Car: Vauxhall Astra Twin Top
Prices: £16,995- £20,740
Performance: 0-62mph 13.2sec-8.3sec; top speed 116mph-147mph
Power/torque: 105 bhp / 110 lb ft – 220 bhp / 193 lb ft
What’s different? This latest Astra cabriolet joins its two-seat Tigra sister in offering coupé styling and steel roof security with all the wind-in-the-hair fun of a traditional convertible. The Renault Mégane and Peugeot 307 already offer retractable hard tops in this class and it’s soon to be joined also by the Volkswagen Eos and Ford’s new convertible Focus.
Why should I care? The Astra Twin Top is a little different to the others in its class in offering a three-piece roof instead of the two-piece norm. While it makes the folding process a little more long-winded (and the mechanisms required heavier and more complex) it means the rather long and ungainly boot lid required by most convertibles with two-piece roofs is avoided. Boot space, which is also an issue for most similar cars, is notably good. The Astra Twin Top is also designed to be more sporting to drive than its well established opposition and comes keenly priced.
Consider also: Peugeot 307CC (£17,350-£21,375), Renault Mégane C+C (£17,610-£21,310), Volkswagen Eos (£19,410-£28,040)
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What’s different? An MPV which, size-wise, it splits the difference between the ageing C-Max and brand new Galaxy with the intention of providing true seven-seat accommodation in a reasonably compact shape. Also it attempts to become the first MPV to be truly good fun to drive and, to achieve it, is the first car to use Ford’s all new large car platform. Engine outputs vary by more than100bhp from a low powered diesel to the same 2.5-litre turbo engine used to such devastating effect in the Focus ST.
Why should I care? Because there’s probably never been another MPV that’s had a better press reception than this. Far from being caught in the no-man’s land between large and small MPVs, Ford has judged the S-Max close to perfection. It is a genuine seven seater, which means its third row can be used all the time and by adults, yet it drives like a particularly well designed small saloon. It’s fun, agile and, if equipped with a 2-litre diesel engine, quick and frugal too. It will be remembered as a landmark in MPV design and leaves just one question unanswered: when the S-Max is this spacious and effective, who’s going to buy the even bigger, more expensive Galaxy.
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Consider also: Mazda5 (£14,350-£17,950), Renault Grand Scénic (£15,320-£20,320), Vauxhall Zafira (£12,995-£22,145)