Avatar, wasn't that a film from a few years ago?

Different Avatar; this is the Avatar Roadster, a new lightweight British sports car. Avatar is the track and race division of specialist manufacturer Marlin. The Roadster uses Ford EcoBoost engines and is designed to be driven on the road or race track. It will be unveiled at the Performance Car Show at the NEC on 14th January.

What's so special about it?

The easy way to create a mid-engined sports car is to use the engine and gearbox from a front-wheel drive car. Avatar has not adopted that approach exactly, as the Ford motor is mounted longitudinally and paired with a five-speed gearbox from a Porsche Boxster. This is said to give better handling and less compromised styling. Two powerplants are offered: a 2.0-litre with 250hp or the 2.3-litre unit from the Ford Focus RS with 350hp.

Although it is hard to tell from the official photo the body is described as sleek and aerodynamic. Constructed in four main parts the front and rear sections of the body can be removed in 30 seconds for easy access to the mechanical components. Not that it should be necessary to do too much work yourself. Dylan Popovic, Avatar designer and company racing driver, claims: "Consumers expect to drive to a track day, thrash around all day and come home again without wielding the spanners. The Avatar was conceived with high quality components to do just that."

Holding everything together is a purpose-built space frame chassis, assembled by Marlin Sports Cars. The driver sits close to the centre-line of the car for the sake of weight distribution. There is space alongside the driver to store the optional 'get me home' roof.

Each Roadster will be built to the driver's specification with a 'Tailored' session before delivery to set the car up for the driver's weight, preferences and expected use. Options and upgrades will be available depending on whether an individual wants a car for road use, track work or competition.

"We want to know each of our customers and their cars personally," adds Terry Matthews, Avatar founder. "Owners can pick up the phone to us any time and get one-to-one support that is often lacking from larger car makers. We also want that 'community' element that might see Avatar owners plan a trip together through The Lakes, a coffee and doughnut meet every three months or perhaps a track day on the Continent."