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Caterham 7 Superlight R400- Road Test

Road test: Caterham 7 Superlight R400

Price: from £29,495
On sale: now
0-60mph: 3.8seconds; top speed 140mph
Average fuel: N/A
Standard equipment: six-speed gearbox, composite wind defelector, composite race seats, road 4-point harnesses, superlight suspension, 15" superlight alloy wheels, ventilated front disc brakes and 4 pot callipers, carbon cycle wings, limited slip differential and an immobiliser.

Tiscali verdict: 8/10 Like a Superbike on four wheels; always feels very special, but it's a bit of squeeze in the cabin for taller people.

Highlight of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Caterham Seven has to be this, the new Superlight R400. To coincide with celebrations of this iconic car, Caterham have announced the fitment of Ford Sigma engines, to replace the defunct range of Rover K-Series units. In the R400 this means 210bhp, 152lb ft of torque and a 0-60mph time of less than four seconds. All from an engine that first saw service in a Mondeo! The Superlight R400 follows the same theme as the rest of the seven range, delivering simple, pure driving fun. But can a car that's dwarfed by most modern cars, with such limited practicality and an eye-watering price of £29,495 be relevant 50 years on? We find out...

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Many have tried and failed to imitate the Seven's styling, but there's really nothing else like the Caterham. Its styling maybe 50 years old, but the test car's metallic orange finish, graphite alloys and carbon fibre trim means the Superlight R400 feels contemporary. It looks even better in the metal than in pictures. Worthy of particular mention are the matt black headlights, the view over the long, vented bonnet and the special '7' grille. You just couldn't mistake the Caterham for any other car.

Inside, once you're in (which could be an issue if you're tall), the Seven feels equally special. If interior space is a problem (and it was for us), then Caterham offer the optional wider SV body as a £1,500 option. The composite sports seats are supportive and comfortable on long journeys and once you understand the Seven's random switchgear, it's all easy to operate. The dashboard architecture is designed for purpose, and the carbon fibre finish seems fitting for a car with so much performance. There's not much room for luggage, but that's not the point of the Seven; just enough space behind the front seats and the roll bar for a couple of squashy weekend bags.

Fancy a closer look? Check out our Caterham 7 Superlight R400 gallery

Second only to the CSR 260 in terms of performance, with 210bhp on tap, the Superlight R400 is a hoot to drive. The torquey, four-cylinder, 2.0 litre engine makes a deep growl even at low revs. There's no stereo, (you wouldn't hear it anyway) but the engine sounds so good you won't miss the music, although like the Sigma 125 we drove earlier this year, it can get a bit boomy on long stop-start motorway trips. The heat soak from the engine can also make the cabin a stuffy experience. Top speed is a licence-losing 140mph, but the Seven feels very quick at half that speed, mainly because its low-centre of gravity, light build and the engine's seemly limitless powerband. It's almost like the automotive equivalent of a loaded gun, though with all that power it's very challenging to drive above motorway speeds - especially with the roof off. The steering is the most direct I've ever tried in a road car, needing the smallest inputs to place it on the road. Adding to the experience, the Superlight was fitted with the tiniest Momo steering wheel, which felt great to hold. The short-throw, six-speed gearbox was a pleasure to use, and the 4 pot brakes wipe off the speed quickly.

It's expensive, the build quality is a bit workmanlike in places and the Superlight R400 could be a real licence loser if you sample the performance. But if you're after an adrenalin-fuelled drive everytime, the Caterham Seven could be just what you're after.

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