Topgear News

Ever since it appeared in the video game Gran Turismo 4, we’ve loved Nissan’s 350Z. The first version proved to be simply incredible, and we were amazed by the special-edition GT4, which offered more power and eye-catching yellow paintwork. Now, the Japanese maker has gone a step further, with the launch of a revised 350Z for 2006. And while it’s not yet available in yellow, you do get an extra 20bhp, bringing total output to 300bhp.

Residents of a new apartment block will be able to keep an eye on their car even when they’re at home. The CarLoft, under development in Germany, is a spacious flat with a lift that raises the owner’s vehicle on to the balcony - and bosses say this gives the same convenience and security as owning a house with a gated drive.

Owners simply pull up to the giant lift on the outside of the building, go to their floor and drive into the glass-walled CarLoggia on the balcony. The design is to spread into Europe, costing £310,000 per flat.

One of the UK’s top Volvo truck dealers has launched a campaign to get more women behind the wheel. Thomas Hardie in Manchester has linked up with local City College in a European Social Fund-backed project to find more female truckers - and it has a pink lorry to help them.

The aim is to train 100 women to drive large goods vehicles (LGVs) of up to 32 tonnes. “It’s a stepping stone to articulated HGVs,” said driver development manager Rachael Scanlin. “We want to target girls of 15 and 16 to show them that there is a career waiting for them in truck driving.”

Volvo’s lovely convertible’s hardly a softie ..
Richard Hammond

I have a problem with the folding roof on the new Volvo C70. It’s not that it isn’t well made - in fact, it’s an exquisite piece of engineering.

When the three aluminium panels that make up the roof go about the business of folding away into the boot, it’s a beautiful sight to behold, like watching a Space Shuttle manipulate a satellite into its dock.

No, my problem is … it looks too much like an ordinary roof when it’s up. The collapsible roof is simply too successful at impersonating an ordinary tin-top.

Giancarlo Fisichella finally avenged the misfortune that has dogged him for more than a year by scoring the third win of his grand prix career in Malaysia on Sunday.

The Italian started on pole & drove a flawless race to the challenge from Renault team-mate & current world champion Fernando Alonso.

Britains Jenson Button came home a solid third dispite admitting that his Honda has along way to go before its able to match the Renaults on pace.

MW might not have had the Formula One success to back up its hottest road cars, but when it comes to performance brands, the company’s famous M Sport badge is guaranteed to set pulses racing.

However, the new £43,000 M Roadster is out of the reach of most buyers. Thankfully, two new 2.5-litre six-cylinder models are on the way. Coming with either 218bhp or 177bhp, these are priced at £25,650 and £28,365. So, do they represent good value? We grabbed the keys to a 218bhp Z4 2.5si to find out.

Fernando Alonso began his title defence in the best possible fashion with a superb victory in the season-opening of the 2006 season

But, unlike the early races of last year, the Spaniard didn’t have things all his own way – not by a long shot. Instead he was made to work hard all afternoon by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, whose pace signalled a major Ferrari revival this year.
The race-long duel was finally decided when Alonso emerged from his final pit stop just metres in front.