Who wants to grow up!? The Caterham Supersport
By Dublo, published on 17 August 2011
For those of us who have always wanted to be a racing car driver but the closest we’ve got to F1 was a button on our keyboard, there now seems to be a very simple solution: Buy a Caterham Supersport.
The Supersport is Caterham’s latest lightweight offering, and whilst it might not be their fastest production vehicle, this is a genuine racecar. In fact, all that separates this road variant from the Supersport racecar are a couple of small concessions to the road laws, such as the addition of headlights. Gone are the comforts one might usually expect, all ruthlessly sacrificed to reduce mass and make the car as light as possible. It has been utterly paired down and stripped back, until all that is left is a pure driving machine that delivers an undiluted driving experience.
However, before you can experience the visceral thrill of driving the Supersport, you’ll first of all need to get in it, which is quite an experience in itself. You’ll need to stand on the tiny composite race seat and manoeuvre your legs under the Momo Q/R steering wheel. This is a very, very tight squeeze and would undoubtedly be a challenge to anyone carrying one lunch too many [Which, dear boy, is exactly why I wasn't able to take on this assignment - Ed.]. During this procedure, the four-point safety harness has a habit of finding its way into uncomfortable and difficult to reach areas of the body, and once you’ve managed to strap in there is no possible margin of movement. However, despite this, the Supersport is remarkably comfortable. Whilst your derriere may only be mere inches from the tarmac on a seat with no padding whatsoever, it just feels right. The pedals are closely positioned, close enough for heel-toe changes, and feel like an extension of your feet. The five-speed “sprint” gearbox makes changing gear fluid and smooth. The Momo Q/R wheel is perfectly positioned and is light and responsive and firm in the grip. In fact, sitting in the Supersport, everything feels instinctual and intuitive. In short, the driver’s position is utterly perfect.
However, despite this, a word to the wise: When preparing to drive the Supersport, be sure you have the ignition keys handy. Fishing them out of a front trouser pocket when strapped into the cockpit is next to impossible and getting the mirrors correctly aligned before engaging the harness is essential.
The dash, like the rest of the car is basic and utilitarian. Speed and revs are big and clear behind the steering wheel, whilst oil, fuel and temperature occupy the passenger side of the dash. In the centre of the console are a number of switches, two of which are purportedly for windscreen wipers and the windscreen heater. These are, rather obviously, entirely redundant, as the Supersport has traded in such luxuries as a protective screen of glass in favour of a composite aero screen. The handbrake warning light, somewhat ironically, is also a switch. Headlights are operated by a pair of flick switches to the right of the wheel, although it is difficult to imagine anyone in their right mind wanting to drive this car at night. The indicators are a flick switch to the left of the wheel and will take some getting used to, especially remembering to return it to the centre position. Finally, there is the best button of all. The big red one. The one that screams “PUSH ME!”. Turn the key and engage the electrics, pause agonisingly for a few seconds, and then finally, like a pilot shouting “contact!” you can hit the ignition; It will be well worth the wait to hear the Caterham literally roar into life.
The sound is absolutely phenomenal, awakening simultaneously something that sounds animal and primal under the bonnet and something juvenile and childish in the driver. The Supersport is fitted out with a Ford Sigma 1.6 litre engine that has been race tuned to within an inch of its life. It’s not much to look at under the bonnet, no gleaming chrome here, just a highly tuned engine that puts out 140bhp at nearly 7000rpm.
Into first and the Caterham’s engine sounds like roaring lion with a bit of a chesty cough. Open it up on the road and that sound becomes an enraged T-Rex with a 50-a–day habit. The acceleration of the Supersport is simply exhilarating. It’s here where you realize that sunglasses, a good pair of goggles, or a full helmet are fairly essential bits of kit, as the wind slams into your face. 40mph suddenly feels like 80mph. Caterham have listed the 0-60 at 4.9 seconds, however it feels like it’s there in closer to 3. It might not be the fastest car on the road (top speed of the Supersport is just 120mph) but it is certainly the quickest. And whilst there will be those cruising past you at a comfortable 90mph, your 70mph will feel a thousand times more exhilarating.
Take it off the motorway and onto the classic British B-road and the Caterham is completely at home. The Caterham revs so high and the gear change is so silky that the car often feels like it’s driving itself. Cornering becomes an absolute delight as it hugs the road with virtually no over or understeer; The Caterham goes exactly where you tell it to. Even when the national speed limit gives way to the 30 zone of a pretty English village, the Caterham is still a joy to drive. But it longs to be driven quickly, aches for you to hit the gas. Even within the speed limit, driving the Caterham feels wonderfully fast and the driving experience is simply second to none.
Hit town and the Caterham becomes another car entirely. Those sunglasses that are as an essential to driving the Caterham as petrol and ignition keys, will come in handy for more than just protecting your eyes from wind and glare – suddenly, they are there to make you look cool enough to drive a car like this. For it is in town that the Caterham turns from being a racecar into an object of utter admiration. There will be nods and smiles and waves of approval from men, women, children, truckers, bikers, classic car enthusiasts and even Rabbis. Everyone loves this car, and those that don’t probably never had dreams. For the Caterham has the benefit of being the kind of car that people know isn’t purchased for status or to show off. People know that you have this car because you want to drive it. They recognize that little part of you that is just living out a childish fantasy, and deep down they respect that, and want to know that those dreams can be achieved. Suddenly, you represent someone who has made their dreams a reality. So, rather than churlishly cry out “tosser!” as you cut them up, they will actually cheer as you roar away from them.
The Caterham does have its drawbacks. It’s impossibly low to the ground and, despite the sound, practically invisible to a surprisingly large number of road users. It doesn’t demand to be driven at night or in the rain or even when it’s not particularly a nice day out. You’re unlikely to do the school run in it, and a weekly shop, or even a weekend bag, will quickly fill the modest boot space to capacity. But you’re not buying this car to do the shopping in! And the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. After all, the Supersport has all the charm of a classic car without breaking down every five minutes, all the thrills of a racecar without the need of the track, and all the head turning madness of a Supercar like a Lamborghini without the price tag. It’s even fairly economical (sort of).
So, if you were once asked by a relative of dubious familial linkage what it was you wanted to be when we grew up and you answered “race car driver” then the Caterham Supersport might be for you. And it’s certainly for those who answered “what do you mean, ‘grow up’?”
For more information, visit Caterham’s site.
Who wants to grow up!? The Caterham Supersport
Dublo takes a Caterham Supersport out for a spin and – against all the odds – lives to tell the tale. And what a tale it is…
4 Responses to “Who wants to grow up!? The Caterham Supersport”
-
-
Chris, the English summer does indeed leave much to be desired, however, I was very fortunate to have the Supersport over one of its hottest weekends – although that’s not saying much, I’ll grant you. However, it was a beautiful couple of days and I drove the Caterham up to the Imperial War Museum Duxford, with my good chum and fellow Prodigal Guide contributor, Jamie Mackenzie-Smith acting as navigator.
My wife was slightly dubious about the car, until I drove her over to Primrose Hill for coffee in it that is. Parking outside J and ordering unnecessary coffee (the car is stimulation enough) she realised that this car was more than just a boy toy. On that street were parked various cars with a much higher price tag, but it was the Supersport that turned all the heads and attracted all the comments. And she admitted later that the speedy drive through Hampstead, across the top of the Heath and home was exhilarating.
-
I bet you saw some boudoir action that night, didn’t you?
-
Well, a gentleman should never kiss and tell, chief.
-
-
-
Chris I
21 August 2011
Ever since The Prisoner the Super 7 has been a dream. I just don’t have USD50 large to buy one. Not really sure how much Number Six could drive his given the English weather – come to think of it.