Coupes and convertibles part 1

BMW 6 Series
What is it? New version of BMWs 5 Series-based coup/convertible
Estimated price from 57,000
On sale March 2011

Apart from minor details, such as the wheels, door mirrors and exhaust tailpipes, the production version of BMWs new 6 Series will look identical to the concept car seen at the Paris motor show in 2010. As with the latest 5 Series with which it shares many mechanical parts the new 6 Series has a more smoothed-off look than before. There are still quirks such as the unusual bootlid shutline, however, while the shark-like front and sharp side creases give it a suitably sporty look.

Inside, the new 6s interior has a similar theme to that of the current car, with a centre console angled towards the driver and a dashboard that curves neatly into the door panels. BMWs latest entertainment and iDrive control systems will be on-board, as will much of the slick switchgear from the latest 5 Series.

Two turbocharged petrol engines will be available: a 316bhp 3.0-litre and a 401bhp 4.4-litre V8. There are no details on which diesel engines will be offered, but its a safe bet that the six-cylinder units from the 5 Series will be among the options. The two petrols will come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

Before the coup arrives late next year, a convertible model goes on sale in March. Itll have an updated version of the current cars cloth roof, which can be raised or lowered on the move.

A closely related four-door saloon model based on BMWs Gran Coup concept car and a natural rival for the Audi A7 Sportback and Mercedes CLS is expected to be launched in 2012. Youll have to wait until at least then for the high-performance M6 versions of the 6 Series, too.
Hyundai Veloster
What is it? Hyundais answer to the VW Scirocco
Estimated price from 17,000
On sale October 2011

Hyundai's designers must have been taking brave pills, because the new Veloster
coup promises to be its most eye-catching car yet.

The production version is expected to receive only minor changes from the concept car thats been seen at various motor shows. That means therell be
a similarly bold front end, blacked-out front windscreen pillars, bulging wheelarches and an abrupt rear.

The drivers side has a conventional single door, but on the other side there are two doors to aid access to the rear seats. The set-up will be engineered for right-hand-drive cars.

The Veloster is expected to be launched with a 1.6-litre petrol with 140bhp.
Mercedes-Benz SLK
What is it? Mercedes new desirable baby drop-top
Estimated price 31,000
On sale Summer 2011

Mercedes isn't about to mess about with a winning formula when it launches the third-generation SLK next summer.

As before, you can expect a folding metal roof and a classy, two-seat cabin. Inside and out, the SLKs styling will be updated to incorporate Mercedes latest look, with clear echoes of the SLS AMG supercar. You can expect a deep, chunky front grille dominating a front end thats also similar to that of the new CLS. LED front and rear light details will also be introduced, and although therell be a more muscular look than before, the overall dimensions are expected to be little changed.

A range of updated engines is expected and a diesel engine is a possibility. Although the SLK isnt likely to transform into a raw, thrill-a-minute roadster, Mercedes is expected to make the new model a little lighter, so it should be more agile.
Cadillac CTS-V Coup
What is it? All-American coup with outrageous power and pricetag
Price 69,785
On sale Jan 2011

American cars are big and brash, right? Thats just a stereotype, of course, but one that the CTS-V Coup happily lives up to. With angular styling and generous dimensions, its not for shrinking violets.

The same goes for the thunderous 556bhp supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine. A 0-62mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 175mph makes it a rival for the CL63 AMG for performance, but the CTS-V is a lot cheaper. That said, itll still set you back nearly 70,000 and youll have to be willing to put up with left-hand drive and just one UK dealer.
Jaguar XK D
What is it? Diesel-powered version of Jaguars slick coup
Estimated price from 63,000
On sale Late 2011

Jaguar is mulling the launch of a diesel-powered version of the current XK coup. If it gets the green light, the twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 unit is likely to have the same 271bhp output as the equivalent XF model. That should mean similar performance to the V8 petrol XK, but much lower CO2 emissions and superior economy.

If Jag opts against the launch, a diesel XK wont exist until the new car arrives in 2013. The next XK is expected to be larger than the current car, to make way for a smaller coup to sit beneath it. The new XK will also be much more boldly styled.
In brief
Audi Quattro
The Quattro concept car that made its debut at the Paris motor show was a sure-fire winner with visitors. Audi hasnt confirmed a production version, but insiders admit there are no technical reasons why it couldnt be built. Expect a 50k pricetag.

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