The car looks good, smells great and the colour is brilliant I can’t fault it for looks. The interior layout is well thought out and little touches like the blind on the panoramic roof make all the difference. It’s a dream to drive after my 106, but I would imagine someone younger driving it.John Cable, 55, Retired from east LondonUSUAL CAR: RENAULT MEGANE SCENICIt is a two seater I don’t know why they bother with token seats in the back Nobody but a small child could sit there comfortably. But it is nice and easy to drive and would be perfect for nipping down to Devon for the weekend. I like the powerful engine; it picks up well, is extremely smooth and holds beautifully on corners. I would lose my licence if I had one, as it would be very difficult to stick to speed limits I hadn’t noticed it was a diesel, as it is lovely and quiet.

It is a lottery winner’s car really, more a luxury than practical. It is not my sort of car because I couldn’t put garden stuff in the boot. Legroom is unimpressive, while the panoramic roof gives a whole new meaning to hitting the glass ceiling as your head is likely to brush against it, which happened to all of the readers on our Verdict panel.Yet the Brera is a sexy, fun car to drive. And the convertible, out later this year, may solve the lack of headroom problem for taller drivers, with the advantage of looking even sexier – if that’s possible.Dave Bradley, 58, Broadcaster from MalvernUSUAL CAR: PEUGEOT 106It’s not built for a tall driver with a fuller figure; the seat feels narrow and my head is brushing against the roof. One wonders why they bothered with the cramped little back seats – if you want a vaguely comfortable seating position in the front you sacrifice all legroom in the back.It’s a bit tight in the front as well, particularly if you are tall. Prices range from £22,800 for the entry-level version to £27,500.

But as well as an impressive engine, you get impressive build quality. There are no rattles or squeaks, with a good standard spec, including “follow me home” headlamps, alloy wheels and trip computer.Despite its road presence, it doesn’t feel like a big car once you are inside, particularly if you are in the back. The six-speed gearbox is easy to get to grips with, although it was felt that the sixth gear was rather superfluous.It is fun on corners but while the steering was mostly precise, it tended to drift at times, with feedback muted. The ride is comfortable despite the sportiness of the car.The Brera doesn’t come cheap. From the side, the smooth lines make a sexy, memorable profile.

The full-length, laminated and tinted glass roof is impressive, giving the cabin an airy feel, although how much better it would have been had it opened. Stability is the reason,but it remains a real shame.Four chrome exhausts contribute to an impressive, muscular rear, while the satisfyingly wide tyres ensure it sits snug on the road.But it isn’t just in the looks department where the Brera’s designers have been generous: the engines and drive quality don’t disappoint. This Italian coup?s stunning, with a dynamic road presence that sets it apart from other cars in its class, and a choice of great engines that make driving any version a treat.
The three-lamp headlight clusters give an assertive, mean appearance. Specifications

Price: £26,400 Engine: 2.4 litre turbodiesel Performance: 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds, 41.5mpg CO2: 179g/km Worth considering: Mazda RX-8, Nissan 350Z, Audi TTAlthough Alfa Romeos have a – perhaps now unfair – reputation for unreliability, the Brera could be forgiven even if it were prone to breaking down from time to time. Director/co-writer John Lasseter has seen to that.You’ll get some fuel injected sentimentalism and finely tuned nostalgia fitted as standard. Not to mention all those merchandising opportunities.There are so many characters too Think of all the toy cars you’re going to have to buy…..

Each one outdoes its predecessor in realism, and Cars promises not to disappoint, with chrome trim and faded paintwork alike given near-filmic treatment.Don’t worry though: Pixar is now owned by Disney and Cars explores some very traditional Disney themes. Toy Story in 1995 was the first, followed by A Bug’s Life, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. We now have Pixar, the people behind Cars and pretty much all the remarkable CGI (computer generated imagery) productions of recent years. Expensive and not that effective.Things have come a long way since Herbie’s day.