Caterham Super Seven 600

The most classic Seven

The Super Seven is a car that stubbornly adheres to the tradition of a good old British lightweight sports car. We hope that owners will also drive it in a proper British style.

The old Caterham factory in Dartford, England. When I visited there two years ago, I was shown a nostalgic emblem with the word CATERHAM on it, and asked, “Isn’t this nice?” In the garage, there was also a Seven, decorated with a classic atmosphere. This is the prototype of the Super Seven 600 that has just arrived in Japan.

In Japan, the Caterham Seven is probably best known for its aggressive styling with its colorful striped body, racing screen, and roll bar. However, the Seven has a history spanning nearly 70 years, and there have been many different specifications throughout the years.

The Seven, which was born in 1957, has a variety of variations, from the Series 1 with full aluminum body panels to the Series 4 with a full FRP body. Among them, the Super Seven 2000 and Super Seven 600, announced by Caterham last year, are reproductions of the design of the Seven Series 3, which was produced from the mid-1970s to the 1980s by Caterham Cars, which acquired the manufacturing rights for the Seven from Lotus. This is Caterham’s first self-covered car.

Its most distinctive feature is the shape of the fender that covers the front wheel, commonly known as a clamshell. Made of FRP, it has a smooth curve that is reminiscent of a vintage car, starting from the front and extending in a long, slender line to the rear tire.

The light and nimble ride is a unique feature of the 600

It's powered by a Suzuki 658cc inline 3-cylinder engine that produces 85PS. With a weight of just 440kg, it's a thrilling ride. The tires are, of course, Avon. — [1]

The test vehicle this time was not the Super Seven 2000, which is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine made by Ford, but the light vehicle standard Super Seven 600. Its powertrain is a familiar one in Japan, combining a Suzuki inline three-cylinder, 660cc turbo engine with a five-speed gearbox and live axles.

In addition to the clamshell, the Super Seven 600 is packed with many little touches that will delight enthusiasts. The shrimp-brown body color is a classic choice not seen on recent Caterhams, as are the black top and vinyl door edges trimmed with white piping.

The chrome-plated headlamp pods, the 8-spoke wheels painted in the same color as the body, the chrome-plated fuel filler at the rear end and the retro-font emblem are also essential items for recreating an old Caterham.

The interior can also be customized in a variety of ways, just like the body color, but the test car was equipped with items that assert a genuine British classic feel, such as leather seats with contrast piping and a nostalgic Motolita steering wheel.

When I finally got the chance to ride the Super Seven 600 in Japan, the first thing I thought about was what the rider would wear. Since I was riding a bike with such a classic design, I thought that wearing Gore-Tex and jeans wouldn’t really suit the look.

Should I put on my Barbour oiled coat, which I’ve had for about 30 years, or a thick tweed Norfolk jacket and knickerbockers? Is that too much of a cosplay hobby? No, the Super Seven 600 is a lightweight sports car that allows you to enjoy the good old British styling while seriously attacking mountain passes. If you don’t tackle the challenge with a style that matches the atmosphere of the car, there’s no point in buying a Seven with this specification.

Customizable interior

The interior is adorned with classic British style, including a black leather Motolita steering wheel. The interior color can be ordered from a wide range of color options. — [2]

During this shoot, we were blessed with rain. In other words, British weather. It’s a complete lie that British people don’t use umbrellas even when it rains, but it’s true that there are some British enthusiasts who happily speed through the rain in their open cars. They drive around soaking wet, and when they stop at an intersection, they suddenly open their umbrellas. It’s a clever joke.

The Super Seven 600’s maximum output is only 85 PS. However, its weight is only 440 kg, which is much lighter than the front axle weight of the latest Porsche 911 Carrera, and the gear ratio is close, so it’s quite exciting to drive. And, if you’re a bit more technical, the driving feel is also modern.

I have a friend who drives a model from when Caterham first started manufacturing the Seven, and I’ve had the chance to drive it, and the original Caterham Seven has a really loose feel. First of all, the steel tube frame is brazed, unlike the current model, so it feels less stiff or stiff torsionally rigid, and the front suspension is an I-arm + stabilizer type rather than the A-arm of the current model, so the positioning in the fore-and-aft direction is poor. Still, it’s well balanced, including the 1970s-style tires.

In terms of balance, the Super Seven 600 is no less impressive. The TIG-welded steel frame is firm, and the suspension movement is precise and smooth. The Avon ZT7 tires are 65-profile, but they barely twist, accurately conveying the road surface conditions. This is why they can also handle the sudden increase in power of the turbo engine.

A Super Seven that you’ll want to ride even in the rain

Store it in a classic garage and spend your days hitting the winding roads. The Super Seven 600 is perfect for that lifestyle.

If you want to have a casual look, the basic Seven 170 is a good choice. However, if you want to have fun with a classic garage or even cosplay, the Super Seven 600 is the only choice.

Also, this car may be an alternative to classic cars now, but after 10 years of ownership, it will age nicely and develop into a true classic car.

REPORT / Takuo YOSHIDA

PHOTO / Ryota Sato

MAGAZINE / GENROQ May 2025 issue

SPECIFICATIONS

Caterham Super Seven 600

Body size: Length 3380, Width 1470, Height 1090mm

Wheelbase: 2225mm

Dry weight: 440kg

Engine: Inline 3-cylinder DOHC turbo

Total displacement: 658cc

Maximum output: 62.6kW (85PS) / 6500rpm

Maximum torque: 116Nm (11.8kgm)

Transmission: 5-speed MT

Drive system: RWD

Suspension type: Front double wishbone, rear multi-link

Brakes: Front disc, rear drum

Tire size: Front and rear 155/65R14

Vehicle price: 8,668,000 yen