Caterham "Project V" Electric Concept Car Does 0-60 in Under 4.5s

The British sports car manufacturer designed Project V as an EV from the get-go, under the supervision of new chief designer, Anthony Jannarelly, whose vision was brought to life by none other than Italdesign, the world-famous Italian engineering firm.

In terms of its appearance, Project V features a minimalist retro-modern design, to go with a 2+1 configuration inside. Thanks to its carbon fiber and aluminum composite chassis, this concept vehicle weighs just 1,190 kg (2,600 lbs), which means it doesn’t need a great deal of power in order to accelerate quickly.

Speaking of power, the battery electric drivetrain uses a 200 kW (272 ps / 268 hp) electric motor mounted in the rear axle. This motor is paired with a 55-kWh lithium-ion battery pack with advanced thermal management, capable of recharging from 20% to 80% in just 15 minutes via a 150 kW DC rapid charger.

In terms of performance, it is said to accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 kph) in under 4.5 seconds, before maxing out at 143 mph (230 kph). As for the range (WLTP), it will do 249 miles (400 km) on a single charge, which is actually pretty impressive for a sports car.

“Project V is not just a concept or design study, we’ve conducted engineering and production feasibility throughout the development process,” said Caterham CEO, Bob Laishley. “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.”

Laishley went on to add that if Project V does enter production, his company will likely set a target price starting from just under £80,000, which is the equivalent of roughly $103,000. Also, it won’t replace the Seven, but rather exist alongside it in a complimentary capacity.

While the Project V show car features a 2+1 seating layout, a 2+2 setup is available as an option, providing additional comfort and greater flexibility in terms of usability. The dashboard, meanwhile, boasts a simple design with a driver-focused infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster. Once on the move, drivers can choose between Normal, Sport and Sprint driving modes, which will adjust acceleration and steering for different environments.

The prospect of a $100,000 battery-electric sports car is quite fetching, seeing as how there’s nothing else like it currently on the market. For example, the likes of the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore will probably set you back twice that amount.