So it appears Britons are not the only enthusiasts with a craving for crazy Caterhams. Though the
620R
will undoubtedly grab the lion's share of attention, the latest Euro-spec 485 is a notable addition to the Seven range also.
Having slipped under the radar at launch, the 485 project is the result of polite pressure from Japanese and European customers for a more extreme Seven to join the existing 1.6- and 2.0-litre models. The production car is the first roadgoing Seven to be directly engineered by Caterham Technology and Innovation (CTI), the guys working on the Alpine sports car project.
The result is a Seven with a 525kg kerbweight, 240hp and a power-to-weight ratio of 457hp per tonne.
EU regs don't stop the fun at Caterham
CTI's work to the 485's 2.0-litre Duratec includes electronically-actuated throttle bodies, a revised cylinder head, reprofiled cams and a different compression ratio. With 240hp and 120hp per litre, it's reputedly the highest-output car to be EU6c compliant. But worry not, the 485 still revs to 8,500rpm as well, so claims of greater driveability and improved efficiency haven't created some torque-laden tourer. Its peak of 153lb ft is delivered at 6,300rpm, so revs will be rewarded.
Elsewhere, the 485 is notable for being the first Seven equipped with a Sport button. The specifics of this mode haven't been detailed, Caterham instead stating it "provides the engine with even sharper driving characteristics, while enabling peak performance delivery." One suspects that button will stay on for the vast majority of the time...
Both R and S spec will be available with the 485 engine, the S being slightly more habitable with a full windscreen. The R makes do with a wind deflector.
A Sport button on a Seven? It's true
Finally, to satisfy the EU's noise nannies, the 485 features a redesigned side-exit exhaust system, removing the need for a rear-exit design. Caterham claims a 13kg weight saving too.
And just to prove this environmentally-conscious Seven hasn't lost any of its rawness, Caterham has sent a 485 round the Nordschleife. It's driven by Alexander Rossi whilst an unknown (and very excitable) passenger wields a camera. There are a few comments from the latter also, but they're largely drowned out by that screaming Duratec; the pops and bangs on the overrun confirm this isn't an eco-special by conventional measures.
Production of the 485 S begins this month, with prices starting at 43,495 euros (around £37,500) before any local taxes. And if the price is hard to justify, it will do 36.7mpg combined...