Caterham announced its collaboration with Yamaha Motor for the fully electric powertrain of the Project V sports car. The model, introduced in concept form at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, is getting closer to production, although its market launch will likely be delayed after 2026. Yamaha will supply a “cutting-edge” e-axle to the prototype, helping Caterham move its new model into the next stage of development. The “lightweight compact electric powertrain” is said to stay true to the DNA of Caterham models. Yamaha will also offer its technology and expertise in “vehicle motion control”.
The concept was fitted with a rear-mounted
electric motor producing 268 hp. Caterham didn’t mention the
output of the Yamaha-sourced e-axle, which will most likely match the original
specifications. After all, the 2022 Subaru STI E-RA concept came fitted with
four Yamaha-sourced electric motors producing 268 hp each.
According to the original estimates from last year, the Project V will
accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of
230 km/h. A lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 55 kWh, has a
targeted WLTP range of 400 km, and supports up to 150 kW of DC
charging.
Caterham has also assigned Japanese
engineering firm Tokyo R&D to build a prototype Project V, with the British
carmaker aiming to have it ready by mid-2025. The company initially wanted to
put the Project V into production by 2026, but it seems that this target has
since been moved. Speaking to Autocar, Caterham CEO, Bob Laishley, said that he
doesn’t want to speculate on the production date of the electric sportscar,
adding that “2026 will be a challenge”.
Laishley revealed that Caterham has yet to
decide on a production location for the Project V, which won’t be manufactured
at the Dartford factory in the UK. Caterham is owned by VT Holdings, an
investment group based in the Japanese city of Nagoya, that owns several car
dealers and importers.