Sunday 19th March 2017

Caterham 310S: PH Videoblog

'The best Caterham ever made' versus perhaps the world's worst bobble hat

---

Ever wanted a Caterham? If there's even a dribble of petrol in your veins we'd hope so. We're certainly fans at PH - Dan and Matt have raced in them, James and Ben used to work for them and there's no such thing as a boring drive in a Seven.

Recently rationalised into a core range of 1.6-litre Sigma and 2.0-litre Duratec models, the Seven range has gained a new version of the former known as the 310. And according to the guys at Caterham it's the best of the bunch, combining the lighter kerbweight of the smaller-engined car with a screamer of an engine harking back to the best of the K-Series cars.

Does it live up to the hype? Dan nearly froze to death trying to find out, which is his excuse for wearing a really daft hat and looking a little ashen. Given we've got a 310 on order for the PH Fleet it's a chance to find out if we really did pick the right one...

Watch the video here

 

 

[griffgrog]

Absolute peace of a car. I'm racing the 310R and it really is a sweet package.

[ambuletz]

"this is a caterham build for -shall we say- a powerfully built driver*

[Lordbenny]

It's a shame that anyone over 13 stone and 5'8" needs the Sv chassis as it just looks so out of proportion compared with the standard chassis.

[TheDeadPrussian]

Lordbenny said:

It's a shame that anyone over 13 stone and 5'8" needs the Sv chassis as it just looks so out of proportion compared with the standard chassis.

Not exactly true...I'm 6'1" and fit nicely in an S3 with lowered floors. Although the more 'powerfully built company director' may wish to try an SV if shoulder room is a little tight...

[ambuletz]

friend of mine years back at the london motor show managed to fit into a caterham fine for some free burnouts they was offering. and he was 5'7'' and weighed some 17 stone. he fitted easier in that then he did some of the rides at southend!

[smilo996]

Quite close to the HPC?

This seems to be the perfect blend of performance and fun.

[scubadude]

I'm 6ft 2" and "powerfully built" however manage in a S3 as only have Size 9 feet, albeit narrow shoes required, I don;t even have lowered floors but am blessed with short legs so have the seat forward and reclined to get nice and low :-)

Good video but I had to laugh that PH attempted to film in a 7 with windscreen but without doors- that's a Big mistake, you only need to ride without the doors for seconds to realise the vacuum effect it has and huge buffeting- either Windscreen + doors or take the lot off and go aero, in between doesn't really work.
Of course one of the best things is you can have both and swap between them in 10minutes depending if it's a Sunday afternoon blat in the country or a month long European tour, the 7 is like a multi tool, just switch it over and off you go.

[hman]

fit a roll cage to it then see how difficult it is to get in and out of one!

[Lordbenny]

I visit the showroom in Crawley regularly and have never sat in any of the standard bodied cars with 'sports' seats (Carbon jobbies) without being uncomfortable.

[SpudLink]

For some reason I've never owned a Seven. I'm 5'8" and 11stn with size 9 feet, so I really have no excuse.
I shall be eagerly watching the PH reports of their own 310 when it arrives.

[Rick1.8t]

May be slightly off topic but.....

Just how large is the gap between a Caterham and the 'others' like a Westfield, Tiger or MK etc '7' style car?

For road and very occasional track use would it really depend more on the quality of assembly, suspension setup and type of engine.

Though I would love to, I cannot stretch to Caterham prices, plenty of the competition come in well under £10k though.

[coppice]

You get used to the confines of an S3- I am 5-11, a fat git , 32 inch inside leg (cheeky ) and fit mine perfectly . But without a lowered floor it's appallingly uncomfortable . Size ten feet mean pixie boots but so what?I have tried an SV and found it almost comically oversized .

[g4okt]

5' 11" and 15 stone and I fit the SV, S3? not a hope in hell, I'm just the wrong shape......I have the 310R SV i Porsche Arena Red, what a package! The lightened flywheel really quickens that throttle response through the gears.

[den]

My nearly 6foot, nearly 16stone frame needs the SV. My shoulders and hips are just too wide for the normal bodied Caterham. I've done many track days in an SV 300R and find it absolutely perfect.