THE pace of change in the new-car market is accelerating at an incredible rate as we head towards the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel car sales in the UK. And that’s reflected in our list of 115 models coming over the next few years.
In the short term you’ll see new petrol-powered models hitting dealers. But while the market will shift to more hybrid cars towards the middle of the decade – and increasingly a commitment from brands to EV-only lineups before that 2030 deadline – we’ll still see plenty of new cars revealed. Here we’ve listed the most interesting and exciting.
From affordable, compact EVs to high-end hybrids, sophisticated sports cars, family-friendly SUVs and tech-laden models that will move the goalposts on what to expect from our cars, the models we’ve listed over the next 32 pages will carry the car world into a new era.
1 CUPRA Raval
Due: 2025 Price: from£20,000
THE best things really do come in small packages, as the exciting Cupra Raval proves. Officially revealed earlier this year, the all-electric supermini is the production version of the brand’s head-turning UrbanRebel concept.
Based on parent firm VW’s MEB Entry platform, the compact Spanish machine features a 231bhp front-mounted motor for a hot hatch-beating 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds. And while Cupra hasn’t yet revealed any details about the battery, it has said the Raval has a range of 273 miles. Better still, the fast and fun newcomer could cost just £20,000 when it hits showrooms.
2 AUDI A5
Due: late 2023 Price: from £40,000
IT’S all change with Audi’s badges, with ICE models taking odd numbers, while EV models get even ones. So the next A4 will be electric, but the A4 saloon and estate as we know them will become the new A5. The same thing happens with the new ‘A6’, which will be badged A7 but offer the same saloon, estate, ICE and PHEV choices.
The new A5 will be powered by a range of petrol engines that’ll be available with 48V mild-hybrid or plug-in tech, plus a 2.0-litre TDI diesel. There will also be hot S and RS models, while all versions will feature an interior with plenty of slick digital tech and cutting-edge connectivity.
3 SMART #3
Due: early 2024 Price: from £38,000
SMART’S transformation from quirky city car brand to fully fledged premium player continues with the sleek #3. In effect a coupé-crossover version of the Mercedes EQA-rivalling #1, it’s based on the same Sustainable Experience Architecture developed by Geely and Mercedes.
Also likely to be carried over are the 62kWh battery and powertrains, including a 422bhp Brabus version. To complement the #3’s racier exterior design, it’s likely the suspension will be tweaked to deliver greater agility. And while the interior is carried over largely unchanged, adding eyeball air vents gives it a sportier feel.
4 TESLA MODEL 3
Due: late 2023 Price: from £43,000
LONG before the all-new Model 2 (Page 57) breaks cover, Tesla will reveal a new-look version of its big-selling Model 3. As our exclusive image shows, the updated machine gets a sleeker front end inspired by the forthcoming Roadster.
This includes slimmer headlamps and a smoother nose treatment, but there are bigger changes inside, with a new Model X-style dashboard. This set-up retains the firm’s trademark centrally mounted portrait display, but adds a smaller instrument cluster ahead of the driver. It’s unlikely there will be any changes to the batteries or motors, but software updates could boost efficiency, helping the Long Range model get closer to 400 miles between charges.
5 DACIA BIGSTER
Due: 2024 Price: from £20,000
IF you want a car that does exactly what it says on the tin, then look no further than the Bigster. As the name suggests, this is Dacia’s largest-ever car, a chunky SUV that’ll sit above the Duster in its line-up.
Based on a stretched version of the Romanian brand’s CMF-B platform, the rugged machine rivals a Land Rover Discovery Sport for size and space, yet will cost thousands less to buy.
Power comes from either the 1.6-litre hybrid set-up already seen in the Jogger or the firm’s 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Prices have yet to be revealed, but entry-level versions are expected to come in at just over £20,000.
6 BYD Seal
Due: late 2023 Price: from £41,000
THIS time last year you probably hadn’t heard of BYD, but now the ambitious Chinese brand is hitting the headlines with a raft of EV launches. The latest is the Seal, a handsome compact executive saloon that’s caused established European competitors to sit up and take notice.
Based on BYD’s advanced e-Platform 3.0, it’s available with single or twin motors, the latter delivering up to 523bhp. Both get an 82kWh battery that offers a range of up to 354 miles. Inside, the Seal looks and feels upmarket, and has a 15.6-inch screen that can rotate between landscape and portrait. More importantly, it’s expected to undercut premium rivals on price.
7 VOLKSWAGEN ID.7
Due: late 2023 Price: from £45,000
VOLKSWAGEN isn’t exactly entering the last-chance saloon with its ID.7, but there’s no denying the stylish four-door will have some stiff competition when it arrives later this year. Facing off against talented rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Tesla Model 3, VW’s all-electric compact executive car will need to be at the top of its game.
It has the range to compete with the best, with the 82kWh Pro S model claiming a class-leading 435 miles. Designers have also injected lots of premium appeal, thanks to a cabin that’s packed with high-grade materials and a slick 15-inch touchscreen. A rapid 400bhp GTX flagship and versatile estate version are also on the cards.
8 PEUGEOT 2008/e-2008
Due: late 2023 Price: from £24,315
ALONGSIDE its 208 supermini sibling, Peugeot’s small 2008 crossover is also getting a little nip and tuck. Given that the two compact machines are closely related, it’s no surprise to find they are sharing largely the same updates. That means a similarly aggressive visual makeover for the 2008 and an updated interior that features enhanced infotainment.
The high-riding 2008 also adds 48-volt mild-hybrid tech to some of its 1.2-litre petrol motors and a new six-speed twin-clutch gearbox. There’s a bigger 54kWh battery for the e-2008, which increases its range by 38 miles to 251 miles.
9 ASTONMARTIN Valhalla
Due: 2024 Price: £400,000
ASTON’S incredible Valhalla proves the best things really do come to those that wait. First revealed back in 2021, the firm’s 937bhp mid-engined supercar is due to hit showrooms next year. Featuring a 4.0-litre V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Ferrari SF90-rivalling British bruiser is claimed to blast from 0-62mph in just 2.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 217mph.
With Formula One-influenced suspension and aerodynamics, the Valhalla should be just as thrilling through corners as it will be in a straight line. Such power and technology doesn’t come cheap, with a price of nearly £400,000 expected.
10 ALPINE GT X-OVER
Due: 2025 Price: from £70,000
ALPINE’S ambitious expansion will continue with the GT X-Over SUV in 2025, and it’s likely to be the firm’s best-selling model.
The high-performance crossover is based on the same CMF-EV platform as the Renault Megane E-Tech. But with the possibility of three electric motors (one at the front and two at the rear) delivering a punchy 450bhp, the Alpine will be much faster and more driver-focused than its humble cousin.
Its impressive performance potential will be highlighted by surprisingly sporty coupé-inspired looks that are influenced by the French manufacturer’s current A110 sports car.
11 SKODA Elroq
Due: late 2024 Price: from £35,000
UNTIL now, Skoda has limited its electric SUV offering to the excellent Enyaq, but that’s all about to change with the new Elroq. Slotting into the line-up just below its bigger
