35 hot fresh cars still to come in 2017
Just because we’re halfway through the year doesn’t mean we’re running low on fresh cars to get excited about. Here are thirty five fresh models presently scheduled to roll off the production line before the end of 2017.
More fresh car advice on Motoring Research
Ford Fiesta
There might be a fresh Fiesta on the way, but that hasn’t stopped the outgoing version from topping the sales charts across the UK and Europe. But all good things have to end, and the fresh seventh-generation Fiesta will be on sale next month, with prices embarking at £12,715. The regular hatchback models will be available very first, including fancy Vignale trim, with the Active crossover and ST hot hatch following on later.
Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen has taunted the fresh sixth-generation Polo but we’re only a month off the total unveiling now. Debuting on the 16th June, styling switches are will be evolutionary rather than dramatic, based on the leaked photos and spy shots. Using the same VW Group MQB A0 platform as the fresh Seat Ibiza, expectations are high for improved refinement and technology.
Mazda CX-5
The compact SUV market proceeds to warmth up, and the all-new Mazda CX-5 brings good looks inspired by the smaller CX-3. On sale from the 30th June, UK buyers have a choice of Skyactiv Two.0-litre petrol or Two.2-litre diesel engines, with AWD also on the options list. Prices begin at £23,695, with generous standard equipment levels. A special Soul Crimson Crystal Metallic paint also promises to increase paintwork brightness by approximately 20% compared to the previous CX-5.
Skoda Karoq
The Yeti is dead, long live the Karoq. Substituting a cult-classic like the Yeti was always going to be difficult. However, we can’t help but be a little saddened that Skoda has forgotten the quirky qualities that made the Yeti so popular. Undoubtedly more mature, the Karoq has more than a passing resemblance to the related VW Tiguan and Seat Ateca. Given the success of the larger Kodiaq, we have no doubt the sensible Karoq will still prove to be a winner when it goes on sale later this year.
Hyundai Kona
This is Hyundai’s very first ever sub-compact SUV, and it plans to take on the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. Bold looks are significant in this segment, so Hyundai has pulled no punches in making the Kona look as distinctive as possible. Promised to be on sale by the end of 2017, the Kona is named after the eponymous district on the Big Island of Hawaii, evidently famed for its energy and unique lifestyle. The Tucson and Santa Fe are well regarded, so there’s no doubt Hyundai has SUV prowess.
Kia Stonic
Sharing a platform with the Kona will be Kia’s own take on the compact SUV segment. With a name derived from a portmanteau of speedy and tonic – yes, indeed – the Stonic looks as unique as it is badged. Expect engines to be taken from the Rio supermini, with the Stonic majoring on strong equipment levels and Kia’s generous seven-year warranty to battle the ageing Nissan Juke.
Citroen C3 Aircross
Hot off the press, and heading to showrooms on the 1st November, Citroen has killed off the C3 Picasso MPV and substituted it with a compact SUV. With even the capability to do some light off-roading, the Aircross is an significant car for Citroen, which has aims of boosting total brand sales 30% by 2021. The Aircross will emphasise customisation, with a choice of ninety colour combinations, but also technology such as wireless smartphone charging and a colour head-up display.
Nissan Qashqai
Despite being a byword for the compact crossover market, Nissan cannot afford to take market dominance for granted with the Qashqai. Fresh rivals are appearing permanently, so it should be no surprise that the second-generation car is getting a facelift. The switches are mild, with the adoption of the fresh corporate grille and reshaped headlights being the fattest difference. Inwards, and under the bonnet, remain virtually untouched with the option of a high-end Bose sound system being the only notable alteration.
Jeep Compass
Looking very much like a shrunken Grand Cherokee, Jeep is reintroducing the Compass and it’s set to be sold in one hundred countries worldwide. It’ll also be built in four global locations, with European-spec cars produced in India. Sadly UK buyers won’t be getting the amusingly named ‘Tigershark’ Two.4-litre petrol engine suggested in the USA. Instead we’ll be receiving one hundred forty and 170hp varieties of the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, or 1.6 and Two.0-litre diesels. Despite wearing the Jeep name, four-wheel drive is merely optional.
Seat Arona
Don’t confuse the name with the Arosa – Seat’s version of the Lupo city car from the late 1990s. No, the Arona is set to be a fresh compact crossover from the Spanish brand, which should look rather similar to the pictured IBX concept. Pitched as another rival to the Nissan Juke, and using the MQB A0 platform from the Ibiza, the Arona will be a five-door compact crossover. The finished version should be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Demonstrate in September, with sales possible as early as November.
Volkswagen T-Roc
After several years of playing it cool on the entire crossover segment, Volkswagen ultimately seems to have woken up to the big fresh trend. With the Tiguan shoved further upmarket, the T-Roc will be Volkswagen’s Golf-sized entry into a busy marketplace. Disregard the three-door stance of the pictured concept car, shown at the two thousand fourteen Geneva Motor Demonstrate, as the T-Roc will be a practical five-door. Engines and drivetrain options will be borrowed from the Golf hatchback, with sales set to begin by the end of 2017.
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
Like the Volkswagen Tiguan, but wish it had seven seats instead of five? Your prayers will be answered by the fresh thicker Allspace version, which looks virtually indistinguishable from the regular Tiguan SUV. With a wheelbase spread by 109mm, and overall length by 215mm, the Allspace has the option of an extra pair of seats in the rear. Luggage space has also grown by one hundred forty five litres, with the potential for a cavernous 1,920 litres with the rear seats folded plane. Expect sales to commence soon.
Volkswagen Touareg
Planned for a big expose at the Frankfurt Motor Showcase in September, we might have to wait until two thousand eighteen to actually drive the fresh Touareg. Expect styling to switch very little from the pictured T-Prime concept vehicle, which was shown off at the two thousand sixteen Beijing Auto Demonstrate, previewing the enhanced size of the next Touareg. Volkswagen promises a more upmarket practice, with a high-tech interior, and the option of a plug-in hybrid GTE version. But, as with the current second-generation car, don’t expect a V10 diesel engine to make an appearance.
Renault Koleos
Do you recall the original Koleos, sold from two thousand eight to two thousand ten in the UK, and badged as the Samsung QM5 in South Korea? No, we thought as much, given that less than Three,000 examples made it to these shores. The fresh Koleos is a far more coaxing SUV, sharing a platform with the Nissan X-Trail, albeit still built at Renault’s Korean factory. Prices commence at £27,500 for a front-wheel-drive 1.6-litre diesel, rising to £34,200 for the top-spec Two.0-litre diesel with four-wheel-drive and automatic gearbox.
Range Rover Velar
According to Land Rover, the Velar fills the ‘white space’ inbetween the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. Named after prototypes for the original Range Rover, the Velar is the fourth model in the Rangie family. Related to the Jaguar F-Pace, expect road-biased dynamics, a premium interior, and funky door treats that sit flush with the bod until the car is unlocked. Land Rover assures us that the Velar will still get dirty off-road. Prices begin at £44,830, with sales commencing in July. We can confirm that Ellie Goulding is not included on the options list.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alfa is on something of a roll at the minute, with the fresh Giulia saloon receiving fairly positive reviews across the board. The Stelvio shares the same platform as the Giulia, and is another chunk in the Italian company’s plans to expand sales across the globe. Albeit Alfa displayed a 510hp twin-turbo V6 Quadrifoligio model last year, UK cars will primarily be a choice of either 280hp Two.0-litre petrol turbo, or 210hp Two.2-litre diesel. All will have an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and use Alfa’s Q4 4WD system. Prices will be confirmed closer to the official launch date this summer.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Mercedes-Benz has seemingly been on a mission since the turn of the century to attempt and cover virtually every niche possible. Come in the X-Class – a pick-up truck that will be even more luxurious than the Volkswagen Amarok. Based on the Nissan Navara, the X-Class will have a usable payload of more than 1.1 tonnes. Sales will begin later this year, albeit European buyers may have to wait until two thousand eighteen to eventually get their cars. Mercedes has had such unprecedented request it’s had to create a bespoke website in the UK to treat reservations for the very first models.
Ssangyong Rexton
South Korea’s other car manufacturer is upping the rhythm in the UK with another fresh SUV. Last year’s concept version may have had plush shag-pile carpets, but sadly they don’t seem to have reached the production Rexton. But Ssangyong still promises a refined interior, with Nappa leather seats and Apple CarPlay as standard. Mercedes-Benz supplies the seven-speed auto’ gearbox, powering all four wheels courtesy of a Two.2-litre diesel engine. Expect prices under £28,000 when sales begin in the autumn.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
Vauxhall is making a major effort with the latest Insignia and, on the back of the coupe-esque four-door Grand Sport, comes the fresh estate version. Undoubtedly cool, the fresh Sports Tourer boasts more fountain space with 1,665 litres of room for all your junk in the trunk when the seats are folded vapid. Set to be on sale very soon, prices for the Insignia Sports Tourer will begin at £18,615, indicating a £1,500 premium over the four-door version.
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
After months of titillation, Tormentor Andy Murray was responsible for eventually pulling the covers off the XF Sportbrake. It’s been one of the worst kept secrets in the motoring world, with only the bizarre tennis ball camouflage disguising the finished product. Production cars will be in showrooms by the end of the year, with engine choices mirroring the saloon equivalent.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain
Despite the insistence of Mercedes-Benz on tackling every segment possible, somehow the brand had avoided the off-road estate market. Until now, that is. With standard air suspension and larger tyres enlargening ground clearance by 29mm over the normal E-Class, the All-Terrain also benefits from sturdy plastic assets mouldings and trim lumps. A 4Matic AWD system is standard, with the choice of Two.0-litre straight-four or Trio.0-litre V6 diesel engines.
Hyundai i30 Tourer
This might not seem like the sexiest of fresh estates debuting in 2017, but for those in the real world it’s still an significant addition to the wagon market. With one of the largest boots in the segment – boasting six hundred two litres with the seats up, and 1,650 litres with them down – the i30 Tourer has practicality on its side. It also majors on safety, with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, and Driver Attention Alert just some of the features included. Sales begin at the end of the summer.
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
On the other mitt, this is fairly possibly the best-looking estate we’ll see going on sale this year. It does lose out to the i30 on luggage space however, with a meagre 1,390 litres of space with the seats folded down. We doubt that most buyers expecting their cars in October will truly care, and instead will revel in the shooting brake styling. Priced from £73,017, the range-topping Turbo Sport Turismo is substantially more costly at £117,247. That does bring a 550hp twin-turbo V8 engine to the party, however.
Volkswagen Arteon
In theory the all-new Arteon goes after on from the old Passat CC, but in reality Volkswagen wants this to be seen as a further shove into premium territory. So whilst it shares a platform with the current Passat, it’s longer and broader, while also likely to be considerably more expensive. Initial engine choices will be a 280hp Two.0-litre petrol turbo, or Two.0-litre turbo diesel with 240hp, and will both feature 4WD as standard. Trim choices will be either the sporty R-Line, as pictured, or the slightly subtler Elegance version. On sale from October, but will it tempt buyers from Audi and BMW?
Kia Stinger
It’s safe to say a rear-wheel-drive Kia saloon, with the option of a 370hp twin-turbo V6 engine, wasn’t top of most predictions for what would be launched at the Detroit Auto Demonstrate. Kia took many by surprise with the Stinger, and especially with it being so close to ready for production. Available to buy at the end of the year, UK buyers will have the option of a 255hp Two.0-litre petrol turbo, 200hp Two.2-litre diesel, or the aforementioned Three.3-litre turbo V6.
Audi A8
Albeit Audi is presently keeping quiet on the finalised design of the fresh A8 saloon, it isn’t being bashful when it comes to the technical details under the skin. Mild hybrid electrified technology will be standard across the range, permitting energy recuperation and coasting to save fuel. The Audi Space Framework will use a combination of aluminium, steel, magnesium and carbonfibre, helping to save weight but keep structural rigidity high. The finished product will be unveiled next month, but expect styling cues to be taken from the two thousand fourteen Prologue concept car.
Honda Civic Type R
As the very first Civic Type R to be built for the global market, including the USA, Honda has high hopes pinned on this car. A fresh Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record has been set, which is almost de rigueur for any serious hot hatch these days. The Two.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine now produces 320hp, with the gear ratios for the six-speed manual gearbox lowered to aid acceleration. Hitting forecourts next month the base car is priced at £30,995, with the higher specification GT model an extra £2,000. Both versions come with that bodykit though…
Renault Sport Megane
This may be another car that we’ll see before the end of the year, but buyers might have to wait until two thousand eighteen to play with. Building on the legacy of previous Megane generations, expectations are high for the total expose at the Frankfurt Motor Demonstrate in September. While Renault is playing coy on the exact details, we do at least know the fresh spectacle Megane will have the option of a traditional six-speed manual, or EDC dual-clutch gearbox. Much to the delight of Renault Sport enthusiasts everywhere we imagine.
Hyundai i30 N
Anyone who doubts how earnestly Hyundai is taking development of the I30 N hot hatch should look to the latest spectacle at the Nürburgring twenty four hour race. Two production-spec I30 N models were entered, racking up more than 6,000km inbetween them. Hyundai has also tested the I30 N on UK roads, which should hopefully mean it suits our violated tarmac. Total details will come in September, but we do know the front-wheel drive hatch will feature a Two.0-litre turbo engine producing in the region of 260-290hp.
Toyota Yaris GRMN
Very first things very first – GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring. Catchy, we know. Built to coincide with Toyota’s come back to the World Rally Championship, this supermini-sized hot hatch is a genuine xxx machine. Powered by a 1.8-litre supercharged engine producing more than 205hp, with a limited-slip differential and six-speed manual gearbox as standard, this is not your Grandmother’s Yaris. Whilst we’re still awaiting an exact on-sale date, expect the very first cars before the end of 2017.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
It might still have a fabric roof, but Mercedes is keen to point out that the fresh E-Class Cabriolet can be loved all year round. Not only does it feature the optional Airscarf to suck warm air around your neck, but also a fresh Aircap system can be specified which reduces roof down turbulence. Engine choices are collective with the Coupé version, whilst 4Matic 4WD is available for the very first time on a soft-top E-Class.
Lexus LC
Despite looking much like a concept car, the fresh LC coupe is genuinely a production-ready GT. Aimed at enhancing the sporting credibility of the Lexus brand, but with a unique slant on things, think of this as a leftfield alternative to a Porsche 911. Curiously, pricing is the exact same amount at £76,595, regardless of whether buyers opt for the 467hp Five.0-litre V8 LC 500, or the Trio.5-litre V6 hybrid LC 500h. Deliveries will begin to UK customers in August this year.
Audi RS5 Coupé
Gone is the Four.2-litre V8 engine for the fresh RS5 Coupé, and in comes a Two.9-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 450hp and 443lb ft of torque. So while the V8 noise may have departed, spectacle is still suitably rapid with 0-62mph in Three.9 seconds. Audi also seems to want us to know the RS5 can drift, presumably thanks to the Quattro Sport Differential, which all UK cars receive as standard. This apportions torque more effectively to rear wheels, permitting for things to get a little lairy. With the RS5 having been available to order since May, the very first customers should receive their cars later this summer.
BMW M4 CS
Another special edition BMW M4? Oh yes, indeed. Designed to sit inbetween the xxx M4 GTS and M4 Competition Pack, the CS blends elements of both cars together. Power is upped to 460hp, with suspension settings carried over from the Competition Pack machine. The carbonfibre bonnet and rear diffuser from the GTS make an appearance, but the CS features rear seats and does without a roll cell. Sales begin next month, priced at £89,130 – more than £30,000 cheaper than the M4 GTS.
Alpine A110
Recreating a sports car very first introduced in the 1960s, the fresh Alpine A110 is a modern reinterpretation of that retro machine. The engine has moved from the rear to the middle for 2017, with a 1.8-litre turbocharged unit producing 252hp. The initial launch edition ‘Premiere’ model is priced at €58,500 (£51,427) and is limited to 1,955 models. While customers in left-hand drive countries will receive their cars by the end of 2017, UK buyers will have to wait slightly longer for right-hand drive versions.
35 hot fresh cars still to come in 2017, Motoring Research
35 hot fresh cars still to come in 2017
Just because we’re halfway through the year doesn’t mean we’re running low on fresh cars to get excited about. Here are thirty five fresh models presently scheduled to roll off the production line before the end of 2017.
More fresh car advice on Motoring Research
Ford Fiesta
There might be a fresh Fiesta on the way, but that hasn’t stopped the outgoing version from topping the sales charts across the UK and Europe. But all good things have to end, and the fresh seventh-generation Fiesta will be on sale next month, with prices kicking off at £12,715. The regular hatchback models will be available very first, including fancy Vignale trim, with the Active crossover and ST hot hatch following on later.
Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen has taunted the fresh sixth-generation Polo but we’re only a month off the utter unveiling now. Debuting on the 16th June, styling switches are will be evolutionary rather than dramatic, based on the leaked pictures and spy shots. Using the same VW Group MQB A0 platform as the fresh Seat Ibiza, expectations are high for improved refinement and technology.
Mazda CX-5
The compact SUV market resumes to fever up, and the all-new Mazda CX-5 brings good looks inspired by the smaller CX-3. On sale from the 30th June, UK buyers have a choice of Skyactiv Two.0-litre petrol or Two.2-litre diesel engines, with AWD also on the options list. Prices begin at £23,695, with generous standard equipment levels. A special Soul Crimson Crystal Metallic paint also promises to increase paintwork brightness by approximately 20% compared to the previous CX-5.
Skoda Karoq
The Yeti is dead, long live the Karoq. Substituting a cult-classic like the Yeti was always going to be difficult. However, we can’t help but be a little saddened that Skoda has forgotten the quirky qualities that made the Yeti so popular. Undoubtedly more mature, the Karoq has more than a passing resemblance to the related VW Tiguan and Seat Ateca. Given the success of the larger Kodiaq, we have no doubt the sensible Karoq will still prove to be a winner when it goes on sale later this year.
Hyundai Kona
This is Hyundai’s very first ever sub-compact SUV, and it plans to take on the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. Bold looks are significant in this segment, so Hyundai has pulled no punches in making the Kona look as distinctive as possible. Promised to be on sale by the end of 2017, the Kona is named after the eponymous district on the Big Island of Hawaii, evidently famed for its energy and unique lifestyle. The Tucson and Santa Fe are well regarded, so there’s no doubt Hyundai has SUV prowess.
Kia Stonic
Sharing a platform with the Kona will be Kia’s own take on the compact SUV segment. With a name derived from a portmanteau of speedy and tonic – yes, truly – the Stonic looks as unique as it is badged. Expect engines to be taken from the Rio supermini, with the Stonic majoring on strong equipment levels and Kia’s generous seven-year warranty to battle the ageing Nissan Juke.
Citroen C3 Aircross
Hot off the press, and heading to showrooms on the 1st November, Citroen has killed off the C3 Picasso MPV and substituted it with a compact SUV. With even the capability to do some light off-roading, the Aircross is an significant car for Citroen, which has aims of boosting total brand sales 30% by 2021. The Aircross will emphasise customisation, with a choice of ninety colour combinations, but also technology such as wireless smartphone charging and a colour head-up display.
Nissan Qashqai
Despite being a byword for the compact crossover market, Nissan cannot afford to take market dominance for granted with the Qashqai. Fresh rivals are appearing permanently, so it should be no surprise that the second-generation car is getting a facelift. The switches are mild, with the adoption of the fresh corporate grille and reshaped headlights being the largest difference. Inwards, and under the bonnet, remain virtually untouched with the option of a high-end Bose sound system being the only notable alteration.
Jeep Compass
Looking very much like a shrunken Grand Cherokee, Jeep is reintroducing the Compass and it’s set to be sold in one hundred countries worldwide. It’ll also be built in four global locations, with European-spec cars produced in India. Sadly UK buyers won’t be getting the amusingly named ‘Tigershark’ Two.4-litre petrol engine suggested in the USA. Instead we’ll be receiving one hundred forty and 170hp varieties of the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, or 1.6 and Two.0-litre diesels. Despite wearing the Jeep name, four-wheel drive is merely optional.
Seat Arona
Don’t confuse the name with the Arosa – Seat’s version of the Lupo city car from the late 1990s. No, the Arona is set to be a fresh compact crossover from the Spanish brand, which should look rather similar to the pictured IBX concept. Pitched as another rival to the Nissan Juke, and using the MQB A0 platform from the Ibiza, the Arona will be a five-door compact crossover. The finished version should be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Display in September, with sales possible as early as November.
Volkswagen T-Roc
After several years of playing it cool on the entire crossover segment, Volkswagen eventually seems to have woken up to the big fresh trend. With the Tiguan shoved further upmarket, the T-Roc will be Volkswagen’s Golf-sized entry into a busy marketplace. Disregard the three-door stance of the pictured concept car, shown at the two thousand fourteen Geneva Motor Demonstrate, as the T-Roc will be a practical five-door. Engines and drivetrain options will be borrowed from the Golf hatchback, with sales set to begin by the end of 2017.
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
Like the Volkswagen Tiguan, but wish it had seven seats instead of five? Your prayers will be answered by the fresh fatter Allspace version, which looks virtually indistinguishable from the regular Tiguan SUV. With a wheelbase opened up by 109mm, and overall length by 215mm, the Allspace has the option of an extra pair of seats in the rear. Luggage space has also grown by one hundred forty five litres, with the potential for a cavernous 1,920 litres with the rear seats folded plane. Expect sales to commence soon.
Volkswagen Touareg
Planned for a big expose at the Frankfurt Motor Display in September, we might have to wait until two thousand eighteen to actually drive the fresh Touareg. Expect styling to switch very little from the pictured T-Prime concept vehicle, which was shown off at the two thousand sixteen Beijing Auto Display, previewing the enhanced size of the next Touareg. Volkswagen promises a more upmarket practice, with a high-tech interior, and the option of a plug-in hybrid GTE version. But, as with the current second-generation car, don’t expect a V10 diesel engine to make an appearance.
Renault Koleos
Do you reminisce the original Koleos, sold from two thousand eight to two thousand ten in the UK, and badged as the Samsung QM5 in South Korea? No, we thought as much, given that less than Three,000 examples made it to these shores. The fresh Koleos is a far more wooing SUV, sharing a platform with the Nissan X-Trail, albeit still built at Renault’s Korean factory. Prices embark at £27,500 for a front-wheel-drive 1.6-litre diesel, rising to £34,200 for the top-spec Two.0-litre diesel with four-wheel-drive and automatic gearbox.
Range Rover Velar
According to Land Rover, the Velar fills the ‘white space’ inbetween the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. Named after prototypes for the original Range Rover, the Velar is the fourth model in the Rangie family. Related to the Jaguar F-Pace, expect road-biased dynamics, a premium interior, and funky door treats that sit flush with the figure until the car is unlocked. Land Rover assures us that the Velar will still get dirty off-road. Prices begin at £44,830, with sales commencing in July. We can confirm that Ellie Goulding is not included on the options list.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alfa is on something of a roll at the minute, with the fresh Giulia saloon receiving fairly positive reviews across the board. The Stelvio shares the same platform as the Giulia, and is another lump in the Italian company’s plans to expand sales across the globe. Albeit Alfa displayed a 510hp twin-turbo V6 Quadrifoligio model last year, UK cars will primarily be a choice of either 280hp Two.0-litre petrol turbo, or 210hp Two.2-litre diesel. All will have an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and use Alfa’s Q4 4WD system. Prices will be confirmed closer to the official launch date this summer.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Mercedes-Benz has seemingly been on a mission since the turn of the century to attempt and cover virtually every niche possible. Inject the X-Class – a pick-up truck that will be even more luxurious than the Volkswagen Amarok. Based on the Nissan Navara, the X-Class will have a usable payload of more than 1.1 tonnes. Sales will begin later this year, albeit European buyers may have to wait until two thousand eighteen to ultimately get their cars. Mercedes has had such unprecedented request it’s had to create a bespoke website in the UK to treat reservations for the very first models.
Ssangyong Rexton
South Korea’s other car manufacturer is upping the rhythm in the UK with another fresh SUV. Last year’s concept version may have had plush shag-pile carpets, but sadly they don’t seem to have reached the production Rexton. But Ssangyong still promises a refined interior, with Nappa leather seats and Apple CarPlay as standard. Mercedes-Benz supplies the seven-speed auto’ gearbox, powering all four wheels courtesy of a Two.2-litre diesel engine. Expect prices under £28,000 when sales begin in the autumn.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
Vauxhall is making a major effort with the latest Insignia and, on the back of the coupe-esque four-door Grand Sport, comes the fresh estate version. Undoubtedly killer, the fresh Sports Tourer boasts more geyser space with 1,665 litres of room for all your junk in the trunk when the seats are folded vapid. Set to be on sale very soon, prices for the Insignia Sports Tourer will begin at £18,615, signifying a £1,500 premium over the four-door version.
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
After months of titillation, Master Andy Murray was responsible for eventually pulling the covers off the XF Sportbrake. It’s been one of the worst kept secrets in the motoring world, with only the bizarre tennis ball camouflage disguising the finished product. Production cars will be in showrooms by the end of the year, with engine choices mirroring the saloon equivalent.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain
Despite the insistence of Mercedes-Benz on tackling every segment possible, somehow the brand had avoided the off-road estate market. Until now, that is. With standard air suspension and larger tyres enlargening ground clearance by 29mm over the normal E-Class, the All-Terrain also benefits from sturdy plastic assets mouldings and trim lumps. A 4Matic AWD system is standard, with the choice of Two.0-litre straight-four or Trio.0-litre V6 diesel engines.
Hyundai i30 Tourer
This might not seem like the sexiest of fresh estates debuting in 2017, but for those in the real world it’s still an significant addition to the wagon market. With one of the fattest boots in the segment – boasting six hundred two litres with the seats up, and 1,650 litres with them down – the i30 Tourer has practicality on its side. It also majors on safety, with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, and Driver Attention Alert just some of the features included. Sales begin at the end of the summer.
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
On the other palm, this is fairly possibly the best-looking estate we’ll see going on sale this year. It does lose out to the i30 on luggage space however, with a meagre 1,390 litres of space with the seats folded down. We doubt that most buyers expecting their cars in October will truly care, and instead will revel in the shooting brake styling. Priced from £73,017, the range-topping Turbo Sport Turismo is substantially more costly at £117,247. That does bring a 550hp twin-turbo V8 engine to the party, however.
Volkswagen Arteon
In theory the all-new Arteon goes after on from the old Passat CC, but in reality Volkswagen wants this to be seen as a further shove into premium territory. So whilst it shares a platform with the current Passat, it’s longer and broader, while also likely to be considerably more expensive. Initial engine choices will be a 280hp Two.0-litre petrol turbo, or Two.0-litre turbo diesel with 240hp, and will both feature 4WD as standard. Trim choices will be either the sporty R-Line, as pictured, or the slightly subtler Elegance version. On sale from October, but will it tempt buyers from Audi and BMW?
Kia Stinger
It’s safe to say a rear-wheel-drive Kia saloon, with the option of a 370hp twin-turbo V6 engine, wasn’t top of most predictions for what would be launched at the Detroit Auto Display. Kia took many by surprise with the Stinger, and especially with it being so close to ready for production. Available to buy at the end of the year, UK buyers will have the option of a 255hp Two.0-litre petrol turbo, 200hp Two.2-litre diesel, or the aforementioned Three.3-litre turbo V6.
Audi A8
Albeit Audi is presently keeping quiet on the finalised design of the fresh A8 saloon, it isn’t being timid when it comes to the technical details under the skin. Mild hybrid electrical technology will be standard across the range, permitting energy recuperation and coasting to save fuel. The Audi Space Framework will use a combination of aluminium, steel, magnesium and carbonfibre, helping to save weight but keep structural rigidity high. The finished product will be unveiled next month, but expect styling cues to be taken from the two thousand fourteen Prologue concept car.
Honda Civic Type R
As the very first Civic Type R to be built for the global market, including the USA, Honda has high hopes pinned on this car. A fresh Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record has been set, which is almost de rigueur for any serious hot hatch these days. The Two.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine now produces 320hp, with the gear ratios for the six-speed manual gearbox lowered to aid acceleration. Hitting forecourts next month the base car is priced at £30,995, with the higher specification GT model an extra £2,000. Both versions come with that bodykit though…
Renault Sport Megane
This may be another car that we’ll see before the end of the year, but buyers might have to wait until two thousand eighteen to play with. Building on the legacy of previous Megane generations, expectations are high for the utter expose at the Frankfurt Motor Display in September. While Renault is playing coy on the exact details, we do at least know the fresh spectacle Megane will have the option of a traditional six-speed manual, or EDC dual-clutch gearbox. Much to the delight of Renault Sport enthusiasts everywhere we imagine.
Hyundai i30 N
Anyone who doubts how earnestly Hyundai is taking development of the I30 N hot hatch should look to the latest spectacle at the Nürburgring twenty four hour race. Two production-spec I30 N models were entered, racking up more than 6,000km inbetween them. Hyundai has also tested the I30 N on UK roads, which should hopefully mean it suits our cracked tarmac. Total details will come in September, but we do know the front-wheel drive hatch will feature a Two.0-litre turbo engine producing in the region of 260-290hp.
Toyota Yaris GRMN
Very first things very first – GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring. Catchy, we know. Built to coincide with Toyota’s come back to the World Rally Championship, this supermini-sized hot hatch is a genuine xxx machine. Powered by a 1.8-litre supercharged engine producing more than 205hp, with a limited-slip differential and six-speed manual gearbox as standard, this is not your Grandmother’s Yaris. Whilst we’re still awaiting an exact on-sale date, expect the very first cars before the end of 2017.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
It might still have a fabric roof, but Mercedes is keen to point out that the fresh E-Class Cabriolet can be loved all year round. Not only does it feature the optional Airscarf to deepthroat warm air around your neck, but also a fresh Aircap system can be specified which reduces roof down turbulence. Engine choices are collective with the Coupé version, whilst 4Matic 4WD is available for the very first time on a soft-top E-Class.
Lexus LC
Despite looking much like a concept car, the fresh LC coupe is genuinely a production-ready GT. Aimed at enhancing the sporting credibility of the Lexus brand, but with a unique slant on things, think of this as a leftfield alternative to a Porsche 911. Curiously, pricing is the exact same amount at £76,595, regardless of whether buyers opt for the 467hp Five.0-litre V8 LC 500, or the Three.5-litre V6 hybrid LC 500h. Deliveries will begin to UK customers in August this year.
Audi RS5 Coupé
Gone is the Four.2-litre V8 engine for the fresh RS5 Coupé, and in comes a Two.9-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 450hp and 443lb ft of torque. So while the V8 noise may have departed, spectacle is still suitably rapid with 0-62mph in Three.9 seconds. Audi also seems to want us to know the RS5 can drift, presumably thanks to the Quattro Sport Differential, which all UK cars receive as standard. This apportions torque more effectively to rear wheels, permitting for things to get a little lairy. With the RS5 having been available to order since May, the very first customers should receive their cars later this summer.
BMW M4 CS
Another special edition BMW M4? Oh yes, indeed. Designed to sit inbetween the xxx M4 GTS and M4 Competition Pack, the CS blends elements of both cars together. Power is upped to 460hp, with suspension settings carried over from the Competition Pack machine. The carbonfibre bonnet and rear diffuser from the GTS make an appearance, but the CS features rear seats and does without a roll box. Sales begin next month, priced at £89,130 – more than £30,000 cheaper than the M4 GTS.
Alpine A110
Recreating a sports car very first introduced in the 1960s, the fresh Alpine A110 is a modern reinterpretation of that retro machine. The engine has moved from the rear to the middle for 2017, with a 1.8-litre turbocharged unit producing 252hp. The initial launch edition ‘Premiere’ model is priced at €58,500 (£51,427) and is limited to 1,955 models. While customers in left-hand drive countries will receive their cars by the end of 2017, UK buyers will have to wait slightly longer for right-hand drive versions.