The same can be said...
The same can be said of Vauxhall"s Astra. It"s nothing like its predecessor, and I"d go as far as saying it"s as visually appealing as anything else out there - BMW and Audi hatches included. But not content with that, Vauxhall has introduced its Panoramic windscreen in time for Paris. I know some readers have concerns about possible insurance problems (see letter of the week, opposite), but for í‚á£1,000, the driver and front-seat passengers get a huge, unique, curvaceous and airy glass expanse from the edge of the bonnet over their heads and into the roof. In the nicest possible way, it"s abnormal.
Here are the official...
Here are the official pictures of the car that Ford said it would never build. We predicted a Mondeo ST would make production in 2006, and here it is ò€“ in all but name.
This muscular addition to the Mondeo range is the Titanium X Sport, which bears a striking similarity to the one-off ST featured in the 2006 James Bond film, Casino Royale.
The model has 18-inch alloys, deeper body-coloured side skirts and a brushed aluminium surround on the lower honeycomb grille to deliver a much sportier look than standard variants. At the rear, a racy-looking ò€˜diffuserò€™ frames the chrome tailpipes.
Inside, thereò€™s slinky red stitching on the gearlever gaiter, plus alloy pedals, a leather-clad steering wheel and leather/Alcantara trim on the seats. Bi-xenon headlights and sports suspension have also been fitted.
Five-door and estate versions are on sale from Ò£25,355 with a choice of 2.2 diesel or 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engines. At 173bhp, the oil-burner is expected to be in greater demand. It produces 35bhp more than the 2.0 TDCi, yet returns 45.6mpg and covers 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds.