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The retro-modern British lightweight provides a unique driving experience similar to classic race cars, making it unconventionally exciting.
Faster-than-ever sports cars and supercars often tend to be the be-all end-all solution to a fun and thrilling driving experience in the current market. However, there are a few specific cars out there targeting niche audiences for those looking for something more unconventional. Meet the 2020 Caterham Super Seven 1600 from Caterham’s iconic Seven line-up. Though it may come as just another Seven, do not be fooled by its iconic looks as each Seven model responds to particular driver profiles.
With a design inspired by Colin Chapman’s Lotus Seven and a weight that barely makes it above the 500 kg/1,100 lb mark, the Seven is a British lightweight of its own and the Super Seven 1600 takes the Caterham experience a step further. On top of prioritizing performance numbers and driving experience, the Super Seven 1600 also focuses on the unique and rare feeling of driving a retro car without the hassle of actually owning a retro car. Taking inspiration from classic cars, like Seven models, the Super Seven 1600 offers a retro-modern and engaging driving experience unique to the marque.
A Caterham is easily recognizable thanks to its almost unchanged appearance since its very beginnings, making the small silhouette with round eyes stand out in the ever evolving automotive industry. Not only does the Seven look like its predecessors, it might also be challenging to understand which model you are currently looking at without taking a peak at the rear badge. Yet, the Super Seven 1600 offers plenty of design cues that make it stand out.
Its design is straightforward: a small body with wide rear fenders, no doors and a small, square windshield with metallic windshield wipers reminiscent of classic cars. The right side shows off a massive exhaust pipe, which greatly adds to the design despite having to avoid touching the burning hot metal when stepping out of the car after an intense drive. The car also features a standard roll bar with two vertical supports and a hoop as part of the tubular chassis, where the soft top rests. Designed for the road, the roll bar can also be suitable for track use though not ideal in comparison to other Seven models. The roof and doors can be easily removed, folded up and stored in the trunk space, which transforms the Seven from a classic looking car to a fun roadster.
These classic elements are precisely what make the Super Seven 1600 so different from other Caterham Sevens. For example, it offers seven exclusive paints which aren’t available on other Sevens. Most notably, the usual cycle fenders characteristic of modern Caterhams have been replaced with much longer, flared clamshell wings evoking a classic car-like silhouette. Also, in order to tone down the sportiness of the car, the Seven numeral is noticeably absent from the front grille and the same goes for the racing stripes. Instead, this Super Seven 1600 comes with an optional spare tire at the back to complete the look.
Related: Here's Everything You Need To Know About The Caterham 7
The interior of the Seven is as simple and as compact as the exterior silhouette suggests yet incredibly airy, but this spaciousness is mostly thanks to the roof free environment. When putting the roof back on, the headspace becomes very limited and this sudden roof above your head reveals the true size of the interior. The cabin feels instantly a lot more crammed and getting in and out of the car becomes an unexpectedly challenging and acrobatic task. Yet despite what its appearance suggests, the Super Seven is surprisingly comfortable for its size. The cushioned leather seats keep you well in place when taking corners and comfortably seated for longer drives with plenty of room to stretch your legs.
When it comes to infotainment and other tech, Caterham keeps it simple, with one of the most minimal dashboards offered in the current market. There are no screens, no radio, no Bluetooth connection and all the dials are analog. There is no real need for air conditioning in such an open and airy car, but the Super Seven 1600 does have a heater installed. However, you cannot regulate the temperature as all buttons are rocker switches that will only allow you to choose between on or off.
The Super Seven 1600 interior easily stands out from other models of the Caterham lineup with its vintage style, especially thanks to its beautiful wooden steering wheel. The Smiths dials have a more classic design similar to what you would find in an Aston Martin DB5. The retro look of the square, metallic side view mirrors alongside other chrome details enhance the classic look of the car. The seats also take on a vintage twist with their vertical lining.
As for the question of how much luggage can actually fit in a Super Seven, the answer would be: surprisingly more than you could think. Though there are no storage compartments within the cabin, the trunk space located behind the seats can generously store two full backpacks. And if that’s not enough, there is always the option of replacing the spare tire with a luggage rack.
Unlike the other Sevens in the current Caterham line up, the Super Seven 1600 is not a track machine. Instead, it is a retro-modern cruiser meant for longer, more relaxing drives. Yet, this does not necessarily make it an ideal daily. In the city, tall trucks and exhaust fumes will make you feel vulnerable in the 3.6-foot high (1,115 mm) Seven and it is no better on the highway. Despite its top speed of 122 mph, its mere weight of 1,245 lb (565 kg) will naturally limit how fast you will feel confident going. It essentially feels like driving a bigger and more comfortable go-kart on the road.
The Super Seven 1600 is closest to the Seven 270 as both share the same engine; a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder Ford Sigma with an output of 135 hp at 6,800 RPM going to the rear wheels and a 0 to 60 mph achieved in 5.0-seconds. The Super Seven is slightly heavier and longer, making it more of a cruiser than the 270 but despite its classic looks, it still delivers a punchy driving experience. Comparable to the likes of a Mazda MX-5 or a Fiat 124 in terms of numbers, the Seven experience remains unmatched. The extremely low seating position allows you to feel connected to the road and the tires do a great job at conveying accurate road surface information. So much so that you can feel every single vibration through the steering wheel, leaving your hands shaking for hours after wrapping up your drive.
The Seven particularly excels in corners. The double-wishbone suspension gives the car plenty of grip, counterbalancing the lightness and allowing it to take over twisty roads with agility. It is still much less serious and less grippy than aboard a Seven 270. However, the suspension aboard the Super Seven feels very stiff for a cruiser and a bit more softness would not hurt. The 5-speed gearbox’s shorter gear ratio allows for plenty of fun, with lots of action between 3rd and 4th gears. Both the gear shifter and the steering wheel can be tough to maneuver, especially with the lack of power steering for the latter, but the Seven is a very responsive car and it is up to you to adapt to the rawness of the car. It is also worth mentioning that the Seven’s brakes perfectly match its lively performance, bringing the car to a stop very quickly. It is also good to remember that there is no ABS on the Super Seven.
Last but not least, the Super Seven conveys this vintage driving experience thanks to its unique exhaust sound reminiscent of classic racing cars. Unlike the 270, this Seven hosts twin forties throttle bodies, allowing the car to produce a unique exhaust note.
Related: A Look Back At The Lotus Seven Roadster
The Caterham Super Seven 1600 is without a doubt a good car, but it won't necessarily gain the popular vote. Overall, Caterham Sevens target a very specific audience of enthusiasts in search of the ultimate driving experience and the Super Seven 1600 takes this experience a step further by providing an added classic feel to the car. If you are the type of person who enjoys waking up bright and early to go for a fun weekend getaway on bendy roads, while driving an exciting retro-modern machine, this is the car for you. But if your preference is something slightly sportier, or leaning even more towards the classic side, this is where choosing the Super Seven gets complicated. The Super Seven is not as intense as its sibling, the Seven 270. And despite its more affordable price tag, it is also not as comfortable and as classic as a Morgan Plus Four, which is precisely where the issue of the Super Seven lies. In order to fulfill expectations as a retro-modern cruiser, the Super Seven would benefit from a few upgrades such as a bigger fuel tank and more comfort overall. For many, the Super Seven 1600 will need to take on a more decisive stance to fulfill expectations and for now, Caterham enthusiasts might simply opt for the 270 or other sporty Sevens.
Yet the popularity of the Super Seven 1600 is undeniable. Despite not being for everyone, it is a car that managed to reach its target audience despite having now gone out of production. Its starting price of £33,495 (approx. $40,800) makes it much more affordable than a Plus Four, but more expensive than its punchier sibling, the 270. If a classic look is what you are after, the Super Seven 1600 is the one to choose. And as a true Caterham, it remains an incredibly fun and playful car, with a snappy rear-end and a lively gearbox that will undoubtedly guarantee an unmatched driving experience on the roads.
Automotive writer and photographer based in Tokyo, Claire has joined the HotCars team in March 2022. She is a coffee and whiskey enthusiast who enjoys creating beautiful imagery to illustrate her car stories.