RE: Caterham Seven 620S: Review
Discussion
ESOG said:
On a side comment here, I have a THIS or THAT one question for all of you;
Which would you rather have, the Caterham Seven 620S or the Lotus
I chose an Atom, but have had Caterhams previously. There's no bad choice and the hit of 300HP in something truely lightweight is something special. Cars of this nature get back to the basics and whilst the really powerful ones demand respect they hone your skills and focus your attention more than any other road car. Best of all there are readily available cheaper cars out there which are 90% of the halo models. Which would you rather have, the Caterham Seven 620S or the Lotus
If you are going to track them a few times a year then it makes a lot more sense to get a more powerful one. Personally I wanted something lighter (and significantly cheaper) so I went with a MK Indy with a Fireblade engine, ~11k red line, sequential flat shifting from paddles, road legal slicks.
I'd down on BHP per ton to this but the weight saving over the 620s is significant so everything outside of a straight line performance is going to be easier.
I think that bike engines make a lot more sense for high performance 7s, keep the weight low and the rest falls into place.
I'd down on BHP per ton to this but the weight saving over the 620s is significant so everything outside of a straight line performance is going to be easier.
I think that bike engines make a lot more sense for high performance 7s, keep the weight low and the rest falls into place.
Fantastic.
Until we can get more user friendly sequential boxes (or lighter dual clutch style units) into a Seven, I think a manual is the best option for a road car. I spotted the Caterham press release last week and was considering the prospect of exchanging my Roadsport 140 for one.
But, when I went out and drove my 140bhp 7 on Saturday, I had the same feeling I always get. 140bhp is plenty on the bumpy roads around me and I spent the whole drive laughing to myself at the fun I was having. Came back realising I didn't need any more power.
That said, on trackdays, you can always do with more power!
Until we can get more user friendly sequential boxes (or lighter dual clutch style units) into a Seven, I think a manual is the best option for a road car. I spotted the Caterham press release last week and was considering the prospect of exchanging my Roadsport 140 for one.
But, when I went out and drove my 140bhp 7 on Saturday, I had the same feeling I always get. 140bhp is plenty on the bumpy roads around me and I spent the whole drive laughing to myself at the fun I was having. Came back realising I didn't need any more power.
That said, on trackdays, you can always do with more power!
neil-935ql said:
310 bhp is not on a on/ off switch
You don't hear people saying that Bugatti has too much power for the road , or any supercar
True - but to me the entire point of driving a fun car is to wring every ounce out of it and you simply can't do that in a 200bhp Caterham on the road, let alone a 310bhp one.You don't hear people saying that Bugatti has too much power for the road , or any supercar
A supercar isn't really about the driving experience 99% of the time.
In biking terms it's I'll take the 250cc two stroke, you're welcome to the 1300cc sports Tourer - but they don't sell a 1300cc full on Sportsbike which is the equivalent of this Caterham.
V8RX7 said:
neil-935ql said:
310 bhp is not on a on/ off switch
You don't hear people saying that Bugatti has too much power for the road , or any supercar
True - but to me the entire point of driving a fun car is to wring every ounce out of it and you simply can't do that in a 200bhp Caterham on the road, let alone a 310bhp one.You don't hear people saying that Bugatti has too much power for the road , or any supercar
A supercar isn't really about the driving experience 99% of the time.
A GT car with excess power for effortless overtakes is ok, but a sports car needs to have wot, or close to it, and high revs.
ESOG said:
I have read how years ago, I think in the 60's - 70's? people were able to purchase the 7 as a DIY/Build it yourself kit car and have it shipped straight to your home in parts. To me, I think that is one of the most awesome things a car enthusiast can do in this hobby of ours.
Well in the UK you will wait 3-9months but Caterham (and many other companies) can still send you a van load of bits to assemble yourself right now. Actually, it looks like the US entry level model is this- http://us.caterhamcars.com/cars/seven-280 and you can build it yourself.
FWIW As long as it will pass the required testing when its finished you can hand craft something from scratch to drive, it doesn't even need to be a recognised kit!
The 620 (R or S) is bonkers, have been in R300 on track and 140 and 200bhp cars on the road- I can't imagine what 300+ is like- probably like piloting the Millennium Falcon going to light speed when you plant the throttle?
Since I was 8 I have been utterly fascinated with Lotus 7s, I drove my Father nuts talking about nothing else. At 62, I have just read this article and gazed longingly again at the excellent "London" shots of this car, in that colour scheme, boasting those numbers, its lit the passion all over again. Big German V8, move over!
Edited by jamespink on Thursday 4th February 11:34
Caterham 620s,
I was lucky enough to have a test drive in this very car before the press got there hands on it. And what a car, it has bags of power as you would expect but amazingly easy to drive at 30mph, And in these colours it dosent attract the wrong attention. It's acceleration is amazing from pottering along at 30 to 70 in the blink of an eye !. Any one who has driven a powerful rear wheel drive car would be happy in this car, I find they are more predictable than front wheel drive, Sitting at the back of the car you feel the wheels through your seat and can feel it's limits.
This car is the SV model the wider version of the Caterham 7 and I think gives a better ride and road holding.
So if you have some money sitting in the bank not doing anything go and buy one !.
I was lucky enough to have a test drive in this very car before the press got there hands on it. And what a car, it has bags of power as you would expect but amazingly easy to drive at 30mph, And in these colours it dosent attract the wrong attention. It's acceleration is amazing from pottering along at 30 to 70 in the blink of an eye !. Any one who has driven a powerful rear wheel drive car would be happy in this car, I find they are more predictable than front wheel drive, Sitting at the back of the car you feel the wheels through your seat and can feel it's limits.
This car is the SV model the wider version of the Caterham 7 and I think gives a better ride and road holding.
So if you have some money sitting in the bank not doing anything go and buy one !.
Much as I love them in principle, I just cannot get my head around how much Caterhams can cost these days. Very much priced to what they can sell them for rather than any function of component cost I would say...?
But not a problem for me as I've not encountered one I fit in yet (the SV is wide and tall enough but the pedal box isn't really workable. I've not sat in an SV with a dropped floor though so I won't write them off as a "never" yet).
But not a problem for me as I've not encountered one I fit in yet (the SV is wide and tall enough but the pedal box isn't really workable. I've not sat in an SV with a dropped floor though so I won't write them off as a "never" yet).
scubadude said:
FWIW As long as it will pass the required testing when its finished you can hand craft something from scratch to drive, it doesn't even need to be a recognised kit!
Yeah, it's great. Sadly not the case in the US. Over here, as long as it passes the SVA test (a more in-depth version of the MOT test cars in the UK must pass every year) you can register/drive it. Just as amazingly you can buy a car which was never homolgated for the UK market (an early Mustang, for exmaple), import it to the UK and, as long as it passes an MOT, register and drive it 100% legally like any other car. We really do have an amazing amount of freedom here.Edited by varsas on Thursday 4th February 12:35
It proves from reading this thread that everyone has a different idea on how much power a caterham should have , this car for me is a super car caterham for people with deep pockets for a lovely lovely toy which can be enjoyed for years to come and not get bored with the lack of power , so I think this is where caterham have it spot on from the base 160 right up to this beast there is a caterham for everyone to enjoy , if you have not driven one , you must it's amazing
JNC said:
Caterham 620s,
I was lucky enough to have a test drive in this very car before the press got there hands on it. And what a car, it has bags of power as you would expect but amazingly easy to drive at 30mph, And in these colours it dosent attract the wrong attention. It's acceleration is amazing from pottering along at 30 to 70 in the blink of an eye !. Any one who has driven a powerful rear wheel drive car would be happy in this car, I find they are more predictable than front wheel drive, Sitting at the back of the car you feel the wheels through your seat and can feel it's limits.
This car is the SV model the wider version of the Caterham 7 and I think gives a better ride and road holding.
So if you have some money sitting in the bank not doing anything go and buy one !.
I did a mini review after my drive:I was lucky enough to have a test drive in this very car before the press got there hands on it. And what a car, it has bags of power as you would expect but amazingly easy to drive at 30mph, And in these colours it dosent attract the wrong attention. It's acceleration is amazing from pottering along at 30 to 70 in the blink of an eye !. Any one who has driven a powerful rear wheel drive car would be happy in this car, I find they are more predictable than front wheel drive, Sitting at the back of the car you feel the wheels through your seat and can feel it's limits.
This car is the SV model the wider version of the Caterham 7 and I think gives a better ride and road holding.
So if you have some money sitting in the bank not doing anything go and buy one !.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
neil-935ql said:
You don't hear people saying that Bugatti has too much power for the road , or any supercar for that matter
This.ben5575 said:
.. so far beyond the realms of your driving experience, capability
...and I suspect that this can equally be applied to most Ferrari, Porsche etc etcThis is as close to my perfect car as I could ever imagine. Well done Caterham
Sounds like a car with a narrow design brief, but which seems to have really nailed it. If you're looking for that niche, then this could be the perfect car for you.
Sadly, most of us require more from out £44k. Some of us need to drag family around, etc, and some may actually want protection from the elements, no matter how trivial that may seem...
Sadly, most of us require more from out £44k. Some of us need to drag family around, etc, and some may actually want protection from the elements, no matter how trivial that may seem...
big_rob_sydney said:
Sounds like a car with a narrow design brief, but which seems to have really nailed it. If you're looking for that niche, then this could be the perfect car for you.
Sadly, most of us require more from out £44k. Some of us need to drag family around, etc, and some may actually want protection from the elements, no matter how trivial that may seem...
With doors and a half hood on, plus a supercharged engine right next to you, you'll be warm enough Sadly, most of us require more from out £44k. Some of us need to drag family around, etc, and some may actually want protection from the elements, no matter how trivial that may seem...
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