Caterham 620R slays Volkswagen Golf GTI - Caterham's fastest ever road car tested

The Caterham 620R is one of the world's most extreme lightweight sports cars ever built. Steve Sutcliffe puts it to the test.
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The Caterham 620R packs wide-track front suspension, a supercharged 2.0-litre Ford Duratec motor producing 311bhp and 219lb ft driving the back wheels through a straight-cut, sequential six-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential. It is a few ancillaries away from being a race car, and not much this side of a hypercar such as the Bugatti Veyron could keep pace with it. It is extreme in a way only drivers of a BAC Mono or Ariel Atom could understand. The fastest Caterham road car ever is also one of the most intoxicating.
Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.
Read Autocar's Caterham 620R review:
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[@TheBrotherSilent]

I would get in way too much trouble with one of these

[@clubdevoiture1618]

Steve's such an understated journo. He's the nuts . And an awesome driver !!!

[@powerliftrening1346]

the throttle response is just sick

[@boektcity]

soooo a 311hp 500hp track car beats a car with 100 less hp that wheighs over twice as much? nooo wayyyy!! next do a chiron vs a lada, should be close

[@jellybaby7]

Another who doesn't get it, try listening to what he is describing

[@Ichibuns]

I thought I heard good sounding 4 cylinders before but this is in a league of its own. I can't imagine any muscle car enthusiast to feel anything but love for this machine

[@TVCGTGaming]

Up to 9000 Rpm Whoooooooooooooo

[@chubbycatfish4573]

Isn't saying the Caterham slays a Volkswagen Golf a bit like saying a Ferrari slays a Ford Focus?

[@scook2003]

Yep, silly. Purpose built sports car beats practical family car. Amazing....

[@llavero5]

@@scook2003 Not silly, is a comparison for know how fast its. People know how fast is Golf GTI so we understand better the difference, but never lack silly people saying "its unfair, its a family car...".

[@scook2003]

@@llavero5 I think to see how fast it is the golf was a poor choice. Would be better to compare against a supercar IMHO

[@yooooou2]

Very sexy car

[@pet3r387]

@@scook2003 Yeah but i doubt that anyone at home or even more than 1% have driven a supercar. I bet a lot more have seen/driven a golf

[@idriwzrd]

Sounds brilliant, as well.

[@SpaceMissile]

every caterham i come across sounds amazing. i had not heard of this make until just recently, but i'm quickly becoming a big fan.

[@DasCayman]

Still one of my favorite videos on KZbin. Steve, you're a legend.

[@NaughtiusMaximu5]

this is my "AFFORDABLE" dream car

[@Tejvir7]

You’re dreams aren’t very big

[@NaughtiusMaximu5]

@@Tejvir7 dreams don't have to be big to make you happy

[@jabber67]

@@Tejvir7 realistic dreams are dreams that can be accomplished, what's yours? Winning the lottery and shagging liz hurley? Never gonnae happen

[@yasaldesilva]

@@NaughtiusMaximu5 fax

[@SAFFY7411]

What a beast!

[@ibrahimsher7868]

That's a hell of a lot of money for a track toy. But the way it drives, the way it sounds and how it feels (how he's describing it) just makes it feel worth it. What a beast! :)

[@VictorPitstop]

True, but then again, look at all the $$100k+ trailer queens! This thing can most likely run laps around built cars (depending). She is quite a sexy track car though!

[@unlisted9494]

You can daily it if you want. *:)*

[@ibrahimsher7868]

Skylar Garrett lol yh well.......... as long as it's not driven in the rain or the snow then there should be no worries driving it daily :P

[@ibrahimsher7868]

Victor Pitts True. I can agree with that :)

[@AE86ofMtAkina]

This is the top of the line model, it starts at 18k

[@TimWepunkt]

I want this thing more than a porsche, a ferrari oder a lamborghini. Awesome!

[@freman007]

This is the kind of performance that is usually restricted to superbikes.

[@Rudolf.Aigner]

Why not wearing a crash helmet? But an awesome car indeed.

[@StephenWhite55]

I think I'd be wearing a full-face helmet...

[@mathieuh1000]

I just got a 485, it s amazing !!! I would love to try the 620r sounds crazy !!

[@OzBloke]

Stephen White Yep - even if just to stop bugs and stones/grit hitting my face!

[@scottparis6355]

Yeah, in the 80s, I drove a Lotus 7 with (I think) a 1 litre Ford engine. It was a ton of fun, but probably not as fast as this one.

[@rahar_peru]

anytime a new caterham comes out everyone is like.... fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck... and that is very cool...

[@daningram7309]

I will never get bored of this video, and the sound in my ears 💕

[@DMAcidRacing]

This video is the reason I brought my 620r 🙏🏻🏎💚

[@bradgotch]

Group B tarmac speed.

[@iantownsend500]

One of my favourite Autocar reviews ever

[@Not-a-bot222]

Today we are testing a Bugatti Cheron vs a Toyota Camry! Which won will win? You won’t believe this **

[@benwershof7454]

I've had the pleasure of getting in a R300 superlight....and even that was terrifyingly fast. I can't even begin to imagine what 0-60 in 2.79 seconds feels like.

[@GeorgeTsiros]

like falling from a cliff

[@droolguy]

To everyone making "It's over powered..." comments. There is no such thing as overpowered as long as the power delivery remains linear or predictable, however, there is such a thing as not enough driver. No race team ever said "I think we have too much power, we should remove some just in case". Remember this is a car built from the ground up to race, not to go get your groceries, it's as lightweight and fast as they can make it and still remain road legal. It's loud, uncomfortable, twitchy, and more than a little scary to drive (and that's the point). It's a car that you know in your heart is very capable of killing you in spectacular fashion if *you* make the mistake of pushing it past it's limits (or your limits more often than not). It's like a race horse that will run itself to death at your command, it doesn't question why it's doing what it does, it just does what you tell it because it and the people who trained (built) it are trusting in you to know what you are doing. They trust in you not only to know your own limits, but that of the equipment you use as well. It's about about finding what you think are your limits, the cars limits, and knowing when and where you can test those limits to push yourself just a little bit further. Basically it's everything your modern car isn't. If in your core you can't really understand why someone could ever like a car like this they you really should stay on the other side of KZbin with the Nissan GT-Rs that basically drive themselves.

[@kyongslist]

from a technical standpoint, yeah its overpowered respective to its chassis design. everything else you say is sound and I understand that, but just in terms of the layout of a car that has such a power to weight ratio, the chassis alone, let alone the aerodynamics, and wheel and tire size, are not up for the job. Just saying..... id love to have one of these.... all I have is my Dads old super seven that was left to me when he passed. It wasn't a kit, he bought it assembled and shipped to san pedro california. Its almost to the point I dont want to drive it as such......

[@henryellis154]

William Barker my dad has a gtr and it's tuned to 700hp and it certainly doesn't drive it's self

[@howardchambers9679]

@@henryellis154 triggered much?

[@dyslexiusmaximus]

@@henryellis154 yeah gtr's are miss understood. yes they have lots of electronics doing millions of calculations and adjustments but you still have to understand these dynamics and how/when they work in-order to work with them to get the most out of the car. once you understand whats going on you can prompt the computers into activation of a certain action or dis-activate in-order to serve your dynamic needs and wants through driver input.

[@jiroweiler5883]

-No race team ever said "I think we have too much power, we should remove some just in case". Statement: The Mazda team that won Le Mans with the Mazda 787B in 1991, did claim that their car engine (R26B) was capable of delivering a maximum power of 900 HP, while the rest of the competition averaged around the 730 HP, HOWEVER the team decided to limit the power to 700 HP during the race, to favor reliability.

[@vishalquake3]

Love the sequential gearbox, Steve clearly had to work overtime to keep the power in check, what a stunningly good motorcar ^_^

[@phoghat]

"slays Golf GTI" I should hope so, but try to bring home a 50 inch flat screen in one

[@U_A_O_O_S_I]

lovely car a design that has stood the test of time since the early 1960's when it was known as the Lotus Super 7

[@phoghat]

U_A_O_O_S_I 05050515 I have always lusted in my heart for one, ut since I can't use my clutch leg, I have to be content with my GTI

[@aisu8481]

Tom Sobieski look up the RCR nemesis kit. I believe it's a paddle shift.

[@AE86ofMtAkina]

just drag the TV behind you.

[@atolleter]

So if you buy this in Britain, you can use it when it doesnt rain, like 30 days out of the year then.

[@clydeyello]

When it rains, you drive it with a motorcycle helmet.

[@AviusUmbra]

ClydeYellow Or you specify it with a windscreen.

[@bazzab1000]

Or in this years case 3 months of the year or 25% 😜👍

[@rnor3146]

Hi and thanks for these video! That is exactly what I call a Car, or The Car! The sound, the revs, acceleration give smile and maybe fear, but it is so good!!! Each time I see these video, Tears of Pleasure come! Forza!!! ♥️😉👍👌

[@fusoncody4821]

I've don't know when or where I became crazy about these little cars, but getting to ride in one is on my bucket list

[@skithewhitestuff]

Waiting for the lottery win tonight, then it’s mine.

[@Logies_right_hand]

I’m debating whether to sell my R8 V10(manual) for one next spring. Ever since this review came out I’ve been tempted.

[@crabrangoon2493]

@@Logies_right_hand your choice I wouldn't but I would buy this if I had the cahs

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Would love to see a side by side test with an Ariel Atom v8

[@TheRoggan123]

Proper test drive!! Looks like such a lot of fun, I want one to play with!! :)

[@alexandrefernandes9233]

Well... first do a drift course and then you can buy this car!

[@هاشمعلي-ش7ص]

كم من جمال في لون حلو 👋 ❤️ الشاعر هاشم علي ابوزيد ❤️ 👋

[@jackplastow]

Arhh that noise..wheel spinning in 3rd, yes yes yes

[@baileyapedaile4255]

Would love to see this race an atom v8

[@badass6300]

nah, a regular atom ariel 4

[@spraynpray]

@@badass6300 Well, the Atom has a Honda engine and the Caterham has a Ford engine. So next week, the Caterham will still run.

[@Dragoneer]

Driving this without a helmet is ballsy

[@charlenehanson3848]

no bike can compare to the Caterham Seven

[@yannicmeyer421]

Steering input at 1:16 :-D

[@M0nsieurX]

he's just overdoing it... Not very efficient...

[@tony_5156]

Xavier Bury how do (6 years ago aye?)

[@halabi97]

This is so much better than the atom and bac mono

[@jortepap]

well the BAC MONO is incredible too

[@MrMacroJesseSky]

So you’re telling me a purpose built track car, with more power and less weight, beat out a daily drivable hot hatch? I’m shocked

[@muskrat4029]

Ex-Driver!!! 😂

[@nomad27]

This is what motorcyclists imagine a sports car should be like. All the rest is rubbish when you get into a motorcyclist head.

[@rafaeldelavega2575]

Because everything else will feel much slower.

[@Little_Alesi]

...if you can afford one...do!" Everything said!

[@TVCGTGaming]

it's just £40k

[@gregobrien6621]

I own a Seven with about half the horsepower that this has and that is reasonably quick. Knowing what mine is like, this would be absolutely bonkers. Would I own one if I could? Hell yeh!!

[@chrisandshazza01]

great video mate...love it from 2.00-2.10 your a natural and and make the video very enjoyable to watch........I like Chris Harris but I reckon you were superb in this video, love the passion. I hope Australia sees this because there will be one in my garage. Unfortunately though it doesnt pass Australian regs at this time........watch this space. Cheers

[@renderyours510]

Keep in mind that GTR with the same power to weight would have around 1030bhp.

[@TheBMH28]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL a GTI is not even in the same league!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@M0nsieurX]

How about comparing it to something worthy? LOL, see you on the track...

[@bad-bunnyblogger8171]

Like Sh!t off a shovel

[@oscardiaz8716]

Comparing a hatchback with full interior and all that weight against pretty much a gocart?

[@ianfindlay865]

@tomview- Maybe basically a 55-year old design. You don't think a few changes have been made? How fast was it with a 55-year year Ford 105E engine? Fast for its time, but this is a ridiculous comparison, like the original AC Ace against the extremest Shelby Cobra built.

[@mociczyczki]

nice drag race ,2.8 from 0-60 only on really good grip tarmac because it is real weheel drive and it dont have enough broad tire i thing in real world 3.3-3.5 sec 0-60 but this dosent matter what is matter is that when it have grip from 30 mph up to vmax it goes very fast thanks power to weight ratio ,it have very smoll front area but it have i dont wemember for sure but aound 0.5- 0.6 cd which is very bad typical familly car have cd around 0.3 and beacuse of this caterham dont go as fast in high speed area but on 1/4 mille it is very fast when they do super 7 with cd 0.3 car go very fast also in high speed area 230-240km/h +up to top speed ,which in this car should be around 250-260 km/h with cd 0.3 it goes 320 km/h

[@brochestedbs]

I 'd be dead in a week in one of these.

[@jimasp1]

I'm 6'2" and 250lb with size 13 feet. With a bag seat and some pedal adjustment I can drive relatively comfortably for hours in the standard s3 chassis. (For motorsport, I also needed to fit a higher roll cage due to helmet/rollcage clearance requirements).

[@Real_Claudy_Focan]

is it possible to stick an AMG 4cyl. in it ? (i think of the A45 AMG...) i know german motor in a pure english car is a "sacrilege" but : the 45AMG got the highest power ratio to cm³ so... a caterham R700 ? :D

[@mattbod]

You really would need track training before being let loose in this otherwise you would kill yourself. I remember as a kid talking to the Caterham boys at Motorfair in the 90s (remember that) and them telling me that all buyers of their HPC model were offered and strongly advised to take a high performance track driving course before delivery and that only had 175bhp. Money does not buy talent and I hope I don’t meet some city boy in one of these coming in the other direction.

[@bytterfly1965]

If you like this car, you wanna like the Caterham Game! Try the free game for Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Bytterfly.CaterhamUnlimited

[@ziegle9876]

The last real car remaining.... When your wife says that Mike Hailwood Ducati is too dangerous for you and you need to drive a "car".

[@DreamCarGarage1]

The SL55 is not a 'new' car. Used you cold pick of a very good one for less than the change left after buying the GTI, or 'any other high performance car' of your dreams 'used'. But OK, I get the point but traditionally cars like these were a refreshing breath of fresh air because they were bonkers fast and showed the big boys how to do it but when they start to charge similar money to the big boys, well, which would you rather have the Caterham or a top of the range Porcshe Caymen, or BMW M3?

[@DreamCarGarage1]

£50k!!!! Really?!!! I don't care how much BHP it has it's a kit car with a big engine! No one cares about being overtaken by one of these in the same way no one in a car is bothered if they get left by a guy on a super bike, or any kind of bike for that matter. Give me a golf GTI any day of the week and with the £25k change I'll buy myself a second hand SL55 AMG or maybe a used RS4, 911, EVO10 put simply just about any other used performance car I fancy!

[@DreamCarGarage1]

ok I know it's not literally a 'kit car' and of course I'm fully aware of how fast it's going to be! It's got a massive engine and weighs as much as a packet of crisp but £50,000 really! The other cars were just to give an idea of what that kind of money could by even as change after you'd bought a brand new golf. But hey, this only CAR talk.

[@DreamCarGarage1]

As it turns out I know a fair bit about cars but not every single car that comes out is going to excite everyone in the same way. I'd love the chance to blast this little monster down a country lane but it just doesn't seem to be a lot of car for £50k.

[@gregtaylor6146]

£50,000 for a glorified - albeit slower - go-kart??? Hmmm, I'm sure some idiot will be duped by this nonsense.

[@dont_give_a_flying_f]

Needs more "POWER"!! It looks fun though but it's butt ugly. Come on Caterham, bout time for a facelift and that ass.

[@heatleynoble]

What a tool box this guy is. Why are they comparing it to a golf? He was on a private track and couldn't handle it so it's obviously completely over powered.

[@brianfreeman8290]

In the early part of this century, Caterham were convinced it's days were numbered and tried to replace it. There is a god after all !

[@hydroglyph]

Apples to fucking goji berries. The GTI isn't a performance car, it's a hot hatch so you can use it 12 months out of the year and actually carry people.

[@ec3596]

Nearly gave me a heart attack laughing! flight briefing, very creative!

[@セブンマニア-w6f]

R620最高

[@ただのクリエイター]

ケーターハムスーパーセブンマニア ここにもあとチャンネル登録しました。僕もスーパーセブン大好きですよ！！

[@boobsthechemist2067]

That’s a guarantee’d license loser 🙈😩 would be worth it though having the worlds biggest cheesy grin 😁😀👍

[@kevinmills5293]

At £50k he should be putting it up against a Tesla 3 performance. I bet that drag race would have ended a little different.

[@Justapilot_9700]

I fell in love with it on the very first time I saw it on Test Drive 6! Its one of my dream cars ❤

[@Zariss791]

This thing is brilliant

[@hanswurst9461]

Don't buy it....it's just to scary to drive...you will lose every girl which you take for a ride with this thing.

[@jaygnome6883]

These super cars like this are DIRT CHEAP for looking sounding and being so nice

[@Rimpianto]

To give us more unbelievable and unexpected results next you should do Lotus Exige S vs Suzuki Cappuccino or Ariel Atom vs Morgan Three Weeler or Mac P1 vs a horse chariot .

[@hornypervert3781]

Lol

[@unclesnotknuckle1]

Wow! I need one. Are they available in the US?

[@boothegoopc8417]

Has to be the shitest title in automotive history. A car with 620 bhp/tonne beats a hot hatch. Amazing. Nice driving Sutcliffe

[@JoLXP]

Tool is not offensive, in fact is something that I call good friends of mine when they say dumb stuff, and I'm also called tool when I do it and I'm mature enough to take it. In the other hand call someone "bitch", "hypocrite"(with an e) or "pussy" is offensive so...I rest my case. I love Caterhams, don't get me wrong, and I wish I had one but, wanting to use one everyday besides making you tired of it(too much of a good thing is never good) you can't use a Caterham every day in the real world.

[@MotorsportMonkey]

But is it as fast after a two hour drive across wales in the pouring rain, mud and snow, Anyone who goes on about the price:performance of any car needs to think about its other strong points too.... Like a roof and windows and a heater. Don't get me wrong i understand what you mean but your looking at it through a window of someone that clearly does not understand the appeal of modern super GT's overtaking anyone anywhere with speed to spare and the radio on and your mr's not screaming at you

[@juanpindonga405]

Some say "is a toy, is useless" by on the other hand thousand of drivers daily trips on motorbikes even in long distance...it is an unsense say this car is useless

[@taipeikartman]

The rear end is really disappointing design wise. It really makes it look like a kit car. How difficult is it to redesign it it with better looking taillights?

[@647killa]

Alert: Driver's car. Why can't automakers stick to Colin Chapman's idea of lightweight cars?? We'd all be happy driving lightweight cars with light engines. No gasoline troubles, no weight troubles, no 0-60 issues and no handling issues. The world of automotive would be such a gr8 place. We miss you Colin Chapman.

[@MrSpidershreck]

im sorry the carr looks like a realy cool piece of kit...but... i would realy like 2 see a crash test on one of these... i would love to experience, to sample, and share the expirience with some ne on the passenger seat... but i would like 2 be shure that would i run out of talent the person siting next to me would be all right...

[@C42ST3N]

The massive engine is just a supercharged Ford 2l engine and you will not get a new SL 55 AMG for that price. You are right, 50.000 is a lof of money but you have to compare the price with performance. You have to compare it with Ferrari or Porsch. And then there is the pure driving. I know what i am talking about. I have got an R400 :D

[@DumpValvesAndDnB]

I like to support people who make youtube content. if everyone had an ad blocker, a lot of good channels wouldn't exist. But i literally get the Kia advert on every video I watch. Surely anyone who watches as many perforance car channels I do would be more suited to other adverts because logic says the last thing I would ever buy is a Kia.

[@achristian7015]

Compared to the Golf, how is it in the rain to keep you dry. Silly comparison.

[@JoLXP]

"Why can't automakers stick to(...). We'd all be happy(...)." Only for purists you say. And no, I am no purist, I like evolution. And thank god there aren't that many purists like you around, otherwise we would still be chasing females with a club...in a thong...and grunting

[@johncahill3849]

Then perhaps you could explain to us all how to do it better than he is. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. I'd also like to know exactly what your job is. He's driving very quickly, you must be really amazing. Also, are you as young as your photo indicates?

[@Vollhirni]

While I fully agree with you...Do you really think, all those brainwashed worker bees want a car that you actually have to DRIVE yourself? "Naaaah, I'll go with the full automatic driving assistant for just about 4000$. It even PARKS MY CAR. Awesome!" See what I mean? Hopeless ;-)

[@C42ST3N]

New cars and used cars are never compareable. You can buy a used 200bhp caterham for 15-20k. And i would buy the 50k Caterham rather than the M3 because as a daily driver i use a polo. It´s cheap to use and has everythink you need but when i want to have fun i use my Caterham. No compromise :D

[@JayeOFarrell]

Its a track car for a road, of course it tyres push the legal limits. It is a given, there is a rightly amused level of intelligence and that is something people do not need pointing out because they weren't going to put low rolling resistances Prius tyres on it.

[@peter58murray]

Too much power for the chassis,i bet a r300 wouldn't be for behind and its about half the price

[@Cellarz]

Really? compare a ship engine to a car? It's like comparing a general electric F404 GE402 Turbofans from an F/A 18 to a diesel truck engine. They are made for different purposes. We're talking about cars not gigantic engine room's.

[@dimos47ki7]

you could also take the Dahlback Golf with 1200 hp but whats the point? this is not a comparison, they just want to show us how much faster the seven is, compared to a fast hatch. they happen to ave a GTI available so they used the GTI.

[@JoeGP]

i wouldn't consider this car a toy, it's more like a necessity for anyone that wants a car for the driving pleasure, in fact i don't think you can get anything better for less a 2-300.000$ Lambo/Ferrari?etc. ? yeah that's a rich mans toy

[@HesteBremse]

Sounds Bunkers and mad, which it properly is. I am though somehow in disagreement with my self about if the styling is good for being so "old" (backwards) and staying sort of classic or if a Caterham would benefit from a new styling. Never mind ;)

[@amp888]

Can anyone tell me the name of the test track / proving ground where this was filmed? I'm sure I've seen it before (in 'Dead Set' and 'Engineering the World Rally', for example), but I can't find the name. Thanks in advance for any help.

[@banglalancau4825]

All about driving,only petrolhead can understand that,what a driver Autocar