Caterham Roadsport 175

It’s fair to say that Caterham has become a Performance Car of the Year institution. A version of the charismatic British sports car has starred in our annual road and track shoot-out nine times in the last 11 years.

And whether it’s a mild entry-level variant or a wild 268bhp circuit special, the flyweight machine always serves up intense driving thrills. This year’s model falls somewhere in between the two extremes.

The new Roadsport 175 has been designed to deliver a balance between on-road comfort and track day excitement. Under the bonnet is a torquey 175bhp Ford-sourced 2.0-litre powerplant, while less aggressive suspension settings and luxuries such as a heater and carpeted cabin make this a Caterham for all seasons. Our test car was also fitted with the wider and longer SV body, providing extra space for occupants and luggage.

But don’t for one minute think the Caterham has gone soft! On the move, the Roadsport 175 shares the same electrifying performance and scalpel-sharp responses as its predecessors. The steering reacts to the smallest of inputs, allowing the two-seater to dart through corners with race car agility, while the 2.0-litre gives a hefty shove in the back under hard acceleration.

But it’s the assault on your senses that makes driving the lightweight Brit so special. There’s a constant flow of feedback through the controls, the side-exit exhaust barks and pops, while the low-slung seating position only serves to exaggerate the sense of speed.

On the track, the Roadsport doesn’t feel quite as composed as more racy versions – there’s understeer in slow corners, while the wider pedal spacing of the SV body makes heel and toe gearchanges tricky.

Make no mistake, though: even in this restrained trim, the 175 is still an exhilarating – and exhausting – driving machine for hardcore enthusiasts. For those who are brave enough to climb behind the wheel, the Caterham delivers an undiluted experience that’s unmatched by virtually any other road-legal car.

CLICK HERE FOR AN EXCLUSIVE ON BOARD HOT-LAP IN THE CATERHAM ROADSPORT 175