First drive review: Caterham Seven Supersport R

What‘s it? A faster version from the Caterham Supersport. While it’s unlikely that you‘d step from the 140bhp, 1. 6-litre Sigma-engined Supersport thinking that it was eventually underpowered, some punters have suggested that it might do well to beef up a little and provide a couple of more revs to play with for track use. Therefore here we possess the Supersport R – a car offering a similar adjustable double wishbone suspension early on and De-Dion arrangement in the rear, but having a 180bhp 2. 0-litre Duratec engine beneath the bonnet. Even spec is unchanged, which suggests a limited-slip diff, harness, composite sports seats, integrated shift lights and bespoke Supersport dampers as standard. Weight is merely up by 15kg regardless of the bigger capacity motor, which translates to some figure of 336bhp per tonne. What‘s it like? Explosive because it sounds in writing, the Duratec’s progressive delivery actually helps make the R quite manageable on an open road. Peak power isn’t reached until a raucous 7300rpm, an entire 1500rpm above the conventional Supersport, of which point (on an open road, a minimum of ) you’re likely to become rapidly reassessing the fun-to-risk balance. Crucially, though, even using the extra muscle involved, the throttle is simple to modulate and also the car’s responses are predictable, which inside a car such as this helps make the difference between offering visceral thrills and outright terror. The Supersport suspension works remarkably well on our deteriorating British roads. It soaks up pitted surfaces and little intrusions with impressive ease, if you learn very quickly to predict how this type of lightweight car could be thrown off line by awkward bumps and off-camber sections off road when taken at speed. Can there be any compromise inside the light-footed, accessible handling that will make the Supersport so recommendable in your books? Just an iota. If anything it translates into slightly more stability and merely slightly less willingness to become steered upon the throttle, but it’s undetectable if you don‘t step straight from a typical Supersport towards the R. Ultimately, this is definitely an outstanding car even by Caterham’s standards. It‘s visceral, nimble and accessible in a manner that many of the lairier Superlights aren‘t, and you may be blessed with such communication and involvement that you may take liberties and stay away by it. This is actually the essential point of any Caterham. The pure, consistent and quick steering is in regards to the best you will see anywhere, the brakes are feelsome and confidence-inspiring, and also your low-slung derriere will certainly be telling you everything else you have to know. It’s as in-tune having a wheeled machine as you’re ever likely going to be. You wouldn’t be ready to live using the compromises inherent in this specialist car unless you had been the kind of individual that finds deep joy in which. Should I buy one? Yes, but as long as you‘re a serious trackday enthusiast. There‘s barely any compromise towards the R over its sublime, standard sibling, however the longer rev range and extra grunt will only really be beneficial on circuit. Whenever you’re a fair-weather track user who’s after something fun for road use also, the cheaper, lower-powered Supersport would still be our first suggestion. Like the all-round purist's weekend special, It‘s near faultless. 
Caterham Seven Supersport R
Price : £24, 995 ; Top speed : 130mph ; 0-62mph : 4. 8sec ; Economy : na ; Co2 : na ; Kerbweight : 535kg ; Engine type : 1998cc, petrol, 4cyl in-line ; Installation : Front, longitudinal, rwd ; Power : 180bhp at 7300rpm ; Torque : 143lb ft at 6100rpm ; Gearbox : 5-spd manual ; Fuel tank : 36 litres ; Wheels : 7Jx13in alloy ; Tyres : 175 / 55 R13 Avon R500 First drive review : Caterham Seven Supersport R