Crossword Genius

Drive forward in stripped-down limo with key in place (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

impel

'drive forward' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'stripped-down limo with key in place' is the wordplay.
'stripped down' means to look at the middle letters.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'key' becomes 'E' (musical key).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'place' becomes 'pl' (abbreviation used in postal addresses).
The middle of 'limo' is 'im'.
'e' inserted inside 'pl' is 'pel'.
'im'+'pel'='IMPEL'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for impel that I've seen before include "Urge or force to action" , "Urge forward - push" , "Constrain" , "Force forwards" , "Send or drive forward" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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