Hostage to a fortune

It's not one for a school run but the British-made Caterham Seven CSR 20 is impressive, and so powerful it's scary. What is more terrifying, though, is the price, writes Sean O'Grady

- Sean O'Grady

Dozy as I am, I didn't think to check the price of my test Caterham Seven CSR 20 until I sat down to gather my thoughts. I had wanted to start my essay discussing its deceptive blend of retro style and high-tech features, and its long history as a British sports car legend.

However, you see, I was so gobsmacked that I have been forced to “nose off”, as we say in the trade, on something even more remarkable - its rather startling price tag of £79,995. Yes, you read that right. The most expensive Caterham ever. Chasing Porsche territory.

I remember the first time I encountered a Caterham in person, which was so long ago it was when we still had a proper British motor show, and, being a dreamer (a side effect of acute doziness), I actually considered spending about £10,000 on this absurdly impractical machine, possibly in build-it-yourself kit form. My reasoning was that you get a lot of acceleration for your money.

That bit about the Caterham is still true now – 3.9 seconds from rest to 60mph in this CSR is still supercar performance, and pushing Newton’s laws of physics to their limits. But sadly, the car isn’t quite such good value for money any longer.