Caterham, the British brand famous for making lightweight, high-performance sports cars since the 1970s, is ready to take a big leap into the electric future. After years of development, the company will soon show off a working prototype of its very first fully electric coupe.
This isn’t just a “concept car” sitting behind glass—it’s a real, functional prototype that will make its public debut at the CES 2026 in Las Vegas on January 6 and then appear at the Tokyo Auto Salon just a few days later, on January 9. Caterham fans and electric car enthusiasts alike will get a first look at how the brand is rethinking performance for the electric age.
Is the Production Version Close?
While we’re getting a glimpse of the future with this prototype, Caterham isn’t quite ready to announce an official production date. Earlier plans suggested we might see the production version by late 2025 or early 2026, but those timelines have now been revised. No official launch date has been set, but it’s clear that the car is getting closer to hitting the road.
Caterham first teased the car with the Project V Concept in July 2023. The current prototype is still in the testing phase, designed to help the company fine-tune everything before moving to mass production.
Power and Performance: Serious Electric Muscle
One of the big updates came in October 2024 when Caterham confirmed that Project V would be powered by an electric axle (E-Axle) developed by Yamaha. The system will use a single electric motor delivering 268 horsepower (200 kW)—the same setup Yamaha used in its Subaru STI E-RA concept in 2022. So, the power figures are locked in for now.
In December 2024, Caterham also revealed a huge tech upgrade: they’ll use immersion-cooled battery packs from Xing Mobility. These batteries are submerged in a special cooling fluid, which is much more efficient than traditional liquid cooling. The result? Better performance, less heat, and more range—all key for a lightweight sports car like this one.
With 200 Wh/kg energy density, these batteries will help keep weight down while offering longer driving ranges, which is a big deal for anyone interested in a sports car that’s both fast and practical.
What’s Next for Project V?
So, what’s the next step for the Project V? Caterham is focusing on refining the electric drivetrain, continuing tests on the battery systems, and pushing the car through durability testing for the body and chassis. These steps will be crucial as the company prepares for the final production model, which will closely resemble what we’re seeing now in terms of design and features.
The fact that Caterham is showcasing the car at major events like CES and Tokyo Auto Salon suggests that they’re pretty confident in its direction and that we won’t see any drastic changes to the exterior or interior designs.
A Shift in Leadership at Caterham
In other news, Bob Laishley, the CEO who took Caterham through several important years, has stepped down. After four years in charge, he’s handed over the reins to Kazuho Takahashi, the Chairman and Founder of VT Holdings, Caterham’s parent company.
Takahashi is excited about the electric future, calling the Project V prototype’s public debut a significant milestone. He also mentioned that these upcoming shows will kick off a more comprehensive testing program, in partnership with key technical suppliers. Caterham’s ultimate goal remains clear: deliver a pure electric sports car that embodies the brand’s legendary driving DNA.
For a company known for its lightweight, back-to-basics sports cars, Project V might just be the most important vehicle they’ve ever developed. It’s a true leap into the future—and it’s coming sooner than you think.
