New cars 2022: what's coming and when

Lexus RZ: The RZ is Lexus' first bespoke electric vehicle and will spearhead the firm's model range or premium and dynamically oriented EVs. Set to arrive by the end of 2022, the car is similar in size to the Lexus NX, which is currently the car maker's best-seller. It's based on the same platform as the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra, but will sit in a more premium position. Power comes from a 71.4kWh battery which provides up to 250 miles of range. Lexus promises energy retention of up to 90% of its usable capacity after ten years. 

Lotus Emira: This is an all-new Lotus sports car, and that’s a phrase we haven’t said since the Evora arrived in 2009. The first Emiras employ a familiar Toyota-sourced supercharged V6 and are priced from £75,995, and an entry-level car will arrive a year later with a turbocharged four-pot from Mercedes-AMG.

Maserati Grecale: The Grecale is Maserati’s crucial new crossover, using underpinnings from the dynamic Alfa Romeo Stelvio and bringing the option of a fiery new 3.0-litre petrol V6. But it will also get a fantastically named EV: the Folgore (which means ‘lightning’ in Italian). 

Mercedes-AMG C63: To a certain extent, the new scorching versions of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloon and estate will be business as usual. More than 500bhp and the sort of exhaust note that will keep the most po-faced amused. But there’s a twist this time around - gone is the V8, replaced with a hybridised and turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Bold new days indeed.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Stuttgart’s hugely popular rival to the Audi A3 Sportback is about to tick past the four-year mark, so expect some light fettling in the year ahead. The A-Class was one of the first to get Merc’s new infotainment system, dubbed MBUX, so significant interior hardware changes are unlikely. But software tweaks and fettled exterior looks will likely be the order of the day.

Mercedes-Benz EQT: This is a cool MPV. No, seriously. The EQT concept, developed in partnership with Renault, previewed the design of the new T-Class’s electric sibling (a Volkswagen Caddy rival), but there’s no word yet on if the integrated skateboard carrier will survive…

Porsche Cayenne: New bumpers and a lightly overhauled cabin for Stuttgart’s biggest model. And why does Porsche need to bother with much more, as the Cayenne range has been constantly fettled since it was launched. Now available with a total of 13 different models to choose from, including the new Cayenne Turbo GT, there really is a version to cover most bases. 

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail: Okay, so you might not actually be able to buy this bespoke £20 million creation, but the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is interesting nonetheless. This jolly expensive one-off is loosely based on the Phantom, with a canopy roof and a 563bhp 6.75-litre twin turbocharged V12. It’ll be the most expensive Rolls-Royce of all time and features several bespoke features, including a unique dashboard, a cutlery set and a champagne fridge.

Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo: The Fabia won’t get a hot vRS model, but it will gain a new 148bhp 1.5-litre engine as part of its performance-inspired Monte Carlo range-topper. It’s the first time this 1.5-litre engine has appeared on the Fabia, having previously appeared on the Kamiq, Octavia and Scala. The Monte Carlo will also be the most powerful Fabia since the vRS model of 2010. Expect to hit 0-62mph in 8.0secs.

Vauxhall Grandland: A major mid-life facelift featuring the new, familial Vizor grille has brought a dash of much-needed style to Vauxhall’s mid-size SUV. Meanwhile, the Grandland has also lost the X from its name. Perhaps Vauxhall sold it to Toyota for the new Aygo?

Volkswagen ID Buzz: Volkswagen’s era-defining Microbus has completed its 70-year journey from flower power to electric power. Orders open in May, while deliveries begin later in the summer. Despite retaining some of its retro styling, the model is all futuristic underneath. 

Initially available in a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive guise, the Buzz is powered by the same rear-mounted synchronous electric motor seen in other recent ID models with 201bhp and 228lb ft of torque. Prices will start from £40,000 for the van version and £50,000 for the MPV. Three different specification levels are planned: Pure, Pro and Packs.

It uses a variation of the ID 3’s MEB EV platform and will be equipped with level-two autonomous driving functionality from launch. Commercial, people carrier and camper van variants are planned, plus a long-wheelbase version is due in 2023. But the really exciting news is that it’s being readied for fully autonomous driving in around 2025.

Wey Coffee 01: Chinese company Great Wall’s premium brand will arrive in the UK with this oddly named plug-in hybrid SUV, which has a claimed 93-mile electric-only range from its 40kWH battery. The ICE element runs to a 201bhp 2.0-litre Miller cycle engine mated to twin electric motors positioned on each axle for all-wheel drive. Will it offer a gold blend of features? Sorry.

June

Alfa Romeo Tonale: The launch of Alfa Romeo’s small SUV, the concept of which was one of the stars of the last Geneva motor show in 2019, was reportedly delayed because its new boss wanted a better PHEV system. It takes design influence from the Stelvio and is key to plans to grow Alfa’s sales dramatically.

BMW M4 CS: Following the example of the five-star M5 CS, the M4 will lose weight (the M5 CS lost 70kg compared to the standard car) and gain power in pursuit of ’Ring supremacy. Power from the M4's 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight six could be bumped up over its standard 503bhp output, cutting the 0-62mph time down from 3.9sec while nudging the 180mph top speed up slightly. But the model's track focus means it will almost certainly gain an overhauled suspension system. ‘Ring record watchers - keep your eyes peeled.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Fastest version of new C8 gets the most potent atmo V8 yet put into production. 670bhp enough to tickle your fancy? The first mid-engined ZO6 does away with the 6.2-litre V8 used by the standard car in favour of a new and bespoke 'LT6' 5.5-litre unit that, in a first for a Corvette, features dual overhead cams and a flat-plane crankshaft – but continues without a turbocharger. We can feel the noise from here.

Citroen C5 Aircross: Mid-life trim changes for eminently practical family hauler include a facelift and uprated infotainment with a 10.0in infotainment display and a larger 12.3in unit behind the steering wheel. In a fiercely competitive class, these won’t change the automotive landscape, but will serve to tighten up what has always been a comfort-focused family SUV.

Dacia Spring EV: The Spring, despite being electric, keeps things as simple as its fuel-sipping siblings. Four seats, 44bhp, 140 miles of range and one Euro NCAP safety star… This Chinese-built budget urban EV could be confirmed for the UK market in January.

Genesis Electrified GV70: BMW iX3 rival gets 482bhp and 516lb ft in its most potent form, along with a range of 310 miles. The Electrified GV70 can be charged from 10-80% in just 18 minutes when using a 350kW rapid charger. It will be the first Genesis model to be fitted with a new E-Terrain mode for improved driving in more challenging environments. Other tech highlights include a system that reduces road noise and electronic control suspension that adapts based on data collected by a front-mounted camera.

Hyundai Ioniq 6: Hyundai’s second bespoke EV could have pace and poise to rival Porsche’s Taycan, but reports suggest the designers have gone back to square one in the late stages of testing, pushing an on-sale date to mid-2022. This delay to the launch date has also meant that the battery has been upsized, from a previous 72.6kWh to 77.4kWh.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: New luxurious, fifth generation Yank Tank is inbound as a Land Rover Discovery rival with a 375bhp plug-in hybrid option, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to two electric motors, offering a system output of 375bhp and 470lb ft of torque. There’s even a rumoured full-electric version due in 2025.

Lotus Evija: This electric hypercar is Hethel’s new flagship – and it’s quite the flagship. Four motors produce a combined 1972bhp, with a top speed of 200mph and a 250-mile range. The launch has been pushed because of the pandemic, but even that has hardly dampened our expectations, as our prototype drive proved. 

Mercedes-Benz EQE: Mercedes is going after the new BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 with a CLS-sized electric saloon. It’s nearly as slippery as the larger EQS, is made from 100% recycled steel and is claimed to offer up to 410 miles between charges. A closely related EQE SUV will follow in 2023.

McLaren Artura: Woking’s answer to the Ferrari 296 GTB weighs just 27kg more than the 720S, despite the adoption of a hefty PHEV system, suggesting that McLaren won’t sideline dynamics in the electrified era. As with its rival, the Artura packs a V6 rather than a V8 and can drive for short distances on electricity alone.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS: As sure as night follows day, a new 911 GT3 RS will be along soon, after last year’s ‘normal’ GT3. Even lairier aerodynamics and probably a subtle power hike await for the ultimate (at least until a GT2 is built) version of the 911, which should be unveiled in the next few months.

Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe: Why offer just one electric SUV when you can sell two? The Enyaq iV Coupe is, you guessed it, an Enyaq iV with a sloping roof. Which means it’ll be less practical, but a bit more stylish. The Enyaq Coupé is likely to be available with the same batteries as the standard car, and the enhanced aero could see the maximum range raised slightly over 333 miles from the largest, 77kWh battery pack. A smaller-capacity 58kWh battery is expected to net a range of around 260 miles. 

Volkswagen Multivan: The successor to the Caravelle has been extensively reworked, with prices starting from £43,160. It’s now based on a version of Volkswagen’s MQB car platform, rather than being a converted van, but still comes with short- or long-wheelbase bodies. Equally, the two-tone colour scheme and loads of space remains. 

July

Alpina B3 and D3S: As BMW subtly updates the 3 Series, Buchloe refreshes its evil twin. We gave the Alpina B3 a perfect five-star score when we reviewed the model in 2020, so expect another extremely potent but comfortable all-rounder with significant power at its disposal. 

Audi A3 Citycarver: The A3 gets further off the ground with a slightly more rugged design, but plans for a UK launch are unconfirmed. The Citycarver is likely to be offered a similar tech and engine line-up to the standard A3, with a selection of petrol and diesel options to choose from. 

BMW 3 Series: The new electric 3 Series is China-only, but we will still get an updated version of our favourite executive car. A revamped version will go into production later this year with an update to its clever iDrive system, with a massive 15.0in central infotainment display. Engines are unconfirmed, but expect a similar range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

DS 7 Crossback: The plush SUV is due some light surgery and interior enhancements as it enters its fourth year. An armoured version of the current model is used to ferry around the French President Emmanuel Macron, but we suspect the new version won’t need flag holders or flashing lights.

Ineos Grenadier: This well-appointed 4x4 will be equipped with petrol straight-six and diesel power from £48,000. Two commercial body styles will be available alongside a full-sized SUV which will be sold at 23 dealerships around the UK. Perhaps more excitingly, the model will also feature a hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain.

Kia Niro: Kia’s big-selling crossover has been given a radical design overhaul and continues with hybrid, PHEV and electric options. New design features offer a more rugged look and efficiency and performance boosts are also expected, with smarter plug-in technology. 

Lamborghini Urus: Lamborghini’s distinctly unsubtle four-year-old super-SUV will likely receive some subtle tweaks later this year. It’s still an outlier as a massively capable sports SUV, but it’s not the most conspicuous car out there. We doubt Lamborghini would have it any other way though, so expect the same lairy design before a PHEV version arrives in 2023. 

Mercedes-AMG One: For a car that is all about speed, the Mercedes-AMG One has sure taken a long time to arrive. Zero to 124mph in six seconds? Of course you can, so long as you don’t mind waiting five years for the privilege. 

Still, the 275 people who filled the order book when the Project One concept was revealed must have known that it might take longer than the promised 18 months to arrive, such is the complexity of it: this was Mercedes’ attempt to take the 1000bhp-plus 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid powertrain from Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 racer and put it into a production road car.

F1 powertrains aren’t meant for road use. They don’t enjoy trundling along a pit lane, let alone idling in heavy traffic in the middle of Knightsbridge. Trying to get that powertrain to be reliable, idle at 1200rpm and able to meet the EU’s WLTP emissions standards has tested even AMG’s brainiest boffins.

But this year the One will arrive – at least that’s the promise. Frankly, it’s a welcome sight. A true AMG hypercar is a tantalising prospect, even if few people will ever drive it. This is proper halo car stuff – a real attempt to build a link between Formula 1 and road cars. 

Production is scheduled to start in the middle of this year, with the first customers due to take delivery as 2023 approaches. Fingers crossed.

Nissan Ariya: Sleek Volkswagen ID 4-rivalling electric SUV is set to make its long-awaited UK debut, with prices starting at £41,845 for the 63kWh front-driven car and climbing to £58,440 for the 87kWh, 389bhp e-Performance range-topper.

Skoda Enyaq vRS: The first electric vRS model is Skoda’s answer to the Volkswagen ID 5 GTX, and will share that model’s 295bhp four-wheel-drive powertrain. All models gain sportier styling over the standard model, adding sports bumpers at the front and rear. Black trim is also emblazoned around the car. The vRS also offers 338lb ft and a 0-62mph time of 6.5secs, with a range of 309 miles - that’s a slight increase over the ID 5 GTX’s 296-mile offering.

Toyota bZ4X: Toyota’s long-awaited first EV is an SUV co-developed with Subaru. It commands a price tag of £41,950, but will it stand out in a competitive field? Toyota has plenty of experience of making excellent crossovers, so it’s certainly one to watch. 

August

Cupra Formentor VZ5: Cupra’s potent Formentor VZ5 is left-hand drive only, but we’re willing to make that compromise for a 385bhp turbo five-pot. It’s Cupra’s most powerful SUV yet and production will be limited to 7000 units. Cupra claims 0-62mph in 4.2sec with a top speed limited to 155mph. 

Kia Xceed: The Ceed-based crossover is due a round of updates to bring it into line with the recently restyled hatchback. Kia expects the Xceed to be even more popular than its smaller hatchback sibling with its raised ride height and toughened-up styling. 

Mercedes-Benz GLC: The big-selling C-Class-based SUV is going all-electrified and all-four-cylinder for its second generation - even in full-fat AMG GLC 63 form. It’s now longer, lower and wider than the previous car and will gain improved styling including a new front grille, air intakes, more aggressive lights and black-and-silver roof bars.

Nissan X-Trail: Nissan’s largest SUV in Europe returns with the unconventional ePower hybrid powertrain from the new Qashqai. The powertrain uses a petrol engine to charge a battery and power a front-mounted electric motor. The model shares much of its interior and exterior design with the US-only Rogue. 

September

BMW M3 Touring: We’re unspeakably excited about the first-ever M3 Touring, set to join the M3 saloon and M4 coupe in BMW’s newly expanded performance line-up. Expect more aggressive styling including flared arches, added air intakes and a sports exhaust system. The brilliant performance credentials of BMW’s latest super-saloon plus plenty of room for your dog: what’s not to love?

Ford Ranger Raptor: Ford’s hardcore pick-up will lose its 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine for a more powerful 3.0-litre petrol V6 as part of a radical design overheul influenced by the US-only F-150 Raptor. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo engine produces 284bhp and 362lb ft. The model is expected to outspeed the previous model, which needed 10.1sec to hit 0-62mph. It will be the first version of the new fourth-generation Ranger to go on sale in Europe, with deliveries getting under way in late summer.

Mazda CX-60: The five-seat Toyota RAV4 rival will be Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid – but versions powered by its new petrol and diesel straight sixes will follow. Mazda’s first plug-in model specifically for the European market (alongside the larger CX-80), the CX-60 will be driven by an in-line four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor. Deliveries are set to begin in late summer. 

Mercedes-EQS SUV

Set to become Mercedes' all-new flagship, the EQS SUV will rival the Audi E-tron and BMW iX when it arrives towards the tail end of this year. The EQS SUV is based on the same electric vehicle architecture as the EQE and EQS, which supports both single-motor, rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor, four-wheel-drive layouts. There will be a total of two models with three powertrains available in the UK, including a 107.8kWh battery - the same used by the EQS saloon. 

 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric: The Megane will receive the crossover treatment this year, but don’t be worried – our initial road test showed the model is genuinely good to drive, as well as efficient and comfortable. A power output of 215bhp and 221lb ft means a 0-62mph time of 7.4sec. It also looks brilliant and offers a competitive range of either 186 or 292 miles.

 Toyota Corolla Cross: What do you get when you cross the Corolla with an SUV? Another high-riding crossover to fill insatiable market demand, that’s what. The Corolla Cross will rival the Nissan Qashqai and will sit between the C-HR and RAV4 in Toyota’s model line-up. It’s driven by the firm’s fifth-generation, 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain, good for 196bph and 0-62mph in 8.1sec. 

October

BMW X1: The big-selling Audi Q3 rival will move onto a heavily reworked version of the UKL platform for its second generation, taking styling inspiration from the closely related 1 Series. As well as an EV, expect petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. 

Electric DeLorean DMC: The company that owns the rights to DeLorean is reviving the storied name for an electric sports car which is set to launch this year. Texas-based DeLorean Motor Company – formed by British engineer Stephen Wynne, who acquired the rights to the original company’s name and branding in 1995 – has previewed its modern-day take on the mid-engined DeLorean DMC in a cryptic Tweet confirming limited details. It will be called the DeLorean EVolved in a nod to its electric drivetrain, and accompanying hashtags suggest that it will place a heightened focus on luxury than did the 1981-1982 original.

Honda Civic: Honda’s rival to the Volkswagen Golf will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, and the more sedately styled 11th iteration will be Honda’s final mainstream European model to go hybrid-only. Unlike its forebears, it won’t be built in the UK.

Lucid Air: ‘The next Tesla’ has finally started producing its Model S rival in the US, and it’s on the cards for a UK launch soon. While its 1065bhp output is impressive, its claimed 500-mile range might be the real game-changer.

Renault Austral: Replacement for the large Kadjar SUV gets a total restyle and a new name that “conjures up the vibrancy and heat of the south”, apparently. The bold new look brings it into line with the all-electric Mégane E-tech, while a wide array of improved powertrains and upgraded infotainment platform will boost the popularity of Renault's Toyota RAV4 rival. 

November

Audi E-Tron: No mere nip and tuck for Audi’s largest EV, which is about to give its rivals real headaches with its bigger new battery. We’ve heard its range could jump from 249 miles to as much as 373, which is nearly enough for Edinburgh to London.

BMW iX1: We’ve had the plush rangetoppers, so now it’s time for bread-and-butter BMWs to go electric. An electric version of the new X1 is being readied as the entry point into Munich’s rapidly expanding EV line-up, a position in which it will essentially replace the decade-old i3, which is likely to bow out at around the same time. 

Lotus Eletre: If you say it quickly, it doesn’t sound so shocking: “Lotus is building an electric SUV.” There, that’s not too bad, is it, purists? The Eletre marks the brand's historic reinvention as an electric performance car firm offering a breadth of vehicles. Targeting a price of £100,000, the Eletre will pack a top speed of 162mph and a sub-3.0sec sprint from 0-62mph.

We're still keenly awaiting indepth technical specs, but expect a battery capacity of more than 100kWh and power upwards of 592bhp. Maximum range meanwhile is said to stand at 348 miles. Don't worry - the Eletre is being made in China, so Hethel will remain the home of Lotus sports cars. 

Ferrari SP3 Daytona: Latest addition to Maranello’s Icona series a mid-mounted 829bhp V12, stylistic nods to hallowed historic racers and not an electric motor in sight - what’s not to like? Well, the £1.7m price, for one, but then it’s sold out anyway. 

Honda Civic Type R: The least civil Civic returns, and Honda looks to have done just what we hoped it would: leave it well alone. Few cars have a higher bar to clear, but careful upgrades should let it keep its crown (and, we’d imagine, give the searing-hot Renault Mégane RS a run for its money at the Nürburgring). 

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: Nearly 600bhp from the hottest version of Hyundai’s retro EV? Sign us up. Chances are the Ioniq 5 N will share its highly strung twin-motor powertrain with the Kia EV6 GT (below), which will see it get from 0-62mph in well under 4.0 seconds, which will make it the fastest Hyundai model yet built.

Kia EV6 GT: If you hadn’t already adjusted your perception of Kia in recent years, it’s time to now, because this 577bhp electric crossover will outpace the Porsche Taycan 4S. First impressions of the EV6 suggest it’s more than potent enough in range-topping GT-Line S guise already, but who’s complaining about a new addition to the sports EV fray?

Polestar 3: Electric SUV will share a US production line and a platform with Volvo’s XC90 successor. Its styling will be influenced by the acclaimed Precept concept, while materials used throughout will emphasise a similar focus on sustainability.

Smart #1: Smart is in the process of being entirely reinvented since becoming a joint venture between Mercedes and Geely. The next step in that partnership will be its first bespoke EV - a compact crossover with premium aspirations. Measuring 4290mm long, 1910mm wide and 1698mm tall, it’s a close match in size terms for parent company Mercedes-Benz’s EQA electric crossover. 

Toyota GR Corolla: What do you get when you cross the Corolla with the GR Yaris? Another hot hatch with Toyota’s excellent 1.6-litre turbo unit and the potential to be a star. The company hasn’t yet confirmed if it will come to the UK, but hopefully strong sales of the VW Golf R and Mercedes-AMG A45 serve as proof that it would do well here. 

December

Aston Martin Vantage, Aston Martin DB11 and DBS: Aston’s three coupés remain highly competitive, but there’s no escaping the limitations of their infotainment systems, based on Mercedes tech from two generations ago, so that will be the headline change. But we’re also expecting a styling refresh and an interior overhaul. 

BMW i7: There’s no doubting the technical prowess or the luxury credentials of BMW’s new iX electric SUV, but there are many people who simply can’t stomach its outlandish styling. Step forward, then, the BMW i7. A familiar, low-slung take on the traditional luxury saloon, with (as you will have inferred from the lowercase letter in its name) an all-electric powertrain. 

To be sold alongside internal-combustion versions of the next-generation 7 Series, the fifth addition to Munich’s EV family has its targets locked on the Mercedes-Benz EQS, which hitherto has had no true direct rivals. As with the electric versions of the X3 and 4 Series Gran Coupé, the i7 will be differentiated visually from the standard 7 Series by a blanked-off front grille (the shape of which has yet to be confirmed but is sure to be a hot topic of discussion), bespoke wheel designs and smatterings of EV-specific trim. 

Otherwise, though, BMW will no doubt seek to make the EV switch as appealing and familiar as it can to loyal 7 Series buyers. They are buyers with busy and lavish lifestyles, no doubt, who want to get where they’re going quickly, quietly and in comfort. And the i7 will tick all of those boxes, with around 600bhp in its most potent, twin-motor form, nearly 400 miles of range from a 105.2kWh battery and an advanced infotainment system lifted from the iX. 

BMW M2 Coupé: The old M2 was among our favourite sports coupés. The next one should be even better, with more power, more torque and closer M3 and M4 ties. And vitally, BMW hasn’t lost sight of what we love best: its puristic driving experience.

BMW Z4: Four years from launch, this low-volume roadster is due an update, but it won’t be extensive. Expect light styling tweaks at the front and rear, and perhaps some new colours and wheel designs, to take the Porsche 718 Boxster rival through the second half of its lifecycle. 

Ford Ranger: Britain’s best-selling pick-up keeps on truckin’ with a Bronco-aping front, a new diesel V6 and the promise of hybrid power. It’s all change inside, too, where a Mach-E-style vertical touchscreen dominates the dashboard, housing most of the off-road function controls, and a standard digital display gives different displays for each of the six driving modes. 

Honda CR-V: Strong-selling hybrid SUV gets cleaner-cut styling and bulks up for its sixth era in an effort to win out over the indefatigable Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Qashqai. But the crossover is already only available as a hybrid, in line with Honda’s electrification plans, so expect changes to be focused on the design and equipment. 

Lamborghini V12 Hybrid: Do you know what’s strange? You can’t actually buy a V12-powered, road-going Lamborghini at the moment, and when the Aventador’s successor does eventually reintroduce that fabled engine to the ranks, it will be with the added oomph of an electric motor.

Land Rover Defender 130: With short, long, commercial and V8 variants of the L663 Defender now on sale, it’s time for a stretched 130 model with eight seats and a focus on luxury. Slated to arrive next year, it will command a premium over the current 110 range-topper, and likely only be available in the plushest trim levels. 

Ferrari Purosangue: It’s time for Ferrari to enter the SUV pool. It’s not timidly dipping its toes in, though: with underpinnings supplied by the Roma, V12 and hybrid V8 engine options and genuinely supercar-inspired styling, the Purosangue (‘purebred’) is a full-on cannonball.

Mazda MX-30 REx: Short-legged electric crossover calls on a new rotary petrol engine to act as a range extender, increasing the distance possible between charges – which could make the MX-30 a much more competitive proposition in light of similarly priced but longer-range rivals. 

Seat Tarraco: Planned model updates for Spanish firm’s largest model are likely to include the introduction of the long-awaited PHEV version, which was revealed in 2019. Otherwise the changes will likely focus on styling tweaks and updated infotainment, following a facelift for its Volkswagen Tiguan sibling in 2020.

Ssangyong Korando E-Motion: Ssangyong has carved out a niche in the UK as a rugged SUV specialist, and it’s aiming to carry that into the electric era. The Korean firm’s first EV is a battery-powered reworking of the existing Korando that will rival the bargain-basement MG ZS EV.

Toyota Prius: The massive growth in hybrid sales has threatened the Prius’s place as king of the private hire cars. This new version – expected in 2022 based on previous Prius timelines – won’t be able to rely on its tax benefits to rack up sales, so expect Toyota to push further with new technology.

Volkswagen Amarok: Volkswagen’s ‘premium’ pick-up truck is essentially a reworked version of the new Ford Ranger and is to be built by Ford, but it will be styled to match other VW models. 

Coming in 2023

If this year’s new offerings aren’t exciting enough, there’s plenty more in store for 2023.

Aston Martin Valhalla: Confused by all these new Formula 1- inspired, mid-engined Aston Martin supercars? If so, think of the Valhalla as being the more practical, accessible daily version of the hardcore Valkyrie, which is centred on extreme, trackbred aerodynamics. Although in this case, ‘more practical and accessible’ means the Valhalla makes do with only 937bhp and a 217mph top speed…

The Valhalla has been changed substantially since it was first shown as a concept in 2019. It’s now powered by a Mercedes-Benz-sourced 740bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, which is paired with two electric motors (one on each axle) offering a combined 201bhp. Despite that, it weighs just 1550kg. While the Valkyrie is a limitedrun, ultra-expensive beast that few will ever experience, the sub-£700,000 target price of the Valhalla means it could have far more of an impact on Gaydon’s growth.

BMW XM: The XM is just the second entirely bespoke M car in BMW’s history, but it couldn’t contrast more with the first. The M1 was a supercar co-developed with Lamborghini, whereas the XM is a massive SUV with a 740bhp PHEV powertrain built around a 4.4-litre V8 that will kick-start M’s electrification. Still, it will probably sell far better.

Fisker Ocean: Given Fisker’s tainted history, it would be easy to dismiss the prospects of this bold new car. But we believe it’s time to start taking Fisker seriously, because the Ocean looks a credible contender in the electric SUV ranks and has some very credible firms involved in its manufacturing and distribution.

Revealed in production form late last year, the Ocean will rival the Audi Q4 E-tron and Tesla Model Y with a spacious, touchscreen-heavy interior and range of more than 350 miles. European versions are set to be produced by Magna Steyr in Austria, with prices likely to range from £30,000 to £50,000.

Ford Electric SUV: Ford will launch a new electric SUV next year, and while we don’t know what it will be called, what size it will be, what it will look like or what it will cost, we do know just about everything on the technical side.

That’s because this is the first car that will come from a deal Ford struck to develop EVs on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform, as used by the Audi Q4 E-tron, Volkswagen ID 4 et al.

So expect a variety of single-motor rear-drive and dual-motor four-wheel-drive powertrains and a range in the high-200-mile region. The intrigue really surrounds how Ford will make the car feel like a Ford, rather than a rebadged Volkswagen. 

Ford Transit E-Custom: the successor to the UK's best-selling vehicle, the Transit E-Custom is set to introduced an all-electric range of up to 236 miles in 2023. It will be the second of five all-electric commercial vehicles that will launch in Europe by 2024. It will be built alongside an electric version of the next-generation Volkswagen Transporter. 

Maserati Granturismo: While the MC20 supercar is a fine halo product, the next-generation Granturismo is key to Maserati’s revival as a true Italian luxury brand. The super-GT will gain sleek new styling and be offered with a range of petrol engines – likely to include V6 and V8 options – as well as in battery-electric form.

MG electric hatchback: Set to be revealed in the next few months, MG’s rumoured electric hatchback will arrive with five doors and will join the ZS EV and 5 EV in a three-strong line-up of electric models. Chinese reports suggest the hatchback could replace the second-generation MG 3, offering both electric and combustion powertrains. Autocar understands MG is planning to preview the new model as a concept at the Beijing motor show in April, before unveiling the final model in the second half of the year.

Mini Hatchbacks and Countryman: The Mini brand is about to undergo arguably its biggest transformation since BMW reinvented the flagship way back in 2001. Starting next year, Oxford will transition to electrified power and create an expanded line-up of models.

It’s only fitting that it will all start with a next-generation version of the model that remains at the heart of its range: the three-door hatchback. It will be offered with both ICE and fully electric powertrains – although expect the latter to be more versatile and capable than the adapted electric version of the current three-door.

The focus is on refining the design, with engineers promising that it will retain and improve the classic positive handling and fun driving characteristics that the car is known for. But it will also serve as a hero car for a rapidly expanding model range.

The next-generation Countryman compact SUV will arrive soon after and is set to grow in size to more closely match its BMW X1 sibling, with a range of petrol, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains. 

Making it bigger is part of a plan to literally stretch the Mini range, making room for a new small SUV and a Chinese-built city car that’s tipped to revive the Minor name.

Porsche Macan EV and Audi Q6 E-Tron: Porsche nailed electrification at its first attempt, but its second is an arguably tougher challenge, because it’s not an all-new proposition but a reinvention of the hugely popular Macan SUV.

Make no mistake, though: the Macan EV will be an entirely new car built on an entirely new EV platform. Co-developed by Porsche and Audi, the PPE allows for ultra-rapid charging and performance motors. In the Macan, we expect a four-wheel-drive dual-motor set-up to offer 700bhp and 750lb ft of torque.

Audi won’t be far behind its sibling brand in using the PPE platform, with its all-new Q6 E-tron due shortly after the Macan EV. While Audi already has a burgeoning range of SUVs, these use either an adapted ICE platform or the more mainstream MQB EV platform.

Complementing the petrol-engined Q5, the Q6 will offer 800V charging, a range of more than 300 miles and eventually a sporting RS version.

Rolls-Royce Spectre: The first electric Rolls-Royce is an all-new model that is expected to occupy a similar market segment to the old petrol-engined Wraith coupé. It will use Goodwood’s new Architecture of Luxury platform and is likely to employ a dual-motor powertrain offering more than 600bhp.