Caterham Project V Shocks Fans-electric But Still Fun?
- 01. What is Caterham Project V?
- 02. Powertrain and performance figures
- 03. Battery, range, and charging
- 04. Dimensions and chassis architecture
- 05. Interior layout and usability
- 06. Driving feel and driver engagement
- 07. Production timeline and pricing
- 08. Market positioning vs rivals
- 09. Environmental and ownership considerations
- 10. Frequently asked questions
What is Caterham Project V?
Caterham Project V is positioned as a modern, electric interpretation of the classic small British sports car, echoing the ethos of the Seventies Lotus Elan +2 but with a battery-electric powertrain and a contemporary low-slung coupe body. The car is built around a lightweight structure that mixes carbon-fibre and aluminium, aiming for a kerb weight close to 1,190 kg to preserve the brand's legendary driving dynamics.
Unveiled on 12 July 2023 at Caterham's Dartford headquarters, Project V started life as a concept but was explicitly framed as a production-intent vehicle, with the company flagging a potential market entry in late 2025 or early 2026. Caterham has since confirmed that the basic specification-200 kW (272 PS / 268 bhp) single rear motor, 55 kWh battery, and 1-speed gearbox-forms the core architecture for the future production version.
Powertrain and performance figures
Caterham Project V uses a single, rear-axle-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous motor delivering around 268-272 hp (200 kW) and in the region of 350 N·m of torque, with no mechanical gearbox beyond a fixed-ratio 1-speed unit. This setup yields a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time under 4.5 seconds, with some estimates tightening it to about 4.3 seconds in mixed testing conditions.
Top speed is estimated at 230 km/h (143 mph), which is unusually high for a sub-280 hp car and reflects Caterham's focus on keeping the curb weight low and the aerodynamic drag under tight control. The power-to-weight ratio sits around 228-229 hp per tonne, giving Project V performance that tracks with contemporary mid-range electric hot hatches despite the minimalist interior and lightweight structure.
Battery, range, and charging
The heart of the electric system is a 55 kWh lithium-ion battery pack based on the USOC standard, mounted under the floor to lower the centre of gravity and preserve the car's compact footprint. Caterham targets a WLTP-cycle range of about 400 km (249 miles), with real-world mixed-use figures typically landing closer to 200-220 miles when factoring in colder temperatures and more spirited driving.
Using a 150 kW DC rapid charger, the 55 kWh pack can go from 20 percent to 80 percent state of charge in roughly 15 minutes, which mirrors the charging curve of modern compact EVs such as the Mazda MX-30 and certain Kia/Hyundai models. Home charging at 7-11 kW AC will generally replenish the battery overnight, making Project V suitable for daily use while still offering enough flexibility for weekend touring.
Dimensions and chassis architecture
Caterham Project V is a two-door coupe with a length of about 4,255 mm (167.5 inches), a width of around 1,890 mm (74.4 inches), and a low roof height near 1,230 mm (48 inches), giving it a compact, mid-sized sports-car footprint similar to the Alpine A110. The wheelbase is tuned to balance agility and interior space, with the rear-mounted electric motor contributing to a rear-biased weight distribution that aids traction and corner-exit behavior.
Under the skin, Caterham draws on its racing heritage to develop a bespoke chassis that combines aluminium and carbon-fibre elements, helping keep the overall mass near 1,190 kg even with a full battery pack. This structure is engineered to handle high cornering loads and road-surface impacts while meeting current front and side impact regulations, which adds a layer of modern safety rarely found in small, lightweight sports cars.
Interior layout and usability
Inside, Project V adopts a "2+1" seating configuration, with two full-size front seats and a smaller rear perch that works best for short trips or light luggage. The dashboard and centre tunnel are minimalist, prioritizing visibility and driver focus over large infotainment displays, in line with Caterham's traditional emphasis on analogue, driver-centric controls.
Despite the compact footprint, Caterham engineers have carved out usable boot space behind the rear seats, aiming for around 250-300 litres of luggage capacity in the production version-enough for weekend bags or a set of golf clubs. Climate control and a modest infotainment system are expected, but the overall interior weight-budget keeps such features relatively lean compared with heavyweight luxury EVs like the Tesla Model 3 or BMW i4.
Driving feel and driver engagement
Caterham markets Project V as an electric car that "still feels like a Caterham," meaning a direct steering feel, low body roll, and a close connection between throttle input and rear-wheel response. The rear-mounted electric motor and fixed-ratio transmission deliver instant torque without the oscillations of a multi-gear unit, which can make the car feel more predictable in mid-corner than a traditional sports car with a manual gearbox.
Test-fleet engineers have reported lateral grip figures in the 0.9-1.0 g range on dry tarmac, with composure that improves markedly over rough B-roads compared to the older, more spartan Seven models. At the same time, Caterham is deliberately holding back peak power to keep the chassis manageable for everyday owners, rather than chasing lap-time benchmarks against high-tech EVs such as the Porsche Taycan or Lucid Air.
Production timeline and pricing
When first announced, Caterham suggested a potential launch window of late 2025 or early 2026, but more recent updates indicate that the schedule has slipped slightly, with production now expected to ramp up in mid- to late 2026. The company has not yet published a final global price list, but early estimates point to a starting figure just under £80,000 in the UK, which would place it competitively against the Porsche 718 Boxster and certain electric coupes in the same segment.
For the U.S. market, Caterham is adapting the design to meet federal safety and emissions standards, with an initial focus on right-hand-drive markets such as the UK and select European countries before broadening to North America. Given the UK-based production and limited volumes, wait times for the first customer cars could stretch into the 12-18-month range after orders open, particularly for early-production units with bespoke colour and trim choices.
Market positioning vs rivals
| Model | Power (hp) | Battery / range (WLTP) | 0-100 km/h (s) | Target price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caterham Project V | 268-272 hp | 55 kWh / ~400 km | <4.5 s | <£80,000 (est.) |
| Porsche 718 Boxster (PDK) | 300 hp (base) | N/A - ICE | ~5.4 s | £65,000+ |
| Alpine A110 | 252 hp | N/A - ICE | 4.5 s | £60,000+ |
| Mazda MX-5 RF (ICE) | 181 hp | N/A - ICE | ~6.5 s | £30,000+ |
| Typical compact EV (e.g. 200 hp) | 200 hp | 60 kWh / ~400 km | 7-8 s | £40,000 |
Catarham Project V slots into a niche where driving purity and lightness matter more than straight-line acceleration or luxury features, sitting closer to the Alpine A110 and lightweight Porsche 718 models than to mainstream EVs. Its sub-2,800 lb (1,190 kg) curb weight and reactive chassis give it a distinct advantage over heavier rivals when it comes to handling response and overtaking feel, even if outright top speed and lap-time potential are more modest.
Environmental and ownership considerations
As a pure battery electric vehicle (BEV), Caterham Project V produces zero tailpipe emissions and qualifies for various national incentives where available, including congestion-charge exemptions in cities such as London and certain low-emission-zone discounts. Over a typical 10-year ownership cycle, this can translate into several thousand pounds in fuel-cost savings versus a comparable petrol-powered sports car, especially for higher-mileage owners.
Maintenance costs are expected to be lower than an ICE sports car, since the electric drive unit has fewer moving parts and does not require oil changes, timing belts, or complex exhaust systems. However, tyres, brakes, and suspension components will still wear at a higher rate than in a family hatchback due to the car's sporting character and frequent use on twisty roads.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common questions about Caterham Project V Shocks Fans Electric But Still Fun?
Is Caterham Project V in production yet?
As of early 2026, Caterham Project V remains in late-stage development and pre-production, with the first customer cars expected to arrive in mid- to late 2026 instead of the originally suggested late 2025 or early 2026 window. Track and public-road testing continues, including validation of the 55 kWh battery's thermal management and the 150 kW DC fast-charging system.
How many seats does the Project V have?
Project V is designed as a 2+1-seater coupe, with two full front seats and a smaller rear seat that suits occasional use or extra luggage rather than everyday rear-seat travel. This configuration helps keep the overall length and weight down while still offering more practicality than a two-seater Caterham Seven.
What is the electric range of Caterham Project V?
Caterham targets a WLTP-cycle range of about 400 km (249 miles) from the 55 kWh battery pack, with real-world mixed usage typically yielding closer to 200-220 miles due to weather, driving style, and terrain. The car is designed for UK- and European-style driving, where short-to-medium journeys and weekend excursions are common, rather than long-haul cross-country trips.
Can Caterham Project V handle fast charging?
Yes, Caterham Project V supports 150 kW DC rapid charging, which allows a 20-80 percent top-up in around 15 minutes under ideal conditions. This charging performance is comparable to many compact EVs in the same segment and makes it feasible to use the car for longer journeys when combined with mid-trip stops at compatible charging stations.
How does Project V compare with the Caterham Seven?
While the Caterham Seven remains a lighter, more extreme track-focused machine with exposed wheels and a higher-pitched driving experience, Project V offers a more road-friendly package with a full coupé body, better suspension compliance, and everyday usability without sacrificing the brand's core handling DNA. Project V is also electric, which reduces maintenance and noise versus the Seven's petrol engines, at the cost of a modest weight gain from the battery pack.
Will the Project V be available in the U.S.?
Caterham has indicated that Project V will be homologated for the U.S. market, leveraging its existing small-volume importer channels to meet federal safety and emissions rules. Sales are expected to begin after the initial UK and European rollout, likely in 2026 or 2027, with allocations limited by the low-volume production nature of the model.