Get California dreaming

Car manufacturers revealed their future stars this week in the City of Angels, says NAT BARNES

MERCEDES AMG-GT

Price: est from £104,000

On sale: May

The Mercedes AMG-GT supercar is four years old and has been given a midlife spruce-up with a host of changes and a new racing-inspired GT R Pro model for those who frequent track days at race circuits.

Having adopted the digital instrument display from the GT four-door coupe, there are changes throughout the cabin while alterations to the exterior include new lights. Under the skin there is new suspension and a new traction control system. And with a 0-to-60mph time of 3.7 seconds and 196mph top speed, it’s as fast as ever.

KIA SOUL EV

Price: est from £31,500

On sale: autumn 2019

It’s fair to say that Kia’s Soul has never really set showrooms alight in the UK as it has done elsewhere in the world (most notably in the US). Despite in our opinion having lots going for it, buyers have never really warmed to it, so this new all-electric version might be the perfect answer.

With a 64kw battery pack borrowed from Kia’s latest e-Niro and an electric motor equivalent to 204bhp, this new Soul EV still has an easily recognisable shape, plus sharper lines than before and an estimated 300-mile range.

And with a temptingly likely £31,500 price tag when it arrives in the autumn, we think this Soul has all the ingredients to be a hit for 2019.