Top 10 new cars
1. Mazda3
What is it? Mazda’s answer to the Volkswagen Golf.
Why is it interesting? Mazda hopes to make big in-roads into the conventional lower medium segment with the latest 3. Continuing the trend for small saloons set by recent launches of the Audi A3 saloon and Merc CLA, the 3 will be offered as a saloon, as well as the hatchback.
When is it on sale? January 2014.
Any other info? The 150hp 2.2-litre diesel will be the most fleet-friendly, emitting 104g/km of CO2 and starting from £19,245.
2. Nissan X-trail
What is it? All-new version of Nissan’s large 4×4.
Why is it interesting? The X-trail has always been known as a tough, dependable 4×4, but the new version is taking on a sleeker crossover-style look. It will have a seven-seater option, distancing it further from the forthcoming five-seat-only new Qashqai. A more efficient version of Nissan’s 2.0-litre diesel engine is expected to feature and there’s the possibility of cleaner, entry-level front-wheel drive models.
When is it on sale? Early 2014.
Any other info? Nissan wants to steal some sales from the upper medium segment with the new X-trail, poaching Vauxhall Insignia and Ford Mondeo types.
3. Mercedes GLA
What is it? A compact SUV, falling loosely into the crossover segment.
Why is it interesting? As car segment lines increasingly blur, the GLA brings a compact SUV offering to the premium brand’s game, creating a competitor for the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Priced from around £25,000, it will be offered in two- and four-wheel drive, although the latter is expected to be most popular in the UK market. Its relatively low price point is set to attract businesses, reckons Mercedes, while the GLA is also aimed at young families.
When is it on sale? April 2014.
Any other info? It’s built on the same platform as the brand’s A-class, despite being 125mm longer, 24mm wider and 61mm taller.
4. BMW i3
What is it? The official public debut of BMW’s electric and plug-in hybrid city car.
Why is it interesting? It’s the first of BMW’s cars to bear the ‘i’ badge, denoting its new ultra low-emission/alternative fuel sub-brand.
When is it on sale? Late 2013.
Any other info? The full electric version has a 100-mile range and will cost £30,680 before the £5000 Government grant, and lease rates from £369-£480. There’s also a range-extender, which has an additional 34hp 650cc petrol engine, giving the i3 an extra 80-100 miles of range.
5. Honda Civic Tourer
What is it? This is the estate version of Honda’s existing lower medium Civic.
Why is it interesting? It will be fitted with the firm’s 120hp 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine, previously seen in the Civic hatch and more recently the CR-V SUV, offering a highly impressive 99g/km and an expected 74mpg official figure. Being an estate offshoot of a lower medium model, it’s aimed very much at the fleet market, too.
When is it on sale? Early 2014.
Any other info? The boot is huge at 624 litres with the rear seats in place and 1668 litres when they’re folded flat.
6. Kia Soul
What is it? Based on the current Ceed, this is the second generation of the five-seat mini-MPV. While it retains the proportions of the original Soul, the new version has been styled to keep it in line with the Kia look. However, the biggest improvements come to the interior, which is of much higher quality.
Why is it interesting? Power will come from the latest, and greenest, diesel engines, so expect a CO2 entry point below 100g/km.
When is it on sale? Early 2014.
Any other info? The car is subtly, and usefully, larger than before, giving greater interior space for occupants.
7. Seat Leon ST
What is it? A wagon variant of the latest Seat Leon, which joins the five-door hatchback and three-door ST versions of the existing lower medium model.
Why is it interesting? Like the Honda Civic Tourer (above), it’s likely to be popular with the fleet community because of its shape and size. More importantly, it’s available in ultra ysislow-emitting Ecomotive guise, which comprises a 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine with an official 85.6mpg and 87g/km.
When is it on sale? January 2014.
Any other info? It boasts a 570-litre boot with the rear seats in place and 1470 litres when they’re folded flat.
8. Skoda Rapid Spaceback
What is it? A compact hatchback version of the existing Rapid, minus the current model’s saloon-style boot.
Why is it interesting? Engines and transmissions will remain broadly the same as those with the existing Rapid – six petrol and diesel units in total – but there will be a clean Greenline model, due a little later than the other models in the range, with emissions of 99g/km.
When is it on sale? Late 2013/early 2014.
Any other info? The Rapid is a curious one because it’s smaller than Skoda’s traditional lower medium model, the Octavia, but bigger than the firm’s Fabia supermini. The Spaceback will sit somewhere between the two, but its 415-litre boot means it has more boot space than a Golf, so it’s likely to be competing with the lower medium crowd.
9. BMW X5
What is it? The third generation of the large 4×4 set to rival cars such as the Audi Q7, Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne.
Why is it interesting? For the first time the BMW X5 will be offered with two-wheel drive, as well as all-wheel drive, which means CO2 emissions start from 149g/km for the 218hp 2.0-litre diesel sDrive25d. Even the 4×4 xDrive25d comes in at 155g/km for CO2.
When is it on sale? To be precise, 16 November 2013.
Any other info? Prices will start from £42,590 for the sDrive25d SE and rise to £63,920 for the 550hp xDrive50i M-sport.
10. Volkswagen e-Golf
What is it? Strictly speaking, it isn’t an all-new car but it is revolutionary. The e-Golf is VW’s first fully electric lower medium production car.
Why is it interesting? It’s unlikely to usurp the mighty Golf Bluemotion, but the e-Golf represents a big step for the firm by moving into production electric vehicle territory. It’s capable of 118 miles from a charge, so it won’t suit motorway drivers, but it’s a conventional Golf in every other area, so low-mileage business users won’t feel short-changed.
When is it on sale? Mid 2014.
Any other info? The e-Golf isn’t alone – there’s also an electric version of the Up supermini known as the e-Up, capable of 100 miles from a full charge and due on sale in early 2014.
Top 5 concepts
1. Ford S-max Concept
What is it? All-new seven-seat MPV based on the forthcoming Mondeo underpinnings. It even includes the next Mondeo’s front-end look. Although a concept, this is almost exactly what will arrive as the second-generation S-max in 18 months’ time.
Why is it interesting? Ford is hoping to offer the next S-max with a new 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol engine that will also be rolled out across other Fords to replace the existing 1.6-litre engine. Expect the new 1.5 to give class-leading official figures for conventional petrol engines.
When is it on sale? Early 2015.
Any other info? Ford will stick with the current S-max’s philosophy of offering sleek looks and the best driving MPV in the sector.
2. Infiniti Q30 Concept
What is it? The concept version of Infiniti’s small-family car. The firm hopes the car will rival the BMW 1-series, Lexus CT and Audi A3, and has styled the Q30 to straddle both hatchback and crossover markets.
Why is it interesting? The Q30 should give Infiniti the breakthrough model it needs to finally become an established brand in the UK. Efficiency should be ensured through a tie-up with Mercedes that could see the German brand’s engines in the Q30.
When is it on sale? 2015.
Any other info? The Q30 will be built at parent brand Nissan’s plant in Sunderland alongside the Leaf, Qashqai, Note and Juke.
3. Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept
What is it? The successor to the Golf Plus compact MPV. It’s a concept but it’s so close to production form that the finished product is unlikely to be much different at all.
Why is it interesting? It has all the attributes of the standard Golf but is 83mm longer, 126mm higher and has a 48mm longer wheelbase, creating more room inside. Boot space is up to 498 litres and can be extended to 585 with the rear seats still upright by sliding the back bench forwards.
When is it on sale? Mid-2014.
Any other info? Neither the Sportsvan nor the Plus names will remain for the UK market. It will be called Golf something, but Volkswagen in yet to confirm what the final moniker will be.
4. Jaguar C-X17
What is it? Jaguar’s design for a mid-size off-roader to rival the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and (whisper it) the Range Rover Evoque. The C-X17 uses lightweight materials to ensure both efficiency and good performance. Power comes from a new range of petrol and diesel engines including units capable of emitting less than 100g/km.
Why is it interesting? The C-X17 also showcases the platform for Jaguar’s overdue X-type replacement and rival to the BMW 3-series.
When is it on sale? There’s no confirmation on when the C-X17 will go on sale, but it could enter showrooms in 2016. However, the large-family class saloon based on the underpinnings will go into production in 2015.
Any other info? While Jaguar maintains the C-X17 will rival mid-size 4x4s, it is more than 4.7m long, which is mid-way between the BMW X3 and X5.
5. Lexus LF-NX
What is it? The Lexus LF-NX is a lower medium crossover concept showcasing a hybrid powertrain “tuned for SUV performance”.
Why is it interesting? While nothing is confirmed, a production version of the LF-NX, otherwise known as the Lexus Future – Nimble Crossover, is likely to arrive in 2014. With the small crossover market dramatically growing, the car will be more accessible to fleets than its current big brother, the RX450h. The Toyota-owned brand also expects it to appeal to a slightly younger audience than the RX.
When is it on sale? In toned-down form likely late next year.
Any other info? Lexus describes the dashboard as “human-oriented” with touch-sensitive switches and touchpad Remote Touch Interface design.
Top 5 updates
1. Seat Leon Ecomotive
What is it? The Ecomotive is the cleanest and most economical version of Seat’s lower medium Leon to date.
Why is it interesting? This is about as appropriate as the Leon gets for business car operators. The 1.6-litre TDI model drops to 87g/km in this guise and promises an official 85.6mpg. This version also has 110hp, as opposed to its predecessor’s 105hp, which makes it good for 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds rather than the old Ecomotive’s figure of 11.1 seconds.
When is it on sale? Late 2013.
Any other info? The Ecomotive model can be had with any Leon – the five-door hatch, three-door SC and new ST estate (pictured) – and the emissions level remains the same regardless of body style.
2. Lexus GS300h
What is it? A 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain version of Lexus’s GS.
Why is it interesting? The manufacturer already offers the speedy GS450h, which achieves 62mph in 5.9secs. Now it claims it is the first premium brand to offer two full-hybrid vehicles in the same model range. The 141hp GS300h is a more mainstream hybrid intended to seriously compete with the BMW 520d, which is the heartland of the executive sector in volume terms. Compared with its more powerful sibling, which offers 141g/km of CO2, the new GS version emits a class-leading 109g/km and 60.1mpg.
When is it on sale? December 2013.
Any other info? The launch of the new addition is introducing a series of safety features across the Lexus GS range, including a rear cross-traffic alert, which uses radar technology to alert drivers to vehicles approaching from either side when reversing out of a parking space.
3. Skoda Yeti
What is it? A facelifted version of the Czech manufacturer’s successful crossover.
Why is it interesting? It’s more of a styling exercise than anything else – engines and transmissions are essentially the same and there’s still the option of four-wheel drive. The Yeti remains one of only three current crossovers to drop below the 120g/km mark though, as the Greenline model emits 119g/km.
When is it on sale? Early 2014.
Any other info? The facelifted model will be available in standard and Outdoor guises. The latter is a more rugged design with black plastic exterior mouldings.
4. Renault Megane
What is it? A mid-life facelift for Renault’s lower medium contender.
Why is it interesting? Although Renault has struggled in the UK in recent times, the Megane is still very competitive on emissions, and the refreshed appearance helps modernise the hatchback, three-door and estate models. The looks are designed to bring the car in line with the Clio supermini launched earlier this year.
When is it on sale? Q1 of 2014.
Any other info? The changes, which also include the addition of an automatic on the 130hp petrol model, will have to see the Megane through to its 2016 replacement.
5. Kia Optima
What is it? Kia has revised, inside and out, its upper medium car Optima, while improvements have also been made to equipment levels. A Sport Pack will also be introduced for the first time, offering a black mesh grille, lower front bumper and larger alloy wheels.
Why is it interesting? While emissions remain unchanged (starting from 128g/km of CO2), safety equipment has been upgraded and now includes a blind-spot detection system that also incorporates a lane-change alert.
When is it on sale? Early 2014.
Any other info? Refinement has been improved. And the revised Optima will come with a new, larger dashboard screen for satellite navigation and other controls.
