{"id":67363,"date":"2025-08-03T06:18:06","date_gmt":"2025-08-03T10:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/caterham-seven-310-encore-bids-farewell-to-the-beloved-ford-sigma-engine-with-limited-edition-thrill\/"},"modified":"2025-08-03T06:18:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T10:18:06","slug":"caterham-seven-310-encore-bids-farewell-to-the-beloved-ford-sigma-engine-with-limited-edition-thrill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/caterham-seven-310-encore-bids-farewell-to-the-beloved-ford-sigma-engine-with-limited-edition-thrill\/","title":{"rendered":"Caterham Seven 310 Encore Bids Farewell to the Beloved Ford Sigma Engine with Limited Edition Thrill"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Is the Caterham Seven 310 Encore Generating So Much Buzz?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been following the world of lightweight sports cars, you\u2019ve probably heard whispers\u2014if not outright cheers\u2014about the Caterham Seven 310 Encore. There\u2019s a good reason for all the excitement. This isn\u2019t just another limited-edition roadster; it marks the end of an era for Caterham and its beloved 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine. For many enthusiasts, this car is more than a collector\u2019s item\u2014it\u2019s a celebration of what makes driving pure, simple, and downright joyful.<\/p>\n

What Makes the Ford Sigma Engine So Special?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk engines. The 1.6-litre Ford Sigma has been a staple in Caterham\u2019s lineup for years, and for good reason. It\u2019s light, rev-happy, and delivers just the right amount of power for a car that weighs less than your average city hatchback. Back in 2012-13, the Sigma-powered Supersport was a favorite among drivers who craved sharp handling and a responsive throttle. I still remember a day spent at Rye House kart circuit, trying to see if any car could match the nimbleness of a go-kart. The verdict? Not quite, but the Sigma-powered Seven came tantalizingly close\u2014and left a grin plastered on my face for days.<\/p>\n

The Sigma\u2019s charm lies in its balance. It\u2019s lighter than the now-defunct 2.0-litre Ford Duratec, which means less weight over the front wheels and more agility in the corners. Compared to the tiny 660cc Suzuki engine in the Seven 170, the Sigma offers a satisfying bump in power without tipping into excess. It\u2019s the kind of engine that encourages you to wring it out, rewarding smooth shifts and precise throttle inputs.<\/p>\n

Why Is Caterham Switching to Horse Engines?<\/p>\n

Change is inevitable, even in the world of classic sports cars. Ford stopped producing the Sigma engine years ago, and Caterham has been relying on a dwindling stockpile of parts to keep building cars. With supplies running low, the company needed a new partner. Enter Horse\u2014a joint venture between Renault and Geely. Starting next year, Caterham\u2019s Academy racing cars will be powered by Horse engines, marking a significant shift in the brand\u2019s engineering DNA.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t just a logistical move; it\u2019s a strategic one. By partnering with Horse, Caterham ensures a steady supply of modern, efficient engines that meet current emissions standards. It\u2019s a smart play for the future, even if it means saying goodbye to an old friend.<\/p>\n

What Sets the 310 Encore Apart from Other Sevens?<\/p>\n

The 310 Encore isn\u2019t just a send-off\u2014it\u2019s a love letter to the Sigma era. Caterham has pulled out all the stops for this special edition. The engine gets a tweak, pushing output to a lively 152bhp at 7000rpm. A lightened flywheel sharpens throttle response, while sports suspension keeps things planted through the bends. Only 25 examples will be built, each priced at \u00a339,995.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just about numbers. The Encore is designed to hit that elusive sweet spot between the featherweight Seven 170 and the fire-breathing 620. It\u2019s the Goldilocks of the range\u2014not too hot, not too cold, but just right for drivers who want a car that\u2019s as happy on a twisty B-road as it is on a track day.<\/p>\n

How Does the 310 Encore Compare to Other Caterhams?<\/p>\n

Caterham\u2019s lineup is famously diverse, ranging from the minimalist 170 to the outrageous 620. The 170, with its kei car-compliant Suzuki engine, is all about simplicity and low weight. The 620, on the other hand, is a rocket ship\u2014brutally fast but not for the faint of heart. The 310 Encore slots neatly in the middle, offering enough power to thrill without overwhelming the senses.<\/p>\n

This balance is what makes the Encore so appealing. It\u2019s approachable for newcomers but rewarding for seasoned drivers. The limited production run only adds to its allure\u2014owning one is like having a piece of Caterham history parked in your garage.<\/p>\n

What Does This Mean for Caterham\u2019s Future?<\/p>\n

The move to Horse engines signals a new chapter for Caterham, but it doesn\u2019t mean the end of the brand\u2019s core values. Lightweight construction, driver engagement, and mechanical simplicity will remain at the heart of every Seven. If anything, the transition opens up new possibilities\u2014modern engines with better efficiency, reliability, and compliance with ever-tightening regulations.<\/p>\n

Industry experts agree that Caterham\u2019s willingness to adapt is a sign of strength, not weakness. According to a recent report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), small-volume sports car makers face increasing pressure to update their powertrains. By getting ahead of the curve, Caterham is ensuring that the Seven will continue to delight drivers for years to come.<\/p>\n

Is the 310 Encore the Ultimate Seven for Real-World Driving?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re searching for a Seven that nails the balance between usability and excitement, the 310 Encore deserves a spot at the top of your list. It\u2019s quick enough to keep you entertained, light enough to feel alive on every drive, and rare enough to turn heads at any car meet. For many, it\u2019s the Goldilocks Seven\u2014the one that\u2019s just right.<\/p>\n

And let\u2019s be honest: there\u2019s something special about owning the last of a breed. The 310 Encore isn\u2019t just a car; it\u2019s a celebration of everything that makes the Caterham Seven an icon. If you\u2019re lucky enough to snag one of the 25, you\u2019ll be driving a piece of history\u2014one that\u2019s sure to be cherished for years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"Caterham<\/a><\/p>\n

New Seven 310 Encore is the last to use the fantastic 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine<\/p>\n

\n

You might have heard that Caterham<\/a> has found a new engine supplier in Horse (decent name, I think), a joint venture between Renault<\/a> and Geely<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Horse engines will go into Caterham\u2019s Academy racing cars (which I have driven<\/a>) from next year to replace the Ford<\/a> 1.6-litre Sigma engine, which Ford hasn\u2019t made in years. Caterham has been assembling race car engines from a stock\u00a0of blocks and bought-in parts and stopped\u00a0using it in road cars some time ago.<\/p>\n

The Sigma is a nice engine. Autocar had\u00a0one in a 140bhp Supersport long-termer that\u00a0we ran in 2012-13, and I spent a lot of time in it, including an edifying day at Rye House kart circuit to see whether any car could have the handling of a go-kart. The answer was no, of course, but still, I remember it as one of the best driving days of my life.<\/p>\n

The Sigma is lighter than the Ford 2.0-litre Duratec engine (which Ford doesn\u2019t make any more either) that Caterham now uses in most\u00a0of its road cars, and it has considerably more\u00a0power than the kei car-compliant 660cc Suzuki<\/a>-engined 170. But with the arrival of the Horse engine, the Sigma is finally on its way out.<\/p>\n

To mark its run-out, Caterham has announced a special-edition road car, the 310 Encore. The engine is tweaked to 152bhp at 7000rpm, plus you get a lightened flywheel and sports suspension. There are some other upgrades too, there will only be 25 of them and they will cost \u00a339,995.<\/p>\n

Of late I\u2019ve said that my favourite Sevens are the 170 and the 620, the extremes at either end\u00a0of the scale, but this Encore car might just sit in\u00a0a sweet spot reminiscent of that old Supersport.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a Goldilocks Seven, this could be it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67364,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,291],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-opinion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67363"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67363\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}