Yamaha is best known for its motorcycles, but it’s working on a pretty gorgeous-looking electric sports coupe with the Caterham EVO. The concept debuted at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed and promises to accommodate 268 horses thanks to its incredibly low curb weight.
Japanese manufacturers don’t just make sturdy bikes. It has played a major role in the development of many of the world’s most popular sports cars. The company has built some of the auto industry’s most innovative powerplants, including the V-6 engine in the original Ford Taurus SHO, the 4.8-liter V-10 engine that revolutionized the Lexus LFA, and the Toyota-powered Lotus Exige. I did. At 8,000rpm.
The company recently revealed that it is helping British manufacturer Caterham, famous for its kit cars, develop an all-new electric sports car. The carbon fiber monocoque sports vehicle project, dubbed ‘Project V’, features Yamaha precision engineering while maintaining Caterham’s driving pleasure-focused DNA. Check it out in this video (article continues below).
Caterham Project V |The wait is over.
In case you’re wondering, this car is intended for mass production, unlike countless other one-offs that never make it to the public and remain a concept forever. It is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
Given that Caterham is currently managed by VT Properties, a major Japanese car vendor, it’s no surprise that Yamaha has joined the Project V development program. Tokyo R&D is a specialist engineering company that has created significant prototypes and production vehicles commissioned by OEMs. , was commissioned to develop a sports coupe.
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For this project, Yamaha will be responsible for providing a compact and lightweight electric drivetrain, but that’s not all. Caterham said Project V will also benefit from Yamaha’s “vehicle dynamics control technology and expertise.”
Technical specifications have not yet been released, but last year’s concept weighed 2,625 pounds (1,190 kg) and used a rear motor with an output of 268 horsepower (200 kW). Using 150 kW DC charging, it was possible to charge from 20% to 80% in about 15 minutes.
By the way, this power figure is the same as the four electric motors that Yamaha is supplying to the SUBARU STI E-RA, a near-future motorsport project aiming for a lap time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds at the Nürburgring. Nordschleife. It draws power from a 60 kWh battery, with all four motors offering all-wheel drive capability and a total output of 1,088 PS (800 kW).
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Since prototypes are typically still in the early stages of development, Caterham used various components and parts from other vehicles to facilitate the construction of Project V without sacrificing quality. This includes things like the Maserati’s seats and the Audi TT’s door openings.
Project V is expected to be powered by a 55 kWh battery with a WLTP cycle range of 249 miles (400 km). Caterham touts a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h) and a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of less than 4 seconds.
Inside, the car features a unique 2+1 seating arrangement, rather than the traditional 2+2, so rear seat passengers aren’t squashed like sardines. It will be made of aluminum and carbon fiber to meet weight requirements. hard!
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Some people on the internet are saying that the Project V concept resembles a fusion of a Maserati GranTurismo, a 997-generation Porsche 911, and an Alpine A110. And you know what? I can’t stop seeing it now.
The company hopes to attract sports car enthusiasts and those looking for a compact family car with a bit of personality. The retail price is rumored to be $103,000, so we’re sure a lot of people will be excited when it finally hits stores.
Source: Yamaha
