THE past year has been a chaotic one in the world of motoring.
From boomeranging Net Zero deadlines to controversial rebrands and famous names teetering on the “brink of collapse”, the industry will herald the end of a difficult 2024.
But time stands still for no manufacturer and there are plenty of new models already confirmed to be hitting showrooms in 2025.
Here are five of the most anticipated new release on the way in the coming months.
The ID.2 sits at the head of a family of new electric hatchbacks and small SUVs set to be released by Europe’s largest carmaker.
It will debut alongside cousins like the Skoda Epiq, with which it shares a platform based on a 226-horsepower electric motor and front-wheel drive system.
VW is also planning to produce a sporty GTI version of the car, which will feature more aggressive styling and a power boost to match.
Dacia is becoming increasingly successful in its bid to corner the market for affordable cars and the new Bigster is its latest cheap and cheerful entry.
Given that the price of new motors has risen well above inflation over the past decade, drivers will be relieved to learn of its sub-£30,000 starting price.
That makes it one of the cheapest SUV models on the market.
But there’s no scrimping on creature comforts, with a roomy interior, comfortable ride and four-wheel drive option.
Jaguar has come in for a lot of criticism in recent months following a radical rebrand in November.
The firm’s new creative direction, characterised by a bizarre advertising campaign, was branded as “woke” by some, with the brand accused of alienating its core customers.
Yet bosses remain convinced by the “bold” new approach, which will see Jag halt all new sales for a year before relaunching as an EV-only company focussing on the luxury segment.
This charge will be led by its new GT model, the concept for which was unveiled earlier this month.
The car is expected to boast over 400 miles of range and a £100,000 price tag, though it has attracted ridicule for its bright pink colour.
One of the biggest emerging trends to watch in 2025 is the growing dominance of Chinese EV firms in the global market.
Several major manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover, VW and Ford have already entered into join ventures with these companies as demand for cheap electric cars grows.
But plenty of Asian carmakers are also expanding their operations in their own right, with many going beyond Chinese borders for the first time.
IM is one such firm as a subsidiary of manufacturing giant SAIC (which also owns MG).
The L6 is set to be its flagship model, rivalling more established cars like the Tesla Model 3.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, but the appeal of Chinese EVs is generally related to the fact that huge state subsidies allow brands to offer them at much lower prices.
Even the supercar brands are taking the step into the electric era – well, at least partly so.
Lamborghini will release its first full hybrid model in 2025, with the Teremario twinning a chunky V8 engine with three electric motors, laying down a top speed of 213mph
This is paired with a distinctive, hexagonal-pattern design which finds its roots in the famous Lambos of the 1960s.
As you might expect, though, it comes at quite the price, starting at £260,000.
