Just in time for the spring sunshine, Caterham has updated its range of sportcars, says Chris Knapman in The Daily Telegraph. They are all basically rebadged versions of the old models, and range from the novice-friendly 160S to the supercharged 620R a "car of such unhinged performance that you need to ask very serious questions of yourself before each and every drive".
Knapman test drove the mid-range 270 which has a 135bhp, 1.6-litre engine, costs £19,995 at its most basic, and more like £33,455 once you've added the "R" pack of extras plus luxuries, such as heating, to make the thing even vaguely practical.
"That's not exactly cheap, but the car is tremendous fun Sure, I got grit in my eyes and after two hours in that composite seat my back felt as though it'd been subjected to the kind of punishment last seen in Fifty Shades of Grey, but there can be no more exhilarating way to endure such misery."
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The Sevens are an "absolute hoot", agrees Dan Prosser in Evo. They "feel alive and agile in a way that few others road cars can ever hope to replicate. They have steering to die for, incredible brake pedal feel and an unrivalled sense of connection between man and machine". We wholly recommend the 270R version, says Autocar. "Little else is so compelling, at any price."
Price: from £27,790 (factor built, with R package)Engine: 1,596cc, four cylinderPower: 135bhpat 6,800rpmTorque: 121 lb ft at 4,100rpmTop speed: 122mph0-62mph: 5.0 secs
The Caterham's nearest rival in laughs
Whenever anyone in our office doubts our five-star rating for the Morgan 3 Wheeler, we stick them behind the driver's seat and tell them to go away, says Autocar. They return with a great big smile on their face and now "no one within these walls doubts the 3 Wheeler deserves its full five stars".
It has bags of character, lovely steering and handling, and a terrificengine response. The 3 Wheeler is "the most fun thing Morgan, or quite possibly any other car maker, produces today".
It is "absolutely brilliant", agreesAndrew English in The Daily Telegraph, offering "sheer laugh-at-the-moon fun". "Stair-rodding rain, a chill that creepsunder your collar and blinding spray greeted me as I drove out of theMalvern factory just a few days before Christmas. Yet in spite of the weather,it's pretty hard not to smile when you're driving a 3 Wheeler."
There's no rationalising a decision to buy one, says Top Gear. But that's a "massive part of its appeal". To drive it with any credibility you'll need to invest in "some tweed, a flat cap and driving goggles".But "take it at face value and love it".
Price: from £31,140Engine: 1,982ccPower: 80bhp at 4,500rpmTorque: 100 lb ft at 3,250rpmTop speed: 125mph0-60mph: 6.5 secs
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