Dartford, Wednesday, 11 June 2025 – Caterham has unveiled the Seven 310 Encore, a striking limited-edition model created to mark the end of an era: the final chapter of the Ford Sigma engine in Caterham’s storied lineup. Limited to just 25 units globally, this collector’s special serves as a heartfelt tribute to a powerplant that has underpinned more than five decades of lightweight, driver-focused thrills.
First introduced into the Caterham range in 2007, the 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine quickly became a cornerstone of the brand’s performance ethos—balancing spirited power delivery, mechanical simplicity and affordability. Yet the relationship between Caterham and Ford’s naturally aspirated four-cylinder units extends even further back, with the Sigma’s lineage tracing its roots to the original 1.6-litre Crossflow that helped define the early Seven.
With prices starting at £39,995, the Seven 310 Encore offers tremendous value, especially when one considers it’s only £505 more than a standard Seven 360R—despite boasting an exclusive specification and a host of performance upgrades.
A Final Encore in Style
Powering the Seven 310 Encore is the most potent iteration of the Sigma engine, producing 152bhp at 7,000rpm. Paired with a five-speed gearbox, the car sprints from 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 127mph. With a power-to-weight ratio of 281bhp/tonne, the Encore delivers an intensely engaging drive whether carving up back roads or attacking corners on track.
Performance enhancements inspired by the Sigma-powered Caterham 310R Championship elevate the Encore beyond its donor car. These include a lightened flywheel, sports suspension pack with widened front track and adjustable components, and 254mm vented front discs with red-painted quad piston calipers. A race brake master cylinder further sharpens stopping performance, enabling the Encore to lap Donington Park’s National Circuit in a rapid 1 minute 18 seconds.
Visually Amplified
In true Caterham style, the 310 Encore isn’t just about numbers—it’s an aesthetic celebration as well. Six bespoke colour schemes—each named after iconic pop and rock songs—give the Encore a distinctive visual identity: Blue Monday, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Green Light, Orange Crush, Back in Black, and White Noise.
Complementing these vibrant hues are numerous exterior upgrades. The Encore wears a 620-style aero nose cone, CUP grille, carbon fibre front wings, and a black pack treatment for the windscreen surround, headlight bowls and exhaust shield. A gunmetal chassis finish and 13” black Apollo alloy wheels shod in TOYO R888R track tyres complete the aggressive, race-ready look.
Inside the Tribute
Inside, the Encore continues its theme of bespoke craftsmanship and motorsport influence. Black leather seats with grey stitching are adorned with a unique Encore logo, while a carbon fibre dashboard, custom dials, and a removable MOMO steering wheel add tactile and visual drama. A four-point harness and a gearshift light nod to the Encore’s track credentials. And for collectors, each car features a numbered plaque between the seats, affirming its place in the 25-unit production run.
A Legacy Cast in Lightweight Aluminium
“For over 50 years, the Caterham Seven has been powered to success by various versions of Ford’s four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine,” said Bob Laishley, CEO of Caterham Cars. “From the simplicity of the original 1.6-litre Crossflow through to the sophisticated Sigma, these units have offered an unrivalled blend of exhilarating performance and affordable running costs.
“The Sigma also has incredible motorsport pedigree, having been at the heart of numerous Caterham race series for nearly two decades. As a result, the Seven 310 Encore really is a proper tribute to this long-lasting and unique association. Perfectly designed for road and track, it distils all the successes of the last half century into a unique vehicle that truly acts as a fitting celebration of the Ford Sigma’s indelible mark on Caterham history.”
The Encore is Now
With its limited run, celebratory touches, and upgraded mechanicals, the Caterham Seven 310 Encore is more than just a final edition—it’s a love letter to a beloved engine and a half-century of open-air motoring joy. For those lucky enough to secure one, the Encore isn’t just a Caterham—it’s a piece of history.
