Basics

Cosworth Technology, our engineering support partners, have re-calibrated the motor to produce a more powerful version that increases the output to over 300bhp. Power to weight figures of 500bhp per tonne are easily achievable, and the S-IV puts that power firmly on the road.

Overall performance is absolutely stunning. We have been testing the pre-production version of the machine for over a year. Acceleration is amongst the top 10 world class leading cars, and braking is powerful and fade-free. The ride is exemplary and the handling is totally predictable, with no hint of 'lift-off-oversteer', so often a problem with mid/rear engined cars.

We ran the torque figures for a tuned engine (265bhp/270lb-ft) through some specialist performance estimation software which predicted that a 760Kg S IV (including fuel and driver) would achieve 0-60mph in 3.7sec, 0-100mph in 7.9sec and 30-70mph in 2.7sec. The expected midrange acceleration was a mind-blowing 40-80mph in 3rd in 3.1sec, and 40-100mph in 4th in 6.8sec. That's competitive with a McLaren F1 at 3.4sec and 6.7sec. In real-world performance testing, those predictions have not been far out.

Imagine sitting at a steady 60mph in 6th, side by side with a 7.3 litre Pagani Zonda S. You look across and grin at the other driver as you both floor the throttle.