British Beauty

Ben Oliver reviews the handmade Eagle E-Type Speedster, a car that Jeremy Clarkson describes as the most beautiful in the world.

The price? Around a million US dollars

But even Clarkson can't afford to. Only six Speedsters will be made, each taking at least 6,000 hours to complete. The price? Around a million US dollars, or HK$7.5 million. Even at that price, all six are officially sold, although if you're quick you might be still be able to negotiate for one. An equally limited run of coupes inspired by Jaguar's one-off 1963 Low Drag Coupe E-type race car will follow if you can't secure a Speedster.

But can the Speedster really justify that price? See one, and drive one, and you'll be convinced. I was given the address of the farm to find out for myself. The car is more bewitching than pictures can convey, and almost impossibly low. Yet it is comfortable, and the quality of construction would shame a Lexus. It starts and moves off as easily as a modern car and feels as tight and bulletproof: you know you could cruise from here to the south of France without being let down.

But most importantly, it's a thrilling car to drive fast. With 310bhp it isn't excessively powerful, but it is very light, weighing in at just over a metric tonne thanks in part to its gorgeous, hand-rolled aluminium coachwork: less than most small hatchbacks. That gives it a power-to-weight ratio in excess of Jaguar's ballistic modern F-type V8 S, itself a very fast car. But the Speedster manages to marry modern supercar pace to a very old-school, tactile, involving driving experience. It still feels like an E-type, except you know that now you have brakes that work, and so you're inclined to use more of the power.

But perhaps the greatest satisfaction is knowing that you're piloting that sensational shape through the scenery: the Eagle Speedster is worth the price for that alone.

SCORECARD

How much? HK$7.5 million (ex-factory)
Engine: 4.7-litre straight six 310bhp
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Performance: 0-100kph in 5.0secs 257kph
How heavy: 1,008kgs

See one, and drive one, and you'll be convinced

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