Skip advert
Advertisement

Ginetta G40R

We get behind the wheel of the new £30,000 Ginetta G40R race car. How does it fare on road?

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Ginetta G40R
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Ginetta G40R is very good at one thing: putting a massive smile on your face when blasting around roads and race tracks at speed. And while its road-legal status and big boot mean you can use it as an everyday car, the lack of noise insulation, the unassisted steering and heavy clutch mean you really wouldn’t want to.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Ginetta is well known for its racing cars, including the G40. And now the company will also sell you one that’s road-legal, called the Ginetta G40R.

At first glance, you won’t be able to tell that this is a barely modified racing car, but squeeze yourself gracelessly into the tiny cabin and all becomes clear. A roll-cage juts out from the dashboard and sits hidden just behind the headlining, while the sparse cabin and three-stage starting procedure leave you in no doubt of the G40R’s intent.

On the move it feels every inch the racing car, too. The clutch is sensitive and heavy, the pedals are closely set and the steering is unassisted but incredibly accurate. Although it would be a struggle to drive around town, on the open road and on track it feels perfectly at home.

The 175bhp 2.0-litre engine can launch the 875kg Ginetta from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds, but the way it goes round corners is more impressive. Even on a soaking wet track there was masses of grip and an innate balance in the chassis that made every move completely confidence inspiring.

If you’re under any illusion that the G40R is an everyday car, though, think again. You hear every noise from the engine and road in the cabin and, while the ride isn’t exactly what you would call bone-shatteringly stiff, it’s certainly not cosseting.

But then that – and £29,750 – is the price you pay for a car that’s as capable and thrilling as the G40R is on a race track.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More reviews

New & used car deals

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,135 off RRP*
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £15,850
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,361 off RRP*Used from £11,990
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,763 off RRP*Used from £11,595
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month
MG ZS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month

The MG ZS is an easy car to like and live with. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 July
News
3 Jul 2025
New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life
Volvo XC60 facelift - front tracking

New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life

This refreshed Swedish SUV focuses on familiar areas of strength to take on BMW and Audi
Road tests
4 Jul 2025
Tesla UK sales rebound with one in four new cars now an EV
Tesla Model Y - front cornering

Tesla UK sales rebound with one in four new cars now an EV

EV sales have leapt up in the first half of 2025, although numbers remain behind Government targets
News
4 Jul 2025