2026 Caterham Project V

British automaker Caterham has taken the covers off its Project V concept, a sports car that breaks boundaries for the company and EVs in general. This 268-horsepower coupe has a closed roof and the practicality associated with other modern sports cars - both of which you won't find in typical Caterhams like the Seven 620. But, at a projected curb weight of under 2,700 pounds, Caterham has also built one of the lightest EVs in the world, staying true to its reputation of making agile, lightweight sports cars. Far more sophisticated styling will also broaden the appeal of the Caterham brand, so let's tell you everything we know about this sports car.

We'll have to be patient as the release date for the Caterham Project V (as it is known for now) is only scheduled for late 2025 or early 2026. It will likely be released in the UK market first and only coming to the USA after that.

The price of the 2026 Caterham Project V will start at below 80,000 euros. What that converts to in dollars depends on the exchange rate at the time. It's reasonable to expect the MSRP to be north of six figures.

There are no other existing electric sports cars at this price or with the agility and lightweight construction of the 2026 Project V. The Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT are high-performance EVs in the same price ballpark, but both are much larger, heavier, and more luxurious vehicles. Something like the Toyota GR86 gets close to the lightweight ethos of the Caterham, but it will cost a fraction of the price and isn't in the same performance league.

Sports car shoppers who are open to both electric and gas power may consider the following rivals over the Caterham: Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, or more powerful versions of the 718 Cayman. Porsche is working on an electric Cayman that is likely to be a close match for the new Caterham Project V coupe, but until that arrives, the Caterham is a unique offering.

You only need to take one look at the exterior design of the Caterham Project V to see how far the British marque has stepped outside of its comfort zone. It makes every other Caterham look agricultural; the Italdesign-built Project V has the curvaceous lines and flair to confidently stand alongside the Porsche 718.

This may be a concept, but it looks ready to start rolling off the production line. The front features a low hood over a modestly sized grille area, with simple headlight clusters and daytime running lights on either side. From the side, the broad fenders are the most obvious aesthetic feature, giving the car a powerful look. The door handles are flush with the bodywork, and the wheels on this concept have a black finish. Wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, the wheels measure 19 inches in front and 20 inches at the back, and they partially conceal high-performance brake calipers.

A classic coupe roofline leads into the car's pert rear end, where traditional taillight clusters are replaced by taillight rings with a center section in the same color as the body. We expect more traditional taillights on the production model, but nothing else looks like it needs changing. The rear window appears quite narrow, which could potentially impact visibility.

The exterior colors for the Caterham Project V are unknown at this stage, and the same applies to information about packages that could be selected to customize their appearance.

Even considering its petite dimensions, the Caterham Project V's targeted curb weight of 2,624 pounds is remarkable for an EV. For some perspective, even the subcompact Chevy Bolt EV weighs almost 1,000 lbs more than the Project V, and a gas-powered sports car like the Toyota GR86 is heavier, too. The Caterham's composite bodywork, carbon fiber/aluminum chassis, and fairly small battery all help to keep its weight down.

The Project V has a length of 167.5 inches, only 0.4 inches shy of the latest GR86. The Caterham has a width of 74.5 inches, a 101.6-inch wheelbase, and a low height of 48.3 inches.

Since it weighs so little, Caterham didn't have to equip the Project V with an unnecessarily powerful powertrain. A single electric motor is mounted on the rear axle (the Project V is a rear-wheel-drive sports car) and makes 268 hp. The 0-62 mph sprint takes under 4.5 seconds, and the top speed is 143 mph. Neither figure will break any records, but like any Caterham, this one has been engineered to deliver an exciting driving experience - and that doesn't mean outrageous power.

The concept rides on a double-wishbone front and rear suspension with fully adjustable geometry. The steering is electrically assisted, and there aren't a dizzying array of driver modes. Instead, drivers can choose from Normal, Sport, and Sprint driving modes. Considering its size and weight, we expect the Project V to be one of the most engaging EVs to pilot.

The Caterham uses a 55-kWh USOC lithium-ion battery with an advanced thermal management system. This isn't a large battery, so the targeted WLTP range is just 249 miles (expect an EPA rating of closer to 200 miles), but its small size does keep the car's weight down and contributes to quick charging times. With a 150-kW DC fast charger, the battery can be replenished from 20% to 80% in 15 minutes.

We expect favorable MPGe ratings for an EV that weighs so little, but these specs will only be available later.

The Caterham Project V's refreshingly simple interior places the emphasis firmly on the driving experience. Take the steering wheel, for instance, which is simply there to steer the car - it doesn't contain a single button. Lower down on the center console is a row of physical toggle switches for things like the driving mode, and while there is a small touchscreen, it complements rather than dominates the straightforward layout.

There are easily accessible dials for the ventilation system, and a sporty trio of gauges sits above the touchscreen. The main gauges may be digital, but they have an old-school look and clear, unfussy graphics. Smartphone integration has been included.

A combination of leather and either Alcantara or suede covers the 2026 Caterham Project V's seats, and carbon fiber is found inside the cabin. Interestingly, these seats come from Maserati. One of the cabin's main talking points is the standard 2+1 seating layout for three, providing the single rear-seat passenger more space while optimizing ingress and egress. A more conventional 2+2 layout for four occupants will be optional. Based on the car's small size, we wouldn't expect either the single or twin rear seats to be large enough to seat adults comfortably.

There has been no indication of how much cargo space the Caterham Project V will have, but we wouldn't expect much more than a single golf bag to fit in the trunk.