Crossword Genius

Hard top that could make vehicle fast (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

carapace

'hard top' is the definition.
(a carapace is a shell)

'vehicle fast' is the wordplay.
'vehicle' becomes 'car' (car is a kind of vehicle).
'fast' becomes 'apace' (synonyms).
'car'+'apace'='CARAPACE'

'that could make' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for carapace that I've seen before include "Hard shell of some animals" , "Hard shell of tortoise, crab etc" , "Shell on back of tortoise or crustacean" , "soft top? Hardly" , "Firm covering" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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