A large, brute force V8 aluminium engine in a vehicle weighing under 700kg is a package that just the very brave would attempt to exploit fully.

Outdoors two-seater is wrapped around a chassis capable, just of delivering the ability to the ground, and the list of comfort features appears to begin and end having a heater.

But nobody ever purchased a Westfield for a smooth and cozy driving experience. Instead the car’s reason behind existence would be to have fun flying off Porsches at the traffic lights and off round the bends.

If you’re less bold, then read the more modest 4 cylinder Sport versions.

Have a 10,000 RPM engine from the Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R motorcycle and insert right into a lightweight open two seater body shell, and also you end with a power-to-weight ratio of 420PS-tonne.

That’s heading for the territory covered with the 476/tonne and all sorts of sold out Ferrari Enzo.

But don’t go expecting a Ferrari-style driving experience in the Megabusa. Instead you receive a dramatic open two-seater without any creature comforts worth referring to, and delivery of the insane grin fixed in your face while you battle to manage such a wild ride.

It requires a driver using the talent of the Schumacher or Button to find the best from the equipment – but you can continue to have a large amount of fun attempting to tame the beast.

From humble beginnings as a kit car maker, Westfield has quietly developed into a proper production sports vehicle manufacturer – albeit on the boutique scale. Cars can nonetheless be purchased on the self-assembly basis (the chosen quest for those masochists who have fed up with domestic DIY chores) however the best is gained by going the length and using a car created to order.

Body styling is typical to all models, and it is spiritually and visually in line with the original Lotus 7 first penned by Frank Costin almost half a century ago. An array of driveline options are available, in the modest-but-exciting 1.8 litre Sport to a dramatic beast branded Megabusa; this uses an ultra lightweight mixture of body shell a strong motorcycle engine and rapid-shifting sequential gearbox to provide thrills for any fraction of the price of a Ferrari.

Volvo’s reaction to the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz ML series, XC-90 went right to the top of the pile when it arrived on the scene in 2002; surprisingly precise handling, excellent quality of ride, lots of ground clearance, high torque engines and superior ergonomics all conspire to make this one of the best sports utility vehicles (SUVs) available on the market regardless of cost.

Although it shares its genetic DNA using the V7Q series – styling has got the now-familiar ‘Horbury Hip’ body curve named after its designer Peter Horbury – the Volvo XC-90 was created on a clean sheet of paper use a vehicle with the expected Volvo security features, allied to a hugely competent chassis whether or not it is being deployed on or off.

A neat halfway house between your capacious V70 estate and XC-90 sports utility, XC-70 is made for those who need just a little more ground clearance and permanent four wheel drive, but that do not need the real off-road capability of a sports utility.

Regardless of the higher ride position XC-70 can deal cleanly with cornering chores, and also the long-reach suspension makes short work of rutted farm tracks and gymkhana fields.

Well suited for towing horse boxes or caravans, the model neatly crosses within the blurred boundaries, being a firm favourite of the country set, and meets all requirements because of a sensible selection of engines and transmissions.

The one vehicle most linked to the Volvo name may be the big estate, beloved of antique dealers, undertakers and traffic cops alike – and also the current V70 is the greatest ever.

Sharing many components using the S80 but using a character all its own, Volvo V70 provides the expected capacious load area with sufficient of room for four passengers.

The design team has endowed the large machine with sufficient of driveline choice – in the frugal diesel towards the powerful 255PS T5 of the V70-R and handling is dean and precise, regardless of the V70’s bulk.

Quality of ride is excellent, and also the cabin is really a calm and pleasant spot to be as the V70 eats up the miles.

Developed in tandem using the new S40, and sharing many of their parts, the brand new V50 replaces that old V40; Volvo has now finished refining its policy of naming its sedans with even multiples often, and it is estates uneven multiples.

A masterpiece of minor design touches, the inside is pleasing and practical, and also the load area is positively awash with shutters so they cover that offer a solution to any difficulty of load control, including several which had never occurred to buyers.

The engine options are broad, probably the most exciting being the wonderful T5 (using the preferred six speed manual shift) which delivers sharp and shiny performance. Watch for the Sport version due imminently – it offers both hot and practical in one package.

Recently revised to supply additional safety to pedestrians. Volvo’s executive car has been bought by individuals who want a European car but don’t wish to look to Germany provide it.

Despite its bulk the vehicle handles with agility (because of a sophisticated electronic package that controls suspension settings to match the way the car has been driven) and luxury levels are up to might be expected of the contender on this market sector.

The T6, with a 3.0 litre twin turbo engine pumping out close on 300PS, is really a serious high-speed saloon; limited to 155mph (250kph) it sprints from standstill using the expected degree of controllable hurriedness.

Volvo’s reaction to such cars since the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A6 is really a smoothly styled car sedan which has a choice of engines, all turbocharged in a position to deliver speeds as high as 250kph; even the 2.5 turbo diesel variant can hit over 200kph.

Quality and the sense of integrity are beyond reproach, and handling and road holding in the front-drive package make for more entertainment compared to urbane looks suggest it’ll provide.

As may be expected the security features exist in abundance, and also the price point is pitched perfectly use a realistic option to the car’s main competitors.

Available these days only as a convertible, Volvo’s sleek-styled C70 includes all the expected Volvo virtues – deformable nose, high amounts of occupant safety and high quality – but adds to the equation a completely automatic power roof with glass rear screen, along with a range of engines which go from a 2.0 litre turbocharged four to the barnstorming T5.

Handling is preferable to might be expected of the open car; Volvo worked tough to maintain body integrity regardless of the lack of a roof.

Using the model easing for the end of its life there are a variety of special trim editions available, with luxury trim and special paint schemes.

Volvo’s entry-level model is incorporated in the enviable position of lacking any direct rival; no other manufacturer in Europe creates a comparable car sedan with this type of combination of enjoyment, safety and comfort.

Handling and ride of the newly-arrived car is great in all variants, and also the build values are exceptionally high, the vehicle feeling just like a true executive model despite its modest price.

Engines run from the smooth 1.8 litre four with 125PS to the excellent turbocharged five cylinders pumping out 200PS, and there’s also a great – if raucous – diesel engine.

An activity variant with harder suspension and additional body detailing, and two 1.6 litre models (one petrol the other diesel) may also be along within the next few months.

In the past 5 years since Ford assumed ownership of the Swedish brand, Volvo has totally reinvented itself. From as being a brand known to make solid, reliable, safe cars – all metaphors for boring, within the automotive world – it today makes cars that enhance the pulse: to those core values it’s
added stylish body designs and exciting mechanical packages.

As a result there is now a higher desirability factor right over the range. The most recent entrant in the line-up replaces the one last worthy but dull survivor of the old regime, the S40.

This joins character-filled machines like the V70 R the XC-90, and also the slick S60, which are contenders for the best in class.

Volvos executive express S80 has additionally been face lifted recently, and rumours are rife that browsing the wings are interesting new models for example an S40 coupe along with a small sports utility vehicle.

Volvo needs to keep broadening its range without dissipating core values – but that really should not be a problem towards the Swedish teams behind the brand.