New coupes and convertibles for 2013
* New coupes and convertibles due in 2013 * Includes Alfa Romeo 4C and Jaguar F-type * Exclusive spy shots and information...
Jaguar F-type
What is it? All-new Jaguar sports car
Price from 58,500
On sale Spring
The Jaguar F-type is one of 2013's most eagerly awaited new cars, judging by the reaction to its unveiling at the 2012 Paris motor show.
The production F-type remains faithful to the styling of the stunning C-X16 coupe concept car first seen at Frankfurt in 2011.
Three models will be available from launch, all with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The standard F-type has a 335bhp supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, with a 375bhp version in the S. The V8 S gets a supercharged 488bhp 5.0 V8.
Jaguar F-type will be launched as a convertible; a coupe model will follow later in 2013
Prices start at 58,500, making the entry-level model a rival for top-end versions of the Porsche Boxster. The top-of-the-range V8 model costs 79,950, and will compete with the Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster.
An F-type coupe will be launched later in 2013 to rival the Porsche Cayman and 911.
BMW Z4
What is it? Mid-life update for BMW roadster
Price from 29,000 (est)
On sale May
2013 BMW Z4 looks very similar to the current car; on the outside it gets new bumpers, side indicator trim and light lenses
An updated BMW Z4 roadster is due next spring.
Exterior cosmetic changes are limited to new headlight lenses, side trim and alloy wheels. New interior trim and exterior paint options are available, too.
A new entry-level sDrive 18i model will join the range; it has a 154bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine and averages 41.5mpg.
Most of the Z4's six-cylinder engines gave way to four-cylinder units in 201; the rest of the engine line-up is unchanged. Prices are yet to be confirmed; we'd expect a small increase for most models, although the new entry-level model should drop the starting point to around 29,000.
Citroen DS3 Cabrio
What is it? Soft-top Citron Mini rival
Price from 14,000 (est)
On sale Spring
Citroen DS3 Cabrio's fabric can be operated while travelling at up to 74mph
The Citroen DS3 Cabrio isn't a full-on drop-top. Instead, its roof has a folding fabric centre section, like the Fiat 500C's.
As you'd expect of a DS3, there are plenty of ways to personalise the look of the car, including a choice of three roof fabrics: black, blue and a DS logo design. There's also a wide range of colours available for the body, door mirrors and wheels.
The DS3 Cabrio's fabric roof folds electrically and can be operated while travelling at up to 74mph. It can be fully opened in 16 seconds, and set to one of three positions: intermediate, horizontal and total.
There's a different tailgate design and new LED rear light clusters, but elsewhere the look is standard DS3. The engines are carried over, too, and thanks to a weight increase of just 25kg, the DS3 Cabrio is almost as efficient as the standard car, with CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km.
Alfa Romeo 4C
What is it? Jaw-dropping mid-engined sports car
Price from 40,000 (est)
On sale Winter
Stunning Alfa Romeo 4C is due on sale in late 2013; expected to cost around 40,000
More than two years after the concept car made its debut at the 2011 Geneva motor show, the Alfa Romeo 4C is expected to finally arrive in the UK.
A production version of Alfa's stunning mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive 4C sports car is likely to be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva show in March, and it's expected to look all but identical to the concept.
Thanks to a mix of construction materials, including carbonfibre and aluminium, the two-seater 4C will weigh around 900kg. This low weight, coupled with a turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine generating around 230bhp, should give it performance to match its looks. A 0-62mph time of less than five seconds is likely.
Alfa has previously said that its aiming for a price of around 40,000, but this could creep up by the time the car goes on sale. A convertible 4C could arrive in 2014.
Mercedes S-Class Coupe
What is it? Replacement for CL, based on new S-Class saloon
Price from 70,000 (est)
On sale December
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe will replace current CL; convertible version is also due
Mercedes' new S-Class saloon is likely to spawn a number of variants. One of these will be a new S-Class Coupe model, which will replace today's S-Class-based CL coupe.
Besides bringing the S-Class into line with the C- and E-Class Coupe naming strategy, the big Coupe also suggests a closer relationship with the S-Class saloon. It will get a sleeker look, however, and is likely to be offered with a smaller range of engines, perhaps including the S-Class's four-cylinder diesel.
A convertible version is likely to be another first. It will be a proper four-seater with a fabric roof.
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