Despite the advent of the Caterham CSR, the most advanced car in the company's history, we're delighted to report that Caterham is still intent on continuing development of its bread and butter, the Seven. This week, Caterham announced the production of a new Superlight R400.

As the name suggests, this Seven has been on a diet including carbon fibre front wings, composite bucket seats, a composite wind deflector (a windscreen is an option) and bespoke Avon CR500 tyres on 15-inch alloys. The result is an all-up weight of just 525kg, which even makes cars such as the Lotus Elise look a tad on the cuddly side.

Caterham have fitted the Cosworth-developed 2-litre four-cylinder under the bonnet, the first time that this new engine has been mated with the original de Dion chassis, though Caterham has recently changed chassis supplier resulting in a claimed 14% increase in torsional rigidity. In this application, the Ford-based engine develops 210bhp at 7600rpm with peak torque of 150lb.ft produced at 6300rpm. To save you getting your calculator out, that equates to about 400bhp per tonne. Hence the R400 tag...

Needless to say that the R400's performance will be scintillating. Caterham claims just 3.8 seconds for the 0-60mph sprint, but thanks to the low kerb weight this Seven will feel lively in just about any gear without needing to extend the engine. Helping to keep all this power in check is the standard fitment of a limited slip differential.

The price of the new Superlight R400 actually undercuts the previous model at £29,495 (or £26,995 if you want to build it yourself). Caterham is taking orders now for July deliveries.