Ginetta G40R

Ginetta G40R

Average. Ginetta's first road car is a triumph on the track, but not one for popping to the shops in

Ginetta is probably known best in the UK for its one-make support championship to British Touring Cars, and for its occasional entry into Le Mans series endurance racing. However, the company has broader ambitions, and it hopes to capitalise on its growing profile with the introduction of the G40R - its first model designed specifically for the road.

Any wild ideas that this is might be a significantly softer sports car than the ones which regularly dice with each other at BTCC meets on the weekend are immediately banished on closer inspection of the new model. While it may be street legal, this is still very much a track car, designed to be driven to a local circuit for the day, raced, and then driven home again.

This means it is devoid of many of the luxuries (or fripperies) often included on cars these days. The steering and brakes are all non-power assisted, and even the windows are raised and lowered manually. While this inevitably leads to a pared-back feel in the cabin, it also helps to produce a car that is fantastically engaging to drive. While it may be predictably heavy at slow speeds, the rack and pinion steering comes alive through fast corners, making it easy to place the G40R exactly where you want on the road.

The handling is aided by a glorious sounding engine that takes the Ginetta to 60mph in 5.8 seconds in standard, untuned form, although the makers will help with more power should you wish and insists the chassis should be good for anything up to 300bhp. Even sticking with the untouched car it feels faster than the figures suggest, with the low seating position, high window line and lack of sound deadening all adding to the sensation of speed.

However, the high level of noise is indicative of the Ginetta's other track-orientated flaws. Water drips inside the (admittedly pre-production) car easily when it rains, and the resulting damp means the windows steam up all too easily, making aircon a must pick item from the options list.

But even with those foibles, the car's intensity is additive. While it is a bit calmer than the full-blown circuit racer, it's noticeably fiercer than some of the models offered by British rivals Lotus and Caterham. It'll also offer something genuinely different and rare - just 100 examples a year will be built and for buyers with the right attitude, the sub £30,000 asking price will seem like remarkably good value for money.