Britain isn't the only country to have small car builders producing little known, yet stunning machinery. The French company 'Isatis' could raise its profile significantly when the BV6 hits the road in the Autumn 2000.

The beautifully styled car two seater, mid engined car will be produced in limited numbers, maintaining its exclusivity. Only one hundred examples of the car will be produced each year.

The design goal was to produce a comfortable, high performance sports car with spaciousness and visibility comparable to a top of the range saloon car.

The chassis is a space frame aluminium design covered with a composite body, an increasingly common combination amongst sports car builders. It's been engineered to accept the French PSA 3 litre V6 as seen in the larger Peugeots. The use of such a standard engine makes options such as an automatic gearbox available at low cost, together with ABS, power steering and air conditioning etc.

This power unit is good for 220bhp, slightly disappointing given that the car only weighs around 1000kg. A slightly beefier (no pun intended) engine could have take the car into a higher performance league with more distinguished company. This power to weight ratio should give a 0-60 of about 5 seconds and a top speed of 145mph.

Right hand drive models are unlikely.

Thanks to Dan Myers for his help in compiling this article