For The Cosworth powered Caterhams are the royal family of the Seven. With 260bhp under your right foot you're in one of the fastest-accelerating cars on the road, but it's not about straight line speed, because the CSR 260 is also amazingly nimble, with race-bred suspension and razor-sharp steering. You also get Caterham's slick six-speed gearbox as standard.
Against Despite the hefty price tag you're still not getting much for your money in the way of extras. A windscreen and weather equipment are included, but interesting paint colours and some of the sexier kit, like the cool carbonfibre dash, are extra. The firm suspension also doesn't like rough road surfaces.
What Car? says
A supreme piece of engineering, and one of the most potent cars available regardless of price, but as a road car it's a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. This is a car that deserves to be driven fast so it's better suited to a race track. The CSRs use the slightly wider Caterham bodyshell, so there's room inside for those with the fuller figure.
What Car? readers say
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Calculate equipment options
| Comfort | |
|---|---|
| Electric steering adjust | Not Available |
| Electric Sunroof | Not Available |
| Manual sunroof | Not Available |
| Air conditioning | Not Available |
| Cruise control | Not Available |
| Electric mirrors | Not Available |
| Heated mirrors | Not Available |
| Electric windows front | Not Available |
| Electric windows rear | Not Available |
| Seat height adjustment | Not Available |
| Climate Control | Not Available |
| Power Steering | Not Available |
| Steering adjustment reach | Not Available |
| Steering adjustment rake | Not Available |
| Power Seats | Not Available |
| Engine & Transmission | |
| Auto | Not Available |
| CVT | Not Available |
| Tiptronic | Not Available |
| Entertainment | |
| Radio/Cassette | Not Available |
| RDS Radio/Cassette | Not Available |
| CD | Not Available |
| Multi CD | Not Available |
| Exterior | |
| Metallic paint | £1,635 |
| Alloy wheels | Standard |
| Interior | |
|---|---|
| Hands Free Phone Kit | Not Available |
| Satellite navigation | Not Available |
| Leather Seats | £460 |
| Split/fold seats | Not Available |
| Safety | |
| Passenger airbag | Not Available |
| Side airbags | Not Available |
| ABS | Not Available |
| 3 Point centre belt | Not Available |
| Driver's airbag | Not Available |
| Belt pretensioners | Not Available |
| Isofix | Not Available |
| Side Impact Bars | Not Available |
| Traction control | Not Available |
| Curtain Airbag | Not Available |
| Security | |
| Deadlocks | Not Available |
| Central locking | Not Available |
| Remote locking | Not Available |
| Unique fit stereo | Not Available |
| Secure spare wheel | Not Available |
| Running costs | |
|---|---|
| Town mpg | 26.3 |
| Out of town mpg | 13.7 |
| Average mpg | 24 |
| Tank capacity (litres) | 41 |
| CO2 Rating (g/km) | 0 |
| Carbon offset cost | TBA |
| Green rating | |
| Insurance group | |
| Typical insurance | |
| % Value retained (3yrs/36000 miles) | |
| Typical contract hire | £0.00 |
| Pence per mile | 0 |
| Servicing costs - 3 years | £0.00 |
| Service intervals | 6000 |
| Warranty period | + Paint + Perforation + Breakdown |
| Company car tax | |
|---|---|
| Percentage charge | TBA |
| Benefit in kind | TBA |
| Tax payable 20% | TBA |
| Tax payable 40% | TBA |
Performance and measurements
No schematics available
| Body type | Open |
| Number of doors | 2 |
| Number of seats | 2 |
| Engine (cc/type) | 2261/4 |
| Number of Valves | 16 |
| Fuel type | Unleaded |
| Max power (bhp/rpm) | 260/7500 |
| Pulling power (lb/ft) | 200 |
| Engine position | F |
| Driven wheels | Rear |
| Length (mm) | 3300 |
| Width (mm) | 1685 |
| Height (mm) | 1140 |
| Turning circle (m) | 11 |
| Kerb weight (kg) | 575 |
| Manufacturers figures | |
|---|---|
| 0-60 mph (secs) | 3.1 |
| Max speed (mph) | 155 |
| Euro NCAP Test Scores | |
|---|---|
| Adult protection | Unavailable |
| Child protection | Unavailable |
| Pedestrian protection | Unavailable |
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