JUST ANNOUNCED
Maserati Quattroporte S
£90,000 approx
On sale October
What’s different? Maserati’s gorgeous four-door saloon now gets
the 4.7 litre engine recently installed in the GranTurismo coupé and first
seen in the Alfa 8C. Power rises from 400bhp to 430bhp and there’s a solid
increase in torque. Minor styling changes have been implemented, including
vertical slats for the grille, LED-type rear lights and new door mirrors
Why should I care? The 4.2 litre engine used by the Quattroporte to
date has never quite suited the character of the car, and while it continues
in the standard Quattroporte, prospective buyers should seriously consider
the new engine in this S version – not so much for its extra power as for
its improved mid-range punch. It has the potential to turn a good but flawed
car into a true great
Consider also Audi S8 £72,100, BMW M5 £65,890, Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG
£68,080
IN THE SHOWROOM
Ford Fiesta Zetec S Red
Price £13,000
On sale now
What’s different? This is a limited-edition version of Ford’s
evergreen Fiesta. Although there’s nothing mechanically new, it has been
given a funky facelift that includes tinted rear windows, 16in alloy wheels
and a chequered roof. The Red edition is available with the 98bhp 1.6 litre
petrol engine, and only 400 examples will be made
Why should I care? As last year’s limited-edition Fiestas sold out
within weeks, this one may do the same. It’s obvious Ford is clearing out
the existing eight-year-old Fiesta in anticipation of the new version due at
the end of summer, but that doesn’t make the Red any less worthwhile
Consider also Vauxhall Corsa £7,795-£16,000, Skoda Fabia Sport
£10,670-£12,805, Suzuki Swift Sport £11,915
