Wells Motor Cars has revised its debut sports car, the Vertige, bringing a larger engine as standard and promising greater comfort for tall drivers.
The Series 2 Vertige moves from the previous 2.0-litre version of the ubiquitous Ford Duratec four-cylinder to a 2.5-litre derivative. This provides a substantial increase in torque, with Wells claiming significantly improved in-gear performance.
Autocar’s March road test of the 2.0-litre Vertige R noted that there was an “occasional hiccup below 2000rpm on a wide-open throttle”.
Speaking to Autocar, Wells founder Robin Wells promised more immediate responses, referencing the delivery of now-ubiquitous turbocharged and electrified engines. It's now possible to “pootle about in third” in a Vertige, he said.
The additional displacement also increases the standard Vertige’s power output from 205bhp to 225bhp.
The range-topping R model will no longer be offered. Wells said it was always intended as a limited-run upgrade package with a greater focus on track, having initially been offered to owners who also drove supercars or took to the circuit. But he suffered the “moral quandary” of not including all owners so did – and the full run of Rs sold out. Wells said he had hoped for it to be a special option, and was surprised to find most owners took up his offer.
He added that he believed the Vertige’s chassis was “always good enough and capable” of handling greater output than offered by the standard car previously. The move to the 2.5-litre Duratec also ensures there will be a more consistent supply in the long term.
Wells highlighted that he doesn't want to “let customers be the test” for new developments for the Vertige. He has used the new powerplant in the company's development car, which he drives himself on a daily basis, since early 2025 and is confident in its performance and character compared with the previous 2.0-litre unit (pictured below).
The Vertige has also gained the option of a Quaife ATB limited-slip differential. Wells said that, although track use is not the raison d’être of the Vertige, it will provide additional traction in such circumstances and in harder road driving. "It will open up a new way of enjoying a Vertige," said Wells.
The Vertige’s structure has also been modified to liberate an additional 70mm of space to improve comfort for taller drivers. Wells explained that the car’s external dimensions haven't changed: the front bulkhead has been pushed back to free roughly 20-30mm more leg room in the footwells, while the rear bulkhead has been “scalloped” for the same gain in head room.
