The wraps are off the much trailed Caterham Project V electric ‘concept’ car, and while beauty must always remain in the eyes of the beholder, there will surely be few indeed who’ll find the svelte lines created by chief designer Anthony Jannarelly anything other than exceedingly easy on the eye.
We know more about what lies beneath too: a 55kWh battery giving a projected WLTP range of 249 miles, powering a single electric motor producing 268bhp. Perhaps most surprising is the fact that the Project V is a 2+2 or, optionally, a 2+1, and not a conventional two-seater.
Eyebrows will also be raised at the target 1190kg kerbweight too, sylph-like by most standards but more than double what people expect of conventional Caterhams. The car is said to reach 62mph in less than 4.5sec and reach a top speed of 143mph. Charging at 150kW, it has a claimed 20-80 per cent charge time of just 15 minutes.
Other departures from anything Caterham has produced to date include double wishbone suspension at all four corners, power assisted steering and an interior with a digital instrument pack and smartphone mirroring.
Those surprised at such detail from a concept car should know the Project V has been developed in conjunction with ItalDesign, very much with the intention that the famed Italian design house will build the car, and that it could be in production in little more than two years’ time. Caterham says prices will start below £80,000, still over £20,000 more than any Seven on sale.
Clearly, then, this is a very different kind of Caterham, entirely additional to the existing range and aimed at an equally different kind of customer. I think it looks fabulous and admire Caterham’s courage in going where no-one has gone since the ill-fated Tesla Roadster kicked off the EV revolution 15 years ago. Were I in charge I’d also offer a version with a far smaller battery, a range of around 150 miles, no rear seats and a kerbweight below the magic one tonne mark. They’re probably quite glad I’m not.
