Caterham Seven: now Ford-powered
Caterham has revealed the engine it will be using to replace the Rover K-series: it's the Ford Sigma -- aka the Zetec-SE, also known as the Duratec in the Mk II Ford Focus. The new powerplants will be propelling Caterhams from the end of 2006, Dartford-based Caterham Cars has announced. The decision to move to the Sigma unit follows Rover's demise.
In the UK, you'll be able to buy a Caterham with one of three power outputs: 160bhp, 140bhp and a new entry-level unit whose output will be confirmed later. Caterham has also invested in the development of an 115bhp EU IV compliant unit for the expanding overseas markets. The three power choices complement the existing Cosworth tuned 2.3-litre unit (260bhp and a bespoke EU IV 200bhp) in the CSR, and the 2.0-litre 210bhp plant that will power the new Superlight R400 this summer.
The 1.6-litre British-built Sigma unit will be tuned for Caterham by established powertrain supplier, Power Torque Engineering, and ends a 15-year relationship with the the K-series. Production of the entry-level Ford unit will start in the last quarter of 2006, with deliveries of the EU IV 115bhp powered unit expected at the end of January 2007.
Replacing the K-Series engine with something equally light and compact was not an easy task. "The Ford Sigma was selected on technical merit after an exhaustive study of over 80 engines from 19 different manufacturers. It was far and away the most suitable and worthy choice," said Caterham technical director Jez Coates.
"The infrastructure and support afforded to a globally recognised engine like the Ford Sigma allows us to plan for the future and maintain our proud tradition of protecting and developing the Seven for years to come," said Caterham boss Ansar Ali. "The engine itself has already proved to be a huge success by reinvigorating the single-seater feeder race series, Formula Ford."
The arrival of a new EU IV compliant entry level unit will underpin sales in overseas markets which, in over forty countries worldwide, now account for over 50 per cent of all production. The 1.6-litre EU IV Ford Sigma, assembled at Ford's Bridgend engine plant in South Wales, will join the similarly compliant 200bhp 2.3-litre Cosworth that powers the CSR model.
Colin Chapman's very first Seven back in 1957 drew its power from a Ford side-valve engine -- the adoption of a new engine from a global manufacturer coincides with the model's 50th anniversary next year.
Prices will be confirmed in the autumn.
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