CORNWALL, England — Embracing the basic minimalist concept behind the Ariel Atom and is the new Jetstream SC250, a lightweight roadster designed for the track, but still legal on the streets.The vehicle's distinctive look comes from Brian Rossi, who is known for his retro Ford Thunderbird design back in 2002.A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-banger from the Vauxhall Astra VXR powers the vehicle, which puts out 250 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The engine is also E85-capable, and performance will increase by as much as 10 percent when ethanol is used. The two-seater uses an Emerald ECU that features different modes, Standard and Sports, depending if you are cruising around town or tearing up the track.Thanks to the ultralow 1,550-pound curb weight, the car is propelled to 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds and tops out at 165 mph. It runs the quarter-mile in a mere 11.8 seconds while still managing to get a combined fuel economy rating of almost 32 mpg.The SC250 has ventilated 11.2-inch front brake discs and 11-inch discs in the rear, which come standard with GM calipers. Handling is helped out by a complete set of adjustable coil-overs and the 16-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheels, which are wrapped in Toyo Proxes rubber.The interior is pretty much meant for the track, with the only amenities being a standard power point for an iPod and an available heating system.Jetstream plans to build 50 cars in the next year, and has a more powerful 300-hp version in the works for early 2009. Pricing starts at $43,644, which includes a 12-month warranty for parts and labor.What this means to you: Jetstream provides another option for those looking to curb their appetite for a lightweight track car. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent