When I say we’re inching closer to the launch of Caterham’s all-new electric sports car, I’m not joking. Two weeks ago we got to see a few inches of the front end, and now we’re getting a look at a few inches of the back a week before the full reveal of Project V at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The latest teaser image and video is in the same style as the previous one and an even earlier profile shot, in that they were created with almost no light shining on the car, limiting what we can see about the body details. But we can clearly see the shape of the rear lights, which are formed by mirrored upper and lower LED elements on each side.
The glow created from those LEDs illuminates the area directly above them, revealing that the rear panel is slightly recessed and that the trunk lid is curved to create a small lip spoiler. The image also reinforces the impression that this is a cleanly-styled sports car with almost soft lines, perhaps inspired by classic 1960s sports cars like the Ferrari 206/246 Dino and Porsche 908. We’re not exacting to see a ton of messy details, sharp edges and scoops when Caterham finally gets around to changing that dang bulb in the studio light. And that’s fine by us.
Related: Caterham’s Project V Electric Sports Car Is Coming To Goodwood
In the previous teaser we were shown a pair of slim DRLs at the front of the car, along with what looked like an air intake, though whatever Project V ends up being called can’t need one because it’ll be a pure EV. Exactly how many electric motors it will have, and how many horses the motor or motors will produce, Caterham isn’t yet saying.
But we imagine there will be some link to the other car Caterham is bringing to Goodwood. The EV Seven looks just like a traditional Caterham and only weighs 154 lbs (74 kg) more, but it features a rear-mounted electric motor producing 240 hp (178 kW / 243 PS) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.
But there’s no way the fully enclosed Project V is going to come close to matching the EV Seven’s weight figure, so we suspect it will need more power, though it all depends on what cars Caterham is targeting. Logic says it has been conceived to rival the upcoming Porsche Cayman, baby Lotus sports car and next Alpine A110, all of which will feature electric power. The question is, will it – can it – still feel anything like a Caterham when it probably weighs twice as much and has actual doors?
