Following news earlier this week that Caterham are continuing their plans to produce mainstream production vehicles by 2016, the British manufacturer has shown that they haven’t forgotten about the car that’s earned the brand favour over its 40 year history. The Caterham 620R is the most extreme Seven model ever produced and replaces the R500 Superlight at the top of the range.
The Caterham Seven 620R grabs headlines with its 230 kW supercharged 2.0-litre engine that’s sourced from Ford Motor Co. Peak power is developed at 7 700 r/min, while peak torque of 296 Nm is available at 7 350 r/min. The 620R can accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in an astonishing 2.79 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
In addition to more power and torque than ever before, the 620R also benefits from a unique gunmetal chassis, an air-flow optimised nose cone and a race-developed cooling package. De Dion rear suspension and wide track front suspension units are complemented by high-performance dampers all round, while the car sits on lightweight, 13-inch alloy wheels fitted with track-inspired Avon ZZR tyres.
The cockpit has been given more ergonomic appeal with revised instrumentation and switchgear. In addition, carbon fibre interior panels, dashboard and race seats help to eliminate weight and provide a sporty feel, in conjuction with a quick-release racing steering wheel supplied by Momo.
“The Seven 620R is an extreme piece of kit,” concludes Macdonald. “We know there is demand for cars that re-write the rules of performance and, if you’re brave enough to take it on, the 620R will be an enormously rewarding, fun car to pilot.”
The Seven 620R will make its public debut at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend and the company says a slightly less hardcore, but no less powerful, ‘S’ model will be available at a later date.
