City journeys ask different questions of a car than open roads do. This article looks at the Caterham Seven 1.6 MT through that everyday lens: short hops, frequent stops and routine errands.
1 generation · Roadster
Generation photo. Individual trim appearance may differ.
The highest speed a vehicle can sustain under manufacturer test conditions. Some cars are electronically limited below their mechanical potential. Glossary entry
180 km/h
Engine type
Gasoline
Transmission
Manual
Type of boost?
A turbocharger or supercharger compresses the air entering the engine so a smaller engine can produce more power. Naturally aspirated engines draw air without a compressor. Glossary entry
No
Type of drive?
Which wheels receive power: front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive can send power to every wheel for extra traction. Glossary entry
RWD
Bore and stroke?
The diameter of a cylinder (bore) and the distance the piston travels inside it (stroke). Together they determine the displacement of the engine. Glossary entry
79 × 81.4 mm
Engine capacity?
The total volume swept by all pistons inside the cylinders, usually stated in cubic centimetres or litres. Larger displacement often means more power but higher consumption. Glossary entry
1596 cm³
Engine location
Not provided
Number of gears?
How many fixed forward ratios a gearbox offers. More gears can improve economy and refinement; continuously variable transmissions have no fixed steps. Glossary entry
5
Maximum power?
A unit of engine or motor output. One metric horsepower is about 0.735 kilowatts. Peak power is normally reached at high engine speed. Glossary entry
125 hp
Maximum power, kw?
A unit of engine or motor output. One metric horsepower is about 0.735 kilowatts. Peak power is normally reached at high engine speed. Glossary entry
92 kW
Compression ratio?
The ratio between the largest and smallest volume of a cylinder as the piston moves. Higher ratios improve efficiency but may require higher-octane fuel. Glossary entry
11
Maximum power rpm
6000 rpm
Maximum torque N⋅m
159 N⋅m
Maximum torque rpm
4000 rpm
Acceleration to 100?
The time a vehicle needs to reach 100 km/h from a standstill, a common shorthand for overall performance. Glossary entry
5.9 s
Engine power system
Direct injection (direct)
Number of cylinders
4
Valves per cylinder?
The number of intake and exhaust valves in each cylinder. Four valves per cylinder is common and helps the engine breathe at higher speeds. Glossary entry
4
Cylinder arrangement
Inline
Maximum power ICE
Not provided
Maximum power ICE
Not provided
Energy & emissions
ECO class
Euro 5
Battery power
Not provided
Fuel grade
95
Mild Hybrid?
A car with a small electric motor and battery that assist the combustion engine and recover braking energy but cannot drive on electricity alone. Glossary entry
Not provided
Battery type
Not provided
CO2 emissions?
The amount of carbon dioxide released per kilometre under a standardised test. Lower figures usually go hand in hand with lower fuel consumption. Glossary entry
Not provided
Full charge home
Not provided
Power consumption
Not provided
Fuel tank capacity
36 l
Full public charging time
Not provided
Driving range, maximum?
The distance an electric or plug-in vehicle can travel on a full charge under a stated test cycle. Temperature, speed and load change the real result. Glossary entry
Not provided
Driving range, minimum?
The distance an electric or plug-in vehicle can travel on a full charge under a stated test cycle. Temperature, speed and load change the real result. Glossary entry
Not provided
Fuel consumption city
Not provided
Average consumption
Not provided
Fuel consumption highway
Not provided
Dimensions & body
Doors number
2
Number of seats
2
Width
1580 mm
Height
1120 mm
Length
3380 mm
Body type
Roadster
Wheelbase?
The distance between the centres of the front and rear wheels. A longer wheelbase usually gives more cabin space and a calmer ride; a shorter one helps agility and parking. Glossary entry
2230 mm
U-turn diameter
Not provided
Depth of the ford to be crossed
Not provided
Body style
Drop-top
Rear track width?
The distance between the centres of the two wheels on the same axle. A wider track generally improves stability in corners. Glossary entry
1330 mm
Trunk volume max
Not provided
Trunk volume min
75 l
Front track width?
The distance between the centres of the two wheels on the same axle. A wider track generally improves stability in corners. Glossary entry
1270 mm
Max weight
Not provided
Curb weight?
The weight of the vehicle with all standard equipment and fluids but without passengers or cargo. Glossary entry
540 kg
Ground clearance, maximum?
The gap between the lowest point of the underbody and the road. More clearance helps on rough roads and steep driveway ramps. Glossary entry
Not provided
Ground clearance, minimum?
The gap between the lowest point of the underbody and the road. More clearance helps on rough roads and steep driveway ramps. Glossary entry
100 mm
Identity & configuration
Vehicle class
S
Right-hand drive
No
Additional specifications
Stop
Not provided
Start
1992-01-01
Wheel size
Not provided
Rear brakes
Disc
Front brakes
Disc
Rear suspension
Dependent, spring
Front suspension
Independent, spring
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Not provided means the source has no value. Zero remains zero. Units are shown as supplied; range test cycles are only stated when known.
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Engine and Transmission
In town, most driving happens at low speeds with regular pauses, so the priority is usually smooth, predictable progress rather than outright pace. Drivers tend to value being able to pull away and slow down without thinking much about it.
Drivetrain and Everyday Driving
Familiar controls matter because attention in traffic belongs outside the car. When a driver already knows where the wipers, lights or mirrors adjust from, adapting to changing conditions costs a glance rather than a pause in concentration.
Body and Practicality
A common city need is somewhere settled for a bag or two picked up along the way. What makes that easy is generally a space that keeps items upright and within reach, so nothing has to be rearranged at each stop.
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