Video: Caterham Super Seven 1600 review

In lighter, brighter times I took to the roads of West Sussex in the Caribbean Blue drop top to put the 540kg car to the test. With a 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine housed in Caterham’s larger SV chassis, it makes 137PS and can accelerate from 0-62 in five seconds, before topping out at a claimed 122mph. It’s ‘Super’ moniker is justified by Jenvey throttle bodies, and the four-cylinder 16-valve engine growls wonderfully through the revs.

It’s a hoot to drive, gripping through the corners, and spinning the wheels and wiggling the tail if you give it too many revs. However, it’s perhaps the gentlest Caterham there is, dressed in the most respectable of bodies – wide flared wings and a delightful tan leather interior trim. All you need is £33,495 to spare (plus £2,500 for the larger SV chassis, and £2,395 if you don’t fancy building it yourself) and a warm winter wardrobe.

Love Caterhams? Watch our last adventure with a Caterham: Caterham Seven vs. AutoSOLO