Zenvo was started by three people who decided to attempt what the likes of Bugatti, Pagani and Koenigsegg had done before them.
The objective, according to company boss Jesper Jensen, was not to build a road rocket that could outdo the Veyron in terms of raw pace (although the claimed figures – 0-62mph in 3.0sec and 233mph max - aren’t too shabby).
Instead, the idea was to come up with car that could easily be driven every day, yet which could also double as a track weapon.
The ST1 was initially designed as a rolling chassis, built around a steel backbone with double-wishbone suspension and three-way Öhlins adjustable dampers. The massive 7.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged V8 was positioned longitudinally directly behind the passenger cell, and the armoury of radiators and other ancillaries were then scattered around the car.
Once all the hardware was in place and functioning to their satisfaction, the Zenvo crew called on Danish designer Christian Brandt to pen the contours of the carbonfibre bodyshell. The car you see here is the prototype, which has clocked up more than 45,000 miles - and isn't looking at all shabby for it.
The V8 motor is roused into action by twisting an ignition knob on the centre console to the right, depressing the clutch and then pressing the start button atop the chunky piston-shaped gearlever while simultaneously giving the gas pedal a generous prod or two. The 7.0-litre motor erupts into life with a raucous bark, but it immediately settles into a civilised idle.
