Caterham’s Project V is basically an updated Tesla Roadster for 2026
Caterham, the British builder of lightweight sportscars, has revealed a new electric concept car, the “Project V,” slated for 2026. And its specs look mighty familiar – not too far off from the original Tesla Roadster from 2008.
The announcement coincides with the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a yearly hillclimb race that has become one of the world’s largest assemblies of classic and high-end cars.
There are several fast electric cars out there, which are breaking all kinds of records, including at Goodwood itself. But most of these are either heavy or expensive, not really fitting the lightweight “driver’s car” paradigm which is so popular among enthusiasts.
Despite the modern electric car revolution beginning with the original 2008 Tesla Roadster, a lightweight electric sportscar built on a platform developed with Lotus Engineering, there has been a lack of lightweight electric sportscars since then. We’ve long wanted something like an electric Miata, but this hasn’t been forthcoming.
Well, now Caterham has stepped into the ring with something similar – though not quite in the same price range as that Miata we wanted.
Its new “Project V” concept is a lightweight electric coupe, in keeping with the lightweight Caterham DNA. The company is known for its super-lightweight “Seven” roadster, based off of the design of the original Lotus Seven, and is an extremely popular vehicle with enthusiasts for its handling and modifiability.
The Project V brings this focus on lightweight design into the modern electric car era, with a weight of just 1,190kg (2,623 lbs). That’s about 100 lbs less than the original Tesla Roadster, which, like Caterham, traces its origins back to Lotus DNA. And that’s not where the similarities end.
Where the Roadster had 248-288 horsepower (depending on configuration), the Caterham has 268hp – both rear-wheel drive. Where the Roadster had a 53kWh battery pack, the Caterham will have a 55kWh one. A 393km/244mi range becomes a ~400km/249mi range, and a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds becomes a 0-62 time of ~4.5 seconds, but with a 29km/h (18mph) higher top speed.
And the Caterham has a composite body and carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, similar to the Roadster’s carbon fiber body and mostly aluminum chassis. Though the Caterham is significantly bigger, at 309mm longer, 20mm wider and 99mm taller than the Roadster was, and the wheels are 3 inches larger (19″ front, 20″ rear).
So, basically, it’s a Tesla Roadster. But new!
The Caterham has some notable and large improvements over the Roadster, though. For one, it has a third seat in the rear, placed in the center of the car, giving it a full 50% improvement over the number of seats in the Roadster. And it will even have an option for a 2+2 configuration, doubling the Roadster’s measly two.
And second, it has DC charging, something which the aging Roadster could never get (except through third-party aftermarket modifications). Caterham says the Project V’s battery will charge from 20-80% in 15 minutes on a 150kW charger, which would represent an impressive 132kW average charge rate on its 55kWh battery.
And clearly it looks different, with an aggressive and less angular exterior than the Tesla had, and a much less bare-bones interior, as far as we can tell from initial photos. It even has CarPlay! And power steering!
However, it’s also missing one thing the Roadster has – a convertible top. Clearly this coupe was designed in the rainy UK, and not sunny California. But hey, maybe they’ll come up with a roadster version in the future.
While Caterham is officially calling this a concept, the company states that it “could be brought to market” in late 2025/early 2026 at a rate of 2000 units per year. Caterham has a target price of “less than £80,000,” equivalent to $103k in US greenbacks (by comparison, the Tesla Roadster’s base price was $109k, without adjusting for inflation).
Electrek’s Take
We’re being a little too glib here with all these comparisons, but hey, Brits are famous for their biting comedy, so we hope they can take it.
Besides, none of this is actually meant as a swipe at the Caterham. I own an early model, low-VIN Tesla Roadster, which is all these comparisons immediately came to mind for me. It was and is my dream car, and it’s the vehicle that ignited my interest in electric cars which led me where I am today.
After driving it for so long, I have difficulty enjoying other cars, particularly any gas car, because my Roadster is such a fun, raw experience. It gives me a connection to the road and to my car’s performance in a way that nothing else out there does.
So it’s awesome to see another car out there that’s got a lot of that same spirit, but a few modernizations to smooth over the quirks in the bucket of bolts that I have always loved. We hope this car gets made, and I can’t wait to get in the driver’s seat and see how it compares.
While Tesla’s continuously-delayed next-gen Roadster update seems like it will be more of a hypercar chasing top speeds and track records, I think there’s room for a modern enthusiast’s EV, a true driver’s car, and the Caterham Project V might just fill that niche for people who know that what you really want is a quick car, not a fast one.
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Tesla is going to build a new Megafactory in Texas near Houston, according to a tax abatement agreement with Waller County.
At the time of writing, Tesla had yet to comment on the new project, but the Waller County Commissioners Court confirmed the project on Wednesday when they approved a tax abatement deal with the company:
Under the proposed agreement, Tesla will receive tax abatements from Waller County based on property improvements. The deal includes $44 million in facility improvements and $150 million in Tesla manufacturing equipment that Tesla will install. The next phase involves a new $31 million distribution facility with about $2 million in Tesla distribution equipment and building upgrades.
Tesla is going to take over a 1-million-sq-ft building that it already held the lease on at the Empire West industrial park near Katy, Texas – just outside of Houston.
Logistics company DB Schenker occupied the space where it handled parts for Tesla, but it will move out and Tesla plans to build Megapack production lines at the site:
Tesla will operate a new Megapack battery storage manufacturing facility at a 1 million-square-foot building, which was initially constructed with no tenant on speculation that it would attract jobs and economic development.
Tesla has previously referred to plants producing Megapacks as “Megafactory”. The company already operates one in Lathrop, California, and one in Shanghai, China, where it just started production.
Those factories are set up for a production capacity of 40 GWh worth of Megapacks per year.
It’s not clear if Tesla plans for a similar capacity at this new factory, but the county announced project should result in creating 1,500 jobs.
In addition to the existing building, the project will include the construction of an additional “600,000-square-foot distribution facility with some manufacturing capabilities.”
Unlike its automotive business, Tesla’s energy business has been growing at an impressive pace – although prices and margins have come down last year.
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![Is Genesis taking notes from Porsche? New GV60 Magma caught with the Taycan [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Genesis-GV60-Magma-Porsche-2.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Genesis is gearing up to unleash its alter ego with its upcoming Magma lineup, its debut into the world of high-performance luxury vehicles. First up is the Genesis GV60 Magma, due out later this year. As testing wraps up, the GV60 Magma was spotted alongside none other than the Porsche Taycan.
The first dedicated Genesis EV model, the GV60, will kick off another new chapter for the Korean luxury automaker.
Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma last March, claiming it will kick off “the brand’s expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.” The performance EV includes an improved battery, chassis, and motor for added performance.
The Magma model boasts a wider, lower stance for more control. Other key upgrades include a wider front air intake to help cool the batteries, motor, and brakes. It also includes air curtains to maximize efficiency and an added roof fin channels air to the rear wing, generating downward force.
Genesis upgraded the interior to match the GV60 Magma’s luxurious, sporty design. It includes unique sports car-like bucket seats with exclusive “double-diamond stitching” in the Magma orange and titanium coloring.
Genesis GV60 Magma spotted with the Porsche Taycan
With its official debut coming up, the sporty Genesis GV60 Magma was spotted testing alongside a Porsche Taycan and Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 N models.
Despite the camouflage, the video from CarSpyMedia reveals a few new design elements, like the two-line headlight featured on the updated GV60 model.
Genesis will launch the GV60 Magma later this year in its home market, followed by the US, Europe, and others. Production is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2025.
Will the Genesis GV60 Magma keep up with the Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S Plaid? Priced and specs will be revealed closer to launch, but it will sit above the Performance AWD trim, which starts at $69,900 in the US. With up to 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, it can hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
| Horsepower | 0 to 60 mph (seconds) |
Starting Price | |
| Genesis GV60 Performance | 429 | 3.7 | $69,900 |
| Genesis GV60 Magma | ? | ? | ? |
| Porsche Taycan | 402 | 4.5 | $99,400 |
| Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (with Weissach Package) |
1,092 | 2.1 | $230,000 |
| Tesla Model S Plaid | 1,020 | 1.99 | $89,990 |
In comparison, the Porsche Taycan starts at $99,400 with up to 402 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time in 4.5 seconds. The Taycan Turbo GT, equipped with its Weissach package, packs 1,092 hp for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 2.1 seconds, but it costs $230,000.
Tesla’s Model S Plaid starts at $79,990 and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with 1,020 horsepower. Which performance EV are you choosing?
Source: CarSpyMedia
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