the same price.