Horse Power

[IamScotticus]

Looking at pictures of, what I assume is the Caterham press release Horse powered 7.

The only thing I can say is that it's a very busy engine bay.

I like seeing a pretty set of cam or rocker covers.  I don't see that from Horse.  I'm sure the engine runs.  It's not going to look purdy doing it.

Of course I have a gripe.

[toldfield]

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/exclusive-driving-first-caterham-seven-powered-horse

[wdb]

I find it -- ironic? hilarious? ah, that's it, hilariously ironic -- that they put camouflage wrap on the car.

 

[IamScotticus]

It's a playful art collage of Horse and Catethem themes

 

Edited October 26, 2025 by IamScotticus

[panamericano]

They didn't want you to recognize a Cat with that hideous hood scoopp.  They coulda had a V8.

[IamScotticus]

They could have had an NA engine that fits. But not for Cats production number and cost goals

[EdWills]

17 hours ago, panamericano said:

They didn't want you to recognize a Cat with that hideous hood scoopp.  They coulda had a V8.

The attached photo (apologies for the lousy angle, the book kept sliding out of the printer!) shows a 1979 registered (U.K.) Caterham 7 (the nose cone looks Caterham not Lotus) fitted with a large square scoop, probably covering a V8?  From the book 'Illustrated Lotus Buyer's Guide' by Graham Arnold (published 1986).  He describes the car as a 'Lotus Seven Series 2', but it appears to be a modified Caterham.  

[panamericano]

I would have voted for a Polaris, as sold in their Slingshot.  2 L, 210 HP, naturally aspirated.  Looks to be compact as well.  Produced in Canada?

[JB455]

I think it's odd that Westfield is having new 2.0 DuraPro (basically a Duratec) engines built for them by Prodev for their cars, but Caterham is going with this little turbo Horse that doesn't fit inside the bodywork. 

New DuraPro engine pictured below. 

Edited October 27, 2025 by JB455

[IamScotticus]

5 hours ago, JB455 said:

I think it's odd that Westfield is having new 2.0 DuraPro (basically a Duratec) engines built for them by Prodev for their cars, but Caterham is going with this little turbo Horse that doesn't fit inside the bodywork. 

New DuraPro engine pictured below. 

Caterham has goals of 1k cars a month.  An engine supplier would have to be able to fill that order.  Horse can.  

Westfield is wise to stay small and fit an engine that will be attractive to motoring enthusiasts, not one that meets fulfillment deadlines.

Function over form when the engineers take over.