F20C-Swapped Caterham 7 Redefines Power-To-Weight Ratio
This is definitely one of the more interesting engine swaps we've seen in some time but we're totally down for it.
Light and Powerful
In England, the Caterham 7 is a legendary machine. Based on the long-defunct Lotus 7, the Caterham continues to expound upon the old, lightweight, open-air British sports car formula. Over the years, a host of various four-cylinder powerplants have found their way into the tiny car, but the example featured in this video from Davide Cironi Drive Experience packs one of our favorite powerplants of all time - the F20C.
Photos: YouTube
Heavily Tilted
With 252 horsepower on tap and just 1,300 pounds to move around, this Caterham is an absolute brute. Not to mention a ridiculous display of what a heavily tilted power-to-weight ratio can do for a car.
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Raw and Visceral
Clearly, the host enjoys every second of this visceral experience as well. "This is the definition of the world 'feeling,'" he says. "It's simply wild. The direct exhaust is right here, attached to my ears. The rear wheels are one millimeter from my back."
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Track Oriented
When you're driving something this lightweight, the experience is clearly very different as well. "I feel everything," the host notes. "The front adapts to the pilot's requests. It doesn't take its own initiative. This is the most track-oriented experience I've ever had."
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War Machine
Working the S2000-powered Caterham through the corners proves to be quite the workout, however. "This is simply a war machine," the host quips. "I'm breaking my wrists. I slam everywhere on the iron. I'm quite tall and not suited for this kind of car, but I don't care!"
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Build Like a Bike
In fact, this particular car is built more like a racing motorcycle than an actual car. It features a host of pure racing parts, along with chassis reinforcements to support the F20C. Massive Wilwood brakes help slow it all down in a hurry, too.
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Insane Limits
"I feel the same exposition to elements of a racing bike," the host says. "But on this I have much faster cornering speeds and braking that's two or three times faster. It's hard to get in rhythm and harmony with it because of the insane limits it has."
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VTEC Kicks In
It's clear that this car scares our test driver, but he also sings the praises of its engine. "When VTEC kicks in, everything changes," he says. "It's bossy. It seems to be linear, then becomes halfway between a turbo and naturally-aspirated."
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Purist Precision
To us, a car like this is about as purist as it gets, and our host agrees. "The Striker gives the pureness sensation like other naked cars. I can see the tires and I know exactly where I'm putting them. The precision this thing gives me is priceless."
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Unparalleled Experience
As they say, if your car doesn't scare you at least a little, you've got the wrong car. And our host is clearly a little terrified of this Caterham, albeit also impressed. "This is maybe the most visceral, physical, and dangerous test I've ever done," he concludes. And that just makes us want to jump behind the wheel that much more!
Photos: YouTube
>>Join the conversation on the F20C swapped Caterham 7 right here in the S2ki Forum!