121 new cars: M
Our round-up continues with the letter M, which includes the MINI Clubvan concept and an efficient new crossover from Mazda
Maserati Granturismo Sport
On sale: Late 2012
Price: £95,000 (est)
Plugging the gap between the GranTurismo S and the race-bred MC Stradale, the GranTurismo Sport gets a more aggressive look and a 10bhp rise in power from 444bhp to 454bhp. The result is a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds – a tenth quicker than the standard car.
On sale: Now
Price: £21,395
This VW Tiguan rival uses Mazda’s latest design language and has been built from the ground up to incorporate the company’s weight-saving SkyActiv philosophy. It will be available in two or four-wheel-drive, with a choice of one petrol and two diesel engines. The most efficient version of the CX-5 is the 2.2-litre diesel, which returns 61.4mpg and emits 119g/km of CO2.
Read our first drive of the CX-5 >>
Mazda Takeri
On sale: Late 2012
Price: £18,000 (est)
Remove some of the concept car flourishes and the Takeri is the next Mazda 6, which will debut in production-ready form at September’s Paris Motor Show. It benefits from Mazda’s range of eco-friendly SkyActiv engines, with the most efficient model emitting 109g/km of CO2 and doing 1,000 miles between fill-ups.
Read our first drive of the Takeri >>
On sale: Early 2013
Price: £20,000 (est)
All change for the new Mercedes A-Class, which turns its back on the mini-MPV look of the previous car in favour of a hatchback shape – and the bold new direction makes the model a genuine rival for the likes of the BMW 1 Series and VW Golf, plus the new Audi A3. Not only does it feature striking styling (especially on AMG-spec models, which get a diamond pattern front grille), this is also the first Mercedes to emit less than 100g/km of CO2 – in the A180 CDI. A wide choice of six petrol and diesel engines will be offered from launch. The high-quality interior is similar to that in the larger B-Class and features bold ‘bullseye’ air vents, as well as an iPad-style screen that’s fixed to the top of the dash.
Watch our video of the new A-Class at Geneva >>
Mercedes E300 Hybrid
On sale: Summer
Price: £40,000 (est)
While BMW has produced a range of performance hybrids, the diesel-electric Mercedes E-Class is all about maximising efficiency. By combining a 201bhp 2.1-litre diesel engine with a 27bhp electric motor, it can return 67.3mpg and produces just 109g/km of CO2 – better figures than both the BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid and the current class leader, the 119g/km 520d EfficientDynamics. The 0-62mph sprint takes 7.5 seconds.
Read our first drive of the E300 Hybrid >>
On sale: July
Price: £85,000 (est)
The all-new SL is 125kg lighter than the previous model thanks to its advanced aluminium bodyshell.The SL500 model is powered by a 429bhp 4.7-litre V8 capable of 31mpg, while the SL350 uses a 302bhp 3.5-litre V6 that will return 41.5mpg.
Read our first drive of the new Mercedes SL >>
Mercedes SL63 AMG
On sale: Summer
Price: £110,000 (est)
The previous SL63’s 6.3-litre V8 engine has been replaced by a 530bhp 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8, which can be boosted to 556bhp if you order the optional performance pack. Fuel economy has been improved by 30 per cent, but the new SL63 does 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds – three-tenths less than the car it replaces.
Mia Electric
On sale: Now
Price: £27,012
The Mia Electric is a French battery-powered microbus that thinks outside the box. It features lightweight plastic panels, while its 24bhp electric motor gives a range of 96 miles and top speed of 62mph, but takes only five hours to charge. Sliding doors boost practicality.
On sale: Late 2012 (est)
Price: £15,000 (est)
Based on the Clubman, the Clubvan concept ditches rear seats and blocks out the rear windows to create a commercial vehicle with a twist. A partition between the boot and the front seats prevents objects from flying forward and injuring occupants under braking, while anchor points on the floor allow you to strap things into place. Although officially still a concept, the Clubvan is likely to make production later this year – and when it does commercial buyers will be able to claim back the VAT.
MINI Countryman JCW
On sale: Autumn
Price: £27,800
The Countryman JCW is the first John Cooper Works MINI to use four-wheel drive, the only one to be offered with an automatic gearbox and the most powerful model in the JCW range. The 1.6-litre turbo has been tuned to 215bhp, so 0-62mph takes seven seconds, yet fuel economy is still a respectable 39.2mpg. Visually, you’ll be able to spot it thanks to suspension lowered by 10mm, and more extreme front and rear bumpers – not to mention the JCW badges on the grille and bootlid. Bigger brakes, retuned steering and a recalibrated ESP system have all been added to ensure handling matches the looks.
Read our first drive of the Countryman JCW >>
On sale: October
Price: £26,000 (est)
New Outlander’s curvy look is inspired by the PX-MiEV II concept, seen at 2011’s Tokyo Motor Show. A plug-in hybrid will join the range next year, but at launch there are 2.0 petrol or 2.2-litre diesel engines. Both have stop-start, and the diesel emits less than 130g/km of CO2.
Watch our video of the new Outlander at Geneva >>
Morgan Plus E
On sale: 2013
Price: £85,000 (est)
Here's where a classic design meets the future. Under the Plus E’s retro body is a 94bhp electric motor, which powers the car from 0-60mph in around six seconds. Unlike most electric cars, it uses a five-speed manual box to boost acceleration. Total range is 120 miles.
