HP vs Caterham model?

[mrmustang]

I realize this may be a bit out of the ordinary, but my 03 RHD UK spec Caterham SV is by all accounts considered and was originally sold as a "Super Seven", however, with the 210hp Caterham USA spec motor, I've been asked by several potential buyers what the modern equivalent would be. 310, 360, or 420?

 

If I go by HP, given the current spec on the Caterham site it would be between the 360 and 420 does this sound right given it's a Zetec and not a Duratec driveline? More power to weight at this point, as a modern version would be a "S" Street Pack equipped car.

 

Can anyone sort this question out for me?

 

As always, thanks in advance

 

Bill 

 

 

Edited October 13 by mrmustang

[CarlB]

This can be considered subjective, but I would think it is similar to a 420. The 420 has the same power, and the number Caterham uses for the name is directly related to the power of the engine. 

[Vovchandr]

Caterham plays fast and loose with their math of numbering. The math should be Hp/Ton but they use arbitrary picked and rounded up HP and they use a metric ton.

 

If your unit is claimed to have 210hp on paper then by their math it would indeed fall between 360 and 420 they just didn't have that numbering system for Zetec years. 

 

 

[Vovchandr]

Found my 7 year old post discussing this matter in more detail as it remembered I did an indepth analysis at some point. 

 

 

"Caterham in particular is known to be loosy goosy with their numbers to achieve the R400/R500/620R

 

1) They use a metric ton vs regular ton (2240 pounds)

2) I believe and I could be wrong that the weight is dry and typically without other options. (If you order your R400 and add heater option, obviously weight goes up, P/W goes down but it remains R"400")

3) The engine numbers are crank numbers, while most of the people who build and modify their cars use wheel HP numbers

4) Even if the numbers don't add up exactly, R400 sounds a lot better than R393...

 

For fun math

 

R420 = 420hp/ton

~210hp Duratec crank (likely optimistic to begin with)/1240 lbs = R378 (using crank #)

 

We area already at way lower number than the plaque and that is stock, using their own numbers provided on the website.

 

Start adding other common features that don't come with that 1240 lbs standard spec. + dry sump + LSD + weather equipment + heater + windshield washer + carpet + SAE Roll bar (thicker) etc etc.

 

Lets even say this will add 100 lbs, we are already an "R350".

 

Point is, my "superlight" (In quotes as I have carpet, wet sump, windshield washer, tools in the back, weather gear + gas/fluids) as it sits now could likely be the equivalent 300hp/ton or less an I won't care cause its still a blast and its still fast.

 

Edit X2: I dug deeper and this is what I found (see attachment)

 

They actually openly list that they are realistically 375ps per tonne for the R420. 620S is "Power-to-weight: 508bhp-per-tonne"

 

270 is one of the most "honest ones" Power-to-weight: 254 bhp-per-tonne

 

Source:

http://us.caterhamcars.com/cars/seven-270"