A cutting-edge electrified future beckons for Caterham, but there's clearly also a heavy sense of nostalgia sweeping through the corridors of its Dart ford factory. While plans for a lightweight electric sports coupé are forming, the firm is also mining its past for the latest versions of its evergreen and unashamedly combustion-engined Seven.
After the success of last year's retro-themed Super Seven 1600, which has been culled due to the demise of its 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine, Caterham has added 2000 and 600 versions. We have driven the former and liked it a lot, so now it's time for the latter, arguably the most authentic evocation of the original Lotus Super Seven.
Packing a Cosworth-tuned 1.3-litre four-pot Ford engine, the 1961 special made a modest 85bhp.
By contrast, the new 600 has the smaller, turbocharged 660cc Suzuki three-pot from the entry-level 160 model, but it develops only a single horsepower less than its ancestor.
The similarities don't end there, because there's also a live rear axle (the more sophisticated de Dion rear is reserved for the more potent 2000) and skinny 155-section tyres.
Bu hikaye Autocar UK dergisinin December 07 - 14, 2022 (Double Issue) sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Autocar UK dergisinin December 07 - 14, 2022 (Double Issue) sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Poster car that went from rusty to trusty
One evening, two years ago, George Pappas was being driven down his local high street by a mate and mulling over whether to replace his Mk4 Golf diesel, a recent purchase that was boring him to death, when his girlfriend, also in the car, spotted an old BMW 3 Series at the side of the road with a 'for sale' sign in the window.
THE SEVEN-SEATER THAT VOLVO DARE NOT KILL OFF
The current-gen XC90 has been on sale since 2015 for good reason
GENESIS ELECTRIFIED G80
Where the story begins, in the Hyundai premium marque’s luxury saloon
LEXUSLBX
Can you shrink premium quality to fit an SUV this small? We now know
Rolls boss ready to 'define the next chapter'
Nine months into the job, Rolls-Royce CEO and car guy Chris Brownridge tells STEVE CROPLEY what he's learned and where the firm's heading
Once more, with feeling
AC Cars' recreation of the classic MkII Cobra is at first glance a faithful facsimile of a 1960s performance benchmark. SIMON HUCKNALL drives it
MERCEDES-BENZ CLE
Does a PHEV set-up work in a coupé that exudes such old-school vibes?
ANALOGUE SUPERSPORT
Lotus Elise specialist uprates 1990s icon with an eye on track days
ALPINE A290
The hot hatch is alive and well, and living in France. On both road and track, there's much to savour`
UK HANGS ON TO OLD CARS
Average car age climbs as high prices dampen demand for new models
