Scrapped Volvos are...
Scrapped Volvos are being sought by green energy fans... because the parts are perfect for wind turbines! Hubs, bearings and disc brakes from old 120 and 240 models generate more power than shop-bought kits, and cost a fraction of the price, so are ideal building materials. "It"s nice to know the longest-lasting components are still useful," said a Volvo spokesman.
The coupé made...
The coupé made its debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, and is the work of coachbuilder Zagato, from Milan. The car started life as a Bentley Continental GT Speed, but you’re unlikely to confuse it with the standard model, thanks to a wide range of unique styling changes.
From the front, its headlamps and massive mesh grille are pure Bentley, but the all-new bumper and long bonnet vents provide the hand-built Zagato-bodied version with a much more dramatic look. A pair of front foglamps and 10-spoke alloy wheels add to the visual impact.
Traditional Zagato touches include a double-bubble roof and a neatly rounded tail. A host of functional parts have been carried over from the production car, but the slab-sided looks of the Continental GT have been dropped in favour of a much curvier body shape. Integrated light clusters sit flush with the surrounding bodywork at the rear, and the GTZ features an unusual two-tone green and silver paint finish. Its leather wrapped interior is also colour-coded to match the hand-painted exterior.
Power comes from the same 600bhp W12 engine as the GT Speed, so the Zagato’s performance is impressive. The 0-60mph sprint in the standard car takes only 4.3 seconds, while top speed is 202mph.
This isn’t that the first time the Italian firm has redesigned a luxurious British grand tourer for the super-rich. Zagato has a long history of working with British car makers, such as Aston Martin, while other collaborations with foreign firms include the Ferrari 575 GTZ from 2006 and the one-off Maserati GS Zagato, which was unveiled last year.