I'VE CHECKED AND DOUBLE-CHECKED. EVEN though I know it to be true, it's still scarcely believable that the Lotus Seven was designed in 1957. Sixty-five years ago. Even the relative upstart Caterham has had the rights to the design since 1973. Half a century ago. And yet it never even occurs to me that the Seven is 'old' or vintage in any way. Drive a modern Caterham and you're struck by its tiny footprint, the simplicity, the sheer excitement and involvement, but never does it feel outdated. This is not an experience to liken to, say, a classically built new Morgan. It's just a scalpel-sharp, fully immersive driving experience. Unique certainly, but to me it always seems fresh and new. If anything, the Seven gets more relevant and more enlightening by the day.
So, a new line of Caterhams that look backwards rather than surging into the future with a quarter-turn of opposite lock, carbon fibre cycle wings and, preferably, flames erupting from the exhaust just doesn't align with my own relationship with the Seven. In my mind, that relationship isn't rooted in any time period. The Seven just exists to blow apart puffed-up sports- and supercars and celebrate the essential elements of what makes driving so bloody special. Maybe I'm the wrong person to send to drive the relaunched 'Heritage' range, consisting of the Super Seven 600 and Super Seven 2000? Well, maybe. But a sunny(ish) day with two Caterhams to play with is never to be refused!
This story is from the December 2022 edition of Evo UK.
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This story is from the December 2022 edition of Evo UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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