Performance Review: Caterham 7 Superlight R300 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Caterham 7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Caterham 7 Superlight R300 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Caterham 7 has a 1796cc 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 500 kgs (1102 lbs) this makes the Caterham 7 Superlight R300 in the same weight category as the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L or the give or take 50kg.

The Caterham 7 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 160 bhp (119 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 130 lb-ft (176.2 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 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 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO (344.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Caterham 7.

The Caterham 7 has a Power to weight ratio of 320.0 bhp per ton and 260.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 7 competing with the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO (344.5 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 6.2 V8 (343.7 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 260.0 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 2018 BMW 5 Series M5 Competition 4.4 V8 F90 (285.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO (284.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Caterham 7 Superlight R300 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Caterham 7 Superlight R300 is also faster than 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 and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 7 and the 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8

When talking about the performance of the Caterham 7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.32 secs @ 111.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Pontiac G8 GXP 6.2 V8 (12.26 secs), the 1995 Honda NSX R 3.0 V6 (12.27 secs), and the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V1 - Classic JDM (12.27 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Caterham 7 Superlight R300 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 7 equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Caterham 7 Superlight R300 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

2003 7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Caterham

Car Comparison