118 Brilliant new Cars

Our guide to the best new cars for 2018... and beyond

THE automotive industry is going through a radical period of change. The fallout from the Dieselgate scandal has forced car makers to begin to develop electric and hybrid vehicles at a frantic rate as consumer confidence in diesel continues to sour.

The switch from conventional petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles is a trend you’ll see throughout the next 34 pages as we run through all of the key new models that will be arriving in dealers from 2018 and beyond. The theme of electrification isn’t the only one you’ll spot, either, because there seems to be no let up in the appetite buyers have for SUVS and crossovers.

There’s never been a more exciting time in the industry, and if you’re in the market for a new car we’ve got all the details you need to know right here.

THE hot hatch market is as fiercely competitive as ever, and this time it’s Renault making headlines with its new Mégane RS.

Rather than boasting of a market-leading power output (indeed, at 276bhp, this car is a full 40bhp shy of the Honda Civic Type R) Renault has focused on making the RS handle better than ever. To do this it has equipped it with four-wheel steering called 4CONTROL, which the French firm says boosts high-speed stability as well as making the Mégane more manoeuvrable at low speeds.

The 1.8-litre engine is taken from the forthcoming Alpine A110 sports car, but with a new turbocharger to increase power output. It is housed in a five-door bodyshell and can be ordered either with a sixspeed manual or dual-clutch auto box, while buyers can specify a Cup pack that adds a limited-slip diff and retuned springs and dampers.

Inside, the Mégane RS features sports seats and an RS Monitor on the touchscreen that can record lap times and performance figures.