This car is built to be driven. The interior is quite comfortable. Adjustable pedals make it possible for both long and short-legged drivers to position the seat in a proper driving position. The all important speedometer and tachometer are located centrally behind the leather wrapped steering wheel. The 6-speed shift lever and the hand brake are mounted in the console. The auxiliary instruments are located in a cluster in the center of the dash just below the three fully adjustable air conditioning vents. Below these instruments, where the dash drops to join the console, are the heating and air conditioning controls and below them the array of a toggle switches. To the right of the console is the optional radio. To the far right is the locking glove box.

The dashboard design is simple, clean, and uncluttered. The instruments are easy to read from the driver’s seat. Switches are easy to reach. The stubby shifter falls easily to hand.

The engine is started by turning the key, clicking the key fob interlock, and either lifting or depressing the starter toggle switch. Rather racy, actually. The exhaust is diverted from the side pipes out through the rear valence. The exhaust sound is a mellow rumble; enough to let you know there is a real engine under the hood, but not enough to be intrusive.

The clutch pedal pressure is reasonably light. The gearshift action is both light and positive. Running through the gears is easy, natural, and a real pleasure. As you would expect from a light car with a large powerful engine, acceleration is breathtaking. Because of the superior aerodynamics, acceleration continues to be strong well into triple digits. Performance and economy figures in the data panel are estimates from a performance simulator and have been spot confirmed in prototype testing. Top speed is in excess of 200 mph and has been confirmed in factory testing.

In track testing, the dual piston caliper / vented rotor brakes pull the speed down quickly and repeatedly without fading. Handling is neutral. Power induced over steer is just a flick of the throttle away. The progression to over steer is smooth and progressive. Overall performance, acceleration, braking, handling, and reliability were certainly confirmed in the One Lap of America debut.

Creating a world-class super car is a real challenge. Creating one to sell well below $100,000 is a greater challenge. Creating one based on a legend is even more difficult because it has to be better in every regard – faster, quicker, better handling, better brakes, more creature comforts. The results here speak for themselves.

This car is not the recreation of the legend. The legend was only the starting point. The Superformance Coupe is the renaissance of the legend, born with the heritage of the past but born a new modern car in its own right.

Undoubtedly people who loved the Daytona Coupe will love the Superformance Coupe as well. But its qualities transcend its heritage. A new generation will love this car simply for itself.