Secret coupes and cabriolets of 2006 - Also on their way to UK showrooms

What?: BMW Z4 Coupe When?: Summer How much?: From £34,000 (est)
This is a hard-top version of BMW’s Z4 roadster. It will be able to rival the Porsche Cayman with a 338bhp M version which you can expect to snap to 62mph in less than five seconds. Entry-level alternatives include a 261bhp 3.0-litre.

What?: Alfa Brera/Spider When?: April How much?: From £25,000 (est)
We’ve already driven the Brera ahead of its spring launch and found that it has strong engines and fine ride and handling. Hopefully, those qualities won’t be diluted in the Spider convertible version. It also looks great, but we won’t find out how good it is until it goes on sale towards the end of 2006.

What?: Ford Focus Vignale, Vauxhall Astra Twintop, Volkswagen Eos and Volvo C70 When?: From spring How much?: From £17,500 (est)
A parade of small family car-based convertibles with folding metal roofs are on their way. The Ford Focus- and Vauxhall Astra-based versions will be the cheapest, while the Volkswagen Eos is expected to start at around £20,000.

Volvo's C70 is the most expensive, with starting prices of £26,200 already announced for a 170bhp 2.4-litre petrol version.

What?: Mitsubishi Colt Coupe-Cabriolet When?: Spring How much?: From £13,500 (est)
Like its key rival, the Micra C+C, this car will have a folding metal roof and four seats, although the Colt hatchback’s roomy interior suggests that space for rear passengers might be more generous.

The engine line-up has yet to be finalised, but we expect both petrol and diesel versions to be offered. The turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol from the Colt supermini will definitely be among them.

What?: BMW 3 Series Coupe/Convertible When?: Autumn 2006/Spring 2007 How much?: From £26,000 (est)
The new 3 Series coupe is the first to arrive and will form the basis for the new M3, which is expected to use a 4.0-litre V8 engine. In 2007, the convertible model will join the range and, unlike its Audi and Mercedes rivals, is tipped to have a folding metal roof for the first time.

To watch our exclusive video preview of some of the models in this sector, click on the relevant link for you below.

• Windows Media Player using broadband
• Windows Media Player using a dial-up connection
• RealOne Player using a broadband connection
• RealOne Player using a dial-up connection


See the February 2006 issue of What Car? magazine for a free 100 Secret Cars of 2006 and Beyond supplement.