Caterham Project V: James' Hometown Hero!

Supercar Corner - With James Male

Most visitors to my hometown end up there by mistake, after falling asleep on the train from London.

However, I felt great pride in my hometown when I watched the Stig tear through the high street during an episode of Top Gear and when the brand that brought him there lined up on the F1 starting grid in 2012.

Despite the Caterham showroom sadly now having been lost to yet more retirement flats, I still feel a connection to the brand and was excited to see the latest car unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Being electric and having a “more practical coupé body style” versus their track focussed Seven, this represents a hugely important change for Caterham.

Yes, this IS still Supercar Corner…

Although Caterham are famous for making great British sports cars rather than the exotic stuff that the Italians do best, I think the big supercar names could learn a lot from the new Caterham Project V.

Following the race to make the ultimate supercar, we have been left with hugely complicated, carbon-covered brutes that are getting more powerful, heavy and yet more expensive still, as they have batteries installed. Although the Project V is also electric, it is as simple and light as possible to “optimise driver engagement” - or “fun” to you and I.

Whilst the Project V will be classed as a sports car, it possesses the three main supercar qualities of speed, beauty and exclusivity. It is fast enough as it will hit 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (only half a second slower than supercar royalty - the Ferrari F40). The Italians have even lent a hand in creating the gorgeous body as Caterham have partnered with Italdesign, who know a thing or two about designing stunning looking supercars. FInally, you will be buying a rare car as Caterham make well under 1000 cars a year, and nothing says exotic like Croydon’s answer to Maranello!

The Project V is a concept at this stage but Caterham are aiming to have the car on the market by late 2025 with a target price of less than £80,000. Given my personal connection to the brand, I really hope that Caterham go ahead with the project as it fills a beautiful, well-priced, driver focussed hole in the electric sports car market.

FACT CARD:

Electric motor – 200kW

Price – £80,000

Top Speed –143 mph

0-62 – 4.5 seconds

Horse Power – 268 BHP

Length – 4255mm

Width –1893mm

Weight –1190kg

All figures are currently estimates