Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
Just announced
Price £125,000 approx
On sale Spring 2009
What’s different? Alfa Romeo never made any secret of the fact
that after it had built 500 of its 8C Competizione coupés, a run of 500
convertibles would follow. Powered by the same 450bhp 4.7 litre engine, the
Spider will be a touch heavier and therefore a fraction slower than its
sister but customers are likely to conclude this is a price well worth
paying for such an effortlessly beautiful convertible
Why should I care? Just 41 of the 8C Spiders will be coming to the UK
so if you fancy one, ring your dealer now; Alfa expects them to sell out
almost immediately. If you get one, you’re buying one of the rarest, most
coveted machines on earth
Consider also Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet £106,110, Aston Martin DB9
Volante £119,850, Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG £150,097
Ford Fiesta
Just announced
Price £9,000-£15,000 approx
On sale Autumn
What’s different? It is exactly as it appears: an all-new Fiesta
that will arrive in British showrooms later this year. It comes with three
and five doors and a range of petrol and diesel engines, at least one of
which will produce carbon dioxide emissions of below 100g/km. Ford says that
beneath its sleek shape lies a car that “remains true to the Fiesta
fundamentals of practicality, affordability, agility and safety”
Why should I care? Because if it’s half as good to look at in the
flesh as it is in the photographs, other manufacturers with small cars to
sell in Europe are going to have a real headache. It will be interesting if,
as well as being such a pretty face, it possesses the class-leading dynamics
for which most modern Fords are renowned
Consider also Renault Clio £7,495-£15,995, Vauxhall Corsa
£7,595-£15,825, Toyota Yaris £8,925-£14,095
Are those "consider also" options a joke?? Bit of a price difference isn't there??!?
Dave, Chorley, Lancs,