The Naturally Aspirated Caterham Seven Is Dead

[CBuff]

https://www.motor1.com/news/719271/caterham-seven-485-final-edition-specs/

 

The final edition Seven 485 uses Ford’s Duratec 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 225 horsepower.

The first Caterham Seven 485 hit the road in 2014. Now, 10 years later, it's finally ending production. The brand announced on Friday a pair of 485 Final Edition models for the European market, marking the end of naturally aspirated power for the storied Seven roadster.

The brand will only make 85 units—60 458 Final Editions and 25 485 CSRs. Both versions pack a Ford Duratec 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 225 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. It'll be paired to a five-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. The 485 can run to 62 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds while on its way to its 139-mph top speed.

 

The 485 Final Edition is available in standard and large chassis options, while the 485 CSR is only available in the bigger size with the inboard front suspension. It's about seven inches longer, nine inches wider, and an inch taller than the standard 485. The two also feature different wheel sizes, with the Final Edition wearing 13-inch black alloys while 15-inch wheels fit on the CSR. The automaker wraps them in Toyo Proxes R888R tires that hide the ventilated front disc brakes.

 

 

Caterham will offer the Final Edition in one of five premium colors, with satin black stripes and black badges. Each has a fully carpeted interior, a carbon dashboard, and a unique number plate. There's Final Edition branding throughout, including embroidered on the black leather, Alcantara, and Sport Hex black seats.

The 485 Final Editions are available to order now. The starting price for the European-market model is €67,495 ($72,810 at today's exchange rate).

This isn't the end for Caterham, obviously. Electrification is in its future, with a production version of its Project V concept due sometime soon. The 485 represents an opportunity to “own the last highest-revving, naturally aspirated Seven to ever be produced,” says Olivier Jouanne, the company's European Territory Manager. 

[Vovchandr]

That surely means they will be supercharged 4 cylinder aka 620R from now on? Right???

 

 

[KnifeySpoony]

Hmm they used to sell the 340 in EU as well. I guess that is being discontinued as well?

[Croc]

 

I think this is a Europe only thing.  Read between the lines in the press release - usual cute language that I am used to seeing.   They have enough Duratecs for two or more years of orders.  I expect the real reason for phase out is regulatory - need to meet a lower emissions standard that is being phased in at the end of this year in the EU. 

 

It will be interesting to see what the replacement powerplant is for Europe as that will preview what the civilized world gets eventually in their Caterhams.

[wdb]

12 hours ago, Croc said:

 

It will be interesting to see what the replacement powerplant is for Europe as that will preview what the civilized world gets eventually in their Caterhams.

 

Maybe it will be a Mercedes 4-pot. They just backed out of their EV-only strategy and now will build smokers into the 2030's (at least).

[CarlB]

Maybe a three-cylinder Toyota that makes over 300 HP

[BruceBe]

The 485s are a bit "special", so there is a particular supplier issue that would require a hefty engineering effort to overcome.