Performance Review: Caterham 7 CSR 260 - [2005]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Caterham 7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Caterham 7 CSR 260 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2005. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 and the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16.This particular Caterham 7 has a 2261cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 7 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 7's Rear Wheel Drive, - combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 575 kgs (1267 lbs) this makes the Caterham 7 CSR 260 in the same weight category as the 2012 Ariel Atom Mugen or the give or take 50kg.

The Caterham 7 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 2261cc 16V St4 engine produces 260 bhp (193 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 200 lb-ft (271.1 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Caterham 7 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 (476.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Caterham 7.

The Caterham 7 has a Power to weight ratio of 452.1 bhp per ton and 347.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2005 7 competing with the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 (476.1 bhp per ton) or the 2018 McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo (474.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Caterham 7 generating around 347.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Stirling Moss (372.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2021 Ferrari 296 GTB 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (371.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the Caterham 7 CSR 260 as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This Caterham 7 CSR 260 is also faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the and the 2020 BMW 4 Series M4 Coupe 3.0 Bi Turbo G82 (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 7 and the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4 991

When talking about the performance of the Caterham 7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.91 secs @ 125.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4 991 (10.87 secs), the 2008 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 R230 (10.88 secs), and the 2010 BMW 3 Series M3 Coupe Frozen Edition E92 (10.89 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2005 version of the Caterham 7 CSR 260 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2005 7 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2005 Caterham 7 CSR 260 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2005 7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Caterham

Car Comparison