Caterham EV Seven concept previews brand’s future EV sports cars

Caterham is starting to conform to electrification with the unveiling of the EV Seven concept. It is the British brand’s test bed for its future electric vehicle (EV) models.

Caterham EV Seven

Since Caterham aims to retain its DNA of producing lightweight, fun-to-drive, and driver-focused cars, the company is challenged by the added weight of electrified powertrains. But the move is looking promising as the new concept is only around 70 kg heavier as compared to its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart.

“Any future EV model we produce must be true to the DNA of a Caterham: lightweight, fun-to-drive, and driver-focused. The main objective for this project is to develop a vehicle with a weight delta of no more than the equivalent of having a passenger on board. We’re never going to launch a one-ton Seven – we’d rather not do it,” said Caterham CEO Bob Laishley.

Caterham partnered with Swindon Powertrain to develop the EV Seven’s electrified power unit. It has a bespoke version of the latter’s E Axle, which makes 236 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. The company claims the concept can go from zero to 100 km/h in approximately four seconds.

The brand aims to retain its lightweight characteristic despite using an electrified powertrain

The 51 kWh battery can be charged up to 152 kW using DC fast charging and has a usable capacity of around 40 kWh. On track days, Caterham wants to incorporate a repeatable 20-15-20 drive cycle. This means the ability to drive on track for 20 minutes, recharge in 15 minutes, and still have the energy to drive for another 20 minutes.

Other performance bits in the concept include a limited-slip differential, adjustable Bilstein dampers from the Seven 420 Cup, regenerative braking, and quad-piston brake calipers.

“We’re going to bring this to market at the right time, when the future generation of battery technology allows it, and that’s why now is the time for us to trial the concept,” added Laishley.

The concept will come out in the metal next month

Caterham doesn’t have an official Philippine distributor so it’s unlikely for most of us to get our hands behind the wheel of its future EVs. But we can at least catch the EV Seven concept’s debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK happening this July.

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