New low-cost Caterham Seven to come with a Suzuki engine
Caterham Cars had announced an entry-level Seven some time ago, and it appears that project is coming to fruition. Caterham Technology & Innovation (CTI), Caterham Group's engineering division, has worked on an all-new Seven that gets a 660cc, three-cylinder turbocharged (K6A) engine manufactured by Suzuki Motor Corporation. This will be the smallest and most efficient engine ever installed in a Seven.
Suzuki's expertise in compact and efficient vehicle design enabled Caterham to complement a re-engineered chassis with a downsized engine. CTI engineers made fine tweaks to the engine to suit the Seven's dynamism, leading to improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
"Suzuki is a leader in producing compact vehicles with extremely efficient engines and that is clearly a shared passion. We needed a particularly light powertrain but it had to be a unit that suited the characteristics inherent to all Sevens â€" thankfully, after lots of hard work, we have a package that works brilliantly," said Graham Macdonald, CEO, Caterham.
The team's intention behind this car was to offer customers a lighter, cheaper, more economical and more accessible Seven. Priced under GBP 17,000, the new model will be launched in the UK this year, with first deliveries expected before the end of 2013.
"Unfussy and easy to run, it is designed to give a neutral, supple ride yet carrying the sporting edge and turn-of-speed expected from any Seven," added Macdonald.