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Caterham Roadsport 175, turning the clock back.

And not for nothing, because for some years do not need to go abroad to get one. Alcatrade The company, based in Barcelona, is the only one who has managed, after hard work, get European approval conditions for distribution in Spain Caterham models emerged from Surrey, England. As a result, the distributors gave us an entire day at the controls of, sto credits, these? Super-Seven? on the Catalan circuit of Can Padro.

Up to 200 hp in the range

Although the outward appearance remains completely faithful to the original model designed by Chapman in 1957 (which incidentally never imagine that Seven would meet half-century), the truth is that all evolved variants were produced almost entirely. Since the suspensions, darkfall gold, to the construction materials of the bodies, through a new engine supplier.

Indeed, the most important change came in 1991, the year in which the engine Rover K series, both modern and light gave way to a new generation of engines Sigma 1600 Ford began offering in the United Kingdom with 125 or 150 horsepower. Now, the 125, ffxiv gil, hp version represents the entry-level model in the Caterham Roadsport 1.6, for which the brand calls around 31,500 euros.

However, the spearhead of their sales (they expect to reach about 35 per year) will come from the hand of this Roadsport 175, a version that mounts a 2.0 Duratec engine of 175 hp and whose price starts at 38,000 euros. Above this, there is a model more powerful and more comprehensive, called CSR, which equips a 2.3 Cosworth Duratec 200 hp, which unfortunately soon be discontinued. The price is higher than the 55,000 euros.

Prrably single

Any Caterham is much better if we travel will conduct ourselves within it, and the reason is very simple: none of them is just over 500 kilos in weight, so add another 75 kilos but would represent an increase of approximately 15% of the total and would undermine the incredible power-weight ratio, which in the case of this Roadsport 175 is! 3.28 kilos per bhp!. Furthermore, it is best not to add kilos on the rear axle and thus with more ease to slide out of each curve in the track.

However, a companion not bother too much on issues of space. The biggest problem, no doubt, and regular access to the driving position, because we have to remove the screen door, jump over the body, insert the two legs at once under the steering wheel and go down slowly not to hit anything. It's not so easy, but once passed the test and already placed, the wheel is incredibly small and our distance from the is null, the very opposite of the pedals, which are farthest from the account and placed close together . The optional seatbelt (115 euros) is not the classic three-point, but which is registered as a harness, with two bands, four anchors the passenger compartment and a point of union in the center.

Interior

If there was any doubt that we are not facing a conventional car, once in the cab is completely clear. Before starting the engine, it's time to see the few controls that are available for the occupants in the narrow panel madecarbon. Not find, even though we look, the button of ESP or traction control. Nor is there an indicator for the airbags, or a witness to warn of the coming into operation of the ABS nor a simple air conditioning. Trifles. Simply do not have any of these things because that's what customers are looking for. A pure conduction, without help, unassisted in the direction and with a limited slip differential to help single extra (1278 euros) to improve traction. For those looking for the opposite, ie a bit of comfort and relief to road ride a lot, may replace the five-speed manual gearbox with one of six (3760 euros).

All other extra equipment is completed by things like a suspension Superlight with arms wider and adjustable spring (750 euros), 15 alloy wheels? instead of 14th? (1050), anti-roll bar (300 euros) or adjustable seats covered in leather (640 euros). A spare tire, you have to have a special bracket on the back, it costs almost another $ 500.

At 7,000 laps

The propulsion unit, a 2-liter Duratec, is simply spectacular, and goes so fast laps to miss a change something more soft and comfortable (the third such required multiple attempts) to achieve a progressive improvement. The maximum power of this four-cylinder bringing the regime is reached without fear until after the 7000 revolution, when you also get a high-pitched sound and refined so that we can never hear about in a car.

You enjoy the sound of the engine, the driver of a Caterham will feel the asphalt in the same way that a simple kart. This means that only absorb irregularities and that the information reaches the hands of the driver is very, very appropriate for the circuit but surely pass bill to our back on the road (also not forget that Caterham has made these models for exponentially).

An arrow

As mentioned above, a Caterham should be special in every way, and now it check on the asphalt with the Roadsport 175. Although one of the most conservative models, the data sheet says the brand forward by an acceleration to a hundred in 4.8 seconds (almost the same as a BMW M3) and a maximum speed of 222 km / h. Already proposed, however, that the curves bonded Can Padro and the short stretch did not allow more than 180, but the feeling inside is going like a real arrow.

After the first round of contact, the first thing we miss was the helmet, not only to gain a little confidence and security, but because all the dust and sand accumulated in the corners of the circuit to more than 100 km / h just fucked with in the eye? ! And the thing was not to lose attention!. And is that a Caterham is no joke: they are incredibly fun car but need enough hands and head, as all features are unusual for an inexperienced pilot (weight, dimensions, power output). So, we are not strange that one had just crossed over in the first round by overconfidence.

The next three laps and let us move a little faster, squeezing the five-speed manual gearbox (very short and hard but at a distanceperfect) and draining the maximum brakes (disc on four wheels) that after those first few laps did not lose effectiveness. As mentioned above, the pedals are close together, and nobody managed to reduce helping with the technique of spike-heeled that would have been good to hide the shock that transmits the engine to start to hold.

Another note is the subject of rear wheel drive, incredibly playful and predictable with each blow of gas. Thanks also to the direction is very strong and has few turns of the wheel, the 175 Roadster allowed us to leave? Out? no problems at every turn, but severely punished if not falling apart sides contravolante correctly. Question that as the day progressed and caught fluency was solved naturally.

Summary

We know of another car that offers so pure driving fun while models such as the Caterham. So that no one be misled only by its design, look no easy things and conveniences or luxuries, because they are not. So, why should we pay almost 40,000 euros for it?. Simply because this Caterham continues to live, luckily, to be a classic Lotus Seven but evolved, created virtually by hand and without competition that makes you rethink its pricing policy. So who has the ability to access a circuit regularly and have fun like you should consider purchasing a Caterham will not regret it and, moreover, learn to fly for real.

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