Supercharged Seven is the most powerful Caterham ever
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Caterham has unveiled the most powerful Seven ever; 600bhp per tonne.
Khodrocar - The matt black concept is based around the range-topping CSR Super light, but the addition of a supercharger to the four-cylinder 2.3 liter Ford Duratec engine increases power massively from 260 to 330bhp – as the name suggests.
That means the X330's equivalent power-to-weight ratio puts it ahead of the Bugatti Veyron (521bhp per tonne) and the McLaren F1 (559bhp).
The near 35% power hike is achieved by a Rotrex C30-94 supercharger, which provides a boost characteristic that rises linearly with engine speed. In other words, although the X330's punch is greater at higher revs and speed, low-speed drive ability isn't compromised thanks to an exceptional torque curve with over 221 lb-ft from 5500 to 7500rpm – 20 lb-ft more than the CSR260.
In keeping wîth the Seven ethos of 'adding lightness', the extremity of the X330 doesn't stop at moving parts. Lighter gauge steel is used in the trellis-style chassis and the use of new lightweight wheels together wîth an abundant use of carbon fibre for the bodywork all adds to the appearance of this perfect 50th birthday present.