Behold the Caterham Project V - A 268bhp EV Coupe Concept

The Caterham Project V is an electric car concept that could make production in 2025. It will weigh around 1,190kg and have 268bhp.

Caterham is no stranger to weird and wacky designs for their vehicles. Known for the fantastic Caterham 7 sports car as well as the Caterham 21, we knew it wasn't long before they set their sights on the EV (electric vehicle) market.

This time they've decided to go with a car that looks a bit more mainstream than what they're known for (it even has a roof!). But even so, the concept car looks extremely unique and certainly very handsome. 

The new concept car dubbed 'Project V' at the current time is a lightweight EV coupe sports car that Caterham promises to be simple and speedy.

Caterham has decided to leave the ultra-powerful 500bhp+ hypercar EVs to the big boys for now, as Project V is planned to be a relatively medium-powered car. With just 268bhp sent to a single rear wheel motor thanks to a 55kWh battery, the figures aren't exactly mindblowing for a sport-focused EV.

But the secret to Project V's power is its size and weight. It will be around 4.2 metres long, 1.2 metres and 1.9 metres wide. Thanks to an aluminium composite chassis, composite body panels and some abundantly used carbon fibre, it will weigh around 1,190kg which is incredibly light for an EV.

All this will give Project V a 0 to 62 mph time of just 4.5 seconds and a top speed of around 143 mph. For comparison, the upcoming MG Cyberster EV will weigh around 1,850kg and they are similar in size.

Project V is planned to have ultra-rapid changing up to 150kW, which in layman's terms means you'll be able to charge the car from 20 to 80% in just 15 minutes. And thanks to the large 55kWh battery you have up to 249 miles of range.

It will come with electrically assisted steering and a fully adjustable double wishbone suspension on both front and rear axles. Alloys will be staggered at 19 inches for the front and 20 inches for the rear. 

Inside, Project V looks simple yet elegant in its design. You have carbon fibre (or carbon fibre-like material) adorning the dashboard area that stretches all the way across. You also have a colour touch screen and some buttons and two rotary dials underneath. 

The cockpit area features two circular digital screens and a round premium-looking steering wheel. It doesn't look like the steering wheel is multifunctional but Caterham has never really been a brand for packing many features in like that. It's all about the car and how it drives.

Caterham CEO Bob Laishley has this to say about the Project V concept,

"An electric Caterham of any shape and size has to stay true to what sets us apart from everyone else: being lightweight, simple and offering an unparalleled driving experience; that’s our DNA"

He goes on to say,

"Project V fulfils our ambition to sustainably grow the company and explore electrification simultaneously. Subject to the next phases of development and technical capability, Project V could be brought to market towards the end of 2025 or early 2026 with a target price starting from less than £80,000"

Keep in mind this is a concept car so between now and 2025 many things could change from what is written in this article.

In any case, we're very excited to see more of Project V.