New British sportscar manufacturer Jetstream breaks into the lightweight sportscar market with their SC250 model that couples striking styling with substantial performance credentials.

The mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive, road-legal, two-seater SC250 is now in production after completing an extensive testing programme, following the unveiling of the prototype at the Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC in January.

Lurking under the engine cover of the £24,495 SC250 is the same 2.0-litre, turbo, 16-valve powerplant and six-speed transmission that appears in the Vauxhall Astra VXR, producing 250 horsepower as standard. The engine can be run on either unleaded or bio-ethanol.

The car can accelerate from 0-60mph in under four seconds and on to a maximum speed of 165mph, but has a combined unleaded fuel economy of 38mpg.

The extreme styling of the SC250 was penned originally by Brian Rossi, formerly of Ford, who was responsible for designs such as the “Retro” Ford Thunderbird launched in 2002. Cars are being built at Jetstream Sportscar’s 14,000 sq ft production site in Cornwall and take six to eight weeks to build, with timing dependent on each customer’s required specification.

Jetstream plan to manufacture 50 cars over the next year, with an uprated 300 horsepower version of the SC250 planned for early 2009.

Price is £29,495 on the road, and includes a full 12-month parts and labour warranty subject to conditions, excluding any optional extras, which include a ‘Gull Wing’-style door hard top.