ChazSXi
Member
Registered: 26th Jan 03
Location: Waterlooville, Hampshire
User status: Offline
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At the front, the Lightning gets angular wings and an arcing bonnet. Further along the body, the classic looks are enhanced with short overhangs and a carbon fibre undertray - and there's even a practical boot. Twin rollover hoops are hidden beneath the beautifully curved bodywork.
Massive alloy wheels - 19 inches at the front, and a staggering 20 inches at the rear - fill the arches. There are no door handles, but you gain access to the interior by pressing a discreet button just ahead of the roll hoops.
You'll need to drop yourself carefully into the floor-mounted, leather-clad seats; the driving position is incredibly low, but very comfortable. The button steering wheel is moulded to the shape of your hands and the pedals are neatly spaced. The aluminium gearlever, meanwhile, is mounted high in the transmission tunnel, and shifts are only a wrist flick away. There's a great view of the road ahead, but thanks to the low seats, you don't feel exposed.
Starting the car is simple. Flick a switch under the dashboard to connect the fuel pumps, then press a big red button mounted in the centre console. The engine spins eagerly into life before settling to an urgent idle.
At first, you could easily be forgiven for thinking the exhaust sounds very much like the current VX Turbo's. But as you dip the clutch, select first gear and head for the open road, a significant change takes place - and it's all down to the supercharger.
Floor the throttle and the compressor wails noisily. With the engine producing 240bhp and 305Nm of torque, the Lightning flashes forward. More urgent at low revs than the Honda S2000, and as tuneful as the Porsche Boxster, the car is great fun to drive. Gearchanges are short, but the ratios are surprisingly well suited to the engine.
The steering is needle-sharp, delivering great precision, and the only thing that reminds you the Lightning is a concept rather than a production model is the high gloss finish to the trim.
Even the suspension feels remarkably advanced, offering a great deal of stability. However, cast in aluminium, the independent set-up creaks and groans over big bumps, and feels too stiff for comfort on long journeys.
[Edited on 30-09-2003 by ChazSXi]
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