| New Model Preview | 2008 Geneva Motor Show | Alfa Romeo 8C Spider |

Alfa has another sure-fire winner on its hands with the new 8C Spider, which will make its debut at the Geneva motorshow next month. The Spider has a fabric soft-top and only 500 will be made, with only 41 destined for the UK.

The curvy convertible uses the same carbon fibre tub as the Competizione Coupé to make it very stiff, even with the loss of the roof. There's also the same 450bhp 4.7-litre V8 engine and six-speed sequential manual gearbox up front, which should see the Spider go from 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds and top out at 180mph.

Alfa gives buyers a wide choice of colours for the body and roof to let owners personalise their cars, which is fair enough as Alfa is expected to charge £130,000 for the 8C Spider.

Alisdair Suttie - 21 Feb 2008