Caterham Seven 620S driven: review

Caterham’s Seven 620S is the latest contender. It looks to the radical R600 race car for inspiration, yet tones things down far enough to make for a comfortable and usable road model. But exactly how ‘tame’ is the new sportster? And how does it differ from its 620R stablemate, which occupies the higher-middle ground between tarmac warrior and track weapon?

Well, press-on fans have nothing to worry about in the performance department. The 620S still hides the R’s 310bhp 2.0-litre supercharged Ford Duratec engine under what there is of its bonnet. Its 500bhp-plus per tonne is nothing to be sniffed at. And track-style accoutrements such as adjustable anti-roll bar, uprated brakes, wide-track front geometry and limited-slip rear diff are all present and correct.

Where the newcomer does differ is in certain concessions to practicality. There’s a hood, and a windscreen. Oh, and doors, too. The sort of additions that will make quite a difference to your commute on a damp winter’s day.

Here, the blown engine is teamed with a more user-friendly five-speed manual gearbox compared with the R’s unforgiving sequential unit, plus there’s slightly softer suspension and larger wheels. So while there’s plenty of grunt from low down (3.4 seconds to 60mpg, anyone?) and more than enough thrills to keep you on your toes, it’s all much more accessible.

The S is more relaxing than the intense 620R, too. Long-distance drives are no longer an exhausting proposition, thanks to new-found ride suppleness and wieldier handling.

Its extra glass and body panels give protection from the elements, if not the noise, and the new, comparatively plush cabin further underlines the S’s real-world appeal. There’s an abundance of leather and carbon fibre inside, and you can even spec heated carbon bucket seats if you wish to add £1000 to your order sheet. Oooh, the luxury.

You’re looking at a total of £50,000-ish to really bring things into the realms of a daily driver, and you can still have fun on the track when the mood takes you. This new, ‘softer’ Seven truly is a road/race all-rounder.

Caterham Seven 620S

On sale: Now

Price: £44,995

Engine: 4cyl, 1999cc, supercharged, petrol

Power: 310bhp at 7700rpm

Torque: 219lb ft at 7350rpm

Gearbox: 5spd manual

Kerbweight: 610kg

0-60mph: 3.4sec

Top speed: 145mph

Economy: N/A

CO2 rating & BIK tax band: N/A