Caterham Seven 620S, Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing

The Caterham Seven 620S was created for the customer who seeks the outsized power of the 620R, but prefers to enjoy it on the open road and with a minimum of comforts. Although you are not fooled,  behind that beautiful leather upholstery hides a monster capable of bringing out the colors of many supercars.

Although the brand has minimized the radicality of the ‘R’ model, we cannot forget that this is a very powerful car, with quite basic elements and that only weighs 610 kilograms. It is not suitable for newbies; If you are not aware of what you are driving, this British car will put you in serious trouble.

Caterham Seven 620S exterior design

Although all Caterham Seven are very similar, the 620S shares most of the aesthetic elements with the 620R, such as the extra ventilation inlet above the main grill and a multitude of elements made of carbon fiber.

The rest of the vehicle is very similar to its brothers, with its striking round headlights above the hood and the outer wheels, only covered by the fenders.

The exhaust pipe is exterior and runs almost the entire side of the body to finish at the rear, something that makes the engine feel much more when we step on the floor. As a good convertible, it has roll bars just behind the seats, one of the few safety systems that will reassure you of this car.

The rear is the most classic part of the Caterham Seven 620S, with straight and simple lines, a minimalist style that so far has worked very well for this English sports car. What is  striking are the new wheels, with 15-inch Orcus anthracite alloy wheels and Avon ZZS tires.

Interior design

Although it is a version with certain luxuries for a Caterham, do not expect great displays of design or refinement. The dashboard, made of carbon fiber, and  the buttons are typical of racing cars; These can be operated with gloves on and have protectors to avoid being pressed by mistake.

Both seats are finished in leather that looks really good, and you have the option of equipping it with the SV chassis, which widens the body and improves space in the passenger compartment and trunk.

The steering wheel, from the MOMO brand, comes straight from the racing world and provides a perfect grip. Although everything seems destined for the world of circuits, the brand has included in this ‘S’ heated seats, something unprecedented for this vehicle. It has also increased the fuel tank to give greater autonomy.

Motorization and dynamics

If everything else has not motivated you, you should know that it has the same engine as the 620R, so this Caterham Seven 620S enjoys the powerful 2.0-liter supercharged block Ford Duratec, which yields no less than 310 hp of power at 7,700 rpm.

It is a beast capable of competing with Aston Martin, Ferrari and other greats in the motor world. And even more so if the circuit is slow. With twisty curves, this lightweight sports car can bring out its low weight.

Acceleration is not up to the level of the R, but with the 3.4 seconds it takes to go from 0 to 100 km / h you can walk with your head high. Its weight –610 kilos– is higher than that of its range brothers; even so, it achieves an extraordinary  power-to-weight ratio of 508 hp per ton, a figure within the reach of very few supercars.

Given the simplicity of all the components, you are able to feel everything that happens while running, you notice every irregularity in the ground and with its precise direction you will guide the car wherever you want with total ease.

The dampers and springs have been modified to minimize the radicality of the R model, but maintain a level of hardness suitable to withstand so much power at the rear axle.

If you go overboard with the gas, especially at the exits of the curves, it is very easy to oversteer. The power is enormous and you feel it from the moment you start to touch the accelerator. No matter how many adaptations this S has undergone, you cannot forget that you are practically riding in a demanding racing car.

Price

It starts at € 60,000, a high figure for a toy for adults, but its handmade manufacture and the sensations that it is capable of giving adorn a set that will make any driving lover fall in love.

You can’t judge the Caterham Seven 620S on price alone, as you’ve been buying a classic since the factory seal has been removed. Its price in the second-hand market is high, even in copies with more than 20 years behind it.

Although the outlay is high, what this small sports car is capable of transmitting is exceptional in these times, where electronics invade driving and sensations pass through the security filter. It is not a very rational purchase, but when has a sports car been?