FBS Census

Dodgy handling, scruffy looks, rough engines - the catalogue of stereotypes about British made sports cars is lengthy and rarely complimentary.

Breaking this mould can be difficult and costly, but there are ways of shaking off the poor image. TVR has succeeded with wild designs, and Lotus sells on speed and efficiency. Joining this established elite is the dream of every fledgling car company, but with so many on the starting line, it is hard to pick a winner. One contender is Northamptonshire firm FBS, which is vying for glory with its new Census, a car genuinely different from rivals such as the Mazda MX-5 and Lotus Elise.

Auto Express was first behind the wheel of this working prototype of the newcomer, designed by ex-Rover engineers Robin Hall and Andrew Barber, which is due on sale in July. Powered by a 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine from a Ford Mondeo, it's expected the Census will start at