Forbidden Fruit: Caterham Seven 160
Caterham has debuted the new entry-level Seven 160 for the UK (EU customers will get the Seven 165). The kit costs about $24,242 (£14,995), and the fully built car can be purchased for about $29,092 (£17,995).
The Seven 160 is powered by a turbocharger, three-cylinder Suzuki engine producing 80 horsepower and 79 pound-feet of torque. This gives the 1080-pound car a claimed 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 100 miles per hour. Power is put to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
The other interesting thing about the Seven 160 is its live rear axle, which harkens back to earlier Sevens. This should add a little bit of, erm, excitement to the driving experience.
Evo has driven the car, and finds it to be very engaging, with the short gearing requiring a lot of shifting and minimal turbo lag. Grip limits are appropriate for the amount of power. The action of the live rear axle takes some getting used to, but the driving experience is very rewarding once the driver gets a feel for the car.
The Caterham Seven 160 comes standard with 14-inch steel wheels, adjustable cloth seats, inertial reel seatbelts, aeroscreen, immobilizer, and aluminum finish. Options include a Momo Q/R steering wheel, full windshield and weather equipment, lowered floors, carpeted interior, leather seats, tonneau cover, heater, spare wheel and carrier, 12-volt socket, and, of course, a proper paint job.
We’re a bit forlorn about missing out on this new entry Caterham here in the States. We imagine pushing it to its limits would be unendingly entertaining.
Scroll down for more information in the press release, below.
BACK TO THE FUTURE: CATERHAM LAUNCHES SEVEN 160
- Priced from £14,995 or 17,995 fully built
- Suzuki-powered 660cc Seven with new live-axle will be ultimate in ‘accessible fun’
- UK variant named Seven 160; EU gets 165
Caterham Cars has opened the order book for the Seven 160 – its new entry-level variant of the iconic sportscar, powered by a super-compact, turbocharged Suzuki engine.
Priced from £14,995 in component form, the car’s live-axle rear suspension, compact engine and low weight embody the pioneering spirit of early Sevens and represent a new entry-point to the Seven range.
The Seven 160 – EU customers will get an altered version, called 165 – produces 80hp from its 660cc, three-cylinder, turbocharged engine, enabling it to accelerate to 60mph in a brisk 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 100mph.
With fleet-of-foot charm and handling finesse, rather than outright performance dictating the driving experience, the new car redefines the budget sportscar segment while introducing new levels of efficiency and value for money to the Caterham range.
Caterham Cars CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: “As the Caterham Group as a whole grows and expands into new sectors and industries, our commitment to keep evolving the Seven is very much alive.
“The 160 offers something truly different to the entry-level market. It’s more economical, more accessible and every bit as fun on the road as other Sevens but has its own unique personality.”
The new rear axle, a throwback to early Sevens in terms of simplicity and purity of design, complements the Suzuki Motor Corporation engine and lower overall body weight, while delivering Caterham’s acclaimed, intuitive handling experience and a balanced yet playful chassis.
To meet the desired performance criteria, the Caterham Group’s engineering consultancy, Caterham Technology & Innovation (CTI), fine-tuned engine performance from its standard output of 64hp to 80hp, while boosting fuel economy and reducing vehicle emissions. The vehicle conforms to EU5, EU6 and JC08 emissions regulations.
Macdonald continued: “The engineering challenges we faced when developing the new vehicle were significant. The engine, suspension and the overall dynamics all needed to work in harmony and the various arms of the Group have been successful in pooling facilities and expertise to achieve that.”
The number five at the end of the EU spec car’s moniker signifies that the vehicle complies with the EU5 emissions standards, allowing it to be sold across mainland Europe and beyond.
Production of the Caterham Seven 160 and 165 is expected to begin in January 2014, with first deliveries later that Spring.
Please visit http://uk.caterhamcars.com or call 01883 333 700 for more information.
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