Performance Review: Caterham 7 Superlight R500 - [2000]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Caterham 7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Caterham 7 Superlight R500 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2000. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the 2000 Ultima GTR 720.This particular Caterham 7 has a 1796cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 7 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 7's Rear Wheel Drive, - combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 450 kgs (992 lbs) this makes the Caterham 7 Superlight R500 in the same weight category as the 2001 Radical SR3 1.5 16V or the give or take 50kg.

The Caterham 7 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 230 bhp (171 kW) @ 8600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 155 lb-ft (210.1 Nm) @ 7200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Caterham 7 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2011 Pagani Huayra 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (533.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Caterham 7.

The Caterham 7 has a Power to weight ratio of 511.1 bhp per ton and 344.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2000 7 competing with the 2011 Pagani Huayra 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (533.3 bhp per ton) or the 2018 Ferrari Monza SP1 6.5L V12 (532.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Caterham 7 generating around 344.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 Noble M400 3.0 V6 (367.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Mercedes CLK GTR 6.9 V12 (367.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.5 secs, this made the Caterham 7 Superlight R500 as fast as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs) the or the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (3.40 secs). This Caterham 7 Superlight R500 is also faster than the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (3.50 secs) the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.50 secs) the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (3.50 secs) the and the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (3.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 7 and the 2010 Mastretta MXT 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Caterham 7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.59 secs @ 129.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2010 Mastretta MXT 2.0 Turbo (10.56 secs), the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (10.56 secs), and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (10.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2000 version of the Caterham 7 Superlight R500 has a maximum speed of 145mph.

Top Speed of the 2000 7 equals the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2000 Caterham 7 Superlight R500 then how about the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph), the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (156 mph), or the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (156 mph).

Related Links:

2000 7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Caterham

Car Comparison