The new R600 is the most powerful Caterham Seven ever and,
surprise, surprise, it's ballistically fast. With a 0-62mph time of 2.6secs,
this track-only Seven is a mere 0.1 of a second slower than the bugatti Veyron
Super Sport-not bad from a company based in Dartford. The R600 uses a 2.0litre
Ford Duratec engine combined with a supercharger to produce 275bhp and 200lb
ft
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| Caterham Seven R600 |
If you think those figures look a little weedy, don't forget that the R600
is stripped right back to the bones, and only weighs 550kg, Which makes this
thing punchy in the extreme-short of stepping yourself to a rocket, you won't
feel all-consuming acceleration like it. But it's not particularly scary to
drive. Sure, the R600 needs respect, but given all the power, it's also weirdly
being. The car is so well set up and you're so hard wired into the seat and
steering that it's easy to tell what's going on, and therefore a doddle to
manage the ensuing chaos. For the time being, the R600 is only available as a
racing car for a one-make championship. But Caterham reckons a road car is
possible in the future. Which is great news... just not for your driving license
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| Caterham Seven R600 |
Caterham Seven R600 Specs
The numbers: 1999cc, 4cyl, RWD, 275bhp, 200lb ft, n/a mpg,
n/a g/km CO2, 0-62mph in 2.6secs, 153mpg, 550kg
Caterham Seven R600 Price: from 34,700 Euro
The Verdict: Utterly bonkers. Only available as a racer for
the moment-for the sake of our licenses, that's a good job
