CATERHAM

SEVEN 420 CUP ''CIRCUIT'': it could be the last light sports car with fossil fuel from the English brand

Following Lotus' decision to manufacture the Eletre, its first electric SUV, Caterham is now considered one of the last bastions of light sports. With the Seven 420 Cup, this endangered species incorporates a very special new member.

It is the most circuit-focused road car the company has ever built. For the first time ever a license plateable Caterham comes with fully adjustable Bilstein shocks, with over 10 hand selectable settings. Located between the 420R and the racing vehicle Seven, the new 420 Cup is powered by a non-turbocharged petrol engine from the Duratec family, with a displacement of 2.0 liters, 210 hp and 203 Nm.

The mechanics work together with a Sadev 6-speed sequential transmission, which allows it to accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph) in just 3.6 seconds. Top speed reaches 219 km/h, which is not especially impressive, as what Caterham enthusiasts are looking for is mainly sensations and not so much pure performance.

The new 420 Cup is fitted with Avon ZZR or ZZS tires, but the former are optional. At the rear, Caterham has installed new LED taillights. If the customer opts for the competition safety cage, he will also get a metallic cover for the trunk and the sport-looking mirror housings.

The cabin is also improved a bit with a variety of red-toned inserts that are appreciated on the seats, instrumentation dials and transmission tunnel. The sports car remains faithful to its spirit of eliminating all the superfluous and marking a weight of just 560 kilos on the scale, half of what the Mazda MX-5 declares, for example.

Due to emission regulations, the Caterham 420 Cup can only be marketed in the United Kingdom and the United States.

It costs £54,990 in your home country, while North Americans will have to contact their local distributor for pricing details. This car, which will be a permanent member of the line, will be sold exclusively in a factory version, which means that it cannot be purchased in kit form and assembled by the customer himself.

Caterham will exhibit the 420 Cup in June at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Orders are already accepted, but production will only start in 2023.

Autonews