Performance Review: Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v - [1995]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Caterham Super 7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1995. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12 and the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12.This particular Caterham Super 7 has a 1588cc 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 Super 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 Super 7's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 554 kgs (1221 lbs) this makes the Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v in the same weight category as the 2012 Ariel Atom Mugen or the give or take 50kg.

The Caterham Super 7 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1588cc 16V St4 engine produces 138 bhp (102 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 115 lb-ft (155.9 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (273.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Caterham Super 7.

The Caterham Super 7 has a Power to weight ratio of 249.0 bhp per ton and 207.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1995 Super 7 competing with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (273.6 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (273.4 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 Super 7 generating around 207.5 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 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i (232.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (232.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 (6.00 secs). This Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Super 7 and the 1974 Lamborghini Urraco 3.0L V8 P300

When talking about the performance of the Caterham Super 7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.33 secs @ 102.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1974 Lamborghini Urraco 3.0L V8 P300 (13.27 secs), the 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (13.27 secs), and the 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V3 V-Limited - JDM Wagon (13.27 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1995 version of the Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v has a maximum speed of 115mph.

Top Speed of the 1995 Super 7 equals the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v then how about the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph), the , or the 2004 Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr (126 mph).

Related Links:

1995 Super 7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Caterham

Car Comparison