Sports Action Formula Car honour for UK , This weeks, ,,,, Screacher feature... Nipponese Motorsports Europe are building a new sports coupe at the company's Sunderland plant. Final details of the car are still under wraps, but we have obtained a secret report from a top motorsport journalist who had the opportunity to test drive the car recently. Although still some months away from making it's first public appearance, details of the flagship package are beginning to appear. The car, codenamed Mk M, comes at a time when everything on Wearside is buoyant, with SAFC reaching the English Premier League after many years of trying and the new Butlins holiday camp due to open at Seaburn in the near future. However, our correspondent believes that this car is not likely to make the impact on the motoring world hoped for by company bosses, who expect it to emulate, and even eclipse, the feats of the Lister Storm, coincidentally sponsored by arch-rivals NUFC. Here is our correspondent's exclusive report: hShortly after withdrawing from the sport's highest level in 1996, directors of the company have been looking for an opportunity to challenge the top echelons of the sport once more, even moving their headquarters to a new purpose-built location in a derelict area of town. Their new contender, codenamed Mk M, will make it's long-awaited appearance after it's predecessor failed to live up to expectations last year. Adorned in it's red and white livery, first impressions of the new contender are of a utilitarian vehicle, with high aspirations. Indeed, it is expected that the Mk M will be quick off the blocks, leaving some of it's more established rivals languishing in it's wake. On a summer's afternoon, the Mk M is expected to surprise a few enthusiasts, with it's light-weight frame coming to the fore. However, when the going gets a bit rougher, the Mk M will begin to show some of it's inadequacies. Short, Sharp bursts may be OK in the early stages, but a season's racing in the top flight demands more quality than currently available in the Mk M. Although lower management are aware of these deficiencies, senior management seem unwilling to make the necessary investment to improve the overall package. Despite some genuine quality, (we know they have some good Clarke staff working for them), the overall package leaves much to be desired. We found that the back end tended to wallow a bit when put under pressure and the mid-positioned power plant was simply not up to the job being asked of it. In comparison, it didn't seem to have the Speed to match it's rivals. The rapid transition from understeer to oversteer was dramatic, with little or no warning when things were about to get exciting. However, the biggest criticism has to be for the audio system. With a combination of tried-and-tested brutish performance, alongside a foil unproven at the highest level, there is little left in reserve, with little noticeable quality. The power of the ariel was one of the be st we have experienced, but with more modern ariels being shorter and more powerful, the days of this part of the package must be numbered. Even the precotious design of the other audio components can not be depended on. In a recent test at our Wembley test track, the Philips on display was no match for the Hi-Fi packages available nearby. This audio package is closely linked to the overall performance. Despite some good points, we feel that suspension will play a big part, and the tired spring performance will be the undoing of the team. Even the cosmetic "Nodding Monkey's Heed" in the back window will not be enough to save this outfit. In summary, I would say that the Mk M flatters to deceive. After languishing in the wake of local rivals, the company has not done sufficient to raise the performance level. We would not even expect the Mk M to begin to approach the performance of the proven M46PIE, which is expected to be racing for top honours next time round. Even the SMO66Y is expected to outperform the Mk M. Unless significant changes are made very soon, the Mk M will follow it's neighbouring brewery into olivion.