Caterham Seven 310 Encore is a farewell to the Ford Sigma engine
Caterham creates yet another limited edition Seven
When it comes to companies producing limited edition models, Caterham has got to be one of the more prolific in recent times. However, the British brand isn’t taking all the glory in this story - that goes to Ford.
The Ford 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine has powered Caterham Seven road and race cars since the brand’s inception in 1973. Since 2007, the Sigma has been the go-to engine and one of the most popular in the 52-year association with Ford.
To celebrate the end of its use with Caterham and give it a fitting farewell, the British brand is creating a limited number of Seven 310 Encore editions. It joins other recent limited edition models like the Seven CSR Twenty and Seven 485 Final Editions.
Powering the 310 Encore
The most powerful iteration of Ford’s 1.6-litre engine produces 152bhp at 7,000 rpm for the 310 Encore, with a power-to-weight ratio of 281bhp/tonne. This translates to a 0-60mph time of just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 127mph, which resulted in a lap time around the famous Donington Park circuit of 1 minute 18 seconds.
Caterham says this limited edition version is “at home on track as it is on the road”, although on track is where you’ll find the most fun thanks to several enhancements inspired by the Sigma-powered Caterham 310R Championship. These include a lightened flywheel, sports suspension pack and 254mm vented front brake discs that use red-finished quad piston callipers and a race brake master cylinder.
Colours & Exterior
The Encore comes with a choice of six colour schemes that combine a new paint colour with distinctive body stripes. These are called Blue Monday, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Green Light, Orange Crush, Back in Black and White Noise.
Other exterior changes include a 620 aero nose cone, CUP grille, carbon fibre front wings, and standard black pack finish for the windscreen surround, headlight bowls and exhaust heat shield cover. There is also a bespoke gun metal finish for the chassis and 13” black Apollo alloy wheels with track-ready TOYO R888R tyres.
Interior
Inside, the Seven 310 Encore features black leather seats with dark grey stitching and is finished off with an Encore logo. The cabin is dominated by a carbon fibre dashboard containing bespoke Encore edition dials. You’ll feel like a competitive racer when driving the 310 Encore, thanks to motorsport-inspired touches like a gearshift light, four point harness and removable MOMO steering wheel.
Each of the limited edition models has been finished with a numbered plaque - showing between 1 and 25 - located between the seats on the rear interior panel.
How many will be made and what will they cost?
Only 25 examples of the 310 Encore will be made and will be offered to buyers from the UK, US and UAE. Prices start from £39,995.
‘An unrivalled blend of exhilarating performance and affordable running costs’
Bob Laishley, Caterham Cars CEO, said: “For over 50 years the Caterham Seven has been powered to success by various versions of Ford’s four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. From the simplicity of the original 1.6-litre Crossflow through to the sophisticated Sigma, these units have offered an unrivalled blend of exhilarating performance and affordable running costs. The Sigma also has incredible motorsport pedigree, having been at the heart of numerous Caterham race series for nearly two decades.
“As a result, the Seven 310 Encore really is a proper tribute to this long-lasting and unique association. Perfectly designed for road and track, it distils all the successes of the last half century into a unique vehicle that truly acts as a fitting celebration of the Ford Sigma’s indelible mark on Caterham history.”
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Caterham Cars