New cars 2020/2021: what's coming and when?

Alpina reveals details of new D3 S saloon and estate

Alpina XB7

Alpina has also upgraded the largest BMW there is, the X7. Its seven-seat SUV, named the XB7, features a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre petrol V8 to send 613bhp to all four wheels, allowing this 2655kg behemoth to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.2sec.

New Alpina XB7 revealed with 613bhp and 180mph top speed

McLaren 765LT

The latest track-focused limited-edition Longtail model from McLaren is 80kg lighter than the 720S upon which it's based and gets an extra 44bhp from its mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. In addition to a whole host of aerodynamics-improving addenda, this means it can lap a 'reference track' 2.5sec quicker, says McLaren.

McLaren 765LT heads up Super Series with 754bhp

MG HS PHEV

MG is aiming to build on the UK sales success of its debut electric car, the ZS EV, by introducing a petrol-electric plug-in version of its larger HS SUV. With a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine providing 166bhp and an electric motor delivering 121bhp through a 10-speed automatic gearbox, the value-led PHEV will be the most powerful MG since 2003’s V8-powered MG X-Power SV. It should manage the 0-60mph sprint in around 5.8sec, while covering up to 47 miles on electric power alone.

New MG HS plug-in hybrid arrives with 32-mile electric range

Peugeot 508 PSE

The Peugeot 508 PSE has retained the aggressive styling of the original concept, and promises some equally eyebrow-raising performance figures. With 355bhp and 386lb ft on tap from its turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, it's Peugeot's most powerful production model to date, and can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.2 seconds. 

2021 Peugeot 508 PSE: 355bhp hot plug-in hybrid revealed​

Porsche Panamera

A subtle visual refresh for Porsche’s four-door grand tourer brings subtle styling tweaks and new powertrain options, including a new 621bhp Turbo S and 690bhp, plug-in Turbo S-E Hybrid. 

2020 Porsche Panamera brings 621bhp Turbo S​

December

Alfa Romeo GTA and Giulia GTAm

Alfa Romeo's most powerful production car to date – a hotter version of the scintillatingly brilliant Giulia Quadrifoglio - gets 533bhp - up from 503bhp - out of Alfa's Ferrari-derived twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6, thanks to calibration tweaks and an Akraprovič exhaust. It's also 100kg lighter and gets some wild styling additions. The GTAm, meanwhile, gets harnessed carbonfibre front seats and ditches its rears, while adding a massive rear wing.

New Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA is firm's most powerful model yet

Citroën C4 and ë-C4

The quirkiest model in Citroën’s current line-up offers an electric variant in its new generation, as well as petrol and diesel engines. It sits on the same platform as the Corsa of PSA Group sibling Vauxhall, meaning the EV's 50kWh battery pack will send power to a 134bhp front-mounted electric motor, giving it a range of 217 miles.

New 2020 Citroën C4 Cactus: electric ë-C4 offers 217-mile range

DS 9 

The French luxury brand’s flagship saloon will arrive on the PSA Group’s EMP2 platform, which also underpins the Peugeot 508. The Audi A4 rival shares many design cues with the DS 7 Crossback SUV and offers a 222bhp petrol engine and a range of petrol-electrci plug-in hybrid powertrains with up to 335bhp. These have an electric-only range of up to 31 miles.

New DS 9 saloon takes aim at Audi A4

Ford Puma ST

It’s not hybrid or pure electric, but Ford’s next ST will rewrite the hot hatchback rulebook by bringing the raw excitement of the celebrated Fiesta ST to the small crossover class. It was always a natural fit for the return of the Puma name that once graced a low-cost but entertaining coupé. Aural and accelerative joy will come courtesy of the Fiesta’s 197bhp 1.5-litre three-pot engine and, we hope, some of that car’s handling nous will be carried over, too. 

New Ford Puma ST lands with 197bhp

Jaguar E-Pace facelift

An early refresh for Jaguar’s smallest SUV, which only arrived in 2018. Expanded safety and driver assistance systems will be the main focus, while the BMW X2 rival will receive a streamlined selection of engines and sharper styling based on the new XE and F-Type. The E-Pace’s interior layout and technology, however, are both still fresh, so we don’t expect to see any radical changes inside.

Jaguar E-Pace to follow XF and F-Pace with 2020 overhaul

Jaguar F-Pace facelift

Perceived quality and technology upgrades are the focus of the F-Pace’s 2020 redesign. The SUV benefits from systems first seen in the I-Pace and new mild hybrid engines have been introduced, but there are no radical styling changes. More interesting is the introduction of the new P400e plug-in hybrid, which uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and a 141bhp electric motor to produce a combined 398bhp and 472lb ft and achieves 0-60mph in 5.0sec. It offers a claimed 33 miles of electric-only driving.

Updated Jaguar F-Pace gains new interior and plug-in hybrid

Jaguar XF facelift

Cabin upgrades, expanded technology, an evolved exterior appearance and more efficient engines (alongside a considerable price drop) aim to recapture some lost ground for Jaguar's large exec. The XF gains a centre console set-up based on that of the I-Pace, a mild-hybrid diesel option and JLR's new Pivi Pro infotainment system. 

Jaguar slashes XF price and revises exterior​

McLaren Elva

The latest Ultimate Series McLaren is a two-seat open-top roadster with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing more than 800bhp - and no roof, windscreen or side windows. Instead, the Elva uses an active air management system built into the bonnet that deflects air above the occupants above certain speeds. According to the company, it should reach 62mph in “under three seconds” and can manage 0-124mph in 6.7sec, making it faster than the track-focused Senna. The Elva will be limited to just 399 examples and cost from £1.4m.

McLaren Elva revealed as 804bhp Ultimate Series roadster

Mercedes-Benz EQA

Mercedes’ entry-level EQ model will eschew the hatchback stylings of the A-Class and instead mimic the popularity and practicality of the GLA crossover. This bodystyle leaves more space under the seats for battery cells without impacting on interior room, thanks to a higher roofline. Little is known about the electric powertrain it will use, other than a predicted range of around 249 miles. It should be priced to compete directly with the BMW i3, with styling that borrows heavily from the EQC electric SUV.

Mercedes EQA: 2020 electric crossover previewed in new image

Mercedes-Benz EQV

With the electric revolution in full swing, it’s unsurprising that Mercedes-Benz, king of filling niches before others, is one of the first to market with an electric luxury (albeit largely van-based) MPV. Based on the well-established V-Class, the EQV will deliver 252 miles of range and a choice of seating configurations.

Mercedes-Benz EQV: electric MPV makes debut at Frankfurt

Porsche 911 GT3

The first 992-generation Porsche to come through the brand’s Motorsport operation at Weissach, the new GT3 is set to use the same naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat six engine as the limited-run 991-series 911 Speedster. Performance should therefore match or exceed the 503bhp Speedster, with a track-focused suspension setup, large rear wing for increased downforce and an optional manual gearbox on the cards as well.

Next-gen Porsche 911 GT3 tipped to use 4.0-litre flat six

Rolls-Royce Ghost

Rolls-Royce's smaller saloon and best-selling model has entered its second generation, gaining a 'post-opulent' design theme to sit alongside its new Rolls-bespoke aluminium architecture and 6.75-litre V12. Engineers have gone to great efforts to make it even more refined than before – as if it wasn't already near-silent.

New Rolls-Royce Ghost is firm's most advanced model

Toyota GR Yaris

Okay, so it’s not a hybrid, but this bonkers new-age hot hatch is a statement of intent for Toyota’s exciting future. “No more boring cars,” said president Akio Toyoda in 2018. Does 257bhp from the lightest production 1.6-litre engine ever made, four-wheel drive, new double-wishbone suspension and a bespoke bodyshell count? The Yaris GRMN was the first glimmer of change at Toyota, and this is the electrifying result.

First drive: 2020 Toyota GR Yaris prototype

Volkswagen Golf GTD

While other manufacturers are cutting back or abandoning diesel production altogether in 2020, Volkswagen is persisting with a performance variant of the eighth-generation Golf that will drink from the black pump. It shares a chassis with the Golf GTI and mirrors it in terms of looks but uses a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine and mild-hybrid technology.

New Volkswagen Golf GTD goes on sale priced from £32,790

Volkswagen Golf GTE

When it was revealed alongside the standard Golf, the GTE was the most powerful variant of the eighth-generation car. It will again combine a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and 13kWh battery that will allow for up to 43 miles of zero-emissions driving. It will be able to reach 87mph without any assistance from the petrol engine, and while performance and economy figures have yet to be confirmed, a total power output of 242bhp puts it close to the petrol-only Golf GTI.

New Volkswagen Golf GTI gains power boost and more tech

Volkswagen Golf GTI

The GTI will arrive with 242bhp in standard form, with a GTI Clubsport promising 287bhp from the EA888 2.0-litre petrol engine. Styling is characteristically subtle but sets the GTI apart from the regular Golf with dual-exit exhaust pipes, red brake calipers, larger air intakes and a more aggressive bodykit.

New Volkswagen Golf GTI gains power boost and more tech

Winter 2020

Audi A3 TFSIe

Audi has expanded its electrified line-up with a successor to the plug-in hybrid A3. It retains the original PHEV’s front-driven layout, packing 201bhp from its 1.4-litre petrol motor and single electric motor in entry-level 40 TFSIe guise, with a more potent range-topping version due to land shortly after. WLTP efficiency figures are yet to be revealed, but Audi claims an electric-only range of up to 48 miles. 

New Audi A3 Sportback gains 201bhp plug-in hybrid​

Audi RS3

The hottest version of the all-new Audi A3 Sportback will make a 394bhp hot hatch rival to the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, thanks to continued use of Audi's turbocharged five-cylinder 2.5-litre engine.

New 2020 Audi RS3: 394bhp hot hatch drops disguise

BMW X2 facelift

After three years on sale, BMW is updating its, erm, SAC – that's sports activity coupé, or 'sloped-roof crossover' to you and me. The facelift will introduce styling tweaks and technology upgrades, plus a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain is set to feature.

BMW X2 facelift to bring styling tweaks and tech upgrades

Mercedes-AMG GT 73 4-Door Coupé

Two years after the brilliant, conventional GT 63, will come the plug-in hybrid GT 73. This will use the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine but match it with an electric motor on the front axle, resulting in four-wheel drive and a 0-62mph time below 3.0sec. Oh, plus super-low official CO2 emissions, and thus BIK tax, thanks to a 31-mile electric-only range. Madness.

Mercedes-AMG GT 73 plug-in hybrid teased in new video

Pininfarina Battista

The first offering from Automobili Pininfarina is a 1900bhp ‘halo’ model for a line-up that will stretch from electric hypercars to upmarket performance-themed SUVs. Much of the technology has been developed by the increasingly influential Rimac, and fine-tuned with input from Formula E racer Nick Heidfeld. It’s said to be the most powerful Italian road car yet, with its makers claiming a 0-62mph time of less than two seconds and a top speed of 217mph.

Pininfarina Battista: 1900bhp EV hits the road in new images

Porsche 718 GT4 RS

Spotted just a day after Porsche’s boss of sports cars hinted that it was in development, the 718 GT4 RS is a feistier take on the acclaimed GT4. Powertrain mods are unconfirmed, but bodywork additions hint at some serious track potential. Porsche has never produced a GT4 RS before, claiming in the past that one would be too close to its 911 GT models in terms of price and performance, but the new 4.0-litre flat six found in the GT4 will need to see use in more models to justify its development costs. 

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 review

Ssangyong Korando EV

The South Korean firm’s new Nissan Qashqai rival arrived in 2019 with conventional petrol and diesel powertrains but will soon gain an electric variant inspired by the recent e-SIV concept. It is expected to get only small visual changes compared with the conventionally powered car, which is now in its fourth generation. Ssangyong UK boss Nick Laird said the upcoming electric version would still be “a proper 4x4”, suggesting it will feature all-wheel drive and compete with the diesel version for towing ability.

2019 Ssangyong Korando to lead brand's electrification plans

Subaru Levorg

The second-generation Levorg will aim to turn around slow UK sales with an overhauled version of Subaru’s four-wheel-drive estate. It will be built on the Subaru Global Platform and be powered by a newly developed 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The company is also working on a performance version, dubbed STI Sport, which should feature an increased power output and more aggressive styling.

New Subaru Levorg revealed as 'grand touring' estate

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

With 302bhp, the hot plug-in RAV4 will be the company’s quickest alternatively fuelled car yet, managing 0-62mph in 6.2sec while still delivering what Toyota calls “best in class” fuel economy and emissions. The fifth-generation RAV4 will be capable of 37 miles of electric-only running in PHEV form, which uses the same 2.5-litre petrol engine as the regular hybrid and has four-wheel drive as standard. It will also benefit from Toyota’s most up-to-date driver assistance systems and get interior technology upgrades including a colour head-up display.

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid launched with 298bhp powertain

Uniti One

Never heard of Uniti? The Swedish EV start-up has big ambitions to sell the One, not just to private customers but also to businesses as a fleet mobility solution. Priced from just £15k, it has three seats in a McLaren F1-style layout, will do 75mph flat out and weighs just 600kg. Top models have a range of up to 186 miles. It’s also engineered in Norfolk, where it will initially be built. The engineering brief, according to the boss of Uniti, was to “build a safe car that’s lightweight. UK engineers are the best in the world at that”.

Uniti One electric car available to order online from £15,100

Volkswagen Golf R

The most powerful Golf variant is expected to again use a heavily modified version of VW’s venerable EA888 2.0-litre petrol motor, paired with four-wheel drive. It should be offered in two performance levels, with an entry-level R due to pack at least 300bhp to rival the likes of BMW’s M135i and the Mercedes-AMG A35. A range-topping Golf R Plus could then have that output boosted to 350bhp - less than the 400bhp previously rumoured that would have seen it go head to head with Mercedes-AMG’s A45.

New VW Golf GTI is one of four hot Golfs launching in 2020

Spring 2021

Aston Martin Valkyrie

Created with input from Formula 1 design ace Adrian Newey and claimed by Aston boss Andy Palmer to be capable of lapping Silverstone “as fast as an F1 car”. Power comes from a 6.5-litre Cosworth-developed V12 engine and a Rimac-derived electric motor. Sources have suggested the Valkyrie will generate up to 4000lb (1816kg) of downforce at top speed.

Aston Martin Valkyrie: V12 engine sound heard in new video

Audi Q5 Sportback

BMW iX3

BMW's second full-EV arrives nearly seven years after the i3, and is the first of three i-branded electric models to go on sale by 2022. Built in China, the X3-based EV uses Munich's fifth-generation eDrive system, which offers 282bhp and a range of nearly 300 miles. 

Tesla Model S Plaid

The Model S Plaid (named in reference to classic Mel Brooks comedy Spaceballs) gains an extra motor, allowing for torque vectoring, and battery capacity has been increased to deliver more performance without sacrificing range. The headline figures: £130,980, 1100bhp, 0-60mph in less than 2.0secs and a top speed of over 200mph.

Tesla Model S Plaid: 200mph saloon promises 520-mile range

Tesla Model X Plaid

Any improvements Tesla makes to the Model S saloon in its goal to best the Porsche Taycan will then be carried across to what is already the fastest-accelerating seven-seater on sale. Upping the Model X motor count to three could see it shed even more time off an already meteoric 0-60mph time of 2.7sec, while battery capacity is also expected to increase.