Caterham has launched its latest limited edition model, the Seven 310 Encore, which celebrates the final farewell of the Ford Sigma engine.
Since the brand’s creation in 1973, Ford’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines have been the heart of these small sports models. Launched in 2007, the Sigma has proven to be one of the most popular and enduring engines in this long partnership with Caterham and Ford.
At home both on the track and on the roads, this limited edition of 25 units of the Seven 310 Encore utilizes the most powerful version of the Sigma engine, a 1.6-liter that delivers a power output of 152 hp at 7,000 rpm, providing an exhilarating power-to-weight ratio of 281 hp/ton.
The engine is paired with a five-speed gearbox, allowing the Encore to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 204 km/h.
This special edition of the Encore also features several improvements inspired by the successful Caterham 310R Championship, equipped with a Sigma engine. Among these are a lighter steering wheel, a sports suspension package, and 254 mm ventilated brake discs with four-piston calipers on the front axle, as well as a competition brake master cylinder.
The Encore also presents a look that matches its performance, with a range of six color schemes, each combined with a new exclusive paint finish featuring distinct stripes on the bodywork. Inspired by six well-known pop and rock songs, the new paint colors are: Blue Monday, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Green Light, Orange Crush, Back in Black, and White Noise.
The interior of the Seven 310 Encore features black leather seats with dark gray stitching and an exclusive Encore logo. Additionally, it includes a carbon fiber panel and custom Encore edition gauges, while motorsport-inspired touches include a shift light, a four-point seatbelt, and a removable MOMO steering wheel.
“For over 50 years, the Caterham Seven has been successfully powered by various versions of Ford’s naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. From the simplicity of the original Crossflow 1.6 to the sophisticated Sigma, these units have offered an unparalleled combination of thrilling performance and affordable maintenance costs. The Sigma also has an incredible history in motorsport, having been at the center of numerous Caterham racing series for nearly two decades”, said Bob Laishley, CEO of Caterham Cars.
