David Brown's New Baby Blends Retro Style And A 593bhp Jaguar V8

This is the David Brown Speedback Silverstone Edition, and isn’t it handsome? It’s the sort of thing that could brighten your day just by crossing your path, but sadly that’s not likely as just 10 will be made. One is currently under the spotlights at the Geneva Motor Show.

Still based on the old Jaguar XKR, but with a host of modernisations to the styling to make it a much more current-looking animal than the old Speedback GT, the Silverstone Edition’s highlights include the gorgeous addition of driving lamps within the vaguely Aston Martin-ish front grille. Even the front parking sensors somehow add to the look.

Under the bonnet is a mighty evolution of Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged engine, with 593bhp, 565lb ft and a connection to the rear wheels only. The back tyres are chubby 285-section items to make sure there’s enough traction.

Sending the power rearwards is an older-style but bulletproof ZF six-speed automatic gearbox. To enhance the Silverstone Edition’s sporting credentials there’s an ‘upgraded’ suspension setup with ‘performance brakes’ and an active rear differential.

Forged 20-inch alloys in a style called Afterburner are unique to the model, while the four exhaust tips are another jet-inspired touch.

On the inside there’s as much retro-inspired modern luxury as you could realistically ask for. The two tan leather seats look stunning, but they’re also heated, with a Silverstone track outline embroidered into the headrests. There’s plenty of brushed chrome but it can’t betray the modernity on show; there’s Bluetooth, sat-nav and a rather lovely Bowers & Wilkins surround sound stereo.

The Silverstone Edition marks the ‘significance’ of the company’s relocation to the famous old circuit. Company founder David Brown (obviously) said:

“Ever since David Brown Automotive relocated to Silverstone, we have wanted to mark the significance of the circuit’s aeronautical and motorsport heritage,

“Speedback Silverstone Edition addresses our ambition on every level, as a visually stunning Grand Tourer and the most performance-focused model we have ever made.”

Are you braced for the price? The hand-built limited edition costs £744,000, plus any options or customisations. That’s roughly £120,000 more than the GT. Still, if our Euromillions numbers come in this week, we’d probably spend the extra.

The company also builds the Mini Remastered, a £50,000-plus classic Mini made modern.