Called the B2, it produces, the company says, up to 414bhp, which, working against the car’s 1,100kg kerb weight, is claimed to translate to an extraordinary 3.2sec 0-62mph time and a slightly less bewildering top speed of more than 155mph.

Marussia is being coy about what exactly lies under the angular exterior, saying only that power comes from a mid-mounted 3.5-litre Cosworth-tuned V6 engine