Caterham Goes More Retro With Limited-Edition Seven SuperSprint

Assembled in Dartford, the Seven SuperSprint is limited to 60 examples. The number hasn’t been chosen completely arbitrary. In fact, it celebrates 60 years since the one and only Colin Chapman revealed the Lotus 7. The Seven SuperSprint follows in the footsteps of the Seven Sprint, which was sold out within a week of its world premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Revival.

Developed with the gentleman racer in mind, the SuperSprint relies on a Suzuki 660-cc three-cylinder turbo. With 95 horsepower readily available, the lightweight sports car thrusts to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 6.9 seconds. Top speed? An underwhelming 100 miles per hour (161 km/h), which is adequate for an open-top vehicle that weighs significantly less than even a kei car.

Customers are offered a choice of six paint schemes, each one bearing the name of an iconic racing circuit. Think Zandvoort in the Netherlands, which held its last F1 grand prix in ‘85. During that weekend, Nelson Piquet qualified first and Niki Lauda took the win in his Porsche-powered McLaren MP4/2B.

“The visual appeal of our new baby is only outclassed by a driving experience that puts you straight behind the goggles of Stirling Moss and Innes Ireland,” says Simon Lambert, the chief motorsport and technical officer of Caterham. Speaking of which, have you seen the cabin design of this limited-run bruiser?

Regardless of the fact it’s pretty spartan in there, look at the attention to detail, the quality of the materials, and the finish. Quilted seats trimmed in Innes tan Scottish Muirhead leather, wooden-rimmed steering wheel, the Brooklands windscreen, everything fits like a hand in a glove.