Caterham will launch the Superlight Twenty, a special-edition version of its 1.6-litre Seven Superlight, at the Goodwood Revival this weekend.
The Superlight Twenty (so-named because only 20 will be built) celebrates the 20th anniversary of the original Superlight model of 1996, which became the template for a generation of Caterham Sevens. It was incredibly popular, selling 200 units (a lot for a niche manufacturer like Caterham) before production ceased in 2004.
The original Superlight was, as the name suggests, a pared-down take on what is already a fairly minimalist car, with increased performance to match.
The new model, which costs £29,995 (or you can build your own for £26,995), houses a 135bhp, 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine, 6-speed close-ratio gearbox, sport suspension pack and limited slip differential. The bodywork includes as much carbon fibre as possible and it is finished in bare aluminium, as was the original, saving another 6kg.
Its performance figures are 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 122mph, which, when you’re that close to the ground, with so little protection from the elements, feels pretty quick, we can assure you. Caterham calls the Superlight Twenty ‘one of the most visceral performance models Caterham has built since the original… epitomising Colin Chapman’s fundamental principles of performance through light weight’.
In a nod to its ‘special edition’ status, each car gets a numbered dash plaque and unique gauges, as well as gear knob bearing the Superlight Twenty motif and specially embroidered seats.
Graham MacDonald, CEO of Caterham Cars, said: ‘Those unable to buy a Superlight first time round now have the opportunity to snap up one of a limited run of vehicles – it’s not an exact replica of the original but it’s most definitely cut from the same cloth and we know customers will love it for all the same reasons.’
The order book is now open, and of course you can see it unveiled at this weekend’s Revival.
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