Caterham on Thursday unveiled an electric car that follows a lightweight and compact formula that some might say is part of the definition of a sports car.
In the age of electric cars, those are serious challenges, and we haven’t seen a truly lightweight electric sports car without a supercar price tag since the original. Tesla Roadster.
Caterham Project V electric sports car
Join Caterham’s Project V, which measures 167.5 inches long — about a foot longer than the Mazda MX-5 Miata or Tesla Roadster. It is 74.5 inches wide and runs on a 101.6-inch wheelbase. But most of all, its 48.3-inch overall height is perhaps most remarkable, in this challenging age of skateboard platform proportions. Based on layout illustration provided by Caterham, it splits the battery into two parts—one right in front of the passenger compartment, one right behind, but both in the axles.
Caterham Project V electric sports car
Caterham is targeting a weight of just over 2,600 pounds for the project. A battery pack of only 55 kWh and the recent increase in power density make it as little as possible on the drawing board.
The rear-wheel drive sports car will only have a 200 kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle. The concept rides on a double wishbone suspension, front and rear, and uses Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires with staggered widths to the rear. The UK sports car maker plans to use a carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, along with a composite body.
Caterham Project V electric sports car
By keeping the car light, what is considered modest power today will have plenty of power to move quickly. Caterham predicts a 0-62 mph time of under 4.5 seconds and a top speed of around 143 mph. Meanwhile, the modest mass will also help with the sports car’s range—with a target of 249 WLTP miles, that could be around 200 miles for those of us following. EPA cycle.
Caterham is targeting 20-80% charging in 15 minutes, on a 150 kw DC fast charger. That’s another aspect where keeping the battery small pays off without having to search for the highest wattage 350 kw or 400 kw charger for a quick trip stop.
Caterham Project V electric sports car
Caterham Project V electric sports car
Caterham Project V electric sports car
The car also keeps it simple with seating, with a 2+1 seating arrangement standard and 2+2 optional. That helps provide more comfort and makes a usable rear position, and the company says it’s exploiting the EV’s packaging benefits. At the front, the interface is driver-focused and simple. Caterham promises smartphone mirroring—which, for most shoppers, means Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Caterham Project V electric sports car
If this all sounds a lot more detailed than what a concept car needs, it’s because Caterham emphasizes that it’s more than just a concept car — perhaps in the same way that Porsche did. see it. Mission E And QUESTIONS X the concept. According to the company, full engineering and manufacturing feasibility analyzes have been performed during development, and if the pieces are right, a production model could launch in late 2025 or early 2026. , according to the company.
Caterham Project V electric sports car
According to Caterham, the EV will be a global model, built by Italdesign and created by Caterham chief designer Anthony Jannarelly. Caterham wants to sell the production version in the US, it told Green Car Reports, but separate crash test approvals will make it appear later than the market version.
Caterham Cars CEO Bob Lashley said in a statement about the car ahead of its debut on Thursday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the electric coupe will not replace the brand’s signature Seven but complement the brand’s signature Seven. supplement it.
Caterham was also deeply involved in the project to have a target price for it: £80,000 (about $103,900 at today’s rates).
