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New Volvo C70
The new Volvo C70 is all set to enter the Oman market. The C70 is not as high as its predecessor but retains the same width. The relatively short front overhang and the shoulder line which is drawn up towards the rear, make it sleek and sporty.

A convertible is usually designed as an open car and a roof is then crafted on to it. At Volvo Cars, the design team created a sporty coupe and then converted it into an attractive convertible, making it pleasing to the eye. The C70 has a retractable steel hardtop rather than a soft hood to provide a 'round the year feel' and for a lower noise level and more comfort. The interior of the C70 boasts of modern, innovative features, inspired by Scandinavian product design rather than pure car design. The super thin, visually floating centre 'stack', known from the Volvo S40, is also a part of the C70 and its panel can now be varied according to the customer's whims. A special optional upholstery has also been developed. Vulcaflex is a synthetic material used with textile and with soft leather.

Volvo is represented in Oman by Mohsin Haider Darwish (MHD) and the convertible will soon be avai-lable at the Azaiba showroom.

The sequel
Bugatti's next model will be a million-dollar sedan. Having relaunched the brand with the Veyron, a car that'll never make money, Bugatti's plan is to defray the immense cost of developing the W-16 engine, seven-speed DSG transmission, and all-wheel-drive system by reusing them in a front-engine platform. Bugatti chairman Thomas Bscher says the new car will use aluminum and carbon composites. The Veyron has steel end frames, a carbon tub, and part-aluminum skin. Once Bugatti designs a new platform, it can spawn sedan, coupe, and convertible bodies.

generation next Durango
With the introduction of the Dodge Durango HEMI R/T Concept at this year's North American International Auto Show, the Chrysler Group gave enthusiasts a sneak peek at a thinly disguised version of the next-generation Durango. The Durango HEMI R/T Concept previews the bold new look of a product that Dodge hopes will put it squarely on mainstream SUV-buyer's radar, with a distinction that will set it apart in a field that's become increasingly crowded, not only with traditional SUVs, but with car-based crossover vehicles populating the marketplace.

the ecoracer
Here's a car that takes some of the doom out of one doomsday scenario. If oil prices rise to heretofore unseen heights, the Volkswagen EcoRacer shows that sports cars can still be fun, even if they're powered by a diesel engine that gets 80 mpg. The EcoRacer uses a carbon-fibre monocoque worthy of a Formula 1 machine. The engine, mounted amidships, is an early version of a new common rail diesel due in 2007. Not only does it accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and top out at 143 mph, accor-ding to VW, it also averages a miserly 80 mpg. Only reason to sniff at the EcoRacer is the scent of diesel exhaust.

Brief Drives
BECAUSE SNOOP SOMETIMES LIKES TO RIDE IN BACK
Chrysler has introduced a long-wheelbase 300 sedan for retail customers and livery service. The six-inch stretch yields a similar gain in rear-seat legroom. On sale this fall, the car will be offered as a V-6-powered 300 Touring Long Wheelbase and as a 300C version with a 5.7-litre V-8.

espn adds two days rallying to x games
ESPN has announced that it will add two days of rallying to the slate of events at this year's X Games, scheduled for August 3-6. A six-stage traditional rally will be held on the first day, and a special stadium event will take place on the second.

THE EASY PATH TO SUPREMACY
As if the BMW Z4 M Coupe weren't fast enough, BMW Motorsport has developed a racing kit for the hot two-door. The 3.2-litre six gets juiced to 400 hp, and other upgrades include a sequential manual gearbox as well as race-spec brakes and suspension. Cost for the transformation: about US$300,000.