The Caterham Seven 170 is a unique proposition within the sports car market. It combines classic looks, with a lightweight chassis and a diminutive engine, all while providing a very special driving experience. There is very little on the market to compete with it, and for this reason, it is worth looking at what exactly the 170 has to offer.
The Seven 170 is the latest in an established line-up of Caterham models, and despite being the cheapest, it also has many strengths of its own. The car is so compact, that it even complies with Japanese Kei car regulations. Let's have a look at some reasons to love this entry-level performance rascal.
10 Suzuki Derived Engine
Under the hood of the Caterham Seven 170, a small but powerful Suzuki-derived engine can be found. With a displacement of just 660cc, you would be forgiven for thinking the car would be woefully slow.
However, the turbocharged, 3-cylinder unit produces 85 hp, which provides enough poke to blast the 170 from 0-60 mph in around 6.9 seconds. The top speed is more than 100 mph, which by modern standards is not huge, however in an open cockpit car such as the Seven, it's going to feel off the scale fast.
9 Many Customization Options
One of the things that appeal to many buyers of cars like the 170, is the potential to modify their car. Caterham themselves offers a range of 170 exclusive graphics and alloys, helping increase the appeal of the car to a wider customer base.
Paint is another area where the car is well catered for, as standard there are 4 color options: Graphite Black, Exocet Red, Vintage Green, and Firecracker Yellow. The next level up is the "Premium" range, which includes a further 7 options, and finally, an "Exclusive" range which has another nine colors. There really should be something to suit every taste and desire.
8 Unrivaled Driving Experience
On paper, the tiny engine and small body might make the car sound like it would be a bore to drive. However, the real-life experience couldn't be more different. The small engine is counterbalanced by the low weight, and the car proves that sometimes, less really is more.
One area the car really excels in is the corners. Far more speed than you would expect can be carried around a bend, and the low mass means traction is maintained. In fact, the 170 would put far more expensive and powerful cars to shame. Buyers who want the best on-road performance will be best served by the "S Pack" model, as it comes set up with a road suspension pack, which is less harsh than the sport suspension pack found on the "R Pack" model.
7 Retro Styling
One of the coolest aspects of the Caterham 170, is its retro styling. The car genuinely looks like a classic car but is fitted with a modern license plate. The original design can be traced back to legendary Lotus founder Colin Chapman.
Chapman's desire was to produce a lightweight but rapid sports car, something he undeniably achieved. In 1973, Lotus ended production of the Seven, and Caterham purchased the rights to build the car. To this day, Caterham has continued the original car's design style, something they deserve credit for given increasingly stringent regulations.
6 Most Affordable Model In The Range
One of the most attractive things about the Seven 170, is that it provides the cheapest entry point into the Seven lineup. At the equivalent of just $30,405, buyers can get themselves a seriously special sports car. Visually, the car bears a lot of resemblance to the larger and more powerful models Caterham makes, so it is a great proposition.
Offering a lot of bang for the buck, the Seven 170 is a seriously great package. From the unique design to the brand's heritage, the 170 occupies a very specific niche.
5 Mandatory Driver Engagement
It is no exaggeration to say that the Caterham Seven 170, is one car which really demands all of your attention. For starters, there is practically zero electronic assistance of any form. The steering is fully manual, the gearbox is manual, and even the brakes have zero servo assistance. If you want the 170 to do something, you must do it.
The upside of all this is that the driver gets an almost unrivaled amount of feedback compared to pretty much any other car on the market. In a sense, you get back what you put in, the reward of the driver engagement comes at the price of some manual effort. The car even lacks safety features that drivers of today have come to expect as standard. Traction control for example is not available, and drivers must manually pump the brake pedal should they require a controlled emergency stop.
4 Lightest Ever Production Caterham
While the 170 is the base model of the Seven range, it can boast of something no other Caterham can. The Seven itself is widely known for being a compact sports car, however, the 170 is the smallest of them all. The car has extremely compact dimensions and is just under 1.5 meters wide.
The small package consequently has a reduced weight to match. The car's size is the major contributor to its lightweight status. Being the lightest model in the range, the 170 weighs just 970 lbs.
3 High Power To Weight Ratio
The diminutive but more-than-adequate engine, coupled with the car's crazy low weight, results in a very impressive power-to-weight ratio.
Caterham state this is around 170 hp per ton, or the equivalent of 0.088 hp/lb.
2 Self Assembly Option
An interesting aspect of ordering a Seven 170, is the fact the buyer must decide whether to build the car themselves. In fact, self-assembly is actually the default option, as factory assembly attracts a premium of just over $3000.
As you might expect, assembly requires a fair amount of technical know-how, and will not be for everyone. Caterham estimates construction should take around 80-100 hours. For those without the tools, space or time, the assembly fee can quickly look like an exceptionally attractive option.
1 Inexpensive “R Pack” Upgrade
While the base model retails for the equivalent of $30,405, for just over $1000 extra, buyers can opt for the "R" pack.
The inexpensive upgrade brings with it a raft of adjustments, primarily concerned with improving track performance. The suspension in particular receives some tuning, and the car gains a lightweight flywheel and limited-slip differential. On the inside, there is the addition of 4-point race harnesses and a carbon fiber dashboard.