Caterham 7


The Caterham 7 is a super-lightweight sports car produced by Caterham Cars in the United Kingdom. It is based on the Lotus Seven, a lightweight sports car sold in kit and factory-built form by Lotus Cars, from 1957 to 1972.
After Lotus ended production of the Lotus Seven, Caterham bought the rights to the design, and today make both kits and fully assembled cars. The modern Caterham Seven is based on the Series 3 Lotus Seven, though developed to the point that no part is the same as on the original Lotus.
Various other manufacturers offer a sports car in a similar basic configuration, but Caterham owns various legal rights to the Lotus Seven design and name. The company has taken legal action in the past in order to protect those rights, although in South Africa, it lost its case against Birkin on the basis that it never obtained the claimed rights from Lotus.

History

had been a Royal Air Force pilot, studied structural engineering and went on to become one of the great innovators in motorsports design and found Lotus Engineering Ltd. His vision of light, powerful cars and performance suspensions guided much of his development work with the basic design philosophy of, "Simplify, then add lightness". His Lotus 7 had its debut at the 1957 Earl's Court Motor Show in London. They were priced at £1,036 including purchase tax but it cost only £536 in kit form as no purchase tax was required. It weighed only. Fast and responsive, the Lotus 7 was one of Chapman's masterworks, an advanced machine that surpassed the earlier Lotus 6 as a vehicle that could perform well on the track and be driven legally on the road.
In 1973, Lotus decided to shed its kit car image and concentrate on limited series motor racing cars and up-market sports cars. As part of this plan, it sold the rights to the Seven to its only remaining agents, Caterham Cars in England and Steel Brothers Limited in New Zealand. At the time the current production car was the Series 4, but when Caterham ran out of the Lotus Series 4 kits in 1974 they introduced its own version of the Series 3, as the Caterham Seven. The modern day Roadsports and Superlights are the direct descendants of this car and therefore of the original Lotus 7.

Chassis and suspension

As with the Lotus Six before it, the original Lotus Seven used an extremely light space-frame chassis with stressed aluminium body panels. Although the chassis has had numerous modifications to strengthen it and accommodate the various engine and suspension setups, this basic formula has remained essentially the same throughout the Seven's life. Early cars used a live rear axle, initially from various Fords, later from the Morris Ital. De Dion rear suspension was introduced in the mid-1980s and both geometries were on offer until 2002 when the live-axle option was phased out. The modern Superlight employs adjustable double-wishbone suspension with front anti-roll bar and a de-dion rear axle, located by an A-frame and Watt's linkage.
The Caterham 7 range was based exclusively on this Series 3 chassis until 2000, when the SV chassis was released, aimed at accommodating the increasing number of prospective buyers who could not fit comfortably in the Series 3 cockpit. The SV chassis offers an extra of width across the cockpit, at a cost of of extra weight, and both chassis sizes are available today in Roadsport and Superlight variants. The SV chassis subsequently provided the basic dimensions for the Caterham CSR. The suspension was completely redesigned, bringing the front suspension inboard, using pushrods, and replacing the De-Dion rear axle with a lighter, fully independent, double-wishbone layout with new coil/damper units. Additional chassis modifications resulted in a 25% increase in torsional stiffness. The CSR was released in October 2004, with a Cosworth Duratec engine and is currently available from the factory in either or form.

Engines

Early cars used the Lotus TwinCam engine, followed by Ford cross flow engines. The first Cosworth BDR engines appeared around 1983, in 1600 cc form, followed by 1700 cc versions three years later. By 1990 the top of the range engine had become the two litre Vauxhall HPC, as fitted to the Vauxhall Calibra, putting out 165—175 bhp. A few HPC "Evolution" models were built with engines developed by Swindon Race Engines producing between and. In 1993 Caterham created the JPE special edition by using a two-litre Vauxhall Touring Car engine, putting out around and reducing weight to around by such measures as removing the windscreen in favour of an aeroscreen. The JPE was quoted at 0-60 mph times of around 3.5 seconds and, with Jonathan Palmer at the wheel, set a 0-100 mph-0 record of 12.6 seconds. Around 1997 the cross flow range was replaced by 8v and 16v Vauxhall units which, in various guises lived on until the end of the VX-powered Caterham Classic, in 2002.
The Rover K-series made its appearance in 1991, initially as the 1.4 litre engine from the Metro GTi. This engine became the backbone of the range for the next 15 years. The 1.6 litre K-series appeared in 1996 and the 1.8 litre a year later. 1996 also saw the addition of the 'Superlight' range, a range that successfully focussed initially on reducing weight and subsequently on bespoke tuning of the K-series to ever-higher outputs. Weight was saved by removing the spare wheel, carpets, heater and often the windscreen, hood and doors. Lightweight "Tillet" GRP seats were usually fitted along with carbon-fibre front wings and nosecone. Wide-track suspension was added to the superlight, increasing the track at the front to match that at the back. The later Superlight-R offered the dry-sumped VHPD variant on the 1.8 litre K-series. Output was now up to around, in a car that now weighed as little as. Three years later Caterham took the same concept to a new level and created the iconic Superlight R500, still based on the Rover 1.8 litre K-series but now tuned to around at 8,600 rpm in a car weighing just. The R500 was initially available in kit-form, but quickly became a factory-build only item. Quoted performance figures still make impressive reading; 0-100 mph in 8.2 seconds. Perhaps unsurprisingly, such a stressed engine required frequent "refreshing" in order to keep it on the road and a series of engine revisions was undertaken throughout the R500's life in order to increase reliability. This culminated in 2004 with perhaps the most extreme production Caterham of all; the R500 EVO was bored out by Minister to 1,998 cc and delivered. At £42,000, the R500 EVO sold poorly - it is widely believed that just three examples were sold. It did however succeed in setting a series of performance car benchmarks several of which last to this day; the 0-100 mph-0 record was set at 10.73 seconds and, until the end of 2006 it remained the fastest production car timed by EVO magazine around the Bedford Autodrome West Circuit, ahead of a Porsche Carrera GT. Only the Radical SR3 1300 has subsequently posted a faster time than the R500 EVO.
After the demise of Rover and Powertrain, Caterham started the process of phasing out the Rover K-series engine and replacing them with Ford engines; the Sigma engine for Roadsports and the 2.0 litre and 2.3 litre Duratec engines for the more powerful Superlight and CSR ranges. Although Caterham's website suggests that there are a few models still available with a K-series engine, this migration is largely complete.
Caterham has had something of a tentative relationship with the installation of motorbike engines into their cars. Since 2000, a Canadian firm has been selling Caterham 7 models using the GSXR1300 engine used in the Suzuki Hayabusa. It reportedly does 0-62 in under 3 seconds. In 2000 the Honda CBR1100 engine was installed into a superlight chassis to create the Caterham Blackbird, delivering at 10,750 rpm. The Blackbird offered near R500 performance for rather less money. In 2001 a Honda Fireblade engine was offered in a live-axle chassis, via James Whiting of Ashford, Middlesex. Quoted power was at 10,500 rpm. Both of these models have ceased production. There has also been at least one installation of the RST-V8, created by Moto Power; a 2-litre, 40 valve V8 made from a pair of motorcycle engines joined at the crank. An early, pre-production review of the car/engine combination exists on the EVO website. In Feb 2008, the "Caterham 7 Levante" was announced, featuring a supercharged version the RST-V8, offering over, installed in a modified Caterham chassis, with bespoke bodywork. Made by RS Performance, the Levante is intended to be a limited run of 8 cars at a cost of £115,000 each.
In 2013 the 620R had installed a Ford Duratec direct injection supercharged Inline-four engine rated at @ 7700 rpm and @ 7350 rpm of torque.

Racing

The Lotus 7 was conceived by Chapman as a car to be raced. Whilst still a prototype, in September 1957, it was raced at the Brighton Speed Trials and by the end of 1958 Graham Hill was winning races with the Coventry Climax-engined 'Super Seven'. The car has had a strong racing history throughout its life under both Lotus and Caterham stewardship. Amongst the marque's more famous races was victory in the Nelson Ledges 24-hour race in Ohio when, against a field including works teams from Honda and Mazda, a four-man team from Caterham won by seven laps in a modified Vauxhall HPC.
After dominating open class races for decades, Caterham Super 7 Racing, a one-make championship for Caterhams, began in 1986. Caterham 7 races have since expanded to include club and competitive races in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Canada, the United States and Asia. In 1995 the Caterham Academy, a novices-only format, was introduced in the UK. For £17,995, entrants get a modified Roadsport kit with a sealed engine and 5-speed gearbox. Having completed the ARDS license qualification, the season then consists of four sprints followed by four circuit races. The Academy is designed as the first step in a well-established chain of Caterham race formats, such as the Caterham Motorsport Ladder which consists of Roadsports B then Roadsports A, R300, Superlight and Eurocup, or the Caterham Graduates Racing Club.
The car was banned from racing in the US in the 1960s, as being "Too fast to race" and again in the UK in the 1970s for the same reasons, which prompted Caterham Cars boss Graham Nearn to produce 'T' shirts with "Caterham Seven, the car that's Too Fast to Race...". Both bans were later lifted. In 2002 an R400 won its class at the Nürburgring 24-hour race by 10 laps, ahead of competition that included Porsche and BMW racecars, leading, once again, to a ban on entry in subsequent years.

Current range

The existing range provided by Caterham Cars comprises a mixture of chassis types, engines and models. All are available either factory-built or as a self-build kit.
Until mid-2013 the factory had offered options around the Rover K-series engine, including the entry level "Classic" with a 1.4 litre, capable of 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of. But with the cessation of the engines production and new EU emissions regulations, the end of the engines production also removed the "Classic" from the company's model line-up. As of 2017, the company maintains two separate ranges for mainland Europe and the United Kingdom, reflecting the different legislative systems.
As of 2015, the range was simplified and is now simply a number, reflecting the horsepower per tonne, with "R" and with "S" or "R" packages for either street or track use. Most versions are available on the standard S3 or on the wider SV chassis. The European models end with the number "5" while the UK models end in a "0". The range consists of the Seven 165, 275, 355, and 485. The smallest model has Suzuki power, while the more powerful variants have Ford engines. The UK range is 160, 270, 310, 360, 420, and 620.

160 / 165

The 160 and 165 are the current entry level offering from Caterham; the 160 is for the United Kingdom while the 165 is intended for sale in the European Union. It is only available with the S3 chassis, doors and windscreen as standard. There is a list of optional extras such as carpets, spare wheel, weather package and heater. It is powered by a turbocharged Suzuki 660 cc kei car K6A engine producing 80 horsepower. Price starts at £14,999 in semi-kit form. This model, with its skinnier tyres and Suzuki driveshafts, is actually compact enough to be classified as a kei car in Japan, except for its power which is above the 64 PS limit enforced for the class. The car's gearbox and live rear axle is also supplied by Suzuki; this is the first Caterham with a live rear axle since the supply of Morris Marina rears dried up after the Seven Beaulieu ended production in 2003. The car received a large amount of publicity for a low-powered entry-level model, with an appearance on Top Gear, and Suzuki displaying it at the 2014 Frankfurt Motor Show. Production had to be adjusted upwards by 50%, with a third of the first year's production of 150 cars shipped to Japan.

Roadsport

The Roadsport is now the second-level offering from Caterham. It is available in both S3 and SV chassis sizes, and is more or less the former Classic with a more powerful engine and a few more extras as standard: heater; hood; spare wheel/carrier; carpets. The engine options are based around the Ford Sigma 1.6 and the Ford Duratec 2.0. Suspension is double-wishbone and anti-roll bar at the front; de dion axle located by an A-frame at the rear, where the old Classic specification had a live-axle set-up.

Superlight

The Superlight is available in both S3 and SV chassis sizes. The list of standard equipment reflects the Superlight's bias to track work: wide-track front suspension, 6 speed gearbox, carbon fibre dashboard and front wings, GRP aeroscreen and seats, racing harness, removable steering wheel. Quoted weight for the Superlight is about less than the Roadsport, due in part to the lack of a spare wheel and carrier. All Superlight cars use the 2 litre Ford Duratec engine in differing states of tune; the R400 with and R500 with. Caterham used to manufacture an R300 using the same engine at 175 bhp, but this car has effectively now become the Supersport R. With the launch of the R500, Caterham made available the options of a sequential gearbox and launch control. Quoted performance for the R500 is 0-60 in 2.88 seconds and a top speed of. In October 2012 a supercharged model 'R600' for a race-series above the R300-class was released, including slick tyres and a sequential gearbox. The weight of the R600 was 1139 lbs or 517 kg.
At the beginning of December 2008, Top Gear made the R500 its '2008 Car of the Year'.

Model history

50th Anniversary editions

Caterham celebrated the 50th year of Seven production with a couple of special edition "50th Anniversary" paint options. In addition, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations in early June 2007, they showcased the X330 concept car. Based on the CSR, the X330 employs a supercharged version of the Duratec engine to produce. The use of lighter-gauge steel and of carbon fibre instead of GRP further improves the power-to-weight ratio. Caterham say that they have no plans to put this car into production.

CSR

The CSR represents the top of the range and in some respects can be considered a separate model. It has its own chassis, suspension and interior and is available with 2.3 litre Ford Cosworth Duratec engine. Quoted performance for the CSR260 is 0-60 in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of. There is no home-build option; the factory supplies the finished car.
In 2006, Caterham introduced the CSR Superlight. Based on the CSR260, this model adds a ‘Superlight’ lightweight specification to the CSR, further extending the CSR260's already epic performance envelope. The 2.3 litre Cosworth-powered Caterham CSR260 Superlight brings all the performance credentials associated with its stablemate; performance is quoted as a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds and a top speed of. The Superlight swaps the windscreen, carpet, heater and weather gear on the standard car for a limited slip differential and a quicker steering rack. There is a 25 kilo weight reduction over the standard CSR260, this model variant also adds distinctive Superlight styling to the exterior, including a wind deflector, a carbon fibre dashboard and wings, a black powder coated cockpit and a quick-release MOMO steering wheel. Of particular note are ‘Dynamic Suspensions’ Damper units developed by specialist Multimatic for the car. The damper units lend the already capable CSR a further edge in terms of handling and cornering performance. It features the same 2.3 litre engine as the CSR260, but weighs only and has a power-to-weight ratio of -per-tonne.
Caterham has a number of popular model lines—such as the Roadsport, Supersport, and Superlight—that are occasionally re-introduced with chassis upgrades or changes in the engine options available.

Variants

ModelYearsProductionImageEngineNotes
7 Series 41973 - 197438Ford Kent crossflow
or
Lotus-Ford Twin Cam		Carryover from Lotus production; ultimately discontinued due to manufacturing logistics issues
7 Series 3 Twin Cam1974 - 1983313Lotus-Ford Twin CamCS3 3557 at the request of the purchaser, a New Zealand gentleman racer, was supplied with a 1962cc twin cam Alfa Romeo Engine
7 Series 3 1300GT1975 -4Ford Kent crossflow
7 Series 3 1600GT1975 - 1992338Ford Kent crossflow
1600 Sprint1980 - 1992212Ford Kent crossflow
VTA1981 - 198541Vegantune
Silver Jubilee1981 - 19838Ford Kent crossflow Silver paint with colored striping on bonnet and front wings
Avon A1982 - 19832Vegantune Lotus-Ford Twin CamHi-spec features such as re-trimmed two-tone interior and pepperpot alloy wheels
1700 Supersprint1982 -440Ford Kent 1.7L
1600 BDR1983 - 1992149Cosworth BDR 1600
1700 BDR1986 - 1999269Cosworth BDR 1700
HPC 17001986 - 199562Cosworth BDR 1700Purchase required taking performance driving course. Car was fitted with limited slip differential.
CVH1986 - 199191Ford CVHFor Swiss export only
Prisoner1989 -47 as of 2013Trim package to commemorate The Prisoner television series
HPC1990 - 1993UnknownCaterham-tuned Vauxhall VX with Twin 45 DCOE carburettors. 175BHP standard, Optional Swindon Racing Engine Upgrades to 218, 225 and 235 BHPPurchase included a performance driving course run by John Lyon of HPC Limited. Genuine HPC cars are not determined by the presence of the letter H in the 7th VIN position.
Vauxhall 16v cars - Caterham Vauxhall and Caterham VXI1993 - 1999UnknownPowered by reconditioned Vauxhall XE 16v on Twin 45 Carburettors, or new Catalysted Vauxhall XE 16v on GM InjectionOften confused with genuine HPC due to by presence of the letter H in the 7th VIN position. Some of these cars are built on the later Post 1996 "handbrake on tunnel" chassis. Caterham mismarketed some of these cars in order to shift an excess stock of HPC unique parts.
35th Anniversary1992 - 1994Trim and equipment package to commemorate production of the 7. Lotus green/yellow paint. Genuine 35th Anniversary cars will have a dashboard plaque.
7 GTS1992~40Ford Kent crossflowIntended as a return to the basics of the 7, with live axle and four-speed gearbox
7 Classic1992 - 1998Ford Kent crossflowEven more minimal than the GTS, the Classic was intended as low-priced entry-level model.
1.4 K-Series1991 - 1996Rover K-Series
1.4 K-Series Supersport1993 - 1997Rover K-Series
Road-Sport199630Rover K-SeriesBuilt with special trim, weight-reducing components, and the Caterham six-speed gearbox
JPE1992 - 200153Vauxhall twin-cam tuned to 250bhp by Swindon Racing EnginesVery minimal and lightweight and with engine suggested to be similar to that used in British Touring Car Championship. The engine is in fact just forged pistons and an uprated cylinder head with Weber Alpha Injection. Several JPEs were built as special customer orders using steel internals and rated at 280bhp, those these are very rare. In popular culture, this model plays a role as Sōichi Sugano's car in the anime series éX-Driver by Kōsuke Fujishima.
S7 Competition R1995 - 200125Turbocharged Vauxhall/Opel 2.0LFor Swiss market
1.6 K-Series1996 - 2012Rover K-SeriesIntroduced chassis modifications that improved rigidity and ride quality
40th Anniversary1996 - 199867Rover K-Series or Vauxhall 2.0LSpecial trim including two-tone red-and-silver paint scheme
Superlight 1.61996 - 2004196Rover K-SeriesConstructed with lightweight carbon fiber components
Superlight R1997 - 2002127Rover K-Series Very High Performance Derivative Equipped with numerous racing-inspired features
Classic VX 16001997 - 2002224Vauxhall 1.6L 8vInexpensive entry-level model with live rear axle
1.8 K-Series1997 - 2006Rover K-Series
1.8 K-Series VVC1997 - 2006Rover K-SeriesEmployed engine with Rover's Variable Valve Control
Silverstone1998 - 19993Rover K-SeriesAluminum bodywork
Classic VX Supersprint1998 - 20029Vauxhall 1800
Clubsport1998 - 19995Rover K-SeriesIntended for motorsport
Superlight R5001999 - 2005125Rover K-Series
Zetec1998 - 2008~250Ford ZetecBuilt for the United States market
Autosport 50th Anniversary1999 - 20019Rover K-SeriesPainted red with a gold band around the nose, this special edition was built to commemorate Autosport magazine's 50th year of publication
Blackbird2000 - 200115Honda Blackbird 1.1L
SV2000 -1480 First of the models with a wider and longer chassis for more interior space
GSX 1300R Hayabusa2000 -14 Suzuki Hayabusa 1.3LFor Canadian market. Built with sequential gearbox. Also available with Hayabusa 'R' Type engine, or with Rotrex supercharging
Fireblade2001 - 200423Honda Fireblade 919ccSequential gearbox, world record : fastest car going backwards, rear live-axle, handrake lever under dashboard
Beaulieu2001 - 200351Vauxhall 1.6LEntry-level model with live rear axle, rear drum brakes, and paint scheme to recall the Lotus 7
Superlight R3002002 - 2006~125MG XPower Rover K-Series 1.8LIntended as a less hard-core alternative to the Superlight R500
Superlight R400 XPower2002 - 200568MG XPower Rover K-Series 1.8LRebranded Superlight R with engine and other modifications
Superlight R500 evolution20044Rover K-SeriesSuperlight R500 with engine developed further by Minister Racing Engines and PTP
1.4 K-Series Classic2002 - 2012Rover K-Series
SV302003 - 20044Rover K-SeriesBuilt to commemorate the 30th year of the Caterham 7. All finished in Boston Green paint and fitted with 1.6L K-Series engine.
Tracksport20032MG XPower Rover K-SeriesIntended for track use, and, like the SV30, was built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Caterham 7
RST-V82004 - 20084Motopower RST-V8Not an official Caterham offering; powered by the small-displacement V8 designed by Russell Savory and derived from Yamaha motorbike engines
CSR2002005 - 2011Cosworth-Ford DuratecUsed a developed SV chassis, with increased rigidity and pushrod front suspension
CSR2602005 -Cosworth-Ford DuratecSimilar specification as the CSR200, but with further engine development to produce 260 hp
CSR260 Superlight2006 - 2011Cosworth-Ford DuratecLightened, minimalist version of the CSR260
Superlight 1.82005 - 2006~5MG XPower Rover K-Series
Superlight R400 2.02006 -135 Caterham-Rover K-SeriesA relaunch of the Superlight R400 with Duratec power
Roadsport Sigma2006 -1260 Ford SigmaMarked the major transition from the Rover K-Series engine to the Ford Sigma/Duratec line
Axon 2R / Eco-M2006 -2Rover K-SeriesHigh-fuel-economy prototype developed by Axon Automotive
Superlight 120 / 1502006 -Ford SigmaFirst of the 'Superlight' cars to be fitted with Ford Sigma engines
X33020071Cosworth-Ford DuratecOne-off built to celebrate Caterham's 50th anniversary. Fitted with Rotrex C30-94 supercharger.
50th Anniversary200750 or fewerCosmetic changes only, including two-tone exterior color schemes and a numbered plaque on the dashboard
RS Levante20089Motopower RST-V8Available in either 400 hp normally-aspirated or 550 hp supercharged form
CDX2008 - 201113Rover K-SeriesReplica of the "Caterham Driving Experience" track-day cars
Superlight R3002008 -45 Caterham Powertrain Duratec
Superlight R5002008 -100+ Caterham Powertrain Duratec
Roadsport 1752008 -Caterham Powertrain Duratec
CSR1752009 -75 Caterham Powertrain DuratecLower cost export model for Europe and Japan
Lambretta20101Ford SigmaTrimmed and painted in Union Jack colors, in partnership with Lambretta Clothing and Oxted Trimming
Roadsport 125 Monaco2010 - 201125Ford SigmaComestic package for the Roadsport, inspired by the Flag of Monaco
Team Lotus2011 -37 Lotus green-and-yellow color scheme
Supersport2011 -Caterham-Ford Sigma
Supersport R2012 -Caterham Powertrain Duratec
ModelYearsProductionImageEngineNotes

Caterham 7 literature

The Caterham 7 has spawned many books, test reports and articles, many of which are still in print.
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