Just announced
Price £20,000-£30,000 approx
On sale June
What's different? It's called the CLC, but it's the replacement for the C-class Sports Coupé that's been on sale since 2001. It comes with a range of petrol and diesel engines offering between 122bhp and 272bhp and has a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. Also fitted to every model are 18in wheels and a more direct steering system
Why should I care? Mercedes has styled the CLC to look like a coupé version of the brand-new and class-leading C-class. But what lies beneath the CLC is the old C-class architecture - albeit extensively modified - so expect it to be good rather than brilliant to drive. Even so, it looks the part and should have little trouble establishing itself
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Consider also BMW 3-series Coupé £25,955-£38,035, Audi A5 £26,525-£34,715, Alfa Romeo Brera £23,995-£30,700
In the showroom
Renault Twingo Extreme
Price £7,500
On sale Now
What's different? This is a new entry-level model for Renault's new range of broadly likeable Twingo hatchbacks. It comes with a fairly puny 60bhp 1.2 litre motor but, thanks to a chassis based on the old Clio rather than the current car, it should be light enough to provide reasonable performance
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Why should I care? Renault is trying to spoil the launch party for the new Fiat 500, bringing the Twingo Extreme in at £400 cheaper than the lowest-spec 500. It doesn't have the style or image of the little Italian motor but it is reasonably well equipped and should find favour among budget shoppers and first-time drivers looking to put a little French chic into their lives
Consider also Fiat 500 1.2 Pop £7,900, Citroën C1 1.0i Vibe £7,195, Volkswagen Fox £6,590-£8,040