Nissan first hinted...
Nissan first hinted that the Almera wouldn"t be replaced by a single car 18 months ago. The first element came with the introduction of the Qashqai (first image) at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004. Next came the Tone concept (second image) at the Paris exhibition last September. The final piece of the jigsaw followed soon after, when bosses unveiled a production version of the Tone at an event in Japan. Confusingly, they badged it the Note, but then said a model for European markets - which would be called the Tone - would come to the UK and be built at the company"s Sunderland plant.
Feast your eyes on Alfa"s...
Feast your eyes on Alfa"s brand new hatch! This is how the sensational 149 - a direct rival to Ford"s Focus - is shaping up.
Based
on the same platform as the Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta, the
replacement for the 147 will blend the raw beauty of the 8C
Competizione with the style of the MiTo in a larger, family-sized
package. The front end"s generous curves and circular headlamps take
their inspiration from the MiTo, while the sharp, arrow-like nose and
deep Alfa shield grille are borrowed from the 8C Competizione.
At
the back the 149 is clearly its own car, however. Although the MiTo has
a delicate, squat rear, the 149 features a much sportier stance. A
steeply raked tail similar to Audi"s A3, plus the addition of a small
spoiler, twin exhausts and circular LED tail-lamps, give the hatch a
persona all of its own.
The new Alfa will have the performance to match its good looks, too. Power
is expected to come from 1.4-litre petrol turbo and 1.9 diesel units
ranging from 120bhp to 250bhp. Hot versions will get the Q2 diff to
maximise traction.
Available in both three and five-door
bodystyles, the new Alfa is due to go on sale in the middle of next
year, with prices starting at around ÷£16,500.