Climbing aboard the Vertige feels in some ways like boarding a classic Lamborghini. Robin Wells himself admits that the look and proportions of the Vertige were established ahead of considerations both mechanical and ergonomic in nature. Anybody taller than six feet will notice the effects of this approach when they swing open the dihedral doors (what theatre), step over the tall sill and drop down into the heavily bolstered driver’s seat.
It is cosy in here, and the roof panels of the doors have even been scalloped to permit an extra centimetre or so of much-needed head room. Figures of 910mm for front leg room (versus 1080mm in an Alpine A110) and 940mm for head room (990mm) are tight to say the least, and don’t put the Vertige far ahead of a Lotus Seven-style roadster for outright space at the wheel. We should add, however, that other examples may differ a bit from our test car as regards leg and head room, the longitudinal positioning of the car’s seat squab, the depth of its cushion and even the gearknob height each being tailored for that particular owner, insists Wells. Probably not by enough, though, we would wager, to make the Vertige anything other than a decidedly snug sports car, and one unlikely to suit taller drivers.
However, those of smaller stature may well find it an enveloping and genuinely comfortable place to sit, with the high transmission tunnel and fabulous visibility over the flocked dash to sculptural front wings (Wells himself has owned a McLaren 12C since 2016 and wanted to replicate its forwards visibility) making you feel not simply an operator but part of the machine. Rear visibility is equally good, and mitigates the need for a rear-view camera (there is one anyway).
Visual cues elsewhere are charmingly straightforward, with almost entirely analogue instruments and switchgear, and there’s rich tactility in the soft leather of the spherical steering rim, while the turned gearknob’s shift action has been modified to mimic that of the Mazda MX-5, much admired by Wells himself.
Admittedly the juxtaposition of beautifully embroidered headrests and expensive-feeling air-vent housings alongside a third-party, ‘double-DIN’ head unit does jar a little, but the digital sphere is of course where low-volume, ground-up projects are most noticeably limited in their reach. The Sony stereo does at least give the Vertige Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and there are a pair of USB-C charging points on the centre console, which covers the necessary infotainment bases.
As for storage, there isn’t much in the cabin, but the Vertige has good capacity elsewhere, with generous luggage compartments at both ends of the car. In this respect it presents as something of a pint-sized Maserati MC20.