JUST ANNOUNCED
Alfa Romeo Brera S
Price £24,950-£28,450
On sale June 2
What’s different? In an unusual move, Alfa Romeo has commissioned
a British company to transform the feel of its Brera coupé for a limited run
of 500 S models. Prodrive, which is responsible for the Subaru rally and
Aston Martin racing programmes, has uprated the Brera’s springs by 50%,
fitted new shock absorbers and wheels and altered the ride height and the
suspension geometry to improve handling. Leather upholstery is also included
Why should I care? A lot of work has been done for a premium of just
£1,450 over the standard Brera and we’d be surprised if the results did not
improve this dynamically disappointing Alfa
Consider also
BMW 3-series coupé £26,065-£38,135
Audi TT £25,210-£30,040
Mazda RX-8 £21,605-£23,105
JUST ANNOUNCED
Citroën C5 Tourer
Price £16,695-£25,495
On sale June 17
What’s different? Hot on the heels of the ultra-stylish C5 saloon
comes a slightly less distinctive but nonetheless attractive estate version.
Self-levelling suspension allows you to drop the car to almost ground level
for easy loading while electric tailgate-closing can also be specified. The
C5 Tourer comes at a £1,100 premium over an equivalent C5 saloon
Why should I care? Although Citroën calls the boot “cavernous”, the
Tourer is rather less capacious than many direct opponents, but the car is
good looking and should be comfortable. For someone needing the practicality
of an estate but wanting to cut a dash, it is worth a look
Consider also
Ford Mondeo estate £16,655-£26,605
Renault Laguna Sport Tourer £16,960-£23,920
Mazda6 estate £17,340-£22,030
Please do; as the old C5 is ugly, ugly, ugly. Looks like a slightly over inflated KIA.
Simon Rsoe, Mile End, Australia
Please update the image of the Citroen to the new car, and not the OLD car as shown above!
Jim, Bonn, Germany