Caterham Seven Supersprint: Homage To The Origins

Talking about a Caterham Seven Supersprint with anyone does not usually attract any attention. But if you do it with a lover of sports driving, you will open their eyes like those of a child watching the parade of the Magi.

Not everyone knows the history of these vehicles, but they are an endangered species; cars created solely to have fun, leaving aside any nod to the safety or comfort of its occupants. A full-fledged whim that, every time you turn the key to start it, will make you smile broadly.

Caterham Seven Supersprint design

Little changes with respect to other versions of the Seven, but the included details that transport directly to the 60s, the origins of the model, are perfectly appreciated . Aesthetically it gives the feeling of being in front of a fully restored car but with 50 or 60 years behind it, but nothing is further from reality, since it has a state-of-the-art suspension system, engine and chassis.

The front, as in its range siblings, draws attention for its round bulging headlights, with a narrow and elongated nose and a wide grille, designed to cool the engine as much as possible. The wheels, narrow for a sports car, are separated from the main body of the car, in Formula 1 style, and are only covered by a body-colored fender.

It is one of those cars that is better to drive with a helmet, not only because of the lack of safety, but because the windshield is similar to that of a motorcycle, dwarf for the dimensions of the car, but they give a touch of a racing car. midcentury.

The rear is the most classic, with a few tiny lights and a straight cut bumper; It may be the least elaborate-looking part, but its simple, basic lines have a huge following. In this area you will not find the exhaust pipe, since it is located externally, on the side of the Caterham Seven Supersprint, and has the end at the height of the rear wheel.

Interior design

The interior of the Caterham Seven Supersprint is one of the most spartan you can buy today, with a completely straight wooden dash with the dials with the vehicle information. Everything here is meant for driving, without distractions or gadgets; yes, you will feel each and every one of the movements of the car as if it were your own body.

It is available with one or two seats, with brown leather upholstery and a very retro windshield that changes depending on the configuration, with one visor, two or one piece. The chrome is also more numerous than in the normal Seven, with a thin and large diameter steering wheel: all in order to transport the customer back to the golden age of the vehicle.

Motorization and dynamics

Under the hood, this limited edition hides a turbocharged three-cylinder block of Isuzu origin, which develops 96 hp of power. Do not be depressed by this last figure, because with a weight of around half a ton this little toy is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km / h in just 6.9 seconds. The power-to-weight ratio is similar to that of a Peugeot 308 GTI.

To improve its performance on the track, the brand has equipped it with dual-piston front disc brakes. In addition, it has an adjustable suspension and some Bilstein shock absorbers. To increase traction and speed when cornering, Caterham has introduced a limited slip differential.

The sensations with this engine are authentic sports cars, the car has strength from low revs and stretches almost like a naturally aspirated engine. The steering is one of the most direct and precise you can find on the market and the suspension setting is designed exclusively for performance on the track, so use in the city is not its strong suit.

It changes direction with the speed of a kart and, despite the narrow width of its 14-inch wheels, the grip is remarkable, things to lighten the weight. Linking curves is addictive, but the level of demand requires a minimum of technique, since it is easy to oversteer if you step too joyfully when exiting the curves.

Price

To be a tribute to the cars of the time and to be a limited edition, this Caterham Seven Supersprint does not seem to us to have a crazy cost. It starts at € 32,700, a more than acceptable price for the level of craftsmanship and exclusivity that the English racing car brings with it.

In short, whoever is considering acquiring such a whim knows perfectly the limitations and advantages it has. The safety equipment is conspicuous by its absence, as is the comfort of use, but in return you receive a salad of emotions that will make you wish that Sunday arrives to take it out of the garage.