Re-Coupe-ration

PITSTOP

Bentley describes their newly launched Arnage Drophead Coupé as 'unashamedly glamourous and wonderfully desirable,' and we're unable to think up a better way to put it.

From the imposing Arnage front to the slick, all-new and equally impressive rear, the Drophead is drop-dead gorgeous. Bentley's design team quote the 1955 Park Ward Continental Drophead Coupé and the 1995 Azure as the main influences.

It isn't only about the skin, either. The legendary 450 bhp twin-turbo 6750cc V8 is still on its whipped cream diet and the surging wave of torque peaks at a staggering 88 kgm. The powertrain is cosseted in an Arnage-based frame which bears extra reinforcements for structural integrity.

The Drophead also gets pop-up roll-over protection, a 25-second three-layer canvas top and a heavily raked windscreen. The car is so generous in dimension that you can carry the roof, your Vuitton bags and two Taylor golf club sets in the boot at the same time.

The interiors sport tons of wood and acres of leather, set off perfectly by warm mood lighting. While the Drophead is currently listed as a show car, Bentley say the car is entirely production ready and could go on sale around early to mid 2006. Obviously, no price has been announced, but like the saying goes, if you need to ask...

Virtual reality

First they made games that accurately simulated real world cars. Now we're doing it the other way round. The Nissan 350Z Gran Turismo 4 special is a limited production car that celebrates the fourth edition of what is probably the greatest driving game ever.

More than just a yellow car, the 350Z GT4 sports new pistons and cams that boost power by 20 bhp to 300. Top speed is still limited to 250 kph, but it gets there noticeably quicker, say Nissan.

The first 76 cars of the limited run are to be yellow, while the other 100 are to be painted stark black. All will sport specially designed alloys, black leather interiors, a 6-CD in-dash 240 watt RMS Bose audio system and a strange looking box in the boot.

Those who look in the box will find a Sony Playstation 2 console with the Gran Turismo 4 game CD, so the driving can continue after the Z's parked.