► Month eight living with the Ginetta G40
► It’s got bigger boot space than our Twingo!
► But can it really do the weekly shop?
Putting in the boot
The 200-litre boot’s actually bigger than our long-term Twingo’s. Weekly shops, suitcases and a guitar have gone in with space to spare. It’ll take a golf bag, too, a design attribute reputedly specified personally by Ginetta boss Lawrence Tomlinson.
Stability control? You’re looking at it
G40s were once wingless, but as the GRDC car’s MX-5-sourced gearbox shunts the weight distribution rearwards, early development cars proved a tad frisky under braking. The spoiler’s an effective cure, stuck on to stick the back end in place.
Take the wheel
An immobiliser’s standard and the doors do lock, but it’s probably safe to say the G40’s greatest crime-fighting trick is its removable steering wheel. Take it with you, Mr Bean style, or lock it in the boot. Just don’t lose the key.
Brake, fast
There’s no ABS, but good luck locking these in the dry. The pedal needs a good old shove (there’s no servo assistance), but you can punch it as hard and as late as you dare – the G40’s 880kg doesn’t take much stopping.
From the driving seat
+ B-roads a joy
– Motorways are not
+ Seats include both inertia reel belt and six-point harnesses. Latter actually comfier
– Wish we had the air-con option
Logbook Ginetta G40 GRDC
Engine: 1800cc 16v 4-cyl, 135bhp @ 5000rpm, 110lb ft @ 4500rpm (est)
Gearbox: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Stats: 6.0sec 0-62mph, 130mph
Price: £39,960
As tested: £35,940
Miles this month: 375
Total miles: 4838
Our mpg: 26.46
Official mpg: n/a
Fuel this month: £41.12
Extra costs: £0