[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/fastest-ever-caterham-seven-for-the-summer\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/fastest-ever-caterham-seven-for-the-summer\/","headline":"Fastest ever Caterham Seven for the summer","name":"Fastest ever Caterham Seven for the summer","description":"Sixty-two mph in just 3.4 seconds should do the trick, right? That\u2019s 240bhp, around 450bhp per ton on the power-to-weight scale, and a top speed of around 150mph. Yes, wig wearers beware, it\u2019s the new Caterham Seven 485, and it\u2019ll be snarling up the streets this summer. We\u2019re used to mega Caterhams here in the UK. We\u2019ve had the rapid R400 for a while, and then came the rabid Superlight R500; the super-light Seven that worked wonders around the Top […]","datePublished":"2013-05-02","dateModified":"2013-05-02","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Caterham-Feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Caterham-Feature.jpg","height":"577","width":"577"},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/fastest-ever-caterham-seven-for-the-summer\/","about":["Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS","Sports \/ Performance & Prestige cars","Sports, Performance & Prestige Cars"],"wordCount":430,"keywords":["Caterham","Caterham Seven"],"articleBody":"Sixty-two mph in just 3.4 seconds should do the trick, right? That\u2019s 240bhp, around 450bhp per ton on the power-to-weight scale, and a top speed of around 150mph. Yes, wig wearers beware, it\u2019s the new Caterham Seven 485, and it\u2019ll be snarling up the streets this summer.We\u2019re used to mega Caterhams here in the UK. We\u2019ve had the rapid R400 for a while, and then came the rabid Superlight R500; the super-light Seven that worked wonders around the Top Gear test track a couple of years ago, lapping the quickest.Well, this intrepid journalist drove that very same white R500 right after the Stig had finished with it, complete with the Stig\u2019s Top Gear test track suspension settings still in place. It was rock hard, basically. The R500 is a monster, and while I didn\u2019t hurl it around like the Super Stig, even us mortal motorists can quite easily extract pulse pounding performance from the R500 on our favourite back lanes. Yes, it\u2019s viciously fast, but it\u2019s got incredible grip; suspension and brakes, so if you show it respect you can still get a proper wriggle on without chewing through the nearest topiary.Lots of carbon to keep it light and a high-revving 240bhp Ford Duratec motor thrashing around under the hood, the windscreenless R500 \u2013 you better wear a safety helmet to keep the bugs out of your teeth! \u2013 was a UK-only super-weapon that feared nothing on the road. Well, turns out that the rest of the world wanted some of that Super Seven goodness for themselves. And now they can \u2013 and so can we \u2013 with the Caterham Seven 485, on its way for the summer.The Ford Duratec remains under the hood, but this one is tuned for extra grunt, and to meet the latest EU5 emissions regulations. The 2-litre, naturally-aspirated engine makes 240bhp at 8,500rpm and fires the resulting smoke out of a screaming side-exit exhaust. These things are loud!New to any Caterham is a \u2018Sport\u2019 mode which further sharpens the 485\u2019s driving characteristics \u2013 careful not to cut yourself \u2013 while a new exhaust set up chops a further 13kg from the already featherweight Seven. With only 525kg to haul, the flying Ford motor fires the 485 to 62mph in 3.4 seconds through 6 forward gears, and that\u2019s pretty untouchable for anything else in the around-\u00a340k price bracket.These pictures pretty much speak for themselves; the new Caterham Seven 485 looks about as mean as a rattlesnake, and brings the big-bhp-bite to back up its tarmac skimming menace. By Dan Anlsow "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Fastest ever Caterham Seven for the summer","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/fastest-ever-caterham-seven-for-the-summer\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]