Caterham Seven CSR Twenty Review

Built to celebrate 20 years of Caterham’s CSR chassis, the CSR Twenty is a limited-edition run of the most premium Seven Caterham has ever built. With only 20 examples allocated to the UK (and another 20 which will be for the US market), it’s an exclusive vehicle that brings all the fun you’d expect from a Caterham, but also with some added luxury and comfort. 

Power and Performance

The CSR Twenty is powered by a 2-litre Ford Duratec four-cylinder engine that makes 210bhp at 7,600rpm. In a car that weighs just 560kg, that makes for a pretty impressive power-to-weight ratio of around 375bhp per ton. That means a 0–60mph time of around 3.9 seconds, with power delivered through a 5-speed manual gearbox sourced from the Mazda MX-5.

It sounds good too. The side-exit exhaust makes all the right noises and, as it’s right next to the driver’s seat, you get to enjoy all of it up close.

Suspension 

Unlike traditional Sevens, which use a live axle or de Dion rear, the CSR has fully independent suspension all around. The front uses an inboard pushrod system, a design more commonly seen on high-end race cars, while the rear has a double-wishbone setup.

This was the biggest difference for me in that it was a much more civilised drive than other Sevens provide. The back end held the road through corners and, although you can definitely tell it’s a Caterham and wants to push its limits, it certainly proved to be a car that gives you confidence in pushing just a little bit more. It still feels raw, but it’s much more forgiving than other Sevens.

A Bit More Comfortable

The CSR chassis is wider and longer than standard, which pays off in interior space. The pedal box is wider, the seats are better padded, and longer journeys are much more comfortable.

It’s still minimalist inside, as you would expect. There’s no infotainment screen (or cup holders). But you do get some nice touches like the satin carbon dash, Alcantara details, and leather-trimmed seats with red stitching. It’s just enough to elevate the cabin to the next level of luxury without sacrificing the reason you bought a Caterham Seven in the first place.

The exterior has the 620-style nose cone, unique 15-inch alloy wheels, and Union Jack grille. It’s these added details that really show off the CSR Twenty as a very special limited edition model.  

A Real-World Caterham?

While the idea of daily driving a Caterham is crazy for some, the CSR Twenty makes a decent case for it, at least in good weather. I drove it on motorways, on B-roads, through villages, and to and from work every day, and it handled it all with a surprising level of civility. 

That said, this is still undeniably a Caterham. You sit practically on the floor, the engine hums along at high revs on the motorway, and there’s almost zero insulation from wind or road noise. But this is all part of the Caterham experience.

Limited Edition Fun

The Caterham Seven CSR Twenty gives you everything you love about Caterham in a slightly more refined, more usable package, without compromising the raw, race-like fun that defines the brand.

If you’ve got around £80,000 to spend and you’re looking for a car that you can take to the track but also take on longer road trips, the Caterham Seven CSR Twenty could be a great choice.

The full Caterham Seven CSR Twenty Review will be in the next issue of Driver Magazine (due Summer 2025)