RE: Caterham reveals prices and specs
Wednesday 25th October 2006
Caterham SevenCaterham has announced pricing and specification for the new ‘Ford Sigma’ engine range in the two-seater sports car, which celebrates its 50th birthday next year. Production for 2007 delivery begins in November.
Caterham reveals prices and specs
New Ford-engined models show their paces
Caterham Seven
Replacing the K-Series engine after 15 years of service, Caterham reckons the bespoke-tuned 1.6-litre Sigma will take driving enjoyment to even greater heights thanks to a blend of a flat torque curve, lightweight construction, and smooth power delivery.
Owners will have a choice of two power outputs in either Roadsport or Superlight trim at launch. A third, more powerful variant will follow in Q2 2007.
The new Sigma units will be mated to a Seven chassis that recently benefited from investment in a new precision laser-cut, robot-welded manufacturing process. The result was a 12 per cent increase in torsional rigidity, which should translate into improved real world cornering performance and handling feel.
| Kit prices |
Roadsport |
Superlight |
| 125bhp | £15,995 |
N/A |
| 140bhp | £16,995 | £19,995 |
For factory-built prices, add £2,500.
The new, entry-level Caterham Seven Roadsport costs the same as the outgoing K-Series powered model yet offers an increase in power, torque, economy and chassis rigidity. It will hit 60mph in 5.9 seconds.
The stripped-out Superlight version offers a power-to-weight ratio of 280bhp per tonne and the ability to hit 60mph in less than 4.7 seconds.
More than 10,000 road, and 1,200 track, miles have been completed as part of the Sigma engine validation process making it the most rigorous R&D programme of its kind in Caterham’s long history.
Technical Specification: Ford Sigma 1.6-litre
- High level of running refinement and low emission levels
- Aluminium alloy cylinder block and head
- Cross flow cylinder head
- Structural aluminium oil-pan for increased engine stiffness
- Twin overhead camshafts each with five bearings
- Sequential multi-port fuel injection system
- Long life, glass fibre reinforced camshaft drive belt with automatic tensioner
| Caterham Seven Roadsport 125 | |
| Capacity (cc) | 1595 |
| Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Compression ratio: | 11:01 |
| Bore/Stroke (mm) | 79.0/81.4 |
| Max Power (bhp/rpm) | 125 @ 6100 |
| Max Torque (lbs ft/rpm) | 120 @ 5350rpm |
| Weight | 550kg |
| 0-60mph | 5.9 seconds |
| Power-to-weight | 227bhp-per-tonne |
| Caterham Seven Roadsport 140 | |
| Capacity (cc) | 1595 |
| Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Compression ratio: | 11:01 |
| Bore/Stroke (mm) | 79.0/81.4 |
| Max Power (bhp/rpm) | 140 @ 6100 |
| Max Torque (lbs ft/rpm) | To be confirmed |
| Weight | 550kg |
| 0-60mph | 5.0 seconds |
| Power-to-weight | 254bhp-per-tonne |
| Caterham Seven Superlight 140 | |
| Capacity (cc) | 1595 |
| Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Compression ratio: | 11:01 |
| Bore/Stroke (mm) | 79.0/81.4 |
| Max Power (bhp/rpm) | 140 @ 6100 |
| Max Torque (lbs ft/rpm) | To be confirmed |
| Weight | 500kg |
| 0-60mph | 4.7 seconds |
| Power-to-weight | 280bhp-per-tonne |
Discussion
Luca1973 said:
Hmm the Roadsport 140 is looking very tasty. Looking at close to £20k though with factory build and no extras.
Why would you want the factory to build it?
Half the fun of buying a Caterham is knocking it together.
It is easier than changing the oil on a Mini and you save £2500 to boot.
Pat H said:
Luca1973 said:
Hmm the Roadsport 140 is looking very tasty. Looking at close to £20k though with factory build and no extras.
Why would you want the factory to build it?
Half the fun of buying a Caterham is knocking it together.
It is easier than changing the oil on a Mini and you save £2500 to boot.
You try building a Caterham on north London street.
I think these Caterhams are cracking cars. I've never been in one but have sat behind them at Bedford Autodrome and seen the way they go in a straight line and handle bends, absolutely brilliant!!
However....i think i would save for a bit longer and get an Atom, even a used one so long as it had the 300bhp Supercharged Honda engine. Massive bang for your bucks
However....i think i would save for a bit longer and get an Atom, even a used one so long as it had the 300bhp Supercharged Honda engine. Massive bang for your bucks
the current (k series) superlight spec doesnt seem to have an LSD though that was included in the original superlight. It does have the Apollo tank. It'll be interesting to see if the sigma engines need it.
It prob doesn't matter whether you go for full superlight spec, or whether you go for a car specced from a roadsport, the key items are:
6 spd box, wide track, quick rack, big brakes and stickier tyres (CR500s now, ACB10s in the good old days). That is the essential superlight experience. The rest (tillets, carbon bits, removable wheel etc) are items of choice and fashion(!) rather than being essential!
Mind you the apollo is prob essential to engine longevity in the k series.
Graham
It prob doesn't matter whether you go for full superlight spec, or whether you go for a car specced from a roadsport, the key items are:
6 spd box, wide track, quick rack, big brakes and stickier tyres (CR500s now, ACB10s in the good old days). That is the essential superlight experience. The rest (tillets, carbon bits, removable wheel etc) are items of choice and fashion(!) rather than being essential!
Mind you the apollo is prob essential to engine longevity in the k series.
Graham
scoobiewrx said:
However....i think i would save for a bit longer and get an Atom, even a used one so long as it had the 300bhp Supercharged Honda engine. Massive bang for your bucks
You can't build the Atom yourself though, that's the deciding factor in why I'm going the Caterham route.
Saw and had a ride in an Ultralite in the States which are a Texan version of the Caterham Seven fitted with a turbocharged Honda 2 ltr, and the performance can only be described as staggering. These cars walked away from everything ( and yes I do everything, including superbikes on both road and track). You do need a helmet or mask to drive one at the speeds they are capable of because without this type of protection breathing is not really possible, but I saw nothing including 7 ltr race cars which could stay with them.
So what's the history of these engines? I've never heard of the Sigma. However, read somewhere that it's based on the Duratec... am i wrong? What cars are they put in normally? What gearbox are they to be mated to? Do we know if they will sound good!? As usual the Caterham website is the last site to actually tell us this sort of news!
mafioso said:
So what's the history of these engines? I've never heard of the Sigma. However, read somewhere that it's based on the Duratec... am i wrong? What cars are they put in normally? What gearbox are they to be mated to? Do we know if they will sound good!? As usual the Caterham website is the last site to actually tell us this sort of news!
Sigma is another term for the current range of all alloy DOHC 1.25,1.4 and 1.6 from Fiesta and Focus. In their lifetime they have been known as Sigma, Zetec SE and Duratec 16v (the current marketing name). They are not common with the I4 (Duratec HE) 1.8 and 2.0L units that go into the Fiesta St, Focus and Mondeo vehicles.
thanuk said:
You can't build the Atom yourself though, that's the deciding factor in why I'm going the Caterham route.
I don't think i have either the mechanical know how or time to do such a project although i would love to learn and be a part of a build just to see how it's done (plus i'm a fast learner
) so i would still go the Atom route cash permitting. And i think there is nothing else on the road that even remotely looks like one. If I were lucky enough to be in the position of choosing between an Atom or a Caterham my choice would be the Atom. They look sooooo mental and the supercharger noise is great. It's a shame you can't buy a kit version like the Caterham because I would like to build my own car to.
Maybe buy the Atom and build a Locost.
Maybe buy the Atom and build a Locost.
I gave up in the end with the crap and delays from Caterham..so bought a 2nd hand R300 instead with a K in it. It has all the bling/carbon/kevlar bits as above including a Stack dash. When it comes to upgrade time I will go to a 3rd party Duratec conversion. Cant be bothered waiting for that non-existant C400 from CC
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff