FRENCH POLISH

NOW WE’RE REALLY FLYING. THE LITTLE, SINGLECAM, eight-valve motor is well into the red zone on the Jaeger rev-counter, surging past 7000rpm, the note hardening into a tight, percussive sound, like a drill. Perhaps a small, cordless, low voltage sort of drill rather than something you’d use to cut through a rock face. But what it can’t offer in raw power, it makes up for in spirit. It is rev-tastic, tuneful, and as I glance down at the speedometer I realise we’re really covering the ground, as just over 800kg skims and shimmies down this fast, sweeping B-road, exhibiting an economy of movement and a loose-limbed ease perfectly in tune with the stylish insouciance so associated with this car’s mother country. My face almost hurts from smiling so much, an emotion out of all proportion to the power output and price of this car. Which says everything really.