British company Caterham Cars has unveiled a prototype of a completely new model, which should be put into production in late 2025/early 2026. Caterham Project V will not replace the legendary Caterham Seven, but will become a more modern and suitable alternative for everyday driving.
The last completely new Caterham model was the Caterham 21 roadster developed in the early 90s, which, due to the mass of compromise technical solutions, was not successful — only about 50 copies were produced. The collaboration between Caterham and Alpine, started in 2012, fell apart two years later due to the fact that Caterham did not meet its financial obligations for the joint project: as a result, the promising Caterham C120 coupe did not see the light of day, Alpine continued to work independently, as a result it turned out to be the current A110 coupe.
In 2021, Caterham Cars became part of VT Holdings, a large car dealership network from Japan, which has been the official distributor of Caterham sports cars in this country since 2009. The change in ownership has given the British company the funding it needs to develop new models: in April of this year, Caterham Cars showed a prototype of the electric EV Seven — one day it will go into production, but before the company wants to launch a more important, completely new model, so far designated as Project V (Production model name may vary.)
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The Caterham Project V was designed by Frenchman Anthony Giannarelli, well known in the sports car world — he even has his own car company, Jannarelli Automotive. In the guise of the Caterham Project V, you can see the features of the Caterham 21, Alpine A110 and Piech GT, and from the Caterham Seven, the new product got only the spirit of maneuverability, simplicity and lightness.
Project V is a small electric coupe with a 2 + 1 seating formula, the only rear passenger seat is located in the center, but in the form options will be offered option 2+2. Overall length of new items — 4255 mm, width — 1893 mm, height — 1226 mm, wheelbase — 2581 mm. The body is made of carbon fiber and aluminum alloy, the declared curb weight is 1190 kg.
Project V has a 400-volt electrical architecture, a 55 kWh battery is divided into two modules and located under the floor of the body, the space between the modules is needed for the lowest possible installation of the front seats. Suspension — on double wishbones «in a circle» with adjustable springs and shock absorbers. Powerful ventilated disc brakes are installed on all wheels. Stock tires are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, 235/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 20 rear.
The only electric motor paired with a gearbox is mounted on the rear axle, its maximum power is 200 kW (272 hp). The Caterham Project V accelerates to 100 km/h in less than 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 230 km/h. Estimated power reserve on one charge according to the WLTP cycle is 400 km. The maximum battery charging power is 150 kW, it allows you to recharge from 20% to 80% in 15 minutes.
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The Project V interior is extremely laconic and a bit old-fashioned (the digital instrument panel mimics the analog one), but it offers a level of comfort and safety unheard of in previous Caterham models: there is air conditioning, “music” and a modern touch-screen multimedia system. Thanks to the closed body of the Caterham Project V, you can use it as a car for every day, including a family car — you can put a child in the back seat. At the same time, the company promises that on the track Project V will behave like a typical Caterham, that is, it will provide the driver with a sea of positive emotions.
The Caterham Project V will have a live premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed starting tomorrow, production should begin no later than 2026 and it will not be massive — the company plans to make about 2,000 copies of the new model per year. The base version will be priced at just under £80,000.
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