The secret of this British...

The secret of this British performance success lies under the scooped bonnet, where a quad-turbo 6.0-litre V10 produces 1,175bhp. Acceleration promises to be devastating - a 0-60mph figure of 2.6 seconds is claimed, with power being driven through two huge rear wheels. Using special aluminium and composite construction, the two-seater weighs in at only 1,300kg - making it much lighter than most family cars. The bodywork and engine are the work of British engineer Al Melling, whose previous efforts include the AJPV8 and straight-six units used by struggling sports car maker TVR.

Inside, the Hellcat feels like a stripped-out racer, using carbon fibre and heavily bolstered sports seats. It"s currently still at the prototype stage, but the firm is hoping to put it into production before the end of this year - and is believed to have struck a deal with a US partner, hence the Stars and Stripes and Union Flag livery.

Although prices have yet to be announced, exclusivity should be guaranteed: the company"s factory, based in Rochdale, Lancashire, expects to build only 200 examples a year.