Yamaha Motor Partners Caterham, Will Power Project V EV Sportscar

Caterham and Yamaha Motor have announced a strategic partnership to bring the former’s upcoming all-new and all-electric sports coupe, dubbed Project V, closer to mass production and commercialisation.

This collaboration will see Yamaha supply its cutting-edge e-axle technology, while Caterham continues to uphold its core values of creating lightweight, simple, and exhilarating driving machines.

Initially unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2023 and later showcased at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2024, Project V is advancing rapidly toward the development of a prototype, which is expected to be completed by mid-2025.

The project is being spearheaded by Caterham EVo Limited, a UK-based subsidiary of VT Holdings, the current owners of Caterham based in Nagoya, Japan.

Yamaha Motor, renowned for its mobility innovations with its co-developed engine for a series of Toyota models which included the Supra (2JZ) and Celica (3SGTE & 2ZZ), is tasked with developing the electric powertrain for Project V.

Yamaha Motor will independently create a small and lightweight e-axle for the prototype, leveraging its expertise in its current electric powertrain technologies.

Yamaha which has set its goal in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 will be developing electric powertrains and has announced its participation in the Formula E World Championship earlier in the year.

The development of the Project V prototype is being managed by TOKYO R&D, an experienced engineering firm specialising in prototype and production vehicle development. With Yamaha’s involvement, the prototype’s completion by mid-2025 is on track, propelling the project toward its ultimate goal of mass production.

Project V, promises to continue Caterham's core DNA - lightweight, simple, and built for pure driving pleasure. Additionally, this collaboration will help both these brands push to lead in these niche EV space.