Caterham's electric dream

Caterham has revealed an all-new, battery-electric coupe that will weigh less than 1200kg and go on sale by 2026. We were there to witness its birth

- JOHN BARKER

AS THIS ISSUE OF EVO HITS THE doormat, Caterham is announcing an all-new model, a '2+1' BEV coupe that it plans to put into production by 2026. 'Project V' shares nothing with the Seven, which has sustained the iconic British sports car maker for 50 years, save for a few subtle styling hints and, crucially, the company's philosophy: lightweight, simple, fun to drive. It has been designed by Anthony Jannarelly and the show car, making its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, has been engineered and manufactured by ItalDesign.

The new model will be rear-wheel drive and be powered by two battery packs: one in front of the rear axle and one under the floor in the front footwells. Having initially favoured an extruded and bonded aluminium structure, Caterham is now looking at a blend of aluminium, carbonfibre and glassfibre due to the significant weight saving it offers. The quoted weight is 1190kg (with fluids); power is 268bhp, and performance projections are 0-62mph 'in the low 4s' and a maximum of 'above 230kph' (143mph). According to Bob Laishley, Caterham's CEO, prices will start at 'under £80k'.

Laishley joined Caterham as chief strategic officer on a part-time basis back in April 2021 when VT Holdings, the Japanese car retail giant, bought the British company. He took over as CEO a year ago and has overseen Project V, which is seen as crucial to the company's future. 'The Caterham Seven is 50 years old; the design is 60 years old,' he says. "If Caterham is to survive as a brand, it needs to evolve.