Skip advert
Advertisement

Caterham Seven review – the iconic British track car is still going strong - Caterham Seven engine and gearbox

Put simply, the Caterham Seven is one of evo's favourite cars

Evo rating
RRP
from £17,725
  • The absolute definition of a sports car
  • Can be pricey; not the last word in usability

The choice here is wide but broadly revolves around three engine variants, a 660cc turbocharged Suzuki three-cylinder, and naturally-aspirated 1.6- and 2-litre Ford four-pots in various states of tune.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard on most models with a six-speed manual standard on the 420 and a six-speed sequential on the 620R. The basic architecture means Caterham will only too happily fit a six-speed on all but the 160 though, and a limited-slip differential is available on all Sevens except the 160 – though the limited-run SuperSprint does include a limited-slip diff as standard equipment.

Advertisement - Article continues below

> Caterham Seven 620S review

The entry-level engine in the Seven 160 comes from Suzuki. An unusual choice? Perhaps, but the diminutive K6A engine has been used in Suzuki’s cars for decades so it’s a proven design, and its tiny size and affordability make it a natural choice for the basic Seven. It produces 80bhp, which doesn’t sound like much these days but feels healthy enough in the Seven, giving 163bhp per ton. The SuperSprint features a tuned version of the unit making 95bhp.

If you want proper power though, the rest of the range can provide it. Next up is a 1.6-litre Ford Sigma four-cylinder, making 135bhp in the Seven 270 and 152bhp in the Seven 310 and developing a suitably sporting blare as they race towards the red line. The 2-litre Ford Duratec-engined models are rampant, with 180bhp the entry-point in the Seven 360, rising to 210bhp in the Seven 420 and, fitted with a supercharger, 310bhp and 219lb ft of torque in the 620R.

Caterham fits the latter model with a six-speed sequential transmission – probably just as well, as while the Seven’s manual gearboxes are as tactile as transmissions get, we doubt our arms could move fast enough to change gear manually in the 620R.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
Ferrari F80 2025 review – near-1200bhp tech tour de force tested on road and track
Ferrari F80 review
Reviews

Ferrari F80 2025 review – near-1200bhp tech tour de force tested on road and track

Maranello’s latest hybrid hypercar and successor to the LaFerrari blends mind-bending capabilities with deeply intuitive character
10 Jul 2025
New cars at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed – all the debuts from Aston to Zenvo
Festival of Speed 2025
News

New cars at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed – all the debuts from Aston to Zenvo

The 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed is underway. Here’s what’s in store from the biggest British motoring event of the year
11 Jul 2025