Electrifying Reveal: Caterham's Radical New Electric Sports Car Takes the World by Storm
Caterham. A name that conjures up images of the most spine-jarring, bare-bones 2-seater known to man. A machine devoid of a roof or doors, snubbing its nose at frivolities like ABS or power steering. A beast that provides a masterclass in driving pleasure, free from fake engine noises and traction control. In a Caterham, it's just you, gripping your destiny by the scruff of the neck.
But alas, the winds of change are a-blowin'. Caterham is gearing up to unleash its debut electric car, and they're assuring us it'll be a far cry from its predecessors. Overseeing the design is Anthony Jannarelly, the creative force behind the jaw-dropping Lykan Hypersport, which you'll have seen if you've ever basked in the glory of Fast & Furious. With Italdesign joining forces, it's shaping up to be a collaboration for the ages.
With the aesthetics in capable hands, how will the powertrain stack up? Caterham is dead set on staying true to its core ethos: lightweight and nimble. Jannarelly acknowledges the battery's bulk as the bane of the sports car's existence. Burying it beneath the floor just raises the car, and that's simply not what Caterham is about.
Autocar reckons this could be the face of the spanking new Caterham.
But fear not, for Caterham has cracked the conundrum, likely drawing inspiration from the forthcoming Porsche Boxster EV or the Maserati GranTurismo. The answer lies in a T-shaped tunnel nestled between the seats, extending behind them and brimming with battery cells. This nifty design keeps the center of gravity low, centralized, and rear-wheel biased – a surefire recipe for unbridled merriment.
Built upon a steel space frame, the vehicle will be swathed in either aluminum or carbon fiber, its body comprised of six panels, sporting front and rear clamshell openings – a Caterham revolution! It'll even boast doors and sills, but don't expect much else in terms of luxuries.
An optional roof might be on the cards, but the RWD setup and adherence to SVA rules remain. The UK's Single Vehicle Approval scheme, now known as the IVA, allows low-volume vehicles and kit cars to be inspected and, if compliant, registered for road use. Could this electric Caterham be offered as a kit car? It's a tantalizing prospect, though fiddling with a high-voltage battery is a tad riskier than cobbling together a 2,000-hp dragster in your garage.
Behold the Jannarelly Design-1 - if the Caterham bears even a passing resemblance, folks will be flogging their houses just to get their mitts on it.
Caterham's chief financial backer, VT Holdings, is keen on a swift return on investment, and this trailblazing EV is on track to hit the tarmac by 2026. Plenty of time to start saving and make room in the shed, my friends.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro.
