Caterham’s about to upgrade the Seven with a brand-new 150bhp Ford Sigma engine, offering a meaty 270bhp per tonne for £17,495 -- £1,500 more than the entry-level Roadsport model.
The arrival of the 150bhp variant of the two-seater marks a departure from Caterham’s original plans when it first announced details of the replacement for the long-serving K-Series engines last autumn.
The entry-level 125bhp version of Ford’s Sigma powerplant was so good when mated to the new, stiffer chassis, that engineers decided to raise the bar for the planned mid-range model by a further 25bhp – not the 15bhp initially slated.
Prices for the 150bhp powerplant will start at £17,495 in Roadsport guise, or for those looking for a stripped down, more track-focused model, the Superlight will weigh in at £20,495. The latter, with its carbon-cycle wings, 6 speed box and uprated suspension, will offer 300bhp per tonne and a 0-60mph time of around 4.6 seconds.
In order to reach the new output, Caterham revised the intake, added butterfly throttles and recalibrated the engine mapping on the Ford 1.6-litre unit.
More than 10,000 road, and 1,200 track, miles have been completed as part of the Sigma engine validation process, which Caterham said was the most rigorous R&D programme of its kind in its history.
More new models are in the pipeline including a blistering 50th anniversary one-off special planned for the Seven’s Golden Jubilee celebrations at Donington, 2-3 June 2007.
Ford Sigma technical details
- 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