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Make way for the next big thing in British-made sports cars. Things feel different behind the wheel of the £75,000 Trident Iceni. Surrounded by two-tone leather and a sculpted dash, you could be fooled into thinking TVR is back from the ashes. It feels like a properly put together car. But that is not the most remarkable thing about this British sports car. That honour belongs to the fact that despite its supercar looks and performance it actually sips less fuel than a Smart ForTwo.

The reason for its frugality – the makers claim it will achieve around 70mpg – is that almost uniquely in its class, it is powered by a diesel engine. Beneath the bonnet is a 6.6-litre, turbocharged direct injection ‘Duramax’ motor designed by Isuzu and built by GM. It’s identical to those that normally power bloated American SUVs, like the Chevrolet Silverado. The Iceni by contrast weighs a mere 1200kg, and has been tested up to 216mph, although Trident say they intend to govern it to 175mph.

This machine represents something that’s curiously absent from sports car design: a fresh approach. For all the talk of innovation, you could argue the big brand names have been accelerating in the wrong direction making faster and faster cars with more electronic driver aids but without giving a thought to the future of low emissions, high performance motoring. If nothing else, this British car redresses the balance.

(Source) Times Online

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