Performance Review: Caterham 7 Superlight R400 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Caterham 7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Caterham 7 Superlight R400 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Caterham 7 has a 1999cc 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 525 kgs (1157 lbs) this makes the Caterham 7 Superlight R400 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 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1999cc 16V St4 engine produces 210 bhp (156 kW) @ 7800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 152 lb-ft (206.0 Nm) @ 5750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 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 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (424.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Caterham 7.

The Caterham 7 has a Power to weight ratio of 400.0 bhp per ton and 289.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 7 competing with the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (424.6 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster (424.6 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 289.5 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 2021 Aston-Martin Speedster 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (314.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp (314.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Caterham 7 Superlight R400 as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs). This Caterham 7 Superlight R400 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 7 and the 1965 Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby

When talking about the performance of the Caterham 7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.41 secs @ 119.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1965 Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby (11.36 secs), the 2012 Bentley Continental GT V8 (11.36 secs), and the 2004 Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 (11.36 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Caterham 7 Superlight R400 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 7 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Caterham 7 Superlight R400 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

2006 7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Caterham

Car Comparison