New entry-level Caterham Super Seven 1600 arrives

Caterham has announced it will introduce a new Super Seven 1600 that features a bespoke retro body and a distinctive engine note.

Looking like it is inspired by its Lotus 7 ancestors from the 1970s, the new Super Seven 1600 is powered by the same 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine as the car-maker's entry-level 270 model.

Caterham claims that, like the 270, it produces 99kW and 165Nm of torque – modest figures, but combined with a feather-light kerb weight of just 565kg, the Super Seven 1600 can hit 100km/h in just five seconds and top out at 196km/h.

Available as either a kit or factory-built, the new 1600 comes either with the standard S3 chassis or with the wider SV body.

Featuring a new body, the Super Seven 1600 wears flared front fenders, has a spare wheel carrier and comes in a choice of seven Caterham heritage colours.

Instead of ultra-light rims, the retro Super Seven sports a set of 14-inch Minilite-style wheels.

Inside, carbon-fibre race seats have been traded for traditional leather chairs and a wooden rim steering wheel.

Ensuring it sounds like an authentic 1970s sports car, Caterham engineers have added DCOE throttle body injectors and a K&N air filter that provides more induction sound.

Commenting on the new Super Seven 1600's arrival in the car-maker's line-up, Caterham boss Graham McDonald said: "Both of our most recent retro-inspired Sevens – the Sprint and Super Sprint – sold out in record time so we know the appeal for these cars is strong.

“We’re excited to introduce the most powerful Super Seven ever built, a reimagining of a true modern icon, delivering exactly what the original was designed to offer – a focus on driving feel and race-inspired upgrades but with some touches of luxury to the finishes.”

In the UK the new Super Seven 1600 is priced at £35,890 ($A71,000) for a factory-built car.

There's no word yet whether Caterham's Australian operation has any plans to import the retro-inspired Super Seven 1600 Down Under.