Caterham Project V is a lightweight electric sports coupe developed in partnership with Yamaha Motor, bringing the same weight-obsessed, driver-first philosophy of the Seven to a modern BEV platform and targeting production by 2027.
What is Caterham Project V?
Project V began in September 2022 when designer Anthony Jannarelly started work with Caterham on an all-new electric coupe, deliberately applying the Caterham Seven's minimalist, weight-disciplined philosophy to a fresh silhouette. Caterham frames Project V not as a technology showcase, but as an EV shaped around sports-car fundamentals: every component must justify itself from a weight perspective to preserve responsiveness and engagement.
A clear development timeline
From concept to prototype in three years: Caterham partnered with Italdesign in October 2022 to build the show car. The global unveiling came at Goodwood Festival of Speed in June 2023, followed by the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2024 and a German Design Award win in February 2025. By January 2026, Project V appeared at CES Las Vegas with XING Mobility, and the latest prototype was revealed at Tokyo Auto Salon in an active march from design study toward engineered car. A prototype has since been confirmed in track testing, inching closer to the production commitment.
Technical specification: Yamaha e-axle and XING battery
The powertrain is rear-wheel drive, built around a Yamaha Motor single-motor e-axle delivering 200 kW (268 bhp). The battery is a 47 kWh immersion-cooled unit from XING Mobility using Panasonic Energy cylindrical lithium-ion cells. Published targets are: 0-62 mph in under 4.5 seconds, 143 mph top speed, approximately 249 miles of WLTP range, and a 20-80% fast charge in around 15 to 20 minutes at 100 kW DC. Target kerb weight is 1,430 kg, appreciably lighter than the Porsche Taycan or Tesla Roadster with which it will compete for EV performance prestige. The body length is 4,350 mm in a compact coupe footprint. Pricing is expected in the region of $135,000 when US sales open in 2027.
Where Project V sits in the electric sports car landscape
The Caterham Project V answers a specific question: can an electric car preserve the lightweight, analog character that defines the best sports cars? By targeting a weight under 1,430 kg, using a focused 47 kWh pack rather than a large-range battery, and committing to rear-wheel drive only, Caterham is making a clear statement that smaller and lighter beats heavier and faster for driver engagement. If production targets are met, it will be one of very few EVs to genuinely prioritize driving dynamics over range anxiety. Photo: CATERHAM
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