Westfield Megabusa review (2000-2002)

Things don't stand still at Westfield. Last year the company launched its first production car with a motorcycle engine. The Megabusa had a 1300cc Suzuki engine that produced an astonishing 175bhp. The Megablade followed, with a Honda Fireblade motor and this has already been superseded by the new Westfield Megabird. This gets the 1137cc Honda Blackbird engine and sequential six-speed gearbox adapted by Westfield so that it has a reverse gear. Power is 170bhp, and, as with all these motorcycle-engined cars, the light-weight of the engine means startling acceleration and needle-sharp response to the steering.

These bike engines need to be revved to over 10,000rpm to get the best from them, and there are still those who prefer lots of torque at low revs. For them the traditional engines are still a better bet, either Ford, Rover K-series or mighty Rover V8. Whatever the choice, a Westfield provides an exhilarating driving experience, even for those with a tight budget who build their car up from a kit. It's fun in a highly uncivilised manner.