Test Review 2023 Caterham 340 S

Concept Caterham 340 S

The lighter, the better. Even in 2023, Caterham remains true to the mantra of Lotus guru Colin Chapman. The change to a large 2-liter power source was one of the most powerful, because Ford decided not to produce again the 1.6-liter Sigma Caterham 275. And so the Caterham 340 appears on the scene, powered by now 170 hp and 174 Nm with a cylinder a Duratec four that drives the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

The bigger engine does indeed make the Caterham 340 heavier than its predecessor, but the weight increase is limited to around 20kg. At 560kg, the Caterham remains a piece of cake, especially compared to the electric sports enthusiasts that currently seem to be sprouting up like mushrooms . With a power-to-weight ratio of 3.3 kilograms per horse, this road is still among the big boys.

Getting in is not easy. The slight flexibility and slim shape prove to be especially important when sliding the body and the link between the tubular chassis of the Caterham 340. To facilitate access to the cockpit, you can select the steering wheel with a quick release, à la Formula 1. This gives you additional freedom of movement to slide your feet under the steering column. Don’t forget to warn your passenger about the solid exhaust pipe on the right side of the body. And treat the plastic doors with respect, otherwise you will have to fix the side mirrors again.

The slightly padded seats of the Caterham 340 S are not exactly comfortable, although they are more pleasant for everyday use than the hard manure buckets that we previously found in the 170 R and which are also used in the 340 R.

Driving behavior Caterham 340 S

Turning the key in the cylinder and pressing the right button is enough to start the four-cylinder engine, which wakes up well – without much noise or vibration. Just caress the accelerator and the 2-litre powerplant kicks into action, although it’s more sluggish in response than the 1.6-litre engine was. The Duratec block has a quiet character, but proves to be strong enough and flexible. And a good thing too, because the Caterham 340 S comes without any kind of driver assistance. No ABS and no power steering, sir.

The Caterham 340 S is a raw car that sharpens your senses and demands your full attention, which translates into a lot of driving pleasure. It’s work, because a small steering wheel requires a firm grip and a steady hand. But the communication is completely clear, so you can put the road where you want. The same story with the brakes, which at first feel unknown, but which soon invite you to push the limits.

Caterham 340 S quickly gives you confidence, so that the knife goes quickly between the teeth. Pleasant balance and excellent Avon tires provide grip and control, only when you push the four-cylinder engine deep into the red do you notice that the chassis floats a bit. And in the hairpins is a little messy, because the traction is missing. The R version with its stiffened sports suspension wouldn’t be affected by this, but it will hurt your back during touring trips…

Decision Caterham 340 S

The Caterham 340 is a sports car with a strong character, usually fun to drive. But sometimes also nervous and very generous in feelings. So it’s not a cat to handle without gloves, what did you expect?

Will the new 2-litre Duratec convince in the same way? The 170 hp four-cylinder engine does what it’s supposed to do, with more torque down low than the 1.6-liter power source it replaces. But this power source reveals itself little by little when you push the tachometer towards the red.

The Caterham 340 has a hefty price tag, especially when you weigh it against this limited road use. However, for those who value driving pleasure, the Brit is a bargain.