Caterham Seven 170 R test: pocket supercar

Reading the power of the Caterham 170, we first think of a typo. 84 hp? That’s 16 less than a Dacia Sandero GPL, 120 less than the last small GTI on the market (Hyundai i20 N). The error seemed all the more plausible as this new Caterham is called “170”, but this number actually indicates its power … per ton. Our red and black toy would thus weigh 440 kg with the options ad hoc, and this is still not a typo.

It must be said that, since its birth under the Lotus blazon in 1957, the Seven has never betrayed its eternal quest for the gram. Four wheels, a steering wheel and two seats still sum up the contemporary Caterham, whose fuselage covers neither the front axle (with visible double wishbones), nor the trunk (a cover with press studs is enough), nor even the small deprived cabin. windshield or heater. To further lighten this nutty shell, Colin Chapman’s spiritual sons had to rack their brains.

The four-cylinder atmo Ford 1.6 l 135 hp of the previous Caterham Super 1600 is replaced by a three-cylinder turbo Suzuki of only 660 cm³, 84 hp and 116 Nm of torque. A basic rigid rear axle replaces the De Dion axle, and narrower tracks further reduce the width by 10 cm. As for the list of options, it renews its multiple carbon fiber elements, which contribute to the drop in weight as well as the soaring price.

Caterham 170 options and prices

Caterham 170 starts at a price of 35 394 € and pays no penalty (109 g / km of CO₂ only). At this price, the buyer has an “opulent” S version with windshield, heater, black leather upholstery and carpeted rear panel. The R version at € 37,188 is aimed more at trackers with firmer suspension, limited-slip differential, lightweight flywheel, windscreen, bucket seats, four-point harness and carbon fiber-covered dashboard.

This thin material can also be fitted to the windshield (€ 420), the front wheel arches (€ 552) and / or rear (€ 1,014), the muzzle (€ 636), or even the turn signal brackets (€ 156) ! If other supplements can slightly improve comfort (half-doors, convertible top system, card holder, removable suede steering wheel, see all the options on the next page), the Caterham 170 refuses on the other hand the optional wide chassis of its big sister 485. The narrow version is imposed here, as confirmed by the first installation on board.

Driving

Try to imagine. To get on board this pocket sports car, you have to step over the doors (in fact, there aren’t any), remove the steering wheel, slide your legs tight in the long tunnel, then drop onto the seat. extra fine located so close to the ground thatit is possible, once harnessed, to lay your hand flat on the asphalt! In this singular (and very narrow) environment, the power finally seems sufficient, especially as the 84 horses seem two, three, or even four times more numerous than announced.

In first, the car leaps without the slightest inertia, in a hoarse sound and concluded by the amusing “pshiiit” of the relief valve of the small turbo. Caterham 170 or Nissan GT-R prepared? The frank thrust is repeated in second, then in third before dulling a little on the next two speeds at the higher gear ratio. All the same, we dare not qualify them as long reports when at 100 km / h in fifth gear, the Suzuki small block is already turning at 4000 rpm!

At this pace, the sound environment is summed up in air noises to the point that it often happens to snap the switch, at 7,000 rpm, because neither the thrust (not very explosive at high speed) nor the sound ( muffled by the side exhaust) do not indicate that we are moving so high. A phenomenon especially encountered with a full face helmet on the noggin, highly recommended to avoid projectile injuries (pebbles, gravel…) lifted by the vehicle in front. Certainly more effective than a state-of-the-art radar to respect safety distances.

This rolling washing machine (and the view from the floor of neighboring SUVs) therefore hardly encourages exceeding a three-figure speed and, in any case, driving at 80 km / h is also enough to enjoy the chassis. Perched on its four 155mm wide Avon tires, the Caterham 170 gradually slips from the nose when entering a turn, gently tightens the trajectory when releasing the accelerator then emerges in a slight drift, wheels straight and howling, once the accelerator is on. floor. We fly over the virolos, smile from ear to ear and buttocks oscillating on the bumps, without ever worrying about radars behind the wheel of this half-car, half-motorcycle machine. Like a biker, moreover, it is better to “read” the asphalt to anticipate the deformations in support. Perfectly absorbed by the front suspension, they more easily unbalance the rigid rear axle.

To push the car to its limits in complete safety, we made a detour via the La Ferté-Gaucher circuit, which was unfortunately wet the day of our test. Bitumen loaded with gums and tires moderately waterproof bring the grip close to zero, killing any attempt at stopwatch but increasing the driving sensations tenfold. Here, no electronic assistance comes to assist the driver, who must apply to find the ideal entry speed, fine-tune the accelerator at the exit and simulate the action of an abs with his right calf, the front wheels blocking very easily when braking. At this little game, we tire well before the Cat ‘, which does not wear the slightest consumable and never overheats its linings despite full front discs and rear drum brakes. How could modern sports cars have strayed so far from the very essence of driving? The Seven 170 is the ultimate antidepressant!

On board

Competition

Caterham, Morgan, Radical, Ariel: the English production is full of models sometimes retro, sometimes radical, and the choice of which will not have to chance. The rare but faithful worshipers of Lotus Seven can also turn to other specialists such as Westfield (with Opel engines) or Donkervoort (with five-cylinder Audi pushed to 435 hp!). But their prices soar far beyond those of the Caterham 170, available from € 35,400 and spared any ecological penalty. For those who enjoy driving with their buttocks but also want to be able to drive in the rain and / or without a helmet, there is the Mazda MX-5 2.0 184 hp at the same price, more than twice as heavy … but more than twice more powerful too. To meditate.

Find the test report, the video bonus, the technical sheet and all the prices and options of the Caterham 170 on the following page.