NEW CARS A-Z
LEXUS NX
On sale: February
Lexus’s best-seller ushers in PHEV power for its second generation. A regular hybrid will follow shortly after.
LEXUS RZ
On sale: Spring
Prepare to see the production version of Lexus’s first EV in the next few months. The RZ crossover will use the same E-TNGA platform as the Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra but place more of an emphasis on driver engagement.
MAZDA 2 HYBRID
On sale: April
New supermini looks like the Toyota Yaris and goes like the Yaris, because it is the Yaris, just with Mazda badges.
MAZDA CX-5
On sale: February
A new grille and headlights mark out the updated CX-5, but more significant are the claimed improvements to ride comfort, safety and usability.
MAZDA CX-60
On sale: September
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 MX-30 REX
On sale: December
Short-legged electric crossover calls on a new rotary petrol engine to act as a range extender, increasing the distance possible between charges.
MERCEDES-AMG S63 S E PERFORMANCE
On sale: First quarter
For when you have a track session at 10am and a shareholder meeting at 12pm. Hot hybrid version of the new S-class is tipped to pair AMG’S thumping 4.0-litre petrol V8 with a 201bhp electric motor on the rear axle.
On sale: Spring
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.
MERCEDES-BENZ EQE
On sale: June
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.
MERCEDES-BENZ EQT
On sale: Spring
This is a cool MPV. No, seriously. The EQT concept previewed the design of the new T-class’s electric sibling, but there’s no word yet on if the integrated skateboard carrier will survive…
MERCEDES-BENZ GLC
On sale: Fourth quarter Big-selling C-class-based SUV is going all-electrified and all-four-cylinder for its second generation. Yes, even in full-fat AMG GLC 63 form.
MORGAN PLUS 8 GTR
On sale: January
The first of nine “gloves-off” roadsters has been completed, with the rest due in the next few months. A BMW V8 pumps out close to 400bhp and can be paired to a manual gearbox, making this a proper last-of-its-kind Brit brawler.
NISSAN ARIYA
On sale: Summer
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.
NISSAN X-TRAIL
On sale: Summer
Nissan’s largest SUV in Europe returns with the unconventional epower hybrid powertrain from the new Qashqai.
ORA CAT
On sale: March
Chinese EV brand will arrive here with a retro-styled Volkswagen ID 3 rival offering a 261-mile range for £25,000.
PEUGEOT 308
On sale: March
Substantially overhauled family hatch and estate will offer petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains from launch.
POLESTAR 3
On sale: November
Electric SUV will share a US production line and a platform with Volvo’s XC90 successor. Its styling will be influenced by the acclaimed 3 concept and have a similar focus on sustainability.
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.
BENTLEY FLYING SPUR PHEV
The electrification of Bentley continues apace with a plug-in hybrid variant of the Flying Spur saloon. It pairs a 2.9-litre V6 with a 134bhp motor for a total output of 536bhp, getting it to 62mph in just over 4.0sec, while a 14.1kwh battery yields an electric range of more than 25 miles.
MORGAN 3 WHEELER
This whimsical dry-day two-seater will return to provide a welcome dose of simplicity and authenticity but, in keeping with the gradual modernisation of Morgan’s sports cars, it has swapped its nose-mounted air-cooled V-twin for a more powerful Ford three-pot.
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 718 CAYMAN
GT4 RS On sale: March
We like the 4.0-litre-powered 718 Cayman GT4 and we like the 911 GT3, so this jaw-dropping creation, which blends the best of both, will do us very nicely, we would wager. Bets are off for Britain’s Best Driver’s Car 2022.
PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS
On sale: Second quarter
Even lairier aerodynamics and probably a subtle power hike for the ultimate version of the 911, which should be unveiled in the next few months.
PORSCHE CAYENNE
On sale: Spring
New bumpers and a lightly overhauled cabin for Stuttgart’s biggest model.
PORSCHE TAYCAN GTS
On sale: April
The best version of the best performance EV? It fills the gap between the 4S and the Turbo – and a slot in our dream garage.
PORSCHE TAYCAN SPORT
TURISMO On sale: April
Taycan estate comes closer to the ground and drops its off-road styling. Pub-chat ammo: the GTS version’s full name is the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo Gran Turismo Sport.
RENAULT AUSTRAL
On sale: October
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.