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Caterham Seven 485 CSR Now Available In Continental Europe

CSR is Catherman talk for bloody mad, and the Seven 485 CSR is the embodiment of that description. For starters, it costs more than the BMW X4 considering that the starting price for the lightweight sports car from Great Britain is €54,995 including VAT.
2019 Caterham Seven 485 CSR 8 photos
Photo: Caterham
2019 Caterham Seven 485 CSR2019 Caterham Seven 485 CSR2019 Caterham Seven 485 CSR2019 Caterham Seven 485 CSR2019 Caterham Seven 485 CSR2019 Caterham Seven 485 CSR2019 Caterham Seven 485 CSR
“This is now the ultimate Caterham Seven to have if you’re outside the United Kingdom”, explains chief executive officer Graham MacDonald. “We’ve had to trim our EU range because of the WLTP regulations, but I’m delighted that we can still offer our continental European customers something that really reflects what Caterham has always been about – the thrill of driving.”

Speaking of the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure, small companies such as Caterham are finding harder than ever before to keep up with the ever-stringent emissions standards. On a surprising note, the Ford Duratec 2.0-liter engine under the hood can trace its roots back to 2005.

In this application, the naturally aspirated powerplant produces 240 PS (237 bhp) and 206 Nm (152 lb-ft) of torque. That’s 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph) and a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph), scary numbers for an open-top vehicle this light and a seating position this low to the ground.

Only 580 kilograms (1,279 pounds), that’s how much the Seven 485 CSR weighs as standard. Coupled to the Duratec, those figures work out at almost 410 ponies per tonne. In other words, the Caterham is edging into V10- and V12-engined supercar territory.

Available with both the standard chassis and the wide-bodied SV option, the Seven 485 CSR is manufactured at the Caterham factory in Dartford. Standard features include a collapsible steering wheel from Momo, adjustable seats with leather upholstery, carpeted panels for the interior, carbon dashboard, and a limited-slip differential.

Customers are offered no fewer than four exterior colors, and optional extras include carbon-fiber front fenders, LED daytime running lights, Alcantara detailing, and leather on the side panels. The push-rod inboard suspension up front is complemented by double wishbones at the rear. Avon ZZS high-performance tires come standard, wrapped around 15-inch alloy wheels.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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