Caterham Seven 420, Not Suitable For Beginners

The Caterham Seven 420 is the second most powerful model of the seven available levels that the British firm offers, only surpassed by the Seven 620. This means that we are getting into semi-professional territory, since we handle these toys with such fury under the hood lets be something suitable for newbies.

The 420 is no longer just a vehicle that offers pure, mechanical and agile sensations, but now it enters the terrain of six-figure supercars when it comes to acceleration. To give us an idea of ​​its potential, in the test of going from 0 to 100 km / h it would ridicule a whole 420 hp Porsche 911 Carrera S, a big shot.

Caterham Seven 420 exterior design

Little changes in the external appearance compared to its range brothers, which is why it maintains the classic and timeless lines so characteristic of the British brand, which its followers appreciate.

The front is the presentation card of the car. With a long, slim nose and raised, round headlights, it feels like  a mid-century racing car. On the grille we can see a large-format seven, the brand’s emblem.

The side is no less striking, since with the absence of doors and the external exhaust pipe it is far from any current production car; Here we do not seek perfection in detail, but everything is designed to make the driver feel that he is above all a racing car where dynamics is above the image.

The back is the least striking part, with straight and simple lines but with the same personality as the whole, with light screws, rivets … It gives the feeling that you can repair it yourself with a basic tool kit.

Interior design and habitability

The two occupants of the Caterham Seven 420 will have just enough space to get into the car, nothing more. With such a limited width, the feeling of space is very small and you can barely move once you are seated, something that you will appreciate if you decide to spend a morning on the circuit.

To enjoy more interior and trunk space, the brand offers the option of the SV chassis, with it, it increases the length and width of the car, making it more suitable for long trips. If we also include the S package, you will have a Caterham with a full windshield, carpets, roof, side windows and leather seats.

If you are one of those who rewards sportsmanship over comfort, and you intend to enter the circuit with it, the R package will cover your needs; it comes with four-point harnesses, limited-slip differential, sports suspension and other details that enhance its lightness.

The gear lever is one of the shortest you can see today and its handling is simply exquisite. Only in Mazda MX-5 or Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ do they come close to that level of precision and speed of actuation. The steering wheel, from MOMO, fits perfectly with the demands of the car and has a 100% sporty feel.

Motorization and dynamics

It has a naturally aspirated  2.0-liter Ford Duratec four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that delivers no less than 210 hp at 7,600 rpm. It is already starting to be a considerable figure, but with a weight of 560 kilograms, a figure becomes brutal.

The Caterham Seven 420’s power-to-weight ratio is worthy of vehicles five times its price, with 375 hp per tonne. Seeing the traction capacity of Caterham, it is a power that you cannot take lightly, if you step fully with the steering wheel slightly crossed, the oversteer will be immediate.

On the road you will hardly be able to take advantage of so much potential, but on the circuit it is a car worth trying sometime if you are a true fan of the motor world. Its inertia is minimal and allows you to change direction as if it were a kart and, if the track is sufficiently ‘mousetrap’, few cars will be able to follow you.

The steering is very direct and has a rather ‘hard’ feel to better feel the movements of the car; using the gear lever is addictive, because it seems that you are handling a rifle, with a metallic feel and just the right amount of hardness. That if, put the R package, and it will have less predictable body movements than its smaller-engined siblings.

Price

For € 37,150 you can decorate your garage with a race sports car, a very economical price if we compare it with rivals with similar benefits.  The truth is that, if you are a lover of driving and circuits, you take the right pieces to get those sensations.

It is a toy for adults, practicality is conspicuous by its absence and it is not particularly safe, but it will make you smile every time you turn the ignition key. If you are a fan of the motor world, this Caterham Seven 420 will fill you up completely, without half measures. Is there a better way to invest money than in something that makes you happy? We don’t believe it.