When petrolheads think of Caterhams they will picture the lightweight, open-cockpit Seven that’s widely considered one of the best affordable track weapons.
But that could all change in a matter of years as the British brand looks set to follow in the tyre tracks of mainstream car makers by shifting to electric vehicles. And the first model is set to be a real stunner, based on its just-unveiled concept.
Called Project V, it’s the Kent-based marques design for a quick sports coupe with a range of 249 miles, plenty of creature comforts and a boot big enough for a pair of overnight bags.
However, its odd seating layout might not be to all tastes when it makes production around late 2025 with a relatively steep staring price.
Britain’s next electric sports car? This is the new Caterham Project V concept, which teases a full-production EV coupe due in the next three years
The Dartford car maker is under no obligation to switch to EVs just yet.
While volume-selling brands like Volkswagen, Ford and Vauxhall will be required to sell an increasing share of electric cars in the UK from 2024 as part of the Government-enforced Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, Caterham won’t.
The rules are only for mainstream marques building over 2,500 cars per year. In Caterham’s case, it is making around just 500 Sevens per annum.
But part of its expansion plans could see it soon qualify for the mandate well before the end of the decade.
A move to a new factory by the end of the year – or early next – will see outputs increase to 750 Sevens per annum, and the arrival of Project V would see its volume of units explode.
Bosses have said the aim is to have outputs of around 2,000 examples annually when full production begins – though manufacturing will be outsourced to a partner company – pushing the brand over the 2,500 ZEV requirement.
Whether it’s required to sell EVs or not, the British marque appears to have its heart set on the transition.
Bosses have said the aim is to have outputs of around 2,000 examples annually when full production begins in late 2025/early 2026 – though manufacturing will be outsourced to a partner company
The new model has been penned by the company’s new chief designer, Anthony Jannarelly and is born into a one-off concept by renowned Italian engineering firm, Italdesign
It looks distinctively different to the cars Caterham is traditionally known – the open-cockpit Seven (pictured)
The new model has been penned by the company’s new chief designer, Anthony Jannarelly and is born into a one-off concept by renowned Italian engineering firm, Italdesign, in preparation for its first public appearance at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The coupe features a 55kWh lithium-ion battery linked to a single 200kW (268bhp) motor mounted in the rear axle driving the back wheels.
The introduction of ‘advanced thermal management’ means the battery pack can recharge from 20 to 80 per cent in as little as 15 minutes using a 150kW DC rapid charger, the company says.
In terms of performance, the quoted acceleration figure is 0-to-62mph in less than 4.5 seconds.
Top speed is an estimated 143mph and range is said to be 249 miles between charges – though dramatically less if you’re persistently driving flat out.
The company says it is targeting a starting price of less than £80,000 when production begins in late 2025 or early 2026.
The coupe features a 55kWh lithium-ion battery linked to a single 200kW (268bhp) motor mounted in the rear axle driving the back wheels
In terms of performance, the quoted acceleration figure is 0-to-62mph in less than 4.5 seconds. Top speed is an estimated 143mph and range is said to be 249 miles between charges
Bosses have pinpointed a starting price of under £80,000 for the all-electric sports coupe
The production version of Project V would be on a direct price and performance collision course with the best – though arguably one of few – EV sports coupes on the market – Porsche’s Taycan (pictured)
That would make it quite a lot steeper than the recently-revealed MG Cyberster roadster and would put the Caterham on a pricing collision course with Porsche’s Taycan sports EV, which currently starts from £79,200 for the standard model.
The least potent variant of the German rival appears to be the performance benchmark for Caterham’s crew, with the Porsche delivering 240kW (322bhp) 0-to-62mph in 5.4 seconds and a like-for-like top speed of 143mph.
Caterham says the Project V design follows the same minimalist, lightweight and simple philosophy as its Seven sibling.
The targeted kerb weight is 1,190kg, which is around the same as a Fiesta-type supermini. This is achieved thanks to its ‘innovative carbon fibre and aluminium composite chassis’ and a relatively stripped-back interior
While everything appears relatively normal in the front of the cabin in terms of layout, it’s a different story at the back…
Project V is a 2+1 seating configuration with this single rear chair built into the interior surround. It doesn’t look all that roomy, though a more conventional 2+2 layout will also be available as an optional extra
The targeted kerb weight is 1,190kg, which is around the same as a Fiesta-type supermini.
This is achieved thanks to its ‘innovative carbon fibre and aluminium composite chassis’ but also its oddball seating configuration.
This sees a two-plus-one layout with a driver and front passenger seat joined by a single – centrally-positioned – rear chair for one other occupant in the back.
A more conventional configuration with two rear seats will be ‘optional’ because the two-plus-one layout ‘optimises ingress and egress, provides more comfort for the rear seat passenger and offers greater flexibility in how a prospective owner may use the car’, the brand says.
Caterham says the Project V design follows the same minimalist, lightweight and simple philosophy as its Seven sibling
Caterham’s move to a new factory by the end of the year – or early next – will see annual car outputs increase from 500 to 750 Sevens
The arrival of Project V in late 2025/early 2026 would see production numbers explode. Bosses have said the aim is to have outputs of around 2,000 examples annually
Bob Laishley, Caterham Cars ceo, 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.’
He added: ‘Project V isn’t instead of Seven, it’s complimentary to it, and 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.’
