06:39 19-01-2026

Caterham Project V electric sports car prototype details and specs

Caterham unveils a working prototype for the Project V electric sports car, featuring Yamaha powertrain and lightweight design to compete with Porsche 718 EV. Learn about its specs and market impact.

The Caterham Project V electric sports car has officially slipped from its original schedule, but in its place, the company has unveiled the first working prototype. This prototype will now serve as the foundation for testing the entire powertrain architecture of the future model.

New Development Phase and Key Technical Parameters

The working prototype debuted at the Tokyo Auto Salon and now acts as a test platform for the Yamaha powertrain, new battery architecture, and chassis rigidity checks. The model is being developed to compete with the electric Porsche 718 while maintaining Caterham's philosophy: lightness, simplicity, and pure handling.

Batteries are placed in two zones: one block is installed ahead of the rear axle, the second in the front floor wells. The supplier is Xing Mobility, which uses immersion liquid cooling. The Yamaha powertrain produces 268 horsepower, enabling acceleration to 100 km/h in the low four-second range. With a claimed weight of 1,190 kg, Caterham aims to keep the Project V in the lightweight coupe class, which is rare for an electric vehicle.

Design, Engineering Concept, and ItalDesign's Role

The model was created from scratch, with no borrowings from the legendary Seven aside from a few stylistic hints. Design was led by Anthony Jannarelly, while the show car's engineering was handled by ItalDesign. The exterior blends a retro 1960s profile with modern proportions, and visual references to the Seven do not disrupt the cohesive image.

The prototype has for the first time revealed the seating, interior, and battery layout. The cabin is executed in a minimalist style, with emphasis shifted to pure driver perception. A 2+1 or 2+2 version is planned, which will set the Project V apart from narrow-profile sports cars.

Market Positioning and Significance for the Electric Sports Car Segment

The sports electric coupe segment is practically empty, with only Alpine, Lotus, and the Porsche 718 EV on the horizon. Caterham is betting on radical weight reduction to offer a true driver's car rather than a heavy "gadget on wheels." If the company can maintain the weight and develop the potential of the Yamaha e-axle, the Project V could become the purest electric sports car of the decade.

The brand emphasizes that the testing program will last throughout 2026. The final form and specifications have not yet been disclosed.