One of many largest complaints we’ve got in regards to the present crop of electrical vehicles is that they’re all a bit critical. Positive, the Porsche Taycan is a powerful machine, as is the Lucid Air, however neither captures the enjoyable you’ll be able to have in a gas-powered automotive at present. Fortunately, Caterham is right here to rectify that with its first electrical idea automotive.

The EV Seven is Caterham’s first electrical mannequin and it’s mentioned to pave the best way for a future EV from the British automaker. Whereas Caterham is eager to level out that that is only a idea, it does define just a few of the targets it has for a future electrical mannequin.

“Any future EV mannequin we produce have to be true to the DNA of a Caterham: light-weight, fun-to-drive and driver-focused,” mentioned Caterham CEO Bob Laishley in a press release. “The principle goal for this undertaking is to develop a car with a weight delta of not more than the equal of getting a passenger on board. We’re by no means going to launch a one-tonne Seven – we’d somewhat not do it.”

However what does all this electrical Caterham of the long run appear to be? Effectively, strikingly acquainted to be trustworthy. The automotive is predicated round a bigger Seven chassis, however as a substitute of a gasoline powered engine, the automotive is fitted with an electrical powertrain developed in partnership with EV specialists Swindon Powertrain Ltd.

As such, the automotive makes use of a bespoke, 236 hp motor from Swindon Powetrain, which is paired with a 51kWh, immersion-cooled battery. Within the idea car, Caterham says that is sufficient to offer it a prime velocity of 130 mph and a zero to 60 mph time of 4 seconds.

To amp up its on-track efficiency, the EV Seven can even include a limited-slip differential, adjustable Bilstein dampers from the Seven 420 Cup, regenerative braking and quad-piston brake calipers.

Apparently, Caterham isn’t actually talking in regards to the vary for this car, because it is aware of most individuals that purchase one will need to take it out on observe and drive it on the restrict. As such, the corporate as a substitute says it’s concentrating on 20 minutes of driving time per cost, after which a 15-minute recharge time to get you again on observe for 20 additional minutes of enjoyable. To do that, the EV idea is supplied with DC quick charging of as much as 152Kw.

Clearly, Caterham has at all times been identified for its light-weight, enjoyable observe vehicles. And up to now, the phrase “light-weight” hasn’t actually been synonymous with electrical autos. Nonetheless, Caterham is hoping to maintain the load of its first EV lower than 1,500 kilos, marking a rise of round 130 kilos over the gas-powered Seven 485.

That each one sounds fairly promising, however because it stands Caterham isn’t planning to place the EV into manufacturing. As a substitute, it’s getting used a check mattress for a future mannequin, as Laishley explains:

“We’re doing this undertaking with our eyes vast open in order that we are able to learn to ship the particular Caterham car attributes vital for a Seven: light-weight, easy and enjoyable to drive. We’re going to deliver this to market on the proper time when the long run era of battery expertise permits it, and that’s why now could be the time for us to trial the idea.”

With Method E already proving that EVs can have the efficiency to struggle it out on observe, how lengthy do you assume it will likely be till we begin seeing beginner racers rock as much as observe days with their very own electrical fashions. And, do you assume this Caterham affords a very good start line for such vehicles?