Audi news - Daddy, I want one - 2007

Much to the chagrin of the already hassled parents of Britain, last week we brought you a bunch of electric kids' cars.

Cool as they were, we baulked somewhat at the thought of splashing out £400 to keep Top Gear Jnr entertained for a few hours.

But those plastic racers look veritably bargainous alongside this Auto Union Type C pedal car.

Officially produced by Audi and limited to a model run of 999 cars, it's sure to become the birthday present of choice for the offspring of oligarchs and dictators.

It's no flimsy plastic effort, either. The 1:2 scale Type C is constructed from aluminium and features handcrafted leather trim, as well as - and we couldn't make it up if we tried - hydraulic dual-disc brakes and a seven-speed hub gear system.

OK, so it's not quite in the same league as the original Type C racer, which at peak performance was powered by a six-litre V12 blowing out 520bhp. The mini replica relies on pedal-power alone for motivation.

Audi reckons it's suitable for drivers up to 1.35 metres tall, so don't be surprised to see lil' Felippe Massa driving one in the Turkish GP.

The only drawback - apart from the fact that your precocious racing progeny will have to exercise their pasty legs to get the car moving - is the price, with Type C costing a eye-watering £6,800.

Top Gear demands a return to the good ol' days, when kids were content with nothing more than a stick, a metal hoop and the very real risk of contracting lockjaw.