OK, I’ll admit it. I’ve got the best job on the paper. I’ll be driving most of these cars over the next 12 months and I can’t bleedin’ wait.
Here are 20 for 2020.
On the road: March
THE Puma badge is back – but will now live on the nose and tail of a small crossover, rather than a baby coupe.
The new version still looks nicely sporty though, it has not completely betrayed its roots, and it is bound to find love among a young family audience, especially as prices start from £22,000.
The entry-level engine is the same 1-litre three-pot turbo found in the Fiesta and Focus, a spirited and characterful engine producing 123bhp, except it will also be available as a mild hybrid in the Puma.
The new Puma sounds genuinely practical with a deep “Megabox” boot with a plug hole in the floor and seat covers you can stick in the washing machine.
The best news of all, though, is an ST version has already been spotted testing.
On the road: Spring 2020
THE all-electric Mini shares much of its DNA with the BMW i3, which is encouraging news, as that is already a deeply impressive car.
But true to Mini form, the Mini Electric will have go-kart like handling and possibly the coolest design in the hatchback segment.
Prices start at just £24,000, which makes the relatively low range of 145 miles more acceptable.
An 80 per cent charge can be achieved at home with a wallbox in just four hours.
It should be a spritely, if not fast, drive, doing 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and with a top speed of 93mph.
On the road: Summer 2020
IS it VW’s most important car since Beetle and Golf? You betcha.
Is it the car to turn us into a nation of EV converts? That’s too big a job for a single car to manage, but it sounds like the ID.3 has the goods to deliver battery power to a wider audience.
How? By being a more practical, better-looking EV than current market leaders like the Nissan
Leaf and Renault Zoe.
That’s the VW way, after all: make quality cars which appeal to the masses.
It’s expected prices will float around the £30,000 mark, depending on the size of the battery, which is a healthy saving over the Tesla Model 3 at £38,500.
With the 77kWh battery, the Golf-sized ID.3 should boast a range of up to 342 miles, and with 201bhp on tap it’s in small hot hatch territory for performance.
The 45kWh version will be good for 148bhp and a pack range up to 205 miles. Tempted yet?
On the road: Early 2020
HANDS down the most talked about car of 2019, and chatter won’t subside anytime soon about the new Defender – the return of one of the most iconic cars ever.
The first thing to remember is that it is still a mountain goat.
Thanks to modern goodies, such as electronic differentials, it’s more capable than ever. So if wading through rivers is how you get the kids to school, the Defender is still the car for you.
But this new version is every bit the premium vehicle when used for everyday life, with comfort and driving dynamics paramount in its engineering.
This split personality is sure to win a wider fanbase than the basic and – let’s face it – not very comfy old Defender. Starting price £40k.
On the road: Late 2020
ONE of Audi’s biggest sellers, the A3 is set to receive a major tech refresh a la VW Golf. Spy pictures of de-camouflaged prototypes reveal a chrome strip running the entire length of the car. Hmmm. These possibly might not make it to the finished article, of course, but they’re bound to polarise opinion if they do.
The usual line-up of Volkswagen Group engines will be on offer, including efficient 1-litre and 1.5-litre turbo petrols, and the 2-litre TDI diesel will also make a return.
You won’t be surprised to learn there’s a hybrid on the way, too.
Be patient, RS3 fans. Your prayers will be answered but not until 2021.
On the road: Summer 2020
IT’S fair to say the current Yaris is a good, sensible car for old people.
But this new Yaris? It will catch the eye of young people because it looks properly tidy.
It’s the first small Toyota to be built on a new platform that radically improves pretty much everything: Dynamics, safety and design.
The end result is a car with a lower centre of gravity, stiffer body, longer wheelbase, centre air bag and bags more style.
And of course, being a Toyota, it will be powered by a new 1.5-litre three- cylinder hybrid that’s more powerful, more fuel efficient and cleaner. Around £15,000.
On the road: Early 2020
WANT a quality new car on a budget? Then the Hyundai i10 could be the motor for you.
Prices will start at just £12,495, which is bargain basement territory. That money even gets you DAB radio, Bluetooth, air-con, electric windows, leather interior trim and cruise control.
For those who like driving, the entry- level 66bhp 1-litre three-cylinder engine might not sound quite so appealing.
But more powerful options will be available, including a 99bhp 1.2-litre petrol unit found in the N Line trim. It’s the first time the i10 has worn the N badge.
An optional tech pack, available on Premium spec models, adds wireless phone charging, enhanced navigation features and speed-limit recognition. Small car, big quality.
On the road: Autumn 2020
WE drove the new Golf last month so it follows that a new Seat Leon is on the way.
Sharing all the bones of Golf Mk8, engines, chassis, electrics, etc, Leon is expected to be brought on significantly in terms of interior looks and tech updates.
A teaser video shows ambient lighting inside, full LED headlights and a full rear light bar, like the one on the Tarraco SUV.
Like the Golf, new hybrid engines will be available. Starting price around £20k.
On the road: Late 2020/early 2021
OK, it won’t hit showrooms until 2021, but its such a H U G and E car for Britain and Nissan’s Sunderland factory.
We’ll see the final version this year, and it’s been confirmed hybrid technology will make its way into the Qashqai’s engine line-up.
Nissan won’t spend 2020 sitting on its hands, though.
There’s a new 370Z two-seat coupe on the way – hurrah – and the all-electric Ariya SUV should be in showrooms at the tail end of the year. The Ariya is similar in size to X-Trail, although boasting much sportier looks.
On the road: Spring 2020
NOT everyone’s cup of tea in terms of looks, but the Kia Soul is a great car, if a little boxy.
The new Soul EV has a claimed range of 280 miles, thanks to the same 64kWh battery used in the Kia e-Niro.
Interior space has been improved, and it can charge to 80 per cent capacity from a 50kW rapid charger in 75 minutes.
If you can find a free 100kWh charger, it will top up to around 80 per cent in 40 minutes.
Performance has been hugely improved too, jumping from 109bhp to 201bhp, with a load more torque.
LED headlights, multiple colour combinations and 17in alloys should all help it appeal to a wider audience.
Prices will start at £33,795 with the Government’s £3,500 plug-in car grant.
On the road: Early 2020
THE third-gen Kuga has been redesigned from the ground upwards.
Let’s face it, the old Kuga was no looker, but this version is quite handsome. It will also be offered for the first time as a plug-in hybrid.
In terms of pricing, the base-spec Zetec model will cost £23,995 and will be powered by a 118bhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine.
The top-spec Vignale trim will set you back £31,945.
To win new, younger customers, all Kugas will come as standard with a Ford Pass Connect embedded modem, wireless smartphone charging and a suite of new driver assistance and safety features.
On the road: Spring 2020
GIVING the BMW X2 something to think about, covers came off the Mercedes GLA at the beginning of December, revealing a smarter, less wishy-washy design.
The lines have been squared off, giving it tougher look. Sod it, I’ll just say it: It no longer looks like a hairdresser’s car.
It’s built on the same platform as the A-Class family, and Merc has promised a potent AMG 35 version, with 302bhp to play with.
And, as is the way of the world, a plug-in hybrid will be available.
Also following current trends, the GLA is 10mm taller, and has the same tech as the A-Class, including the MBUX infotainment system, complete with a 10.25in touchscreen.
That’s a good thing because the A-Class has one of the best interiors of any small car on the planet.
On the road: Late 2020
JUST like the Mini hatch, the dinky 500 is the perfect size to run on pure electric.
Prototypes have been seen testing and the model is expected to say buongiorno at March’s Geneva Motor Show.
Not much is known about the 500e’s range as yet but I’d expect it to do 140-50 miles between charges, much like the Mini Electric.
And it will go head-to-head on pricing, too, at around £25,000.
On the road: Summer 2020
THERE is a lot riding on this car. It has to be a success.
Aston has built a new factory in Wales to make DBX and it is crucial to the company’s future.
Aston’s share price has been up and down more than the Pepsi Max Big One in recent months.
But for some reason folks with more money than taste are hoovering up fast SUVs at the moment, so the DBX could do the business.
Costing just a little more than a Bentley Bentayga, but much better looking, the streets of Mayfair are set to become a lot prettier. Prices from £158,000.
On the road: Autumn 2020
ONE of the most contradictory cars we’ve seen, yet also one of the most fascinating.
This fully-electric SUV is half-sister to the fire-breathing V8 muscle car. Go figure.
It’s a crucial model in Ford’s almost panicked campaign to catch up with the rest of the industry in terms of EV models.
Emission laws set by the EU will come into effect by 2021, which could cripple Ford if it doesn’t start eroding the average CO2 of all the cars it sells in Europe.
The Mach-E looks the part, and even the £40,000 cheapest version offers 258bhp to play with.
There will be a faster version with longer range, but the base model will do 280 miles on one charge, more than enough for most people.
That is, of course, if you have a driveway or garage where you can charge it overnight. Same old EV problem.
On the road: Spring 2020
SKODA’S best-selling car is entering its fourth generation next year, bringing with it a fresh new look plus a plug-in hybrid option.
Playing to the Octavia’s existing strengths, interior space has been improved.
It also adds ten litres more boot space in the saloon version, and 30 litres more if you opt for the estate.
Skoda says the quality of the interior has been improved too, with soft-touch fabrics and a floating touchscreen, which is 8.25in as standard, 10in in higher trim levels.
In terms of engines, the entry point will be the 108bhp 1-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol, although the 187bhp 2-litre TSI will be a more engaging drive.
The lower-powered engines in the range will be available as mild hybrids, but there will also be a plug-in option, powered by a 1.4-litre engine and a 101bhp electric motor.
On the road: Spring 2020
THIS will be the first Cupra which isn’t based on an existing Seat model.
We’ve had the Cupra Ateca, but Seat’s performance sub brand heads in a direction of its own with the Formentor.
It’s a sporty SUV – no surprise, there – with a raking roofline and a lower, wider stance than your typical crossover.
It will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbo petrol aided by an electric motor with a total output of 242bhp, so it won’t be short of speed. That said, it’s still not as daft as a T-Roc R.
The interior will get a 12in touchscreen and sporty bucket seats, because that’s just what every family-size car needs.
Expected prices around £40,000.
On the road: Summer 2020
ELON MUSK knows how to generate a headline or two, but billing the Tesla Roadster as “the quickest car in the world” was one of his more attention-grabbing claims.
The Roadster apparently has a 0-60mph time of 1.9 seconds and a top speed of over 250mph. Yikes.
More than that, Musk promises it will be able to cover 620 miles on a full charge, thanks to a 200kWh battery pack.
To reserve a place on the list, you’ll need to put down £38,000, which goes towards the £189,000 price tag.
Although not a lot more is known about it, the Roadster is expected to have room for four, despite its name, and will come with a removable glass roof, for those days you fancy drying your hair in two seconds flat.
Expect plenty of Tesla’s autonomous driving tech, too.
On the road: Late 2020
YOU can’t do a round-up of cars for the year ahead without mentioning the Lotus Evjia.
Yes, it’s total fantasyland, but surely there isn’t a car fan in the world who isn’t intrigued to know what 2,000hp feels like.
Some people are sceptical about this new breed of EV hypercar.
They say the promised power and performance is either unusable, or simply pointless and a great way to lose all your money on tyres.
Me, I say bring it on. If we all have to switch to driving battery-powered cars one day, let these pioneering manufacturers do the leg work on making them fast and fun to drive, so that by the time we have to say goodbye to petrol for good, the exciting tech has filtered down to the more affordable EVs.
Because with a price tag of £2million, there ain’t no way I’ll be affording one of the 130 Evija’s being made.
On the roads: Probably never.
JUST as everyone else is going electric and hybrid, cowering at the feet of the emissions-police in Brussels, Lamborghini is releasing a one-off V12 hyper-monster of a car.
The SC18 Alston is based on Lambo’s flagship Aventador SVJ model, but it has been given a thorough reworking by its Squadra Corse (that’s “racing” to the likes of you and me) division.
It’s the first time that has happened, and the result is a carbon fibre-festooned, 770bhp rocketship which is likely to sprint from 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds.
Technically road legal, the SC18 is clearly designed with the track in mind.
Even for Lambo, it’s gone overboard on the aero, with a huge rear spoiler which will create enough downforce to crush a piece of coal into a diamond.
If you have to ask for the price, you can’t afford one.
BOOK time off work for one of these brilliant events and you won’t be disappointed:
AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL – Jan 9-12, NEC, Birmingham. Mecca for motorsport fans. Tickets £34 includes Live Action show and entry to Performance & Tuning Car Show next door.
CARAVAN, CAMPING & MOTORHOME SHOW – Feb 18-23, NEC, Birmingham. Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Get in here before you get out there. Tickets £8, including parking.
NITRO WORLD GAMES – May 23-24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff. First time outside of America. Freestyle motocross, BMX, skate and scooter. Hosted by Travis Pastrana and Tony Hawk.
GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED – July 9-12, Goodwood, West Sussex. Petrolhead heaven. If you can only go to one event, this is the one.
BRITISH F1 GRAND PRIX – July 17-19, Silverstone. It’s not cheap but kids ten and under go free. C’mon, Lewis. C’mon, Lando.
CARFEST NORTH – July 24-26, Bolesworth, Cheshire. Music, cars and family fun raising millions for UK children’s charities. Sign up for ticket alerts at carfest.org.
THE BRITISH MOTOR SHOW – Aug 20-23, Farnborough International Expo Centre, Hants. New for 2020 but sounds promising. Go to thebritishmotorshow.live.
CARFEST SOUTH – Aug 28-30, Laverstoke Park Farm, Hants. See CarFest North listing, left.
BRITISH MOTOGP – Aug 28-30, Silverstone. See all your heroes – Marquez, Rossi et al – from just £15.
GOODWOOD REVIVAL – Sept 11-13, Goodwood, West Sussex. Timewarp race weekend with everyone in period clothing.
WALES RALLY GB – Oct 29-Nov 1, North Wales. Pack wellies and flask for UK round of World Rally Championship. C’mon Elfyn.
