Caterham's Project V Gears Up for Unveiling at Goodwood's Speed Spectacle!

Alright, hold on to your driving gloves for this one. Caterham is all set to steal the show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with a jaw-dropping reveal of Project V, slated for July 12. But here's where it gets interesting - there's been a slight hiccup in the dates. While Caterham's own site is ready for a big reveal on the 12th, the Goodwood Festival itself doesn't kick-off until the 13th. Bit of a calendar conundrum, isn't it?

While we're on the topic of confusion, let's talk Project V. This isn't your ordinary Caterham - it's an electric one, with - brace yourself - front fenders and a roof! About as likely as coming across a broccoli-munching shark, yet here we are, on the brink of such a motoring marvel. So, mark your calendars, and double-check those dates!

Now, I hear you say, "But they've already done an electric Caterham - the EV Seven!" Yes, you're right, they have, and that was rather like a regular Caterham which had accidentally swallowed an iPad. It maintained that iconic, wind-in-your-hair, bugs-in-your-teeth design, just with a battery where the petrol tank should be. And it's that same tech, it seems, that will be shoved under the bonnet of Project V.

The big thing everyone's fretting about with this new Caterham is the weight - traditionally, these cars weigh about as much as a feather after a particularly strenuous diet. The EV Seven clocked in at around 1,543 lbs, all thanks to a 51 kWh battery pack that powers a rather sprightly 240 hp electric motor. Now that gives you a 340 hp-per-tonne ratio and a 0 to 60 mph sprint of just 4 seconds. That's quicker than it takes to say, "I've just spilled my tea!"

So, here's the scoop on Project V's battery pack. It's a bit like a scene from a sci-fi film: they're using technology typically reserved for keeping supercomputers from melting into expensive puddles. Essentially, it involves circulating some scientific gobbledygook fluid around the battery cells, chilling them out better than a weekend spa break. This gives your car a zen-like coolness while it's zooming about.

Now, the real treat here is the driving cycle. Imagine this: a brisk, adrenaline-pumping 20-minute romp around the track. Then, a quick 15-minute pit stop for the batteries to have a breather (and for you to finish your cuppa). After that, it's back to the thrill of another full-on 20-minute bout. It's like a high-octane version of high-intensity interval training but in a car!

The Project V, with its windows, roof, and all that added bourgeois charm, is bound to weigh a bit more than the standard Seven. But have no fear, they're going to construct it from materials that make an aluminum can feel heavy, like... well, aluminum and carbon fiber. And while the EV Seven's 240 hp electric motor should do the job, there's chatter they might amp it up.

The design of Project V has been teased a bit, and it's clear that Anthony Jannarelly, Caterham’s head of design, has worked his magic. The man's a wizard, having a hand in creating the Lykan Hypersport and many others. His influence seems to have given Project V a nostalgic sports car appeal, which looks like a classic Caterham went on a date with a '50s sports car and had a really good time.

In conclusion, Project V is the Caterham we never knew we wanted - an electric one, with an actual roof and windows. And the best bit? You can get it fully built, or if you fancy turning your garage into an automotive version of an Ikea warehouse, you can assemble it yourself. So, start clearing your garages and emptying your piggy banks, because this toy won't be cheap. But remember, revolutions never are!

Yours truly,

Captain Electro.