By Ray Massey Motoring Editor For The Daily Mail

Published: 16:51 EDT, 24 June 2022 | Updated: 16:58 EDT, 24 June 2022

Harnessing my inner Jenson Button, I took a new Lotus Emira for a few scintillating hot laps around the Goodwood racetrack ahead of this week's Festival of Speed. 

Powered by a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 developing 400hp, this lightweight, mid-engined, six-speed manual sprints from rest to 62mph in 4.3 seconds up to a top speed of 180mph. 

In the driving seat: Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button (pictured with the Lotus)

It is joined at Goodwood by the new all-electric 161 mph £100,000 Eletre 'Hyper-SUV' — making its public world debut — plus the £2million 200 mph Evija hypercar and Emira GT4 race-car. 

The real former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, who test-drove the Emira, is also popping onto the Lotus stand during the event, as well as driving specialist firm Radford's new coach-built Lotus Type 62-2 for its public debut. 

Handy, as he's a partner in the newly reborn Radford company.

Lotus managing director Matt Windle said: 'What an amazing Goodwood – with such a passionate and knowledgeable crowd it never disappoints!

'The Lotus stand was busy from the moment the gates opened, and was great to see the fans new and old getting up close to our cars and chatting with our team. If day one was anything to go by, the rest of the weekend will be a massive success too!'

How's this for a quirky electric car from across the Atlantic? The Solo EV (above) from Canadian firm Electra Meccanica is designed for city and suburban motoring and commuting. 

Compact: The single-seater, three-wheeler has a top speed of up to 80mph and a range of up to 100miles

The compact, single-seater, three-wheeler with a top speed of up to 80mph and a range of up to 100miles, promises high-tech features, ample storage, plug-and-go charging and 'an approachable price tag' which in the U.S. costs from $18,500 (about £15,000) for the consumer model and $24,500 (£20,000) for the more commercial delivery-oriented Cargo version. 

For safety, it has front and rear crumple zones, side impact protection, roll bar and torque-limiting control, as well as power steering, power brakes, air conditioning and a Bluetooth entertainment system. 

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