Famed for crazy concept cars, Swiss-based Rinspeed has now claimed a crazy record – the quickest crossing of the English Channel with a hydrofoil car. Company founder Frank Rinderknecht captained the vessel, called Splash, over the water in 193min 47sec under the watchful gaze of a crew from The Guinness Book of Records.

ONE OF the Aston Martin Vanquishes used by 007 in Die Another Day recently sold at a Bonham’s auction of Bond memorabilia for £144,500. The auction was held at Newport Pagnell.

AP RACING now has a rear brake kit for the Subaru Impreza (2001 to date), complete with 335mm vented discs, four-pot callipers, braided hoses and high-performance fluid. Prices are from £1058. Visit www.apracing.com

Forget the Veyron, here’s the latest contender for the Real World Speed Record: the new Astravan. Described as ‘a true driver’s van’, expect to see one hassling you out of the outside lane any day soon.