Caterham looks set to join the electric sports car market by mid-decade, if the iconic British marque’s latest concept car – dubbed the Caterham Project V – is any guide.
Officially breaking cover at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Caterham describes the Project V as a “a lightweight fully-electric coupé concept vehicle” with the “potential” to enter series production “in late 2025 or early 2026”.
The 2+1-seat Project V is motivated by a circa-200kW single-motor drivetrain powered by a 55kWh lithium-ion battery pack that’s said to be capable of covering up to 400km on a single charge.
Zero-100km/h acceleration is anticipated to take about 4.5 seconds, on the way to a 230km/h top speed.
None of these figures are especially remarkable for a modern EV, but a sub-1200kg kerb weight of just 1190kg is remarkably light for a battery-electric vehicle of any description and fulfills the most fundamental requirement of a Caterham sports car: lightness.
Caterham says the Project V’s battery can be recharged from 20-80 per cent in just 15 minutes when using a 150kW DC fast-charger, and its drive motor resides on the rear axle to deliver a classic sports car driving experience.
“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,” said Caterham Cars CEO Bob Laishley.
“Project V is not just a concept or design study, we’ve conducted engineering and production feasibility throughout the development process.
“Subject to the next phases of development and technical capability, Project V could be brought to market towards the end of 2025 or early 2026 with a target price starting from less than £80,000 ($A152,389).”
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Looking a lot like a photocopied Jaguar CX-75, the Caterham Project V rides on double-wishbone suspension front and rear, and staggered 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloy wheels shod with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
The sleek and minimalist exterior design is matched by an equally low-key cabin comprising little more than a flush-sitting infotainment screen underlined by a row of what are presumably climate controls, plus a digital instrument cluster.
A 2+2 seating arrangement will be optionally available, but headline standard equipment will comprise smartphone mirroring, three driving modes, green Alcantara-like upholstery, LED exterior lighting and carbon-fibre front bucket seats.
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