Caterham doesn’t really care about how the auto industry is moving ahead with new trends and technologies. They just keep making what they’ve been making since 1983. And we love them for that. Their latest creation for 2013 is a new Caterham Seven from the Superlight racing series. The new Supercharged RS600 is the fastest Seven built to date.

The R600 gets the familiar supercharged, 2-litre Ford Duratec engine, producing 275bhp and 200lb-ft of torque, delivered via a six-speed, sequential gearbox to the rear wheels. It is the same setup used in the SP/300.R prototype racer. The car also benefits from a Titan limited-slip differential and Avon radial slicks or wets

You can buy the new R600 as a new car for £44,995, or have your R300 upgraded to it for an undisclosed price to be announced later. Now, 45 grand sounds a bit steep for a car that isn’t actually a car as such, and can’t be race in any series other than Caterham’s own championship. It is going to be great motorsport though, as Caterham expects a 16-grid debut race.

Simon Lambert, Caterham’s Chief Motorsport and Technical Officer, said: “Caterham racing just got even more interesting. “As the fastest Seven we’ve ever built, this will provide our existing R300 racers with a real step up and a new and exciting challenge, even for experienced drivers. The R600 represents an increase in aggressiveness, although the linear power delivery of the supercharged engine makes it superbly driveable, much like the R300.”