WHAT a week I had to enjoy the Volvo C70 - blazing sun and shorts the order of every day.

The week included two 100 mile trips on successive days plus a huge amount of local stuff and in D5 diesel form, the big Volvo returned an average of 37mpg.

Doesn't sound like much until you consider that the petrol models would probably have done under 30.

The C70 is a proper coupe/convertible with a three piece folding roof which takes about 20 seconds to put up or down.

But when it's down, there is only just about room for one flat case in the boot - and you'd have to put the roof up to get it out. Romantic top-down weekends away a no-no then!

Performance is more than adequate with the automatic gearbox fitted to this car. It's not a sports car, it's a comfortable, refined open tourer in the grand tradition.

And yet it is still agile enough to take corners quickly and safely when being bothered by a tailgater and the diesel engine is quiet and refined.

It comes with full climate, sat nav, cruise control, phone buttons on the steering wheel, electric windows, leather seats and parking sensors.

But although it's billed as a four seater, there's only room for an eight-year-old behind me with the electric seat in its most comfortable position.

BMW 3-series convertible