Volvo C70 T5 SE Lux (2006) CAR review

Ah, a convertible. One for the hairdressers or a car that's hair-raising to drive?

The jelly-like first generation C70 convertible was a Nicky Clarke special: it looked good and had a decent stereo but wobbled like a dinghy in a typhoon. The new C70 is a very different beast to its predecessor, which was sold as both a fixed-head coupe and soft-top cabrio. This time, the C70 has a folding steel roof, giving buyers both cars - coupe and convertible - for the price of one. Handling should be in a different league, too, because the new C70 shares its underpinnings and engines with the S40 saloon.

How would it fare on the Kings Road?

With the roof down on a sunny day, pretty well. We drove the flagship T5 model, with a growling 2.5-litre turbocharged engine. It's the punchy 220bhp unit fitted to the awesome Focus ST. The body is suspended by MacPherson struts up front, multi-link suspension at the rear, which makes for a comfy ride around town.