2010 Zenvo ST1

Zenvo was started by three people who decided to try what the likes of Bugatti, Pagani and Koenigsegg have done before them. The purpose, according to Jesper Jensen corporate bosses, not to build a road rocket that can beat Veyron in terms of raw speed (although the figures are claimed - 0-62mph in 3.0sec and 233mph max - not too shabby). Instead, the idea was to come with a car that can easily be driven every day, but which can also double as a track weapon. The st1 was originally designed as a rolling chassis, built around a steel spine with a double wishbone suspension and a three-way adjustable Öhlins dampers.

The st1 has three engine modes - normal, sport and race - liberate 650bhp, 850bhp and 1104bhp respectively, and the choice of any of these are only the twist-knob off. Traction control fully operational in the normal mode, and partly so in the sport ... but you're on your own in a race full power mode. Seat of my pants even say 650bhp settings would be enough to beat most rivals, provided you are quick enough with the clutch and gearchange you work. This is not a Honda S2000-style rifle-bolt gearchange requires only film of the wrist. Instead you should be persecuting the alloy knob of a shift in the ratio following a mild or not fast (but maybe a new relationship alluded to earlier will help).

Engine power delivery is relatively smooth and progressive - no alarming peaks or valleys - but did not explode especially enjoyed V8 drag at low speeds in high gear. This, coupled with the obstinacy of the manual gearboxes, suggested a six-speed paddle-shift sequential - built by Xtrac - would be a better option for most. No-holds-barred 1104bhp mode as soon as practical st1 anything I've ever driven - including the Bugatti Veyron. However, where you and cossets Bugatti insulates you from a lot of violence that occurred in the engine room, then attack you with Zenvo aural battering and physical.