Caterham boosts Seven range

CATERHAM has more than doubled its number of offerings available to Australian customers with five new versions of its iconic Seven sportscar added to the range, including a 355 model and one additional variant each for its entry-level 275 and flagship 485 models.

The most affordable Seven 275 continues on unchanged with its 1.6-litre 100kW Ford-sourced four-cylinder bolted to a five-speed manual gearbox, cloth trim, bare aluminium bodywork and 14-inch alloy wheels, but pricing has crept up $860 to $69,850 before on-road costs.

Until now the model has stood alone, but for the update it is joined by a new $83,300 275 S variant that adds a selection of extra gear such as Orcus 15-inch wheels wearing Avon CR 500 tyres, a paint job, leather upholstery and a 12-volt socket.

The British car-maker is offering customers a wide range of extras in the 275 range to customise their Caterham to specific needs, including a gearbox with one more gear, limited slip differential (LSD), uprated and adjustable suspension, harnesses, roll bar, carbon-fibre dashboard and easy-access half-hood.

Above the 275, a new 355 model joins the Caterham ranks from $86,900 and brings a 127kW 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine, but otherwise shares the same specification as the Seven 275.

Customers wanting a little more in the way of standard equipment have a choice of Seven 355 S for $93,900 or the 355 R for $99,800.

On top of the standard 275, the S version adds 15-inch wheels, leather interior and 12-volt power socket, while the 355 R has more of a performance focus with standard LSD, adjustable suspension, a carbon-fibre dash and a 'black pack' which adds black trims to the headlights, windscreen surround as well as carbon-fibre sills and rear guard caps.

In the middle of the range, the Seven CSR continues on as usual as the brand's “most comfort focused model” but has had a significant price hike of $11,310 to $103,300. Its key difference is the adjustable pedal box for accommodating shorter drivers.

Its engine is the same as the 355 powerplant, but the CSR has a different suspension set-up for a more comfortable ride without compromising cornering ability, says Caterham.

At the top of the pack, the previous Caterham flagship 485 has been replaced by two variants in the form of $114,400 Seven 485 S, and the 485 R from $127,000.

The most affordable version of the 485 pair is now $2590 cheaper than the standard 485 it replaces but brings all of the outgoing car's performance kit plus a dusting of extra goodies that include an unchanged dry-sump 177kW 2.0-litre engine that revs out to 8500 rpm, six-speed close ratio gearbox, adjustable suspension, 15-inch wheels housing uprated brakes and an LSD.

Standard comfort and customisation equipment includes carbon-fibre front wheel arches, the black pack, leather trim, carbon-fibre dash with lightweight layout, four-point harnesses in addition to inertial reel seatbelts and a choice of non-metallic paint colours.

Stepping up to the new flagship of the Caterham range and the 485 R adds race dampers, aerofoil front suspension wishbones for reduced frontal drag, carbon-fibre weave-effect seat leather, a half side screen set for reduced cabin turbulence and an ACES shift light.

Weighing in at less than 700kg depending on the options and variant, the Seven 485 can crack 100km/h from standstill in “under five seconds” and will power on to a top speed of 240km/h.

2016 Caterham pricing*

Seven 275	$69,850
Seven 275 S	$83,300
Seven 355	$86,900
Seven 355 S	$93,900
Seven 355 R	$99,800
Seven CSR	$103,300
Seven 485 S	$114,400
Seven 485 R	$127,000

*Excludes on-road costs