01 Sep 09
Today sees the launch of the new '59' number plate, hoped by the struggling car industry to induce a sales frenzy at car dealerships up and down the country as buyers scramble to take advantage of the Government-backed £2,000 scrappage scheme.
If that's not enough the poor starving dealers are offering big discounts to tempt you to part with your cash. But what to buy? We point you towards the best new cars in every class, from chic little city cars to fire-breathing supercars.
City car: Fiat 500
4Car verdict: 5 stars
Price range: £8,300-£13,605
It's easy to become infatuated from the first moment you lay eyes on Fiat's new 500. Like BMW's Mini, this is a slick, modern reinterpretation of a much-loved retro design, and it's hard to be cynical about it.
It's far from perfect and we're hoping the soon-to-be-revised city car will benefit from sister car Ford Ka's suspension tune to help settle its ride issues, but for now, nothing is more desirable. The entry-level 500 1.2-litre is the best in the range.
