The last of the Ford-powered Caterhams

The last of the Ford-powered Caterhams

The Ford Sigma engine is an icon in the Caterham world. It’s an engine that has become the staple of fast Caterhams since 2007, but its time with this kit car has come to an end. To celebrate this iconic car and engine combination, 25 special editions will be made to honour it. It's called the Seven 310 Encore, and I couldn’t think of a more fitting name.

So what made this engine so popular? Well, it is a small naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine that produces 113kW and sings happily at 7,000r/min, and on paper, the engine alone seems uninspiring. But a good car isn’t necessarily a powerful one, in fact, a good car is one that relies on the balance of weight and power, and a Caterham, well, it's as light as they come at 540kg.

To unpack the Sigma and Caterham combination further, it is bolted to a 5-speed manual transmission and offers a 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 204km/h. But what makes a Caterham so iconic is its kit car domain. When you purchase a Caterham, you have the option of collecting it like any car from the showroom, but you can also get it disassembled in a box. This changes how you bond with your car, and it’s the most rewarding ownership experience when you put your car together in your own garage, which is a factor that's nearly exclusive to Caterham. 

Eighteen years have passed since we first saw the Sigma engine in a Caterham, and it became renowned for its lightweight and responsive throttle inputs that allowed it to excel on the racetrack, providing a thrilling and engaging yet affordable approach to performance cars and racing. To celebrate this relationship, 25 Encores will be made, coming with six bold paint options, individually numbered plaques and, of course, the 1.6-litre Sigma engine.

It's not just any 310 Caterham, too, with a 620 aero cone in the front for better aerodynamics and a Cup grille for its racing pedigree. It is equipped with 13-inch black Apollo alloy wheels and Toyo R888R semi-slick tyres. Also, it comes specified with a carbon fibre front wing, along with a black-pack on the windscreen surround, headlight bowls, and exhaust heat shield. The interior features Encore-branded black leather seats, a carbon fibre dashboard, and bespoke Encore dials. Lastly, it’s a Caterham, so there is a heavy emphasis on racing, with a four-point harness, a Momo steering wheel and a gear-shift light.

As cool as this new Caterham may be, It's a sad moment for petrolheads, as a Caterham has always been that one obscure car that most enthusiasts consider buying at one point along the road. Even if it's a passing thought along the lines of “I could do with one of these”. It’s a car which captivates a raw and undistracted driving experience. One that is bare bones and makes you feel at one with your car. It's quick, raw, but most of all, it's fun. So fun, in fact, that many believe it to be one of the best driving experiences you can get. Bravo and farewell, Sigma-powered Caterhams. You will be missed.

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