Next year promises to be a bumper 12 months for new car nuts as a flotilla of head-turning creations are lined up for production.
And there’s plenty to get petrol-heads with money to spend salivating, with some of the world’s biggest brands preparing to unleash their latest offerings.
Here’s a preview of some of the most keenly anticipated models from across the price and performance spectrum.
The Jaguar XE is billed as the new challenger to the BMW 3 series. Its powered by a four-cylinder, 2.0 litre engine plucked from Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium family of powerplants and, higher performing versions, could have a top speed of as much as 186 mph. Weight has been minimised by making 75% of its body structure from aluminium. And customers will be able to buy XEs fitters with the same V6 engine as seen in the F-type sports car. Early reports suggest it will be priced at around £29,000.
The new Audi R8 is expected to hit forecourts early next year. With an estimated price tag of £100,000, time wasters need not apply – this is for motorists seriously committed to their sports cars. According to reports, the new R8 fuses technology from the new Lamborghini Huracán with a new lighter body structure. Its predominantly aluminium frame has undergone several carbon tweaks, making it an expected 100 kg lighter than its predecessor. Entry-level models are expected to start with a 4.2 L V8 engine, with the range reportedly going right up to a 5.2 L V 10 engine.
Weighing in at £20,000 is the latest guise of one of the planet’s most popular roadsters. The Mazda MX-5 2015 will next year chart the next chapter in a 25 year history of the model which has been a bestseller throughout the world. The new version is expected to be wider, closer to the road and shorter than previous models. And it’s also been on a diet too, shedding 100 kg since its previous launch.
The Infiniti Q30, its creators say, “defies convention” and brings “an entirely new class of premium compact vehicle” to the market. With three-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel serving as Infiniti’s director of performance, this is the first vehicle to have the German’s fingerprints all over it. Carbon fibre has been incorporated throughout, providing a relatively lightweight vehicle, and speculation suggests much focus will be given to delivering a sophisticated and stylish interior packed with various clever functions.
