Caterham 160

Author
Discussion

Mistrale

Original Poster:

195 posts

142 months

Sunday 28th January 2018
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Hi all,

I heard somewhere that production of the Suzuki engined 160 had ceased - does anyone have any definite information on this? Gutted if true - was seriously considering an order this year!

coppice

8,562 posts

143 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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Don't worry about it - just get a (yeuch ) 'pre -loved' one . It isn't as though the majority of owners do serious miles - and some do hardly any ...

crabjam

13 posts

281 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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It is rumored that they will be stopping production of the 160 this year (the fact that it isn't covered by in the all-new 2018 build manual tends to support this), but I've got one on order which is due for delivery in late September/early October so production isn't stopping imminently. I did order at the start of November so it's always possible that they may have stopped taking orders. If you were considering getting one this year, have a chat with your local dealer - if you place an order now there's still a chance you might get it before 2019!

crabjam

13 posts

281 months

Wednesday 31st January 2018
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What would you replace it with?

crabjam

13 posts

281 months

Wednesday 31st January 2018
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ash73 said:
A low capacity NA revvy engine 110-120HP, not sure there is such a thing these days frown

My ideal would be a budget BEC, like the old James Whiting FireBlade.
I'd agree - not sure there's an engine that really meets those requirements any more unfortunately (not since the K-series cars stopped production).

I think the difficulty with replacing it as such is that unless you substantially change the brief, the replacement is going to be pretty similar. The entry level car probably needs to be;
1. Usefully cheaper than the 270 to purchase (so, in the £17-18k range before options) and cheap to run;
2. Kei compliant (which really means Kei car parts; 660cc turbo from whatever source, narrower rear axle)
3. Have and emphasis on fun without being remotely licence-threatening.

The 160/Sprint/Supersprint seems to have been reasonably successful for Caterham over the last few years; I'd be surprised if they didn't replace it with something along similar lines. I certainly have no objection to them producing a Fireblade engined car as well if they felt like it...........


Richp69

3 posts

89 months

Wednesday 31st January 2018
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Suzuki have stopped making the engine, and Caterham have sold all they have so no more orders are being taken.

Mistrale

Original Poster:

195 posts

142 months

Friday 2nd February 2018
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‘If’ it is replaced, I think a bike engine misses the point!
The popularity seems to be based on its retro appeal and its achievable handling limits!

Assuming the back axle is still available, any small 3 pot less than 100bhp would do the trick. There was talk of a Renault engine at one point before the Suzuki version appeared...

Lordbenny

8,575 posts

218 months

Monday 5th February 2018
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crabjam said:
What would you replace it with?
1600 crossflow?

jeremyc

23,335 posts

283 months

Monday 5th February 2018
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I'd stick the 3 cylinder Ford EcoBoost in there. 65 or 80bhp naturally aspirated, or 99/120bhp turbocharged.


coppice

8,562 posts

143 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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It is a lovely engine in a Focus but would be awful in a Seven without comprehensive remapping(or whatever) . I have never driven a car , including Dad's Rover 3 Litre with a flywheel designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel , which lost revs more achingly slowly on upchanges , nor responded so sluggishly to a throttle blip on down change .Lovely noise , super smooth and incredibly quiet - not that you'd want the latter in a Seven

Best engine I have driven in a Seven was a 1.4K Supersport - very far from the quickest but revtastic ,redline 7800 I think , hyper responsive and sounded like a 90s BTCC car .Very far from the quickest Seven I have had but a super little engine.

framerateuk

2,730 posts

183 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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Mazda still make small capacity N/A engines. They do the 1.2 SkyActiv in 75-90bhp guise. Admittedly it wouldn't pass the kei car regs for Japan but it might be a suitable engine.

simonh9

209 posts

185 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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I can't help but think the current Mazda 1.5 and 2.0 engines would be a perfect choice. Is the 2.0 based on old/duratec engine anyway? BBR already have cams etc so some tuning must be possible.

Caterham are coming to the end with the Ford engines and they already use the Mazda gearbox so it must be a very easy fit unless there is some fundamental size/weight/commercial problem (and one would assume that as they already use the gearbox, the channel to buy mazda parts is already open)

KN02LEY

72 posts

118 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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Only marginal relevance but aren't Ford and Mazda joined at the hip?

framerateuk

2,730 posts

183 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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KN02LEY said:
Only marginal relevance but aren't Ford and Mazda joined at the hip?
Not anymore. The partnership ended a couple of years back.

Rob747

225 posts

175 months

Thursday 8th February 2018
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I've got a Superlight 20 with the 1.6L sigma.

The 6 speed box and light flywheel suit the sigma engine really well, no complaints on the reviness or the sound track.

With skinny rear wheels it's great fun in the current cold conditions. I think that 130bhp suits the chassis for road use, you can use most/all of the power for a decent amount of time on a drive.

The 270R might be worth a look?