In a world dominated by large, tech-heavy cars, an engaging, back-to-basics, lightweight sports car is just what driving enthusiasts crave. UK is considered the birthplace of the compact lightweight sports car, even though it was the Japanese who made it reliable, with cars like the Honda S600 and, of course, the Mazda MX-5. However, a new company called Wells Motor Cars is a testimony that UK still knows how to make engaging lightweight sports cars and their mid-engine Vertige is the perfect example.

Overview

The Wells Motor Cars Vertige is a limited-production mid-engine sports car, hand-crafted in Warwickshire. The manufacturer says that the car’s focus is on driver engagement, but also daily usability. The car embodies everything that’s great about the old-school featherweight British sports cars and reminds us a lot of something like the Ginetta F400, or the Lotus Elise.

As with many sports cars of old, the founder of the company – Robin Wells – wanted to buy the ideal sports car, but couldn’t find one, so he did the logical thing and built one himself. Development of the car reportedly started in 2014.

Chassis

The Vertige’s chassis is a steel monocoque with tubular sub-frames. The engineers have also thrown in a steel roll-cage, which allows for a torsional rigidity of 47,000 Nm/deg. All this is wrapped in composite body panels that form clean, classic lines, reminiscent of the 1960s MGs, Jaguars, Lotuses, and Triumphs.

Suspension-wise, you get double wishbones and coil-overs all around. Stopping power is provided by 280-mm brake discs, front and rear, which are unassisted. The Vertige's contact patch comes in the form of 205/45 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 wrapped around the 17-inch Speedline rims.

As intended, the Vertige boasts compact dimensions, with a length of 3.94 meters (155.3 inches) and a width of 1.75 meters (69 inches). The relatively short overhangs mean that the wheelbase will be longer in relation to the overall length. This, in addition to the rigid chassis, translates to great stability. Also important is the weight, which they managed to keep low at just 1,653.5 pounds (750 kg).

Performance

The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and power is sent to the rear wheels. This allows for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h), thanks to the close-ratio gearbox.

Moreover, this is the standard trim and power can be increased, at the customer’s request.

Design

The Vertige does shy away from its heritage. The body panels follow a streamlined design with a lot of clean surfaces and rounded lines. The overall design is very reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s lightweight sports cars, as was the intention. In addition, the race car feel is enhanced by the side windows where only a small section actually opens, similar to cars like the McLaren F1 or the Bugatti EB110.

Interior-wise, you get a purposeful and simplistic layout. The people at Wells Motor Cars have spent a long time finding the perfect driving position. The high center console means your hand won't have to travel a long way from the steering wheel in order to use the short-throw shifter.

The round air vents give a classic sports car vibe that resonates with the exterior. All gauges in the instrument cluster feature chrome rims for that same purpose. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is a classic three-spoke design. The only hint of modernism comes in the form of the Sony multimedia display in the center console.

When Can I Get One?

The first seven cars will be produced by Hall Engineering and are said to leave the assembly by spring 2022. Of course, more will follow, as the company plans to make at least 25 cars per year. In terms of pricing, Vertigo starts from £40,000, which is the equivalent of $55,131 - a reasonable price, considering the car's exclusivity.