Ford-Powered Age Ends with Caterham Seven 310 Encore: Iconic Car Model Bids Farewell to Ford Engines
The British automotive brand, Caterham, has unveiled a new limited-edition sports car - the Seven 310 Encore. This unique vehicle is a tribute to the long-lasting and unique association between Caterham Cars and the Ford Sigma engine, marking the end of its 50-year use by Caterham. Only 25 units will be produced, targeted at collectors in the UK, US, and UAE, priced from £39,995 (about $54,000) [1][2][3].
### Key Features and Performance:
The Seven 310 Encore is powered by the most powerful version of the 1.6-liter naturally aspirated Ford Sigma inline-4 engine, delivering 152 hp at 7,000 rpm and 168 Nm of torque at 5,600 rpm [1][2][3]. With a lightweight weight of just 540 kg, it boasts an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 281 bhp per tonne. This agile machine can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of around 127 mph (204 km/h) [1][2][3].
Equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox and a lightweight flywheel, the Seven 310 Encore emphasizes a raw and responsive driving feel. Its suspension has been upgraded with a sport package, featuring a widened front track and firmer anti-roll bar, while its braking system includes 254 mm vented front discs with four-piston red calipers and a race-spec master cylinder for enhanced braking performance [2][3]. The car's aerodynamics are improved with a 620-style aero nose cone, carbon-fiber front wings and nose cone, and CUP grille. It rides on 13-inch black Apollo alloy wheels with Toyo R888R track tires [2][3].
### Interior and Exterior Design:
The interior of the Seven 310 Encore sports a carbon-fiber dashboard, black leather sports seats with four-point harnesses, a quick-release Momo steering wheel, and a numbered build plaque recognizing its limited-run exclusivity [3]. The exterior features six exclusive paint colors, each inspired by famous music titles, such as Blue Monday, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Green Light, Orange Crush, Back in Black, and White Noise. These colors are combined with subtle styling cues like black-finished trim and the carbon-fiber components, making it one of the most striking Caterham models ever produced [2].
### The Legacy of the Ford Sigma Engine:
The Ford Sigma engine was first introduced in the 1990s and has been a popular powertrain for the Caterham Seven since 2007. The Seven 310 Encore distills all the successes of the last half century of the Caterham Seven into a unique vehicle, inspired by the 310R Championship racer. It offers pure driving engagement in a visually bold package limited to just 25 units worldwide [1][2][3].
In conclusion, the Caterham Seven 310 Encore is a lightweight, race-inspired, highly collectible sports car that celebrates the legacy of the Ford Sigma engine with exclusive performance upgrades and unique styling. It offers a thrilling driving experience in a visually bold package that is sure to make it a sought-after collectible for years to come.
[1] - https://www.caterham.com/uk/news/2022/06/introducing-the-new-caterham-seven-310-encore [2] - https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/caterham-seven-310-encore-limited-edition-model [3] - https://www.caterham.com/us/news/2022/06/introducing-the-new-caterham-seven-310-encore
- The Caterham Seven 310 Encore, a limited-edition sports car, boasts a powerful Ford Sigma engine, marking the end of its 50-year association with Caterham Cars.
- Equipped with a manual gearbox and lightweight flywheel, the Seven 310 Encore offers a raw, responsive driving experience, producing 152 hp and a top speed of around 127 mph (204 km/h).
- Exclusively targeted at collectors in the UK, US, and UAE, the Seven 310 Encore represents a significant investment, priced from £39,995 (about $54,000).
- The Encore's interior features carbon-fiber dashboard, sports seats, quick-release steering wheel, and a numbered plaque recognizing its limited-run exclusivity.
- The exterior design showcases six exclusive paint colors, inspired by famous music titles, along with carbon-fiber components and black-finished trim.
- Distilling the successes of the last half century of the Caterham Seven, the Seven 310 Encore offers a thrilling driving experience in a visually striking package.
- This limited-edition sports car, with its unique features, is expected to become a coveted collectible in the future of the motoring industry and lifestyle.
- The automotive industry is anticipating significant finance and transportation implications with the launch of the Caterham Seven 310 Encore, as it redefines the standards for car-maintenance and sports-analysis in the world of motorsport.
