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The newest entry-level variant of the Caterham Seven range will be getting a powertrain from an unlikely source; a 660cc three-cylinder Suzuki engine.
Power and efficiency figures haven’t been announced, but Caterham is claiming that this is the lightest, most compact and most efficient powertrain ever put in a Seven. It’s also supposed to be the cheapest, slotting in under the previous 1.6L 125 horsepower Ford-engined variants. Given the engine’s 660 cc displacement, it’s likely that this unit comes from a Japanese-market kei car, which would equate to an output of 63 horsepower – possibly more in Caterham spec.
20 Comments on “Caterham Using Three-Cylinder Suzuki Engine In Entry-Level Seven...”
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Why not drop a suzuki litrebike engine in there for 3x the power?
I saw a 7 for sale awhile back with a S2000 motor in it. Very cool swap.
Let’s face it. The Caterham is so lightweight you could even have fun in one with an Iron Duke in it.
To borrow a line from a popular news aggregator:
“. . . and we’re done here.”
That depends. Doesn’t the Iron Duke weigh more than an entire Caterham?
Most likely, and it has a redline lower than some modern diesels.
It’s like Capuccino.
pricing?
MY Suzuki engine (avatar related) is bigger than that with one less cylinder.
Sorry, just wanted to point that out.
Hell, I’m still pining for a 7 with a Cossie BDA.
The Factory 5 818, which supposedly can be built for under $15K, and puts a Subaru boxer engine mid-engine, looks like an interesting alternative to a Caterham or other Se7en.
https://www.factoryfive.com/kits/project-818/
Come on, man, show me the link love!
http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/magazine/features-magazine-features-some-assembly-required
Nice, I thought I’d just discovered this thing and you’ve already reviewed it.
Why not spend the same dough and get something that looks much better (IMHO, of course)?
http://bauerltd.com/
it looks similar to a honda s 2000. So what does it and doesn’t do?
Viva Geo Metro!!!
Why not use a Hayabusa engine?
197 hp @ 10,100 rpm & 97 lb/ft of torque @ 7600 rpms. There have already been some Caterhams built with this engine.
Sounds like a good idea. Just not entry level.
Ha! Geo Metro… I had a ’92 that I bought at the PX in Berlin Germany while in the Army. I have never seen another one like it in the states and it was actually a lot of fun to drive.
I just had to laugh when I put both the Metro, and my ’96 Suzuki Bandit 600S on the dyno; They had identical power curves up to about 6,500rpm where the Metro maxxed out at 55hp and the little Bandito went up to 68 at about 10,500.
I loved those small Bandits. I rode a 400 for a bit and it was a blast.