Our previous experience with Caterham’s 485 wasn’t, erm, very positive. Put simply, we didn’t feel the driving experience justified the substantial $116,990 price tag.

After all, there are some very talented rivals like the Porsche Boxster and Alfa Romeo 4C at this price point, which demand nothing like the level of compromise required with the Caterham.

However, we’re re-visiting the 485 as there’s been a notable change to its standard specification, as well as the opportunity to run it down the strip to try and validate Caterham’s eye-widening 3.9sec 0-100km/h claim.

Caterham Seven 485 rear

It takes a lot of concentration, as with no electronic aids of any kind – not even ABS – you’re completely on your own in a car that will easily wheelspin through the first three gears and can be tricky to catch when it does slide. The corollary of this, of course, is the buzz that results from knowing you alone are in control.

Caterham Seven 485 front

Or a dry, warm track, at least, as performance testing the 485 at a dry but cold Heathcote drag strip was heart-in-mouth stuff. With the highly tuned 177kW/206Nm four pushing just 675kg (sans driver) the Caterham fires off the line like it’s been stung, but continues to slither and slide all the way to the top of third gear.

Caterham Seven 485 driving

The thing is, though, a 13-second run in a 485 is much more thrilling than an 11-second run in a 911 Turbo, which sums up the whole Caterham experience. It’s madly compromised and expensive, but it’s a car every enthusiast should try at least once. With less power and grip, it might even be more fun. Stay tuned.

3 OUT OF 5 STARS

SPECS Engine: 1999cc inline-4, DOHC, 16v Power: 177kW @ 8500rpm Torque: 206Nm @ 6300rpm Weight: 675kg 0-100km/h: 3.9sec (claimed) Price: $116,990 Like: Old-school raw driving thrills; LSD now standard; novelty Dislike: Price; practicality; quality issues