Warwickshire-based Wells Motor Cars is due to ramp up production of the Vertige – its 850kg mid-engined coupé – to around 12 cars this year, before doubling that figure in 2027.
The Vertige made its debut at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed, having been conceived as founder Robin Wells’ dream sports car. Production of a limited run of Founders Edition cars began in 2023.
The Vertige’s design was finalised before any engineering work took place, after which point engineer Robin Hall – whose CV includes the Mika Meon electric buggy, FBS Census sports car and several stints at Mini, JLR and others – then developed a chassis to accommodate its compact proportions.
As well as being good to look at and fun to drive, Wells intended for the Vertige to be easy to live with. That manifested in a relatively simple powerplant: the proven Ford Duratec four-cylinder, here displacing 2.0 litres and putting out 208bhp in standard configuration.
An R specification with 250bhp and weighing 860kg – giving a power-to-weight ratio of 290bhp per tonne – has since been added to the range. A 2.5-litre option with 225bhp is due for the 2027 model year.
Inside, you get traditional clocks, a small touchscreen with Apple CarPlay connectivity and a wide range of custom finishes or upholstery options.
Robin Wells told Autocar: “Think of your various [Caterham] Sevens and scaffold-type cars. I want all of the sensation of something which is alive and peppy, but it's super-solid, it's got proper structure.
"If it rains, it doesn't bother you: you’ve got a heated front windscreen. It's got Apple CarPlay, Android Auto. It's got Bluetooth, double glazing in the rear glass. It’s that sweet spot between something that is manual and back-to-basics in a sense of playing a piano, but it's a beautiful piano.”
He added that “I’m deliberately making a simple vehicle”, because of “how frustrating it is to drive modern cars”.
“You can't go anywhere without going through 100 menus and turning loads of stuff off, which then comes back on again if you've gone to get a coffee or something," he explained.
"Peace of mind and quietness of mind is the new luxury, and that's the philosophy that I'm following here.”
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A car weighing 850 kg, having 250 bhp, has 294 bhp per tonne, not 212.5 like you wrote.
Being one the few lucky owners, I can report that the latest production version is absolute class. Lightweight, more than enough power (Autocars numbers are slightly off) and quality panels. The CEO is such a perfectionist which is good for us, but means takes a little longer. Its a brilliant analogue drive that puts a smile on your face. With the first batch all sold - get your money down for what will become a real collectors British classic sportscar. Oh and it looks like £200k of car in my view.
Excellent news, wish them every success. Exactly the kind of car that should work well on Britain's B roads.