Shelby GT-H

Not quite the car booked.. operational changes meant a partial refund, future rental discount and 300bhp reduction.

Still it’s quite an animal. 500bhp. Traction control that only works in conditions when you don’t need it. A 10 speed automatic that shifts as smoothly as a piano falling down a fire escape.

The bucket seats I find reassuring – the confirm my body is not bucket shaped which I can only assume is a good thing.

The suspension is surprisingly firm for an American car, transmitting road details (like line marking thickness and cats eye manufacturer details).

I particularly like the kick down feature on the throttle. 5mm of pedal travel is the difference between smooth acceleration and lunging towards the horizon in a blast of gearbox whine and exhaust note explosion. Either of which can happen instantly or after a half a second of contemplation.

The exhaust system which howls and barks and beats the audio system into submission is utterly mental.

Seriously fast. Loud. Uncomfortable. Dreadful fuel economy. Difficult to get in. Near impossible to get out of. Yeah… it’s bloody brilliant!