JUST ANNOUNCED
Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS
Price £120,000 approx
On sale Late 2008
What’s different? It’s an Aston Martin Vantage gone over to the
dark side, courtesy of the 6 litre V12 engine more usually found in the DB9,
tuned to give 600bhp. That, says Aston, will see it to 62mph in 4sec flat
and on to 100mph just 4.5sec later. It should achieve 200mph comfortably.
The bonnet and boot lid are carbon fibre and the brakes carbon ceramic
Why should I care? Aston Martin is calling the Vantage RS a “concept”
because it wants to judge public opinion before it builds it. If nobody
likes it, it’ll never see the showroom. If they do, Aston Martin will have
it in production within the year. When the proposition is as pretty as the
Vantage and as powerful as the DB9 Le Mans car, our money is on the latter
Consider also Ferrari 430 Scuderia £172,500, Porsche 911 GT2 £131,017,
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera £150,990
IN THE SHOWROOM
Peugeot 207SW Outdoor
Price £13,650-£14,740
On sale Now
What’s different This 207 is the next car to try to steal some of
the SUV market for itself without being an SUV. Jacked-up suspension, bigger
wheels and grey wheelarch extensions and sill mouldings give it something of
an off-road look, but with just front-wheel drive available, any excursions
from the tarmac are likely to end in tears. It’s available with a choice of
one diesel and two petrol engines
Why should I care? It’s another way of making yourself stand out from
the crowd. We’re not big fans of the 207 but at least the estate version has
practicality on its side and this Outdoor varient looks more interesting
than most
Consider also Suzuki SX4 £9,999-£12,799, Fiat Sedici, £12,850-£15,840,
Nissan Qashqai £13,699-£20,899
