Caterham is preparing to enter the electric sports car space with a very un-Caterham-like move, a compact EV coupe designed to deliver pure driving enjoyment rather than headline-grabbing specs. Called Project V, the new electric sports car has made its U.S. debut at CES and is now on track for global production in 2027, with America firmly in its sights.
Project V Marks Caterham’s Electric Future
Project V is far more than a concept exercise. Caterham has confirmed that a fully working prototype will debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon, signaling that the company is deep into development. While the iconic Caterham Seven will continue alongside it, Project V is intended to future-proof the brand as emissions regulations tighten worldwide.
Caterham executives have openly admitted that ignoring the U.S. market for decades was a mistake. With Project V, the company plans to take America seriously for the first time, positioning the EV as a lightweight, driver-focused alternative to upcoming electric sports cars from Porsche.
Retro-Inspired Design With A Purpose
The design of Project V draws inspiration from the classic Lotus Elan +2, blending retro proportions with clean, modern surfacing. The result is a compact coupe that looks purposeful rather than futuristic. Unlike many modern EVs, there are no aggressive creases or oversized intakes, reinforcing Caterham’s focus on simplicity.
The minimalist philosophy continues inside. The cabin features a flat dashboard with traditional gauges and physical controls. Screens are kept to a minimum, limited to essential infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a rear-view camera display. The seating position is extremely low, placing the driver close to the road for maximum engagement.
Unique Battery Layout For Better Handling
One of the most interesting aspects of Project V is its unconventional battery layout. Instead of a skateboard-style battery under the floor, Caterham uses two compact battery packs, one at the front and one at the rear. Each pack has a capacity of just over 27 KWH, for a total of around 55 KWH.
This layout mirrors the weight distribution of the Caterham Seven and deliberately increases polar momentum. While most EV manufacturers centralize mass, Caterham believes pushing weight to the front and rear makes the car more playful, especially on track.
The liquid-cooled battery packs are supplied by Xing Mobility and are designed to handle aggressive driving without overheating. Caterham is less concerned with charging speed and more focused on consistent power delivery during hard use.
Simple Powertrain, Rear-Wheel Drive Only
Project V uses an off-the-shelf Yamaha Motor E-AXLE producing 200 KW, paired with a 400-VOLT system. The setup combines the motor, inverter, and reduction gear into a single unit that drives the rear wheels only.
There are no dual motors, no torque-vectoring tricks, and no performance modes layered with software complexity. Caterham will include ABS, traction control, and airbags to meet regulations, but the goal is to interfere with the driving experience as little as possible.
Performance Targets And Driving Focus
Caterham is targeting a 0 TO 62 MPH time of under 4.5 SECONDS and a top speed of 143 MPH. Estimated WLTP range stands at 249 MILES, which is modest by EV standards but sufficient for a lightweight sports coupe aimed at enthusiasts rather than commuters.
Fast charging is limited to 100 KW using a NACS connector in the U.S., but Caterham openly states that discharge performance under hard driving matters more than rapid charging times.
Price And Porsche Comparison
When Project V was first announced, Caterham hoped to price it just over $107,000. Rising costs have pushed the estimated price to around $135,000. While that places it firmly in premium territory, Caterham believes it will undercut electric Porsche sports cars while offering a more engaging driving experience.
The company expects Porsche’s electric Boxster and Cayman replacements to be faster and more powerful, but also heavier and less interactive. Project V is aimed at traditional gearheads who value feel and fun over outright numbers.
A True Caterham, Just Electrified
Despite the electric powertrain, Project V stays true to Caterham’s core philosophy. It avoids cutting-edge tech for the sake of headlines and instead focuses on lightness, simplicity, and driver involvement. Caterham believes that while there are faster and more convenient EVs, few will be as rewarding to drive.
If Caterham gets it right, Project V could become the electric sports car for enthusiasts who feel left behind by the current wave of heavy, software-driven EVs, and a genuine alternative to Porsche’s upcoming electric offerings.
