 |
| The Caterham 7 CSR is the latest evolution of the Seven design. It sees the long-awaited return of Cosworth to the road car market after a ten-year absence with two bespoke, high performance engines. The new model also benefits from the introduction of a fully independent rear, and inboard F1-style, front suspension plus major aerodynamic and chassis enhancements. |
| |

Launched in 2005, the CSR represents everything
Caterham has learned about the Seven in over 3
decades of manufacturing the car. Three variants
of the CSR are offered, the 200bhp CSR200, the
260bhp CSR260 and the flagship 260bhp CSR Superlight.
2006 saw the introduction of the Caterham Cosworth
Masters series, a semi-endurance formula for the
CSR, which has underlined the new model’s
sporting credentials. In September 2006 a road
legal CSR260 lapped the Dunsfold test track, famously
used by the BBC’s Top Gear, in an astounding
1:17.4, unofficially taking the record from the
£300,000 Koenigsegg CCX. What
the press say: “Nothing steers like
a Caterham…it’s so good that the
CSR will open Caterham ownership up to a whole
new section of buyers” Autocar 26/04/05
“Drive the CSR to a racetrack, slap
on a helmet and remind yourself what its like
to be alive” Sunday Times 01/05/05
“There are fast cars, and there are
quick cars. This Caterham is both”
Sunday Telegraph 07/05/2005 “This
is one breathtakingly fast Seven…..the
CSR delivers thrilling performance when you’ve
got your foot down and doesn’t beat you
up when you haven’t” EVO 06/05
“This is the most radical change the
company has seen in its full 48 year history…the
result of all this is a stunning level of composure
and high-speed stability” Top Gear
07/05 Engine
The heartbeat of the Seven CSR is the new Cosworth
developed 2.3-litre Ford Duratec engine. The all-alloy,
four-cylinder twin cam unit will produce either
200bhp or 260bhp and unrivalled levels of reliability
and performance. Chassis
The new suspension system, which required adjustments
to the chassis, paved the way for Caterham to
revise the Sevens tubular spaceframe. The resulting
overhaul sees a 25 percent increase in torsional
stiffness. Interior
To improve driver ergonomics, the CSR200 and CSR260
offers an option of a driver focused curved fascia
wrapped around an exposed steel tubular framework.
Silver dials, fresh air vents, a bespoke steering
wheel complete the stylish new interior and with
room created for storage space in the central
console and in the armrest. Aerodynamics
Aerodynamic improvements have majored on the face
of the famous Seven. The introduction of re-profiled
cycle wings, which are mounted even closer to
the tyre to cut drag, and a new larger nose cone
complete with a floor mounted chin, have combined
to reduce the front end lift by 50 percent. The
net effect for the driver is a major decrease
in high-speed understeer. Wheels &
Tyres
Working in conjunction with long-standing partner,
Avon, the Caterham Seven CSR will squat firmly
on Formula Three engineered 15-inch tyres, which
measure a muscular 10 inches wide at the rear
to assist traction and handling. Bespoke 15 spoke
lightweight aluminium wheels will be fitted as
standard. CSR Superlight
Introduced in mid-2006 and currently the flagship
high performance model for Caterham, the CSR Superlight
is the ultimate 7.
Based on the CSR260, this model adds a ‘Superlight’
lightweight specification to the CSR, further
extending the CSR260’s already epic performance
envelope. Of particular note are ‘Dynamic
Suspensions’ Damper units developed by specialist
Multimatic for the car. The damper units lend
the already capable CSR a further edge in terms
of handling and cornering performance. |


Caterham 7 CSR200
Engine: 2.3 litre Cosworth Duratec
Max Power (bhp/rpm) 200bhp @ 7000
Max Torque (lbs ft/rpm) 165 @ 5750
Weight 575kg
0-60mph 3.7 Seconds
Power-to-weight 347bhp-per-tonne
Top Speed 140mph Caterham 7 CSR260
Engine: 2.3 litre Cosworth Duratec
Max Power (bhp/rpm) 260bhp @ 7500
Max Torque (lbs ft/rpm) 200 @ 6200
Weight 575kg
0-60mph 3.1 Seconds
Power-to-weight 452bhp-per-tonne
Top Speed 155mph Caterham 7 CSR Superlight
Engine: 2.3 litre Cosworth Duratec
Max Power (bhp/rpm) 260bhp @ 7500
Max Torque (lbs ft/rpm) 200 @ 6200
Weight 550kg
0-60mph 3.1 Seconds
Power-to-weight 472bhp-per-tonne
Top Speed 155mph |


Standard Equipment CSR200/260
Aluminium body with pre coloured composite panels
2.3 Cosworth Duratec Engine 200bhp or 260bhp
Increased “SV” dimension chassis
Full Windscreen and weather equipment
15” 10 Spoke Caterham Anthracite wheels.
Front 6.5”, Rear 9.0”
Bespoke Avon CR500 tyres, Front:195/45R15, Rear:255/40R15
5 speed gearbox (CSR 200) / 6 Speed gearbox (CSR
260)
Uprated Front Brakes
Independent rear suspension
Inboard front suspension
Road 4-point strap and lap belt
Side Screen armrest
Fully carpeted interior
Heater Standard Equipment CSR Superlight
2.3 Cosworth Duratec Engine 260bhp
6 Speed performance gearbox
Dynamics Suspensions Dampers
Composite Wind deflector
Black Pack including carbon dash
Carbon front cycle wings
Tillett composite seats |



Engine
Displacement: 2261cc
Configuration: In-line four cylinder
Number of valves: 16
Bore x Stroke: 87.5mm x 94mm
Construction: Alloy cylinder block and head, cast
crankshaft, sinter forged
connecting rods, cast pistons (CSR200)
Forged connecting rods, Forged Cosworth Pistons
(CSR260)
Lubrication system: Caterham dry sump with internal
scavenge pump
Camshafts: Cosworth-developed high-lift inlet
and exhaust (CSR200)
Cosworth-developed performance inlet and exhaust
camshafts, uprated valve springs (CSR260)
Induction system: Cosworth-developed inlet manifold
and larger diameter throttle body (CSR 200)
Cosworth-developed gas flowed cylinder head, roller
barrel port throttles (CSR260)
Exhaust: Cosworth-developed exhaust manifold,
Caterham developed exhaust system
Engine management: Ford “Black Oak”
ECU with Cosworth-developed calibration (CSR200)
MBE open ECU with Cosworth-developed calibration
(CSR260) Dimensions
Wheelbase 2315mm
Front Track 1505mm
Rear track 1465mm
Overall Length 3300mm
Overall Width 1685mm
Height (hood up) 1140mm
(hood down) 1015mm
Ground Clearance 100mm
Turning Circle 11m Price
(starting price) £31,000 factory
Build |


Performance
Max Power: 260 bhp @ 7500 rpm
Max Torque: 200 lbs ft @ 6200 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.1 secs
Max speed: 155 mph Engine
Displacement: 2261cc
Configuration: In-line four cylinder
Number of valves: 16
Bore x Stroke: 87.5mm x 94mm
Construction: Alloy cylinder block and head, cast
crankshaft, forged connecting roads, forged Cosworth
pistons
Lubrication system: Caterham dry sump with internal
scavenge pump
Camshafts: Cosworth-developed performance inlet
and exhaust camshafts, uprated valve springs
Induction system: Cosworth-developed gas flowed
cylinder head, roller barrel port throttles
Exhaust: Cosworth-developed exhaust manifold,
Caterham developed exhaust system
Engine management: MBE open ECU with Cosworth-developed
calibration Dimensions
Wheelbase 2315mm
Front Track 1505mm
Rear track 1465mm
Overall Length 3300mm
Overall Width 1685mm
Height (hood up) 1140mm
(hood down) 1015mm
Ground Clearance 100mm
Turning Circle 11m Price
(starting price) £37,000 factory
Build |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |