A Schumacher Special? According to the Fiat Press Office, Michael Schumacher's first car was a Fiat Cinquecento. That tenuous link is being bandied around to support the launch of the new Seicento Michael Schumacher, shown on the right. The Seicento Michael Schumacher (catchy!) is based on the current Sporting version, with some extra bits and pieces (looking like they come from the Abarth tuning catalogue). Standard features include anti-lock brakes, side skirts with a Michael Schumacher logo, alloy wheels, aluminium sports pedals, gear lever frame and handbrake lever, limited edition plate, Michael Schumacher logo and signature on the rear hatch, rear tailgate spoiler, Michael Schumacher branded kick plates, and a leather steering wheel and gear lever, with red stitching. On-the-road costs are £7894.45 in the UK.

MG sign Mark Blundell for Le Mans. Julian Bailey, Anthony Reid, Warren Hughes, Kevin McGarrity and Jonny Kane have been joined by the experienced Mark Blundell (left) to make up the team of six drivers for MG at Le Mans in 2001. Currently a new member of the ITV F1 team, Mark has raced in motocross, Formula Ford, Formula One and CART, as well as at Le Mans - taking pole position in 1990 (the yougest driver to do so at the French circuit). MG and Lola are currently rushing ahead with development of the new car. It is not yet certain that the car will be ready on time. Le Mans is merely one part of MG-Rover's ambitious motorsport plans, including the British Touring Car Championship and possibly even World Rally. Timings will be tight though, as pre-qualifying for Le Mans is not very far away. Miss that, and MG may not be allowed to enter the qualifying. Fingers crossed then for the brave new company. Their involvement can only enhance the sport.

Radical Bentley for Le Mans 2001. One of the favourites for Le Mans this year in our opinion is the new Bentley EXP Speed 8. Team Bentley (as it has been named will comprise of two race cars - the only fully-enclosed prototypes entered in this year's race. That isn't the only thing unique about the car though. Theoretically, the Bentley is based on parent-company Audi's super-successful R8 race cars. Some may find it strange that they will actually compete against eachother. Forget classes and sales markets, this is a race, pure and simple! The layout of the car is radical. There is a trio of carbon fibre loops - the largest of the trio surrounds the car behind the driver, the smallest goes around the pedal box, while the third central hoop encircles the car's structure roughly around the driver's knees. This, then, forms the platform onto which the fully stressed carbon-fibre body is attached to create a monocoque that is both exceptionally strong, stiff and light. With this concept, no steel rollcage is required... I wouldn't bet against Bentley this year - reliability and tyres are the only real unknowns.

Toyota Yaris T-Sport - naughty or nice? Toyota will launch its new T-Sport brand in the UK on April 2, 2001 - wisely starting a brand that will capitalise on Toyota's entry into the Formula One arena in 2002. The chic Yaris is the first model to get the T-Sport treatment. The aims seems to be to attract young, enthusiastic drivers while not completelty alienating the regular customers. They have succeeded. When the car enthusiast went to the 2000 British Motor Show, we were impressed by the styling, and the confirmed specification hints at a fun little car. The engine is a 1.5-litre version of the excellent VVT-i system, developing 105bhp at 6000rpm, and 145Nm of torque at 4200rpm. Nippy then, but not really a sports car! Still, the tautened suspension should keep the push-on driver happy, and the car does look good after all. That, I think will be the point of this car for most buyers.

A new Mercedes Van-eo... Here's a surprise from Mercedes-Benz - a rival for the very new mini-MPV class. Terrible name, but the car itself should easily outclass the Toyota Yaris Verso and Daihatsu YRV. Price may be another thing altogether. Obviously based on the A-class, the Mercedes is surprisingly roomy for a car only 4.2m long. More surprising is Mercedes' rapid response to the creation of this market. They must believe that this is the next niche to stop being just a niche. If you see what I mean.

Tasty morsels from Geneva 2001. Adam Jefferson went to Geneva and will soon be supplying us with his report. Meanwhile, here is a tiny selection of the machinery on display. Click here for a full gallery from the show, kindly supplied by Gerrit van Goossen. The long-awaited Rover 75 Tourer is shown on the left - held back by ex-parent BMW.

The Rover Tourer's brother that goes down the gym and wears designer suits? The MG X11 will certainly get MG noticed, but is it maybe a teensy little bit over the top for an estate?

Finally the Smart concept is being embraced throughout Europe. Now, the company can move onto some sportier variants, like the Crossover concept to the left. Let's hope it makes production.

When we road-tested the latest Honda Civic, we commented on the erm, displeasing looks. We were aware, however, that a 3-door version, and a coupe were on the way. Well, here's the Coupe. Make your own mind up.

Now this is more like it! I know, it is just a kevved-up 3-door, but the Type-R has breeding. Brash, yes, brilliant, definitely. backed up by not one, but two F1 teams with Honda engines this year, the Civic Type-R is set to be an instant classic. Let me at it!

Content by Shane O' Donoghue