New Caterham Seven celebrates Nurburgring centenary

By Rachel Bennett 27/05/2026 2 min read 5 views

Caterham has launched a limited-edition version of its Seven sports car to mark 100 years of the Nürburgring circuit in Germany. The new Caterham Seven Nürburgring Edition gets a bespoke Bilstein suspension setup tuned specifically for the Nordschleife, and only 100 will be built.

What makes the Nürburgring Edition different

The car’s main selling point is the suspension, which was developed using Bilstein’s vertical dynamics test rig. That’s a piece of equipment that simulates the track’s bumps and curbs without actually being there. The company says it’s engineered to maximize performance around the Nordschleife but still work on public roads – which is basically the whole point of any such car.

The edition will be offered either as a Seven 340R or a 420R, depending on where it’s sold. In the UK, that means a 2.0-liter Ford Duratec four-cylinder engine with 210 hp, paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. The numbers are straightforward: power-to-weight ratio of 375 hp per tonne, 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, top speed of 136 mph.

100 cars, three colors, one track

Exterior details include a roll bar in “Nürburgring red,” a bespoke mesh front grille, and exposed carbon fiber bits. Three paint colors are available: Verkehrsrot (Traffic Red), Achatgrau (Agate Grey), and Basaltgrau (Basalt Grey). All come with red accents.

Inside, the leather seats are stitched with Nürburgring embroidery and red thread. The dashboard has an individually numbered plaque for each of the 100 cars. Prices start at £48,995 in the UK, and orders are open now through its dealer network.

The track anniversary isn’t the first to inspire a special model. The Seven Miami Edition came out last month ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. So this sort of commemorative model is becoming a pattern for the company.

A neutral look at the limited run

Some observers point out that limited-edition cars tied to race track anniversaries are often more about marketing than mechanical substance. But the company has put real engineering work into this one, rather than just slapping on a badge. The Bilstein suspension was specifically developed for the Nordschleife, and it claims it was honed for that track’s unique demands. Whether the car actually outperforms a standard version on the ‘Ring remains to be independently tested, but the intent seems genuine.

Trevor Steel, senior vice president of operations at Caterham Cars, said the track’s values of “balance, precision and an unmatched driving experience” align with the Seven’s identity. He called the edition “a unique vehicle that perfectly pays tribute” to the circuit.

It is fully licensed by the track itself – a detail that adds some legitimacy but also helps the brand avoid trademark issues. For buyers, the appeal is probably less about the stamp of approval and more about having something rare that’s been tweaked for a legendary road course.