What? Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé
When? June
How much? At least £250,000

After four years’ production the Phantom saloon has finally spawned a son, the striking-looking Phantom Drophead Coupé. To be revealed at next week’s Detroit Motor Show, its most distinctive features are its integrated sloping grille (something of a first for a Rolls-Royce), its rear-hinged “suicide” doors and a hood cover made from teak decking.

Rolls-Royce expects to make between 150 and 200 a year, 85% for export, at least half of which will end up in the US. Power comes from the same V12 engine as is used in the Phantom, but although the Drophead Coupé is some 25cm shorter than the Phantom, its chassis has had to be beefed up to maintain structural rigidity, so it’s actually 70kg heavier and should therefore offer similar performance.

Like its deadly rival the new Bentley Azure, the Drophead Coupé is a full four-seater and boasts the largest convertible roof of any car on sale. Interestingly, the boot lid is split, so the lower half can be opened out to provide a ledge on which you can sit or stand while watching your horse win the Derby. The teak decking needs treating annually, otherwise, says Rolls-Royce chief executive Ian Robertson, “it will weather like your garden furniture”.

What? Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
When? Autumn
How much? Around £100,000

Stunning to look at, with a 450bhp V8 motor, and hopefully extraordinary to drive, the 8C is the Alfa that fans have been desperately hoping for decades that the marque will make. The engine is related to those used in Ferraris and Maseratis and will power only the back wheels of the 8C, making it the first new rear-wheel-drive Alfa since the weird SZ Coupé of the early 1990s. Available first as a coupé, just 500 will be made. But if it is a runaway success — which seems almost inevitable — don’t be surprised to see that number increase. A convertible will follow in 2008.

What? Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster
When? May
How much? £90,000 approx

What could be better than an Aston V8 Vantage? An Aston V8 Vantage everyone can see you in. The convertible Vantage has been talked about ever since the coupé went on sale, but now we know what it looks like (gorgeous), how fast it will be (the same as the coupé — very quick) and when you’ll be able to get your mitts on one (spring in theory, but unless your order is already in, more likely late 2009). It will be interesting to see if Aston Martin has been able to maintain the coupé’s excellent handling; the DB9’s dynamics suffered from having its head chopped off.

What? Audi R8
When? Spring
How much? £77,000

The all-aluminium four-wheel-drive R8 is Audi’s boldest step yet, not least because its closest direct rival is the Porsche 911 Carrera S — arguably the best sports car on sale.

Interestingly, Audi has had the nerve to price its 4.2 litre 420bhp mid-engined supercar considerably ahead of the Porsche, clearly implying it believes it has the superior product. It certainly looks the part, with extraordinary avant-garde styling, but many have picked a fight with the 911 and many have left the battlefield bruised, bloodied and in full retreat.

What? Ford Mondeo
When? Summer
How much? £15,000-£25,000

You probably failed to spot it among the product-placed Astons and Jags, but the all-new Mondeo actually made its debut in Casino Royale. We saw the car in estate form as a concept at the Paris Motor Show in September and the real thing will be very little different. So expect a much more stylish Mondeo as Ford tries to stop its customers deserting the medium saloon class, as they have been doing in droves of late. Saloon, hatch and estate versions are guaranteed, and with the platform already in use in the S-Max MPV, it should prove pretty good to drive. Expect the usual range of petrol and diesel engines.

What? Renault Twingo
When? Autumn
How much? £7,000-£9,000 approx

This is actually the second-generation Twingo, but as the original was never made in right-hand drive it never went on official sale in the UK. Renault won’t make that mistake again, and if the concept shown at the Paris Motor Show is any guide, the new Twingo will bring new levels of style and attitude to the budget car class.

Its aim is to hit cars such as the Citroën C2 and Fiat Panda where it hurts most, so expect some frugal petrol engines, maybe one diesel, and a turbocharged 1.2 litre fire-breather to combat the threat from the 100bhp Fiat Panda.

What? Mercedes-Benz C-class
When? June
How much? £23,000-£55,000

It bodes well for the all-new C-class that the five-year-old car it replaces still feels pretty fresh and, with certain engines, more than capable of holding its head high among uniformly younger opponents.

The new car will look like the little brother of the new S-class limousine and will come packed with engine choices, from a basic 2 litre petrol to a storming 400-plus horsepower AMG variant. Between these poles, expect yet more powerful, efficient and clean diesels to take centre stage.

Also, as Mercedes tries to drive its image upmarket and repair its reputation for sloppy build, this should be the most solidly constructed small Merc ever created.

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