- The first functional prototype of Project V will be revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon on 9th January 2026
- Created as a development car, the testing programme for the sports coupé is underway and set to continue throughout 2026
- Caterham will continue to work closely with appointed technical partners Yamaha Motor, XING Mobility and TOKYO R&D as it targets full scale production
- Caterham Project V show car will make its US debut at CES, Las Vegas on 6th January 2026
Dartford, Thursday, 11 December 2025 – Caterham will unveil its first working prototype of Project V at the Tokyo Auto Salon on 9th January 2026.
Displayed alongside exhibits from development partners Yamaha Motor and XING Mobility, the prototype is being utilised for testing and evaluation as the brand works towards full scale production.
Following the assembly of the prototype at the TOKYO R&D facility in Japan, the development vehicle is now undertaking both the initial powertrain evaluation of its Yamaha Motor e-axle as well as chassis durability work.
This prototype also enables further testing of the CTP battery system, which features cells that are immersed in a dielectric liquid for optimum cooling through rapid and uniform heat dissipation. This innovative approach offers unmatched thermal stability for exceptional energy density, safety and performance.
Elsewhere, in partnership with XING Mobility, the original Caterham Project V EV sports coupé concept show car will make its US debut at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on 6th January 2026.
Kazuho Takahashi, CEO of Caterham Cars, said: “This is a significant milestone in the development of Project V, with our prototype making its public debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon. This next step enables us to begin a comprehensive vehicle testing program in collaboration with our technical partners. Our objective remains unchanged: to realise our vision of a pure electric sports car that embodies the unmistakable DNA of a Caterham.”
About Caterham
Caterham (Caterham Cars Ltd) has produced lightweight, two-seater sports cars since 1973 when Graham Nearn acquired the tooling, designs and exclusive rights to the Seven from Lotus founder Colin Chapman.
In homage to Chapman, Caterham’s philosophy today continues to put the driving experience and fun at the heart of everything it does. It is committed to delivering a personalised experience for every customer and offers a wide range of options to help buyers create a car that perfectly suits their tastes and driving preferences, both for the road and the track.
The British manufacturer produces its unique cars exclusively from within the UK. Today, Caterham is headquartered in Dartford, Kent, where it has built cars in both assembled and kit-build form since 1987. As of 2025, Caterham is represented by over 50 official retailers across 15 key markets globally.
The current UK Caterham model range consists of the Seven Academy race car, Seven 420R race car, Seven 170, Super Seven 600, Super Seven 2000, Seven 360, Seven 420, Seven 420 Cup, Seven 620, Seven 310 Encore, and Seven CSR Twenty. The current European range consists of the Seven 170, Super Seven 600, Super Seven 2000, and Seven 340. Additional models are available for international markets.
The brand also operates a successful motorsport division consisting of five UK racing championships aimed at all levels of driver experience. There are also multiple Caterham racing championships in France and Portugal. Since 1995, the Caterham Academy – the entry-level racing championship – has seen more than 1,400 novice drivers become fully bonified racing drivers.
Caterham is owned by Japanese retail group VT Holdings, which has served as a Caterham importer since 2009. VT Holdings is one of Japan’s largest retailer groups.