Caterham Plans an Electric 718 Cayman Competitor

Caterham new sportster, currently under development, will use a Yamaha electric powertrain. Expect the first prototype to start testing in less than a year, with production scheduled for 2026.

Planned as the sub-£80k Project V sports coupé, this new electric 2+1 seat sportster promises a “cutting edge e-axle” and precise vehicle motion control. 

It will also be lightweight, with a mixed material chassis and overall weight of 1190kg. Expect fully adjustable double wishbone suspension. Once in production it will go up against the electric 718 Cayman, which is yet to emerge.

Two compact battery packs are planned, each located within the wheelbase, and probably together good for around 55kWh. They’re aiming for a range of around 400km but presumably that’s not on track. A 20-80 per cent recharge should take around 15min. 

Revealed a year ago at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Caterham is progressing the development of its Project V concept. It will likely take a new name once it goes into production. 

Details of its Yamaha powertrain are not yet to hand, but with a single 200kW motor driving the rear wheels, it is likely to run the 0-100 sprint in under 4.5sec. The firm plans for Normal, Sport and Sprint modes.

Yamaha indicates its electric powertrains feature “industry-leading output density” thanks to highly efficient conductors. It has already used these so-called ‘Hyper EV’ motors in Subaru’s 789kW STI E-RA racer. That car is targeting a Nürburgring lap time of 6min 40sec. Yamaha is also helping the Lola Formula E team with technical expertise.

Caterham CEO Bob Laishley told Autocar UK that it has long been in talks with Yamaha over using its powertrain. He said “We are very honoured to be working with them and it is great news for the Caterham brand that we can make this announcement today.

“In terms of why Yamaha as opposed to other options, they have a long-proven record of supporting OEMs with technology and, through their two-wheel business, clearly understand the need for weight optimisation. In the end, the decision was a mutual one from both sides, rather than us specifically choosing them in a traditional supplier selection.”

The Japanese giant has never put a road car into production itself, though has cooperated with others on several occasions. 

Laishley said Caterham’s brief for the Project V’s development “remains the same as always: lightweight, simple and fun-to-drive”. 

Caterham also said that Japanese engineering outfit Tokyo R&D will build the first prototype. It is due for completion midway through next year. The final product may not make the early 2026 start line, as originally planned, however. 

Tokyo R&D produced its own compact two-seat sports car, the Vemac RD200 some twenty years ago. Whether the car will eventually be made in Japan is not yet clear. However, Caterham has said that it will not build the Project V alongside the Seven in its Dartford factory. It is likely the car will be built on a contract basis. Caterham is owned by VT Holdings, which imports their sports cars into Japan. 

As mentioned, the company is targeting a sticker price of around $NZ170k.