Caterham unveils EV Seven development concept

Caterham has unveiled the EV Seven, a technology development concept that offers a first look at what a future all-electric Caterham could look like.

The EV Seven was developed in collaboration with U.K.-based powertrain developer Swindon Powertrain Ltd. Based on the chassis of the Seven (read more about the Caterham Seven 170 here), it utilises a bespoke version of Swindon Powertrain's E Axle, combined with an immersion cooled battery pack.

This powertrain, Caterham states, can power the car for up to 20 minutes of track use, before requiring 15 minutes of recharging. Following this, the drivetrain of the EV Seven is said to be able to deliver enough energy to drive for a further 20 minutes.

This is facilitated by a battery cooling system that uses a dielectric fluid supplied by Motul. This fluid is in direct contact with the cells, enabling better thermal management during charge and discharge cycles.

This 51kWh battery comes with a usable capacity capped at close to 40kWh, the sizable buffer in place to allow the battery pack to withstand demanding track use followed by rapid 152kW charging without causing premature degradation.

Caterham states that this drivetrain has kept to weight increase of the EV Seven to less than 70kg compared to the current production Seven. Power from the system, meanwhile, stands at 240bhp, while peak torque from the system is 250Nm. Caterham states that the concept will be able to hit 96km/h from a standstill in close to 4.0 seconds.

A limited slip differential, adjustable Bilstein dampers from the Seven 420 Cup, regenerative braking and quad-piston brake calipers all add to the handling prowess of the EV Seven. The Caterham EV Seven concept will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K. this July.