The fastest and most powerful Caterham ever offered for sale in Australia, the Caterham Seven 485, has been released.
Powered by a specially developed Euro-6 compliant Ford-sourced naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine – with dry sump lubrication – the Caterham Seven 485 delivers 177kW at 8500rpm and 206Nm at 6300rpm exclusively to its rear wheels.
Combining with a six-speed manual transmission and a wet weight of 675kg, the Seven 485 claims a top speed of 240km/h and an Aston Martin V12 Vantage S-rivalling 0-100km/h sprint of 3.9 seconds.
Despite its genuine performance figures, efficiency remains a focus, claiming combined cycle consumption of 7.7 litres per 100km and 179 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
Replacing the Superlight SV R300 model on Australian price lists – previously priced at $96,440 and now only available via special order from $98,990 – the $108,990 Caterham Seven 485 now sits atop the local range.
Standard equipment includes a wider track, adjustable ‘superlight’ suspension, adjustable rear anti-roll bar, uprated 254mm ventilated front race brakes and 15-inch Anthracite wheels wrapped in Avon CR500 tyres.
Carbonfibre front guards, a carbonfibre dash, black cloth-trimmed seats, a four-point ‘Road’ harness, push-button start and rubber floor mats are also included.
Also comprising the 85kW/155Nm $69,990 Roadsport SV 120, 127kW/177Nm $84,990 Roadsport SV 175 and the identically powered but track-ready $89,990 CSR 175, prices across Caterham’s local Seven line-up have increased up to 11.6 per cent from January 1 due to “the declining value of the Australian dollar”.
Caterham Cars Australia points out, however, that thanks to the Roadsport SV 120’s Ford-sourced 1.6-litre engine, it’s classified as a fuel efficient vehicle in Australia and consequently avoids the Luxury Car Tax in standard trim.
Said to be the first of a new range of Seven models planned for 2014, the 485 gets its name from the UK-specification model’s ‘480’ moniker – a result of doubling of its 240bhp power output – but with the ‘0’ replaced by a ‘5’ to designate its European Type Approved chassis on which Australian versions are based.
Local Caterham fans will be disappointed to learn the entry-level 59kW/107Nm three-cylinder Suzuki-powered Seven 160/165 unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt motor show and the mildly crazy 231kW/297Nm supercharged Seven 620R (pictured above) will not be coming to Australia – the latter failing to meet local and European noise and emissions regulations.
Caterham Seven manufacturer’s list prices:
Roadsport SV 120 – $69,990
Roadsport SV 175 – $84,990
CSR 175 – $89,990
Superlight SV R300 – $98,990 (special order only)
485 – $108,990
