121 new cars: T to V
From the all-new Golf-rivalling Volvo V40 to the new Vauxhall Astra VXR and the RAK e electric two-seater
Tata Megappixel
On sale: 2016
Price: TBC
Tata claims its new four-seat range-extender electric city car will return 235mpg, emit just 22g/km of CO2 and promises a range of more than 550 miles on a single tank of fuel. The Megapixel also uses an innovative ‘Zero Turn’ system. This allows all four wheels to move independently and in different directions, making parking easy. Twin sliding doors and a pillarless body give a huge opening for climbing inside.
Touring Disco Volante
On sale: Now
Price: £750,000 (est)
The hand-made Disco Volante is based on the Alfa Romeo 8C and has been designed and built by Italian coachbuilder Touring Superleggera. Under the bonnet it uses the same 437bhp 4.7-litre V8 as the 8C, but the bodywork is all-new. The company behind the car was previously responsible for the Bentley Continental Flying Star – an estate version of the Continental GT. The new car will be built in extremely small numbers and celebrates the 60th anniversary of the original 1952 Disco Volante.
Toyota FT-Bh
On sale: N/A
Price: N/A
The Toyota FT-Bh concept is a full-hybrid city car that focuses on ultra-lightweight materials in an affordable package. To lower costs, Toyota has used existing materials and manufacturing processes and applied its powertrain knowledge to minimise emissions.
On sale: June
Price: £24,995
The GT 86 is Toyota’s half of a joint project with Subaru. The rear-drive coupe shares its 197bhp engine and six-speed manual box with the Subaru BRZ, but gets slightly softer suspension. Toyota has high hopes: it expects to sell around 4,000 of these cars every year in the UK.
Read our first drive of the GT 86 >>
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
On sale: July
Price: £14,995
The Yaris Hybrid is the cheapest hybrid in the UK. It features technology proven in the Prius, with a 1.33-litre petrol engine and electric motor working together to return 80mpg and emit 79g/km of CO2. That means the car is exempt from road tax and London’s Congestion Charge.
Vauxhall Astra VXR
On sale: Spring 2012
Price: £26,995
The new Astra VXR is Vauxhall’s most powerful hatch ever. Based on the three-door GTC, it outguns the 246bhp Ford Focus ST, 261bhp Renaultsport Megane 265 and 266bhp VW Golf R with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine producing 277bhp. That takes the VXR from 0-62mph in less than six seconds and on to 155mph. The car was developed by 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours winner Jo Winkelhock at Germany’s Nurburgring track, and benefits from a limited-slip differential to help transfer all that power to the road. Plus, the clever HiPerStrut front suspension is carried over from the standard GTC hatchback. Also included is a set of Brembo brakes, FlexRide adjustable suspension with two modes – Sport and VXR – as well as 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside are lightweight sports seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Vauxhall Insignia Bi-Turbo
On sale: Now
Price: From £27,120
This latest twin-turbocharged version of Vauxhall’s large family car produces 192bhp from its 2.0-litre CDTI diesel engine – and delivers a 50-70mph time just half a second slower than the Insignia VXR performance flagship. It’s also capable of an impressive 57.6mpg. The only real stumbling block is the high price tag.
Read our first drive on the Insignia Bi-Turbo >>
On sale: Late 2012
Price: From £15,000 (est)
A small SUV is essential nowadays for the big manufacturers – and the Mokka is Vauxhall’s offering. It will go head-to-head in the battle for sales with the trend-setting Nissan Juke, Ford’s Fiesta-based EcoSport, the Skoda Yeti and Renault’s Juke. The Mokka takes some styling cues – such as the ‘side blade’ crease in the doors – from the Astra and Insignia, although it’s roughly the same size as a Meriva, at 4.28 metres long. There’s plenty of room inside, though, with up to 1,372 litres of luggage space. That’s 542 litres more than a Juke. Two and four-wheel-drive versions will be available, while off-road technology like hill descent control and hill start assist – which prevents rolling backwards on a slope – will be offered, too. There’s a choice of three engines: a 113bhp 1.6-litre petrol, a 138bhp 1.4 turbo petrol and a 128bhp 1.7-litre diesel.
Watch our video of the Mokka at Geneva >>
Vauxhall RAK e
On sale: 2016 (est)
Price: £10,000 (est)
This is Vauxhall’s vision of future urban mobility, an EV that seats two, one behind the other. The RAK e has been designed as a rival to Renault’s pioneering Twizy, and promises a top speed of 75mph and an estimated range of up to 60 miles per charge.
Read our first drive of the RAK e >>
Volkswagen Cross Coupe
On sale: 2014
Price: £30,000 (est)
VW is aiming high with its new Cross Coupe Concept, pitching it against the Range Rover Evoque in terms of size and style. Under the bonnet, there are two electric motors mated to a 2.0 TDI engine, creating a 302bhp diesel/electric plug-in hybrid. This combination allows a 0-60mph time of less than seven seconds and a top speed of 137mph when the engine and motors are working together. In pure electric mode, it can travel 28 miles, while 800 miles is possible on a single tank of diesel. VW claims 157mpg economy and 46g/km emissions. The Cross Coupe also demonstrates styling cues for the next Tiguan, but is likely to point the way for a smaller, sportier crossover to rival the Evoque.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet
On sale: September
Price: £26,000 (est)
This is the first Golf Cabrio to bear the GTI name since the eighties MkI. It features the engine from our favourite hot hatch and all VW’s familiar GTI styling cues are present. The newcomer will do 0-62mph just four-tenths slower than the hatch, and carry on to a 147mph top speed.
Watch our video of the Golf GTI Cabriolet at Geneva >>
On sale: July
Price: £28,500
Fancy a more capable family estate but can’t quite stretch to an Audi A4 Allroad? Well, the Passat Alltrack is based on that exact car. With a ride height jacked up by 30mm and the same four-wheel drive as VW’s Tiguan, it’s ready for the rough stuff. Ninety per cent of the power is normally sent to the front wheels, but 100 per cent can been directed to the rear if needed. Stainless steel underbody guards and plastic cladding mark out the Alltrack, and the only engine option in the UK is a 2.0 TDI diesel with 138bhp or 168bhp.
Read our first drive of the Passat Alltrack >>
Volkswagen Polo Blue GT
On sale: July
Price: From £16,000 (est)
The Blue GT sits just below the Polo GTI, and has a subtle GT bodykit and 17-inch alloys. Inside, there’s a leather-clad sports steering wheel and GTI instruments. It blasts from 0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds, but cylinder deactivation technology helps it return 62.8mpg.
On sale: July
Price: £19,500 (est)
The V40 is “the car to make our competitors sit up and take notice”, says Volvo. And judging by its refined, upmarket styling, it will do just that. Volvo has its sights set on the ultra-competitive premium market that includes the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and VW Golf. The interior gets neat design touches including an illuminated gearlever, eight cabin light colours and a frameless rear-view mirror. A choice of petrol and diesel engines will be available, all with stop-start as standard and brake energy recuperation. But the most interesting is the entry-level 113bhp diesel with economy of 78mpg and road tax-free CO2 emissions of 95g/km. In line with its safety-conscious image, Volvo has introduced new technology in the V40, including a clever pedestrian airbag, which allowed designers to lower the bonnet and make the front end sleeker.
