Within the small circle of dedicated followers of British sports car maker Caterham, one model is the stuff of legend, says James Mills in The Sunday Times. It is "spoken of in reverential whispers by men clutching tankards of real ale": the Seven R300. Launched in 2002, it was said to boast the perfect blend of low weight, punchy performance and agile handling. Caterham has some good news for those who couldn't "hitch along for a ride on the wild side" the first time round: a new Seven 310 model that mimics the formula.
It is one of the best balanced Sevens to date, says Neil Winn in Autocar, and "has everything we've come to expect from a Caterham". The turn-in is sharp, the steering beautifully communicative and body control flawless. It's "surprisingly easy to control at the limit", thanks to progressive handling and excellent body control, and the straight line performance is noticeably quicker than its stablemates. "If you truly care about driving, there is no other car on sale today at the same price point that delivers the same pared-back driving experience."
"Oh, it's good. Very good," agrees Ben Whitworth in Car. It's Caterham's Goldilocks model: everything about it is just right. Bear in mind, however, that you'll probably want to spend more than the baseline price. The £3,995 R pack is a must-have option to give you upgraded brakes and suspension and bucket seats. The must-have six-speed box is an extra £2,500. Want a roof and doors? That's £1,250. Add it all up and you could have a top-spec Mazda MX-5 with money to spare. The Caterham will give you the "purest driving experience known to man", but practically nothing else. You either get it or you don't. If you do, you'll love it.
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Price: from £21,995 (for the kit to build it yourself). Engine: 1,595cc, four-cylinder, petrol. Power: 152bhp at 7,000rpm. Torque: 124 lb ft at 5,600rpm. Top speed: 126mph. 0-62mph: 4.8 seconds.
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