IN THIS FEATURE From Russia with love Two of a feather Cabin pressure 911-baiters Looks to die for Extreme machines

And if passengers are intimidated on the driveway, just wait until you start the engine. Both these cars use a variation of TVR's in-house straight-six engine, the Speed Six. In the Tuscan in displaces 3605cc and pumps out 350bhp at 7200rpm and 290lb ft of torque at 5,500rpm. The Sagaris's engine is bored out to 3996cc and develops the small matter of 406bhp at 7000rpm and 349lb ft at 5000rpm.

These are impressive outputs made more significant by the cars' lowly masses. The Tuscan and Sagaris tip the scales at (1100kg) 2425lbs and (1078kg) 2377lbs respectively. The Sagaris' power-to-weight ratio is therefore 377bhp/tonne, compared with a Porsche 911 Carrera S's 246bhp/tonne. Be in no doubt - these TVRs have the grunt to mix it with the world's most exotic exotica.

We leave the factory and trundle up the Blackpool seafront. This famous seaside town on England's northwest coast was once the preferred holiday destination of Britain's industrial working class, but the arrival of budget flights has diminished its appeal. Today it's a tacky, tired relic that plays host to stag parties and the elderly.