Performance Review: Caterham 7 Superlight - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Caterham 7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Caterham 7 Superlight is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular Caterham 7 has a 1588cc 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 478 kgs (1053 lbs) this makes the Caterham 7 Superlight in the same weight category as the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Caterham 7 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1588cc 16V St4 engine produces 138 bhp (102 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 115 lb-ft (155.9 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 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 2012 Lotus Exige S 3.5 V6 Roadster (313.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Caterham 7.

The Caterham 7 has a Power to weight ratio of 288.7 bhp per ton and 240.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 7 competing with the 2012 Lotus Exige S 3.5 V6 Roadster (313.6 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Nissan Skyline GTR R35 (313.2 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 240.5 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 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (265.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Jaguar XF R-S 5.0 V8 (265.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.0 secs, this made the Caterham 7 Superlight as fast as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs). This Caterham 7 Superlight is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the and the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 7 and the 2004 TVR Cerbera 4.0

When talking about the performance of the Caterham 7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.77 secs @ 107.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 TVR Cerbera 4.0 (12.71 secs), the 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT 3.5L V12 (12.71 secs), and the 1967 Iso Fidia 350 5.4L V8 (12.71 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Caterham 7 Superlight has a maximum speed of 129mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 7 equals the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Caterham 7 Superlight then how about the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph), the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (140 mph), or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (140 mph).

Related Links:

1996 7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Caterham

Car Comparison