The fourth-generation Ford Fiesta inaugurated the Sigma engine in 1995, but the four-cylinder is better known for powering numerous Caterham models since 2007. Its time between the Seven’s fenders is coming to a close: The limited-edition Caterham Seven 310 Encore is the brand’s last Sigma-powered car. It’s head-turning, it’s quicker than its specifications suggest, and it’s headed to the American market.
Buyers have six colors to choose from, and each one gets a fun name. The list includes Blue Monday, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Green Light, Orange Crush, Back in Black, and White Noise. Each color is complemented by heritage-inspired stripes, black-finished 13-inch wheels, and black exterior trim.
Caterham added a 620 Aero nose cone, a CUP grille, and carbon fiber front fenders to further differentiate the Encore from other 310 variants. Step inside to find a pair of sport seats with black leather upholstery and four-point harnesses, a carbon fiber dashboard, and a quick-release Momo steering wheel. Finally, a plaque located on the rear interior panel, right between the seats, displays each Encore’s serial number.
Power comes from—you guessed it—a Ford-sourced four-cylinder. It’s a 1.6-liter Sigma that develops 152 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 124 pound-feet of torque at 5,600 rpm. On paper, those figures aren’t mind-blowing; Chrysler will happily sell you a Pacifica with eight seats, a built-in vacuum cleaner, and 287 horsepower. Keep in mind that the Seven 310 Encore weighs merely 1,190 pounds, however. That’s less than some variants of the original Mini. Caterham quotes a brisk zero-to-60-mph time of 4.9 seconds.
The engine spins the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The Seven 310 Encore also gets the Sports Suspension Pack, which bundles a widened front track with adjustable spring platforms and an adjustable rear roll bar, four-piston calipers that grip vented rotors, and a race-ready master cylinder. The model was designed as a road car, and it’s street-legal, but it’s ready to hit the track at a moment’s notice.
Production of the Caterham Seven 310 Encore is limited to 25 units globally, and at least a few of those are headed to the United States. Pricing for a fully-built example in the United Kingdom starts at £39,995, which represents approximately $54,000 at the current conversion rate. Pricing details for the American market haven’t been published. We’ve asked the company, and we’ll update this story if we learn more.
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