Expanded Caterham Seven range coming

Higher specification variants of the Caterham Seven 275 and Seven 485 will join the Australian range in coming months, the distributor has revealed today.

The range kicks off with the existing Seven 275, now priced at $69,850. This variant continues to be powered by a 1.6-litre Ford four-cylinder, producing 100kW and driving through a five-speed manual transmission to the De Dion rear axle. According to Caterham, the entry-level car will reach 100km/h from a standing start within 5.5 seconds and combined-cycle fuel consumption is officially 6.2L/100km. Standard features include 14-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, rubber floor mats and a starter button.

A new variant based on this car is the Seven 275 S, which is priced at $83,300. Mechanically the same as the base car, the 275 S rides on 15-inch alloy wheels shod with low-profile tyres measuring six inches wide at the front, eight inches at the rear. Unlike lower-priced 275's aluminium body, this one comes fully painted from the factory. The upholstery is leather and there's a 12-Volt power outlet as standard.

Both 275 models can be ordered with the options of a six-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, uprated adjustable suspension, adjustable rear anti-roll bar, four-point seat belt harness, track day roll-over hoop, metallic paint, tonneau cover, half hood with zip, battery-isolation master switch, lowered floor option for tall drivers, carbon dash and Black Pack (Black headlights, windscreen, carbon sill protectors and rear guards).

Sitting above the 275 models in the range is the Seven 355, a new model that replaces the previous R300 variant. Powered by a 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine that has been tweaked by Caterham, the 355 is priced at $86,900. Specifications in its basic form are as for the 275 entry-level grade, other than the fully painted aluminium body – available in four standard colours.

But the 355 can also be ordered with R and S packs, which are track-oriented or more comfortable, respectively. At $93,900, the 355 S gains the 15-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery and 12-Volt power outlet also fitted to the 275 S.

The Seven 355 R essentially bundles up the options for the 275 models in one pack, priced at $99,800. Those features include 15-inch alloy wheels, adjustable suspension/rear anti-roll bar, limited-slip differential, Black Pack and carbon dash.

Promoted as the most comfortable variant in the Caterham Seven range, the Seven CSR is priced at $103,300 and is powered by the same 127kW engine as the Seven 355. It is fitted with its own design of 15-inch alloy wheel, and comes with adjustable pedals to suit both taller and shorter drivers. The Seven CSR is the only variant in the range to offer this feature, and the Black Pack and carbon dash are also standard.

In addition the Seven CSR comes with front guards that have been styled for enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, an adjustable front anti-roll bar, bigger brakes and an adjustable, fully independent rear suspension, in lieu of the De Dion system fitted to lesser models.

A 177kW engine powers the Seven 485 S, which is priced at $114,400 and replaces the previous Seven 485 with a higher specification. According to the manufacturer the dry-sumped engine is the most powerful ever fitted to a Caterham Seven and will rev all the way to 8500rpm, thanks to a special engine-management ECV. Top speed is 240km/h and the car will knock over 0-100km/h in under five seconds, it's claimed. The transmission is a close-ratio six-speed manual box, driving through to a limited-slip differential.

Brakes have been uprated to racing specification, the suspension and rear anti-roll bar are adjustable and the 15-inch alloy wheels are seven inches wide. Other features comprise the carbon dash, Black Pack, Superlight dash, non-metallic paint and both the combination of three-point inertia-reel seatbelts with four-point raising harnesses.

The same engine is fitted to the track-focused Seven 485 R, which is equipped with race dampers, 'aerofoil' front wishbones, carbon-look leather trim, half side-screen set and gear shift indicator lights. All that brings the price to $127,000.