First things first, this is not a new E-type Jaguar, it is according to Jaguar, a “sustainable sports car of the future”, that just happens to take more than a few visual cues from the 1960’s icon. The car itself is Jaguars C-X16 concept, a lightly disguised production ready road car, that Jaguar hopes, will take on the might of the Porsche 911 in the coming few years.

The second thing to point out is that the C-X16 is not a replacement for the XK, it is a whole new car that will slot into Jag’s line up. Whereas the XK is unashamedly a Grand Tourer designed for eloping across Europe, the new car is designed to be an out and out sports car ready to scare the bejesus out of you.

Jaguar C-X16 Review

Jaguar over recent years have become quite handy when it comes to wielding a design pencil, the XF, XJ and XK have all replaced their rather dated looking predecessors, rescuing the brand from the brink of financial meltdown. The C-X16 looks fit to continue this rebranding and I feel a closer look at it is required to understand its beauty and uncanny resemblance to the aforementioned E-Type. From side on the car has that typical long nose, short rear profile of the iconic coupe. It also features a gently sloping glass hatch that’s not all too dissimilar from the coupe E-type. That glass hatch leads down to the thin horizontal rear lights, which wrap around both sides of the car, stopping just before and above the rear wheels. At the bottom of the sculpted rear bumper sits a rather purposeful looking rear diffuser housing quad upswept exhausts at either side. From the front the C-X16 look’s equally as good. Its swept back headlights and wide open grill make it look ever so slightly like the animal after which the company takes its name. From every angle the car looks fast, its bonnet bulges, with little air scoops on either side give it a 70’s muscle car feel, and hint at the supercharged engine beneath, which funnily enough is the next part of the car that I feel needs exploring.

Engine wise, the C-X16 features a not too shabby, all new supercharged 3 litre V6. However, the C-X16 is an experimental hybrid, which means it’s got an electric motor too! Total power equates to 380bhp from the engine and 95bhp from the electric motor. It uses the electric motor in the same way as the KERS system in an F1 car, meaning that you can press a big shiny button to release a boost of power to get past any particularly slow moving traffic. Thanks to this instant torque of the electric motor, coupled to the V6, 0-62mph is dealt with in 4.4 seconds and top speed is limited to an adequately illegal 186mph. Despite the turn of speed, the icing on the cake for all this hybrid’ness is a city car rivalling mpg of 41 and low C02 emissions for a car of this class at 165g/km. Finally, what this also means is that the car can run on pure electric power at, according to Jaguar, up to 50mph. Pretty clever stuff I’m sure you’ll agree, but it doesn’t stop there. The car also features the obligatory stop/start system and electric regeneration to recharge itself. All the power and techy bits are hooked up to the rear wheels through Jaguars new 8 speed auto box with manual override, which has just debuted in the 2.2 diesel XF.

Inside the C-X16’s very red interior there is an abundance of clever gadgetry, which hints at what sort of things Jags of the future will offer. There is a plug which can be used for connecting numerous types of smartphone, the touchscreen display in the centre consul then changes to reflect the specific phones layout. It then allows you to use the phones functions through the cars screen. Very clever stuff although totally useless if you still use a Nokia 3310. Having a touchscreen in the centre means that the need for masses of buttons is no longer, this gives the cabin a simple uncluttered and elegant appearance. The only major controls left, are the beautifully crafted aluminium heater knobs, gear selector and steering wheel of course.

Although this car is still officially a concept, the amount of real world technology, viable engine and performance figures, suggest it will become a production ready car before 2012 is done. It is likely to make a welcome addition to Jaguars line up and put more than just a worried thought into Porsche and Aston’s bosses’ heads, as this car will be major competition for the new 911 and now dated V8 Vantage. Although Jaguar insists it is not a new E-Type there are definitely some visual cues to the classic, which is in no means a bad thing. However Jag doesn’t need to worry, the C-X16 is definitely a unique, modern, sports car of the future.

Do you want a complete and comprehensive guide to almost every single car release of the 21^st century? If you answered yes, then the A to Z of 21^st Century Cars by Tony Lewin is the book for you. Actually come to think of it, even if you answered no to that question this book could still be for you, as it provides even the smallest of petrol heads with a bewildering array of easy to access, show off to your mates at the pub, facts.

A to Z of 21st Century Cars Book Review

Let’s be clear though, this isn’t just another book about some cars from the new millennia written about in a forgettable manner. No, what it is in fact, is a comprehensive encyclopaedia of pretty much every manufacturer known to mankind with a page or more dedicated to 300 of their most important models. Each car featured, be it the Skoda Yeti or Lamborghini Gallardo is explored in amazing detail, with information ranging from how it progressed from concept to reality, to controversies and trivia surrounding its release. The book even makes note of the impact some cars made to the automotive industry as a whole upon their release.

As well as the brief synopsis given about a particular car there is also a handy box which lists all the important need to know facts about a specific engine and trim, for example everything from the 2010 Focus 1.6 TDCI to the Ferrari 458 is listed. The car’s specific dimensions, layout, engine, power, speed and C02 emissions are all printed in a clear easy to read box, usually next to a superb quality picture of the car in question, of which the book has 1500.

A to Z of 21^st century cars does not just focus solely on the centuries automobiles, but also looks at some of the most influential car designers and design houses who first scribbled their forms on paper. Everybody and every house from the walking controversy that is Chris Bangle to the sublime beauty created by Pininfarina is meticulously explored. A dated timeline is provided detailing some of the designers and the companies most important designs accompanied of course by some of those aforementioned 1500 pictures.

By far and away the best part of the book for me was the relatively small section named “Who owns whom” found on pages 532 – 533. The section lists the majority of the planets car manufacturers and as the title suggests who owns them as of when the book went to press in May 2011. Speaking as a bonafide car anorak I cannot stress enough what a useful source of pub trivia this section is. For example have you ever wondered who owns the rights to some of Britain’s best loved defunct manufacturers like Triumph, Hillman and Sunbeam? This book tells you, and some answers might come as quite a surprise.

As the title suggests the A to Z of 21^st Century Cars is arranged in an easy to navigate alphabetical and colour coded order. Making it really easy to lose hours immersed in all the facts you never thought you needed to know but would feel lost without, had you not read them. It makes perfect reading for any self-confessed car geek or motoring novice alike. However I’d imagine that by the time most novices reach the letter Z they’ll be experts too. This book is definitely a must buy as it makes even the dullest of cars seem interesting.

Car Insurance and “Crash-Proof” Cars

Imagine a car that’s so safe it’s always on the lookout for ways to avoid a crash. That could become a reality in future, as manufacturers race to be the first to bring out a “crash-proof” car.

As recently as 30 years ago, fastening your seat belt seemed like a revolutionary life-saving measure, but since then cars have become safer.

The biggest cause of accidents is driver error*, so it’s important to remember that even the safest car needs a safe driver. But could yet more advances in technology lead to fewer accidents and Car Insurance claims? And would drivers be happy for their car to be “driven” by a computer?

New cars already have airbags, anti-lock braking systems and crumple zones, and there are more safety initiatives being created all the time.

Crash Proof Concept Car

Crash avoidance technology – with systems that alert drivers to danger and may even be able to take action to prevent accidents – could cut the number of crashes on Britain’s roads. Apart from the obvious benefits of this, fewer car accidents could lead to fewer Car Insurance claims and therefore a reduction in premiums as drivers keep their no claims bonuses.

Even if most accidents are caused by drivers not paying attention or not reacting quickly enough, new technology could be their “eyes and ears”.

New systems could be introduced to monitor blind spots and check that drivers are alert, which could come in particularly useful on long journeys when they’re tired or tend to lack concentration.

Electronic stability control, which is already available on some new cars, will be able to detect when a skid is about to happen, and help prevent it.

Some cars also come with devices that warn drivers of a collision ahead if their car drifts out of a motorway lane, as well as headlights that improve night-time visibility by pivoting around bends.

In the future, drivers might also benefit from new braking technology which can bring your car to a stop when other vehicles get too close, and cruise control, which automatically maintain a safe speed and distance from other cars. Controversially, technology will also be able to prevent drivers from breaking the speed limit.

Although some drivers might not want to hand over control to their cars, it’s hard to argue with the fact that the new technology will make journeys safer.

[*] Source – Department for Transport (www.dft.gov.uk)

Company Profile:

John Lewis Insurance offers a range of insurance services selected by the John Lewis Partnership. These include home, life, pet, travel, wedding, event and car insurance quotes.

For more information about John Lewis Car Insurance please click here to visit the website – www.johnlewis-insurance.com/homepage/car-insurance.html.

Chevrolet has been on a bit of a roll lately, what with the release of the rather fine Orlando and Captiva, you can’t buy much better if car shopping on a budget. Unfortunately however the small car end of Chevy’s range hadn’t been looking as good. The Matiz, Chevy’s smallest car was a poorly disguised Daewoo with about as much charisma as a dead fly, while the small Aveo hatchback wasn’t much better. Chevrolet seemed so disappointed with it that they failed to put their badge on it, as a result the badge placed under the front grill looked like a total afterthought. Things are set to change though with a new Aveo coming in 2012 and the Matiz’s replacement the Spark already looking good and doing well.

New Chevrolet Spark

Appearance is probably the best place to start with these two cars. The Spark, despite being compact, looks solid; its large headlights dominate the front end with the grill sweeping up under them to give the car a slight smirk. Flared wheel arches and a simple crease add flare to the otherwise slab sidedness of the Spark with everything flowing into a rounded, neat rear end.

The Aveo’s facelift has been quite astonishing, going from a totally forgettable little box into one of the most muscular looking city cars on the market. The cars new nose and headlights lead the way as the most dramatic part of its redesign and go some way to creating the aggressive face. Quad headlamps are connected by a much smaller grill, the badge still resides under, not on the grill, however looks as if it was intended to go there and was not just an afterthought. As with the aforementioned Spark creases run down the side of the car adding style to an otherwise flat side. Round the back however the Aveo is quite forgettable, with Chevrolet having only changed the rear lights from the last generation.

New Chevrolet Aveo 2012

Interior wise both cars are far superior compared to their predecessors, they both feature simple, elegant centre consoles and a huge array of storage bins for all that random stuff you can’t live without. However, the most exciting part of the respective interiors are the instrument clusters, that can only be described as unique. They compromise of a single dial with a rectangle digital readout to the side. It might sound uninteresting but honestly it is a very simple and futuristic looking thing which sets the car’s interiors apart from their rivals.

In typical Chevrolet fashion the two cars are not exactly short on standard equipment. The Spark comes in three guises, a basic Plus model from £8,475, an LS (£9,185) and an LT costing £10,695. Featuring amongst other things, MP3/USB compatible stereo, air con, fog lamps and on the top model climate control. Meanwhile the Aveo is available as an LS, LT and LTZ. And for once it’s not wholly necessary to buy the most expensive model to get the best kit, the cheapest LS starting at £9,995 comes with cruise control, traction control, stability control, hill start assist and air con. With the LT and LTZ costing £10,995 and £12,195 respectively. Both cars make interesting choices, especially the Spark as it can be customised with graphics and body kits, far more than what its closest rivals can offer.

Finally onto performance and economy with the latter potentially being the most important part of any new city car. Starting with the Spark, don’t hold any preconceptions that it is going to be fast, the optional speed stripes add no performance whatsoever! 0-60 takes over 15 seconds in the slowest 1 litre petrol and over 12 in the 1.2. However the upshot of this is that both engines return 55mpg combined and with c02 emissions of only 119g/km a year’s tax will cost just 30 quid. For the Aveo, the figures are even better. Numerous engines are available including a 1.2 or 1.4 litre petrol, however the most sensible choice is the 1.3 VCDI diesel, in 98bhp eco spec the Aveo can do 0-60 in 11.7 seconds, returning a staggeringly good 78.4mpg while emitting just 95g/km of c02, good enough for it to cost precisely nothing to tax.  It is no wonder both cars are popular company car leasing options.

In conclusion then, these two little cars are exactly what Chevy’s model line-up needed. Slowly but surely a rather decent portfolio of cars is being created, helping Chevrolet take the fight to established European and Japanese marques. These two cars as well as their bigger siblings offer great value, stupendous amounts of standard kit and in some cases outstanding economy. They might not have the badge prestige yet, but if things continue in the same fashion it won’t be long until Chevrolet are proud to stick their badge on the front of everything they make.

If you don’t own one, you dream about owning one. BMW has solidified its reputation as one of the best car manufacturers around, so drivers and auto enthusiasts everywhere can’t wait to see what they unveil next. The 2012 model year has its trials and tribulations, and you can read about them all here. Before you go on your used car search for a Bimmer, get our two cents on the newest developments from “the Ultimate Driving Machine”.

BMW The Ultimate Driving Machine

1-Series
Only faithful lovers of small luxury cars–and those drawn to the class because of their price range–will rejoice at the new BMW 120d. Just recently put on sale in the United Kingdom, this slightly re-imagined version of the 1-Series luxury car is available in the five-door style for now, with the smaller three-door car going on sale next year. On the outside, the baby BMW seems to be awkwardly created, with wide, looping angles. Internally, the driver may be slightly impressed by a boldly designed dashboard that seems to meet him more than halfway and a luxurious instrument pod, but that’s about all. If you’re loyal to the brand, the new 1-Series is worth a look. Otherwise, I’d move on to a less expensive — and likely more impressive — automobile.

3-Series
For all of its missteps with the 1-Series, BMW proves that it’s still got genius in its blood with the new F30. Those well-versed in BMW body styling will be pleased to discover that aesthetic changes in this car meet them head on; the most notable difference is the fact that the new F30 sits lower and grins slightly wider across the front. Drivers will love not only the look but the performance of this car.

Proving that thinking small can have a big impact, BMW has equipped half of its 3-Series autos with four-cylinder engines that pack just as much, if not more, power than the six cylinders that had become all but customary. It also rises to the occasion during a test drive as well, handling smoother and accelerating faster than its 3-Series ancestors.

5-Series
On the rebound from dismal reviews of 2011’s 5-Series, the large saloon is back and better than ever. Though it’s not the most agile in class, the 2012 edition reinforces the BMW reputation for luxury interiors with the usual, like roomy front seat space and a wood grain dashboard. The drive in one of these beauties isn’t so bad, either. In keeping with its 3-Series cousin, new four-cylinder engines also lend the 5-Series more power. The new model is available as a saloon and a hatchback.

6-Series
The biggest overhaul for the 2012 model year was perhaps the 6-Series, which went on sale just a few months ago. Answering naysayers who taunted the luxury car maker with the claim that the 6-Series was just too large to be a sporty car, BMW made the new one even bigger but more aerodynamic. A tweak to the front side may go unnoticed, but the body’s smoother curves are without a doubt more pleasing to the eye than last year’s. The engine is still a V8, but the switch from 4.8 litres to 4.4 puts more power under the bonnet, which is probably the most notable improvement.

Luxury saloons are popular because they’re stylish, robust and packed with technical advancements. In terms of drive technologies, they’re often equipped with the latest safety equipment such as brake assist and anti-lock braking, traction control and electronic brake force distribution. They also have comfort features including leather seats, climate control, sunroofs and powertilt and telescopic steering. These features ensure not only comfort but safety as well when commuting between schools and in heavy traffic.

Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi produce high-end, luxury saloons that are known for their high-quality interiors and performance. Saloons can be categorised by their four-door designs with separate boot not accessible from within the car, unlike a hatchback.  The engines vary in terms of cylinders, and subsequent generations often have improvements in fuel economy and suspension.

Infiniti Sedan

Perhaps one of the most attractive features of saloons is their high safety ratings, which are achieved through features like airbags, rear-view cameras, parking sensors and stability control. The Infiniti Sedan in particular has numerous features that give it a high safety rating, including cruise control, blind spot warning and intervention systems, anti-lock braking systems and brake assist, traction control and front and rear parking sensors. These are great for drivers who use their cars in a variety of settings including heavy traffic and busy parking lots.

Saloons are popular new vehicles to buy because they’re spacious and have plenty of trunk space. Compact and mid-sized saloons have affordable insurance and their excellent engineering ensures their repairs are seldom major. Many mid-range saloons have good fuel consumption, while higher range saloons are available with hybrid electric and gas engines. These vehicles are recommended for buyers with families or business people interested in luxury features such as leather seats and climate control.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, is looking to propose harsher jail sentences to those who seriously injure others through dangerous driving. A maximum jail term of 5 years could be given under the new offence of ‘causing serious injury by dangerous driving’ and judges would be able to deal out tougher punishments to those who devastate families as a result of dangerous driving.

Dangerous Driving

This proposal has been welcomed by various groups. Andrew Howard, Head of Road Safety at the AA said, ‘’Dangerous drivers who do so wilfully choose to take risks and should face the consequences of their actions.’

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning echoed that by saying how action was already being taken to tackle drink and drug driving and also to catch uninsured drivers, this proposal would then mean that people can be properly punished by the courts for causing devastation to families. He said, ‘The vast majority of motorists are safe and responsible but the wilfully reckless minority who put lives in danger must face serious penalties.’

Ellen Booth, Brake Senior Campaigns Officer said that Brake was continually seeing the devastation caused to victims’ families by dangerous drivers and welcomes anything to help tackle the problem of dangerous driving.

‘This new offence finally means that serious injury is recognised within the title of the offence, and this recognition is vitally important to victims and their families. It also means that dangerous drivers who inflict serious injuries can expect to see higher sentences to better reflect the terrible trauma and injuries they have caused.’

The number of road deaths in the UK is still high. 1,850 road deaths occurred in 2010. If a person causes death by dangerous driving the maximum jail sentence is 14 years. The Department for Transport published its Strategic Framework for Road Safety earlier this year, setting out the Government’s plans to improve road safety education and enforcement.

Ignition Driving School supports the proposals also. Kelly Foote, Managing Director of Ignition Driving School said in relation to the proposals, ‘imposing a higher penalty for causing serious injury by dangerous driving might mean people think a bit more about the way they drive. Injuries sustained from dangerous driving can change a victim’s and their family’s life for the long term and the penalties for causing such devastation need to account for that.’

Subaru has long been admired for building rough tough and at times ballistically fast road cars. The Subaru boxer engines burbling noise is quite possibly the most recognisable engine note in the world behind the shriek of a supercars V12. However, recently Subaru has lost its way, the Impreza turned into a hatchback, the Legacy permanently became an ugly estate car for farmers and they had a rather failed flurry into the luxury SUV market with the Tribeca B9. Realising this though Subaru spied a niche in the market place it could have a pop at, the compact crossover section. So the question is will the new Subaru XV crossover push Subaru back in the right rough and tumble direction?

2012 Subaru XV Review

Things look promising from the word go with this new venture as Subaru already has previous good form in the larger crossover market with the Forester, a car which has stuck true to its design brief during production. However, in the past Subaru have really only had themselves to compete with, for the first time with the XV Subaru is taking on some very stiff and Germanic opposition, principally the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and to a lesser extent the Volkswagen Tiguan, not exactly easy pickings for Subaru. Never mind though as one way the XV can steal sales is with price. Starting at around 23k for a 1.6 petrol the XV undercuts the Germans by almost 2 grand before optional extras are added. Standard equipment is another thing that the Subaru should excel at, in a rival for example a colour dashboard screen could cost anything between 500 and 1500 pounds, top spec XV’s will get a 4.3 inch one as standard capable of telling the driver all sorts of useful information. It’s also fair to assume that the XV will come packed with electronic driver aids in case any off roading is required. Subaru has also went to great lengths to make sure the XV’s interior fit and finish has a quality, simplistic feel, something which Subaru’s of late have lacked.

2012 Subaru XV

So the interior looks rather good but unfortunately the same cannot be said for the exterior, as it’s a bit of an ugly duckling. It takes its face from the current generation Legacy, not a very good start. And to emphasise its crossover’ness it has been given a bunch of black trim along the bumpers, the sills and around the wheel arches. The like of which was first seen on the Renault Scenic RX4 over a decade ago, not particularly cutting edge in terms of car design in my opinion. Looks are not important to everyone though and at least its high ride height gives the car some real authority and hints at some actual proper off road ability. Its other saving grace, those rather splendid wheels, if you do buy one, make sure to spec the wheels in the picture… ta.

When it comes to engine choice there really isn’t a lot to choose from with the XV. There will be two petrol’s and one diesel. The petrol’s are both boxer units, either a 1.6 or a 2 litre with BHP estimated between the low to mid hundreds. Diesel power is likely to be the most popular choice for buyers, the XV’s engine is taken from the latest Forester and is a 148bhp 2 litre boxer diesel featuring lots of tweaks to make it super eco-friendly. All the engines will feature stop/start with Subaru claiming the systems on the petrol engines start up quicker than on rivals, only time will tell if that statement is true.

Subaru’s new XV is due for release early in 2012. And despite the fact it has looks only a mother could love it might just be the car to resurrect Subaru’s image of building honest, reasonably priced, practical cars for families and farmers alike. And finally on a foot note let’s hope someone at Subaru decides to shove the Impreza’s 2.5 litre turbo engine in it, with 300bhp it would be going so fast you wouldn’t notice how ugly it was.

The Souped up Nissan Leaf – she’s electric

Car Leasing and supercars specialists Cars on Demand have a motorsport enthusiast membership base that has one intrigued eye on the world of electric vehicle motorsport as the automotive world embarks on a new energy efficient journey.

Nissan Leaf Nismo

Currently the electric vehicle market is wading through treacle to get considered as a credible alternative to unleaded and diesel cars. In recent international survey carried out by Deloitte, only 4% of motorists are likely to be satisfied with an electric car. Consumers want battery charging to be quicker and a competitive price.

8 months since its UK launch, the Nissan Leaf electric car has been given the motor sport treatment as Nissan publicly flexed their EV focus around the tracks of Goodwood with an eye catching body kit 3 door Nismo-tweaked version.

Why is this so ironic? Well, the original out of the showroom Nissan Leaf has a top speed of 90 mph and an average fuel cost of 0.3 per mile (according to the AA). It is fantastic that Nissan wish to be leaders in the EV market but a bigger noise surrounding the Leaf is the price – currently available from £25,990 which is around £10K more than its competitors. Putting price aside (during an international recession) and you are left with World Car of the Year that boasts zero-emission mobility. Amazing.

However back to motorsport. This Leaf is still limited to 60mph but can do 60mph in 6.8 seconds – a pretty amazing step forward by Nissan in the zero emissions market. The car only weighs 940kg – the production version weighs 1,567 kg.

What does electric motorsport look like right now? Sparse! There are sports cars specialists like Westfield that are involved in the EV Cup with the IRacer but currently a lot of the manufacturers are concentrating on their production car effort. A big part of this will be optimising the 2 major points highlighted earlier of battery life and cost. Honda and Toyota will launch electric cars in 2012. Proton and VW are looking at 2013. Nissan are innovators in this field and in the long term this could well convert into increased market share worldwide.

Alfa Romeo are the undisputed kings of building pretty automobiles, well except the 1983 Arna, it was absolutely horrendous. Google it if you don’t believe me. Anyway with the exception of the aforementioned car Alfa Romeo’s look very good indeed. And it looks as if we will shortly be blessed with yet another, the Alfa Romeo 4C.

Alfa Romeo 4C Review

The car appeared as a concept at the Geneva show at the start of the year in red, it looked good then and now it has appeared at Frankfurt in silver looking even better. To accompany the change of colour Alfa also announced it is going to put the 4C into production next year to the delight of image conscious motorist everywhere. So let’s take a first look at it, and I actually mean look at it…. pretty little thing isn’t it, makes Jessica Alba look like a fishwife. The car clearly borrows from the bigger 8C’s design language but manages to look lower and more purposeful thanks to its mix of angled edges and creases which run the length of the car. The forward raking wide rear stance is created by the air intakes essential to the mid-engine layout. A layout which also means the car gets a suitably curvy rear end, upon which, the simple circular light clusters and twin exhausts, placed as far apart as possible, continue to create that wide low appearance. The windscreen and side windows are almost dwarfed by the creases, however manage to combine to wrap around the car like the visor on a rather purposeful helmet.

Alfa Romeo 4C First look

I mentioned briefly the mid-engine layout, but don’t get any pretence that this is going to be a fire breathing Ferrari rival, there’s no word on there being a V6 in there. Instead the concept features a more modest 1.7 litre turbo four pot with 200bhp mated to a twin clutch gearbox. The 4C will also benefit from Alfa’s DNA system switch, which sets the car up differently depending on what mood you happen to be in, comfort, sporty, or blow your brains out, you choose. All this combined with an extremely low weight of 850kg equates to 0-62 of around five seconds and a 150mph plus top speed.  Time will tell if Alfa will put a larger engine in the 4C, however with increasing Euro emissions regulations it looks quite unlikely. More likely we will see the 1.7 litre engine in various states of tune, or maybe even smaller turbo petrol’s.

Alfa Romeo’s 4C when it reaches production in 2012 will bring a much needed boost to the rather sparse small mid-engine coupe sector of the market (you will be able to look beyond a used mercedes SLK). It could also prove to be quite worrying competition for Peugeot’s RCZ and Audi’s now rather bland in comparison TT. I also have a sneaky suspicion that a rather good looking convertible might be on the cards too, should this be a hit with the public, somehow I think it will be.