Ah, the good old Caterham Seven. The epitome of simplicity and lightweight fun, Caterhams aren’t fitted with outrageously overpowered engines, and, although the 620 is scarily quick, the top-of-the-line model only boasts 310bhp. One of the constants throughout Caterham’s 52-year existence has been Ford’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine in various guises. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and this era is now over with the Caterham Seven 310 Encore marking the end of the Ford Sigma engine.
Epic Engine and Enhancements Elsewhere
The fizzy 1.6-litre four-pot produced by Ford has also been enjoyed by Fiesta ST owners, meaning it’s the perfect unit for lightweight, fun cars. The Sigma used in the Encore has powered Sevens since 2007, and the special Caterham uses its most powerful 1.6-litre version.
152bhp and 168Nm of torque might not sound impressive, but given the Caterham Seven 310 Encore weighs just 540kg, it spurs it on to 60mph in 4.9 seconds. This power gives the Encore a power-to-weight ratio of 281bhp per tonne, putting it in a goldilocks zone with enough power to keep up on track and make overtakes a breeze, without completely overdoing it.
The 310 Encore also gets a few other upgrades, inspired by the Sigma-powered 310R Championship. A lightened flywheel, sports suspension (essentially a widened front track and more adjustability), and uprated brakes, with 254mm front discs and red four-piston callipers.
Vibrant Visual Changes Denote Its Limited Nature
The special Caterham gets the option of six special paint finishes, complete with body stripes, all inspired by famous songs from yesteryear. Back in Black and White Noise are standard, while the more eye-catching Blue Monday, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Green Light, and Orange Crush will set you back £1,000.
Other aesthetic changes include the 620 aero nose cone, CUP grille and standard black finish on the exterior gubbins. The chassis gets a gunmetal finish, and 13” black Apollo alloy wheels with track-ready TOYO R888R tyres are standard.
The interior remains as satisfyingly sparse as always, with a few unique Encore touches. The black leather seats feature Encore branding, with a plaque sitting behind them denoting the number of the car. There are also bespoke Encore dials, while track-ready features like a carbon fibre dash, four-point harnesses and a removable MOMO steering wheel are present.
Rare, But Reasonably Priced
The Caterham Seven 310 Encore is limited to just 25 units, available in the UK, US and UAE. Prices start at £39,995, although it will cost £2,595 for those wanting it to be built in the factory. At just £505 more than a standard 360R, which only has 28 more horses under the bonnet and less standard equipment, the 310 Encore is a fantastic tribute to such a fun, yet attainable, engine.
