Caterham presents the Seven 170, a new entry-level model offering 84 hp for only 440 kg. This model, the lightest and smallest in the history of the brand, is offered in France at a price of € 35,394.
With the entry into force of the WLTP certification cycle in 2019, Caterham’s lineup in continental Europe had shrunk. Only the Seven 275 and 485 had survived. But these were joined in 2020 by the very “retro” Super Seven 1600, and the small English manufacturer has not said its last word in the European Union. It is launching there today, as in its other markets, its lightest model to date. The new Seven 170 weighs only 440 kg in its most spartan configuration!
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A Caterham kei car
The Seven 170 is powered by an original Suzuki 660 cc turbo three-cylinder, like the Seven 165 which provided Caterham’s entry level between 2013 and 2019. The power of this block has been slightly revised upwards with now 84 hp for 116 Nm of torque, which is enough to propel this featherweight from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.9 s. It’s as fast as a current small GTI of around 200 hp, almost three times as heavy. The power of the 170 is transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The car is placed on small 14-inch rims with narrow tires (155 wide). Caterham announces a top speed of 180 km / h.
The marketing of this new version of the Seven and therefore the return to the Suzuki engine follows the takeover of the manufacturer by the Japanese importer VT Holdings. Not content with being the lightest Caterham in history, the 170 is also the narrowest at just 1.47m wide (12cm longer than the first Lotus Seven of 1957 but much less than everything else in contemporary automobile production) for 3.18 m long and 1.09 m high, These dimensions allow it to be approved as a “kei car” in Japan and thus to benefit from favorable taxation on the Archipelago . In France too, it enjoys a financial advantage: it escapes the penalty thanks to its emissions of only 109 g / km of CO2.
Two versions to choose from
The Caterham Seven 170 is available in France in two configurations to choose from. The base model 170S is displayed at € 35,394. Its standard equipment includes:
- road suspension;
- windshield;
- heating ;
- black leather upholstery;
- carpeted back panel;
- rear lights and LED indicators.
The “R” model, more designed for the track, asks for € 37,188 and includes:
- sports suspension;
- limited slip differential;
- windshield;
- composite bucket seats with 4-point harness;
- carbon dashboard;
- black finish pack;
- rear lights and LED indicators.
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A seven à la carte
The Seven 170 is not offered in a wide chassis. The options catalog remains very extensive and has in particular different types of arches, seats, steering wheels and interior coverings. It also incorporates LED headlamps, a lowered floor or even a spare wheel with support. In addition, customers can benefit from the Signature program allowing them to personalize the car at will, from custom embroidery for leather upholstery to wood veneers to their taste, including various stickers. The Caterham Seven 170 can now be configured online.
