Caterham Seven Roadsport 1.6 Sigma 125- Road Test

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, like it was for us, then Caterham offer the optional wider SV body as a £1,500 option. The leather-trimmed 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, but I felt the crackle vinyl finish looked cheap for the price. A carbon-fibre dash would be better, but it's a £200 option. 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 Roadsport Sigma 125 gallery

It might be one of the least powerful models in the range, with an engine originating from a Ford Focus, but the Caterham is a great drive. The torquey 125bhp, four-cylinder, 1.6 litre engine makes a rich, characterful noise 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 it can get a bit boomy on long motorway trips. The top speed might be just 112mph but the Seven always feels very quick, mainly because its low-centre of gravity and light-weight build, though 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 amount of input to place it on the road. Adding to the experience, our test car was fitted with the optional Momo steering wheel, which felt great to hold. The short-throw, five-speed gearbox was a pleasure to use, but I felt that the tiny disc brakes lacked feel - especially in the wet.

It's basic, expensive and not particularly fast. But if you're looking for pure driving thrills, the Caterham Seven can entertain like few other cars.