Caterham Seven 310 Encore Bids Farewell to Ford Sigma
Caterham has unveiled the limited-edition Seven 310 Encore, a sports car that pays tribute to the Ford Sigma engine with a final, spirited send-off. The British marque will build only 25 examples for customers in the UK, the United States and the UAE, pricing each at £39,995. By pairing the most potent 1.6-litre Sigma with a five-speed gearbox, engineers deliver 152 bhp at 7,000 rpm, a power-to-weight ratio of 281 bhp per tonne and a 0–60 mph sprint of just 4.9 seconds, while top speed reaches 127 mph.
Drawing directly from the race-winning 310R Championship, the Encore gains a lightened flywheel, sports suspension with a widened front track, adjustable spring platforms and an adjustable rear anti-roll bar. Vented 254 mm front discs, red quad-piston callipers and a race-grade master cylinder sharpen braking, helping the car lap Donington Park’s National circuit in 1 minute 18 seconds.
Six vivid liveries—Blue Monday, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Green Light, Orange Crush, Back in Black and White Noise—pair fresh paint with contrasting stripes to ensure the Seven 310 Encore stands out on the road or circuit. A 620 aero nose cone, CUP grille, carbon-fibre front wings, and a standard black-pack finish for the windscreen surround, headlight bowls and exhaust shield intensify the look, while 13-inch black Apollo alloys wear track-ready TOYO R888R tyres.
Inside, black leather seats with dark grey stitching feature a unique Encore logo. A carbon-fibre dashboard houses bespoke dials, a gear-shift light, a four-point harness and a removable MOMO steering wheel, blending motorsport purpose with everyday usability. A numbered plaque between the seats confirms each car’s position in the 25-unit run.
Costing only £505 more than a standard Seven 360R, the Seven 310 Encore packs substantial extra kit and bespoke detailing, making it strong value for enthusiasts who want a road-and-track sports car with genuine pedigree.
Bob Laishley, Caterham Cars CEO, said: “For over 50 years, the Caterham Seven has been powered to success by various versions of Ford’s four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. 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 an incredible motorsport pedigree, having been at the heart of numerous Caterham race series for nearly two decades.
“As a result, the Seven 310 Encore 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.”
