Video: A closer look at the new Caterham Project V

03rd November 2023

Simon Ostler

Caterham has broken the mould with its first electric car. The Project V, designed by Anthony Jannarelly, is in many ways a massive departure from the Seven, but in other ways, it is everything we've come to expect from this famous sportscar maker.

Firstly, and most obviously, the open-cockpit, open-wheel philosophy of the spectacular Caterham Seven is gone, in favour of a streamlined shape that reaps huge aerodynamic benefits. It’s still very Caterham when it comes to the thought process behind the design, everything has earned its place on the car. Anything superfluous has been done away with to reduce weight.

Then there’s the inside, which is possibly an even greater departure from what we’re used to from Caterham. There are digital displays for the instruments, a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and even air conditioning. It’s a very modern step up from the Caterham interiors we’ve been used to in the Seven.

The elephant in the room, of course, is that the Project V is an electric car. It had to happen, and I’m glad that it has. It shows Caterham’s dedication to future proofing itself, and ensuring this great marque will still have a place when the world stops burning fossil fuels.

Sure it may have done away with the engine, but there’s a sneaking suspicion that this car will be every bit as thrilling to drive as the Caterhams that have come before it. It’s light, well-engineered, and still geared towards offering an engaging drive. We can’t wait to get this out on the road.