Performance Review: Caterham 7 RST-V8 Levante - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Caterham 7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Caterham 7 RST-V8 Levante is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Caterham 7 has a 2400cc Supercharged Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 7 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. 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 520 kgs (1146 lbs) this makes the Caterham 7 RST-V8 Levante in the same weight category as the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Caterham 7 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 2400cc 32V V8 engine produces 500 bhp (372 kW) @ 10000 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp).

The Supercharged V8 throws out 300 lb-ft (406.7 Nm) @ 8500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo (986.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Caterham 7.

The Caterham 7 has a Power to weight ratio of 961.5 bhp per ton and 576.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 7 competing with the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo (986.0 bhp per ton) or the 2019 Koenigsegg Jesko 5.1 V8 BiTurbo (969.6 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 576.9 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 2019 Bugatti Centodieci 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo (597.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo (595.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.0 secs, this made the Caterham 7 RST-V8 Levante as fast as the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (2.90 secs) the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (2.90 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (2.90 secs) the or the 2021 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (2.90 secs). This Caterham 7 RST-V8 Levante is also faster than the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (3.00 secs) the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (3.00 secs) the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (3.00 secs) the and the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 6.2 V8 C8 (3.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 7 and the 2005 Ferrari F430 4.3 V8 Spider

When talking about the performance of the Caterham 7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 8.52 secs @ 160.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2005 Ferrari F430 4.3 V8 Spider (8.48 secs), the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (8.49 secs), and the 2018 Lamborghini Urus 4.0 V8 (8.49 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Caterham 7 RST-V8 Levante has a maximum speed of 150mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 7 equals the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Caterham 7 RST-V8 Levante then how about the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph), the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (161 mph), or the 2011 Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo (161 mph).

Related Links:

2008 7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Caterham

Car Comparison