Electric Caterham Project V concept scheduled for production in 2024
Caterham Seven will go electric, too
Not for the first time in its history, sports car maker Caterham is attempting to expand its model line-up to offer more than just the minimalist Seven, this time by revealing a new electric coupé concept. The Caterham Project V doesn’t share anything with the Seven, but it does maintain the maker’s quest for lightness.
Italian firm Italdesign helped produce the Project V concept car, which was penned by Caterham’s chief designer, Anthony Jannarelly. It has been designed as an EV from the outset and features a unique 2+1 cabin layout, while a 2+2 option is said to be a possibility for the final production car.
According to Jannarelly, the Project V sticks closely to Caterham’s sports car philosophy:
“A Caterham Seven’s design is simple and minimalist, it’s designed for its intended function, to be lightweight and fun to drive,” he said.
“With Project V, we’re applying this philosophy to the sports coupé architecture to create a seducing and timeless silhouette. Every single feature has to justify itself from a weight perspective to maintain lightness and optimise driver engagement.”
Range of 249 miles and up to 143mph
The specs of the Project V include a 268bhp electric motor that’s mounted on the rear axle powered by a 55kWh battery. An official range of 249 miles from a full charge is quoted, while performance figures include a 0-62mph time of less than 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 143mph.
The car’s on-board charging tech allows the battery to go from 20-80 per cent capacity in 15 minutes when using a 150kW DC charger.
EVs are heavy by nature because of the battery packs that they need but Caterham is targeting a kerb weight of just 1,190kg for the Project V, through the use of carbon fibre and aluminium in its construction.
There’s F1-like double-wishbone suspension all round featuring fully adjustable geometry, while 19in and 20in wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres are fitted front and rear.
Unlike the Seven, where driver assistance tech is non-existent, the Project V features concessions to modern technology.
There will be three driving modes — Normal, Sport and Sprint — which adjust the responses of the electric motor and power-assisted steering according to each setting.
The cabin features an infotainment display angled towards the driver that is reliant on smartphone mirroring for its functions, and a digital driver’s display is also provided.
Certain to go into production
Speaking at the car’s unveiling, Bob Laishley, CEO of Caterham Cars, said:
“Project V is not just a concept or design study; we’ve conducted engineering and production feasibility throughout the development process.
“An electric Caterham of any shape and size has to stay true to what sets us apart from everyone else: being lightweight, simple and offering an unparalleled driving experience; that’s our DNA.”
The arrival of Project V doesn’t mean the end of the road for the Caterham Seven, though. While the new concept will take pride of place on Caterham’s stand at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this week, there will be a pure-electric Seven prototype at the event, too.
“Project V isn’t instead of Seven, it’s complementary to it,” said Laishley. “We believe that by retaining the core Caterham values, it will appeal to both our existing customer base and attract new fans to the brand.
“By using a more practical coupé body style and by exploiting the packaging benefits of an EV, this is a car that works as well for trips to the shops, or the school run, as it does for Sunday morning sprints.”
Caterham has ambitions to reveal a road-going version of Project V next year, while a starting price of around £80,000 is projected.
Related articles
- After reading about the new electric Caterham coupé, you might like to read Will Dron’s review of the Lotus Emira
- Also check out our list of the five best sports cars to buy in 2023
- And don’t miss our list of the five greatest Lotus sports cars of all time
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