Mercedes SLC

The SLC is simply a refreshed SLK under Mercedes' new nomenclature. As a result, the engines have remained unchanged.

The SLK 200d is now the SLC 200d. It's still a 2.1-litre 201 bhp 500 Nm diesel that averages a claimed 70.6 mpg and 114 g/km. It'll still get to 62 mph in 6.6s.

The story's the same for the petrols. Both are 2.0-litre units producing 181 and 242 bhp respectively. Their impressive 300 and 370 Nm figures help them get to 62 mph in 6.9 and 5.8s too. Mercedes likes to think that they'll both get 47 mpg, but in my experience, my personal car that has the same claimed figure actually averages 35 mpg.

The only engine that has changed is the 5.5-litre V8 of the Mercedes-AMG SLK 55. In the name of none other than efficiency, a new 3.0-litre biturbo V6 is utilised. It produces 53 bhp and 20 Nm less, but only takes 0.1s more to reach 62 mph (now 4.7s). CO2 emissions have dropped too, now costing £225 a year to tax as opposed to £265. It's dubbed the Mercedes-AMG SLC 45, has an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph and costs £8,995 less than the outgoing model. You can hardly grunt at that!

SLC 45

Some standard kit that we'll see on the new SLC includes Active Brake Assist, Attention Assist and an Active Bonnet that helps provide more of a 'crumple zone'. Headlamp Assist also shows its face, aiding with the refreshed halogen headlights. LED technology is used for the daytime running lights and tail lights.

All cars get alloy wheels, with the range kicking off with 17-inch 5-spoke wheels.

Some optional kit includes LED headlights with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus for £1,150. Keyless Go is also available for £765, which incorporates an automatic boot separator, a handy life-facilitating feature.

Its main rivals are the German alternatives, the Audi TT Roadster and BMW Z4. Audi offers the same setup of two petrols, a diesel and a hot petrol, whereas BMW has a range of no less than 5 petrols with a range-topping Z4 sDrive35iS.

These both start cheaper than Mercedes, but Mercedes' standard kit and engine outputs put even the entry-level SLC in line with some mid-spec competition.

There's also cheaper rivals to look out for like the new Mazda MX-5, or equally the Porsche Boxster which is somewhat more expensive. Saying that, its entry-level 2.7-litre V6 is capable enough to beat the SLC 300 and costs £168 more.

Mercedes C-Class Estate

Introduction

The all-new C-Class Estate followed the redesign of the hugely popular C-Class Saloon. Not only are they used by many a family across the country, but they're also favoured by company car drivers as a comfortable motorway mile muncher.

The refreshed Estate's wheelbase grew by 8cm, whilst outside, it's 9.6cm longer and 4cm wider. This all results in an increase in space inside, particularly for rear occupants. The boot size remained almost unchanged, which is no bad thing. There's 490 litres on offer in most C-Class Estates (the C 300h and C 350e get 450 and 350 litres respectively. The majority of buyers will enjoy 1,510 litres of space upon folding down the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats which come as standard right across the range (an upgrade over the previous generation's 60:40 setup).

Powertrains

Mercedes has a range of 4-cylinder engines on offer for the new C-Class Estate, as well as some nippy AMGs and sensible hybrids.

If you remain unconvinced and prefer petrol power, you haven't got much thinking to do. Your only option is the C 200. It's a 2.0-litre unit that produces a more-than-adequate 181 bhp and 300 Nm. This makes it good for 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds putting it up against the Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI and BMW 320i Touring, all of which costing between £28,400 and £28,900. Running costs of 51.4 mpg and £110 road tax don't make it a particularly enticing option when you take a look at the diesels.

The entry-level 1.6-litre C 200d produces a measly 134 bhp and 300 Nm. It's the most economical diesel too, at just over 65 mpg. That doesn't quite match rivals such as BMW's EfficientDynamics and Audi's ultra. It'll cost a tenner to tax.

There are also two 2.1-litre diesel units. The C 220d and C 250d. They produce 168 and 201 bhp respectively, as well as 400 and 500 Nm of torque. The quickest of all conventionally-powered C-Class Estates is the C 250d, reaching 62 mph in 6.9s. They're both said to do over 60 mpg, costing £10 and £20 to tax.

Although Mercedes doesn't have a four-wheel-drive 4MATIC on offer, therefore falls a pace behind the vast array of rivals (BMW 320i xDrive, 320d xDrive, 330 xDrive, 335d xDrive, Audi A4 2.0 TFSI quattro, 2.0 TDI quattro and 3.0 V6 TDI quattro), it does offer one unique prospect that the others don't. Or should I say two prospects.

The C 300h uses the 2.1-litre diesel engine as well as an additional boost provided by electricity. This means almost 230 bhp and 500 Nm, and a 0-62 mph time of 6.4s. It'll even get more than 70 mpg, and it's completely free to tax!

If it's a plug-in hybrid you're after, then look no further than the C 350e. It uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine, electricity and batteries to make 275 bhp and 600 Nm. It's half a second quicker to 62 mph than the C 300h, and produces half the CO2 (49 g/km). They say it'll do up to 134.5 mpg, too. Both hybrids cost north of £38,000.

There are even two hyper-C-Classes. The Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S utilise 4.0-litre V8 petrol engines to produce 469 and 503 bhp. With a hefty 650 and 700 Nm of torque, they're able to get to 62 mph in 4.2 and 4.1s. They both average just over 30 mpg and cost £265 to tax, emitting 196 g/km.

Standard Kit

All C-Class Estates get alloy wheels, a reversing camera, automatic wipers, a 7-inch infotainment display and an automatic powered tailgate, dubbed EASY-PACK.

Entry-level SE gets comfort suspension with 5 driving modes, a tyre pressure monitoring system, black ARTICO leather upholstery, LED daytime running lights and halogen headlights (although Audi's entry-level A4 Avant gets xenon headlights).

Active Parking Assist, upgraded alloys, LED headlights, Garmin® navigation, heated front sports seats and 15mm lower suspension are all part of the Sport trim, although it's worth noting that the C 350e Sport gets air suspension instead.

AMG Line brings along with it uprated brakes, steering and suspension as well as AMG bodystyling, sports seats and steering wheel. The 18-inch alloys are particularly charming.

Options

The cheapest package is the Executive package. It's a tad under £1,300 and is only available on entry-level SE models. It brings many of the Sport trim's features at a reduced cost.

Then you have the Premium package for almost £1,700. It has ambient lighting, keyless entry and a memory function for the front seats, steering wheel and exterior mirrors. The Premium Plus package costs nearly £3,000 and adds a 13-speaker Burmester® surround sound system and an upgraded 8.4-inch display with added functionality. This is available for Sport and AMG Line.

For £895 you can get Mercedes' highly regarded AIRMATIC self-levelling variable air suspension on Sport and AMG Line C-Class Estates.

The 360-degree camera system is a steal at £335, it's available on all by SE trims. Same goes for the panoramic glass sunroof (£900). For £825 on these trims, you can get a head-up display, but privacy glass is available across the whole range for £265.

My C-Class Estate

This is how I would order my C-Class Estate on a moderate budget:

Mercedes C 220d Sport Estate Configuration

Volkswagen Golf SV

The Golf SV (known as the Golf Sportsvan across the channel) is a successor to the dismal Golf Plus which was introduced back in 2005. Having been through two generations, Volkswagen decided it was time to do something about it. The SV is based on the latest Golf Mk7, which means it sits on the MQB platform. A scalable weight-reducing construction-facilitating setup that means many of the Volkswagen Group's cars are more closely related than we realise, including the brand-new Audi TT and even the latest-generation Volkswagen Tiguan SUV.

The SV is the length of an iPhone 6s Plus longer than the old Golf Plus, and its wheelbase is almost 5cm longer than that of the Golf Mk7. Add to this the fact that it's over 8cm wider and nearly 13cm taller and it becomes obvious that the key feature here is usability.

The Golf SV boasts a 500-litre boot, although this can be extended to 590 litres when you move the rear bench forward by 180mm. Fold down the 60:40 split folding rear seats and you have a loading space that exceeds 1,500 litres.

It's certainly adequately-sized for a family of five, but what about safety? An automatic post-collision braking system is standard across the range and helps prevent the vehicle from being involved in a second collision. Mid-spec SE models and above have seatbelt pre-tensioners, Adaptive Cruise Control, Dynamic Light Assist and a camera-assisted Lane Assist system. It has 7 airbags and 2 ISOFIX fittings in the rear. Bear in mind that the Renault Scénic has 3 ISOFIX fittings as standard, as well as keyless entry and automatic lights and wipers.

Volkswagen does have one trick up its sleeve though, in the form of the BlueMotion trim. Based on entry-level S, its 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine produces an average 108 bhp and 250 Nm, yet VW claims it can average up to 74.3 mpg, emitting 98 g/km of CO2.. What isn't offered is a hybrid, like the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 225xe which can get up to 141.2 mpg from a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol-electric setup. All models from that range come with alloy wheels, front fog lights and rear parking sensors. Another car worth mentioning is the Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive, which has a claimed 124-mile range. All B-Classes have a reversing camera as standard. Both of these cars also have four-wheel-drive guises (BMW xDrive and Mercedes 4MATIC) whereas Volkswagen lacks this.

We've talked about what other cars' features are, but what about the VW Golf SV? Well if it's alloy wheels you're looking for, you're going to have to bypass entry-level S and opt for SE. Same goes if you want automatic lights and wipers and a 3.5-inch multifunction computer for the driver, although all models come as standard with air conditioning and a 6.5-inch touchscreen, dubbed the Composition Media system. All but one, the GT. That one has a 6.5-inch Discover Navigation system with 2D and 3D mapping. It's top-of-the-range GT that you have to go for if you want front and rear parking sensors and front fog lights, things that creep up on many entry-level rivals.

Moving on to engines, there are 4 petrol and 3 diesel options, ranging from 1.2-litre to 2.0-litre outputs. Statistics for the lowest of all, the 1.2 TSI petrol, are 84 bhp and 160 Nm. That's with a 5-speed manual and a 0-62 mph time of 13.2s. The high-performance 1.4 TSI petrol is rather impressive though - 148 bhp and 250 Nm, 50 mpg and 8.8s to 62 mph.

Diesel power is Britain's main seller though, and there's a 1.6 TDI or 2.0 TDI on offer, with outputs of 108 bhp and 250 Nm, or 148 bhp and 340 Nm respectively. The 1.6 TDI, whether you buy it as a BlueMotion unit or not, is capable of more than 70 mpg, either being free to tax or falling into the first bracket of £20 a year. If you don't opt for the BlueMotion engines, you're lucky enough that every variant employs BlueMotion Technology, which features stop/start, brake energy recuperation, turbocharging and low rolling resistance tyres.

So to sum up the Golf SV, it's a practical, safe 5-seat family MPV with an enticing range of engines. But it doesn't quite live up to the fight with other German premium brands such as BMW or Mercedes. It struggles, in fact, to compete with some lower-end competition like that of Renault, despite having a starting price of £19,205 (January 2016). I therefore strongly advise you to shop around and do your homework before committing to a Golf SV, unless you're a particular Volkswagen aficionado, in which case, try to seek out a good deal at the end of a quarter, or even better, around Christmas and New Year.

That's not to say that I dislike VW's Golf SV, of course. We all know Volkswagen as an affordable premium brand whose qualities exceed many of its rivals, and whose driving experiences are often very engaging. It's just a shame that there's no real performance engine available for those who want to have a bit of fun whilst the kids are at football, like the BMW 225i xDrive.

Nevertheless, here's the way I would spec a Golf SV with a reasonable budget:

VW Golf SV Configuration

Refreshed DS 3

Citroën launched its DS3 premium supermini back in 2010. It was followed by both the DS4 and DS5 in 2011, all of which based on the pre-existing cars that were the C3, C4 and C5. In 2015, the DS4 and DS5 moved over to the DS marque, effectively becoming just the 4 and 5. This year, it's time for the final car to detach itself from Citroën and make its move over to DS, the 3, which has already sold almost 400,000 units.

Previous-generation Citroën DS3

The DS 3 is not a car for the faint-hearted. It has no less than 78 body and roof colour combinations, 4 fabric roofs and, according to DS, 3 million options for specific personalisation.

The striking new front end with its LED and xenon headlights, LED fog lights and sequential LED indicators all help to make the DS 3 a bit more appealing to those in search of a premium supermini. Note the lack of Citroën's chevrons. The new headlight system helps reduce energy consumption by up to 67%.

In order to reduce the amount of buttons cluttering the fascia, DS have fitted a 7-inch touchscreen into all new DS 3s. And an automotive favourite, CarPlay™ and MirrorLink® integration, is an option, making it more useable. In order to keep up with the premium giants like the all-new Mercedes E-Class, DS has made an effort to boost technology further. A free 'MyDS' app connects to the car in order to keep you up-to-date with fuel economy and other running stats as well as an often overlooked event - services. The reversing camera pictured below is standard on Ultra Prestige but can be specified as an option on all but Chic.

The DS Connect Box is standard across the range apart from entry-level Chic. It's able to automatically call the emergency services on the occupants' behalf, provide the driver with geographical information and inform the police of its location in the incident of theft.

Prestige and Ultra Prestige guises have Active City Brake as standard. The system is pretty self-explanatory, but what you need to know is that it works at speed of up to 18 mph. Front parking sensors are also standard on these trims, although rear sensors come on all trims apart from Chic (on which they're an option).

Its 285-litre boot puts it in line with rivals such as the Audi A1 (270 litres), although there is a decrease of 40 litres when it comes to the new DS Cabrio. Talking about the Cabrio, the fabric retractable roof can be operated at speeds of up to 70 mph, perfect for the British weather we receive too often.

A feature I'm particularly fond of is the leather-upholstered dashboard on the DS 3 Ultra Prestige, although I must say the watchstrap-style leather seats are my favourite.

I talk a lot about trim levels, but these have been changed from the old-stlye DSign, DStyle, DSport etc. The new lineup for the hatchback and Cabrio will consist of Chic, Elegance, Prestige, Ultra Prestige and DS Performance.

There are 7 engines destined for British turfs, but it's too early to say what they are. We do know that there are three 3-cylidner PureTech petrol engines, two 4-cylinder THP petrol engines and a further two BlueHDi diesels. The worst CO2 emitter produces 129 g/km, making it £110 a year to tax. Hill Start Assist comes as standard on all engines equipped with manual transmission and stop/start technology.

We do have specifications for one engine, though. The all-new DS 3 Performance. It uses a 1.6-litre THP engine with stop/start technology mated to a 6-speed manual 'box. It produces 208 bhp putting is in line with the 208 bhp Peugeot 208. It sits, therefore, above the VW Polo GTI (189 bhp) and Ford Fiesta (180 bhp), but doesn't quite reach the standards of its premium rivals, the Audi S1 (228 bhp) and MINI JCW 3-door Hatch (228 bhp). Its Torsen® limited-slip diff, 15mm lower suspension, wider tracks and high-performance brakes all make for an exciting DS 3. I'm certainly waiting with anticipation for it.

Updates to Volkswagen's 2016 Range

There are 3 cars that are receiving an injection of value in VW's range this year.

Look up!

Firstly, the entry point to the German brand, the up!, is getting a brand-new trim. It's based on the second trim, Move up!, which already consists of air conditioning and electric front windows. You're stuck with the 59 bhp 1.0-litre engine, a 5-speed manual transmission and 3 doors. That means a 0-62 mph time of 14.4s. But with what Volkswagen claims as over £1,000 of added extras for the cost of £70, you can't go wrong! Its 15-inch Fortaleza alloys and black mirror housing are particularly appealing on a city car such as the up!, and it's available from £9,995.

CC Black Editions

New features include an electric tilting sunroof and a black front grille. The first of the two, the CC GT Black Edition, gets 18-inch Lakeville alloys, whereas the second, the CC R-Line Black Edition, gets 18-inch Talladega alloy wheels. Personally, I prefer the Lakevilles.

Inside, you get Carbon Nappa leather upholstery and carbon fibre-style and piano black inserts. All of this is additional to the GT's standard spec of bi-xenon headlights, heated front seats and front and rear parking sensors. The cost? £29,150 for the GT Black Edition and £29,800 for the R-Line Black Edition. They're both a £575 increase on the models on which they're based.

Scirocco GTS

Lastly, and probably most importantly, is the addition of the GTS to the Scirocco range. It sits just below the Scirocco R, the holy grail. It has a 2.0 TSI petrol engine that kicks out 217 bhp and 350 Nm which forms the base of its 152 mph (DSG) / 153 mph (manual) top speed. Both can get to 62 mph in 6.5 s, that's a second slower than the R, and the same as the Golf GTI!

It builds on the R-Line's exterior styling with GTS badging and colour-coordinated decal go-faster stripes. It's £28,195 for the manual, with the DSG coming in at an extra £1,500.

BMW X5 xDrive40e PHEV

It's certainly a sign of the times when engaging rear-wheel-drive specialists BMW create a front-wheel-drive 7-seater MPV, but it's even more alarming when the company that creates class-leading straight-six and V8 engines brings out a range of hybrids. We've seen a very out-there i3, but now BMW is hybridifying its regular range. There's a 330e, a 225xe and even a giant SUV xDrive40e.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRDSl5t_8W0

The 2.3-tonne family SUV is powered by a 245 bhp 350 Nm 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Add to this the electric side of things, and you get a total system output of 313 bhp and 450 Nm. Power is driven through all four wheels and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Nought to sixty-two is covered in 6.8s, and the X5 xDrive40e goes on to an electronically-limited top speed of 130 mph. This is a very rarely seen powertrain setup amongst its category, with the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid and Mercedes GLE 500e 4MATIC using 3.0-litre V6 engines. At least it's a plug-in hybrid, unlike the Lexus RX 450h (which uses a 3.5-litre V6).

I'm going to cut straight to the chase here and speak the truth. The xDrive40e will not work for the majority of customers. Although its combined fuel cycle manages to return up to 85.6 mpg, even BMW admits that you will receive a claimed 43.5 mpg on an average 37-mile commute. This figure drops to a dismal 25.7 mpg on long-distance trips. The xDrive40d is over 100 kg lighter, produces the same horsepower but an additional 180 Nm of torque, costs as near as makes no difference the same as the xDrive40e, and will achieve 47.1 mpg (real-world figures won't see this drop too much below 35 mpg in my experience).

As a result of the battery pack stored below the boot floor, the boot measures 500 litres, although can be expanded to 1,720 litres upon folding down the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats. Therefore the 3rd row of seating that's optional across the range doesn't quite make it to the hybrid, although the story's the same on the soon-to-come Audi Q7 e-tron. Talking about the batteries, they will provide up to 19 miles or EV range and take just under 4 hours to charge (this reduces to 2:45 with the purchase of the BMW i Wallbox Pure).

There are 3 different driving modes - AUTO eDrive, MAX eDrive and SAVE Battery. The former is self-explanatory, the second provides power by means of electric only, and the third by petrol only. The Driving Experience Control alters the throttle and transmission response, steering and Dynamic Damper Control. The choices here are COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO. ECO PRO cuts off the engine when the vehicle is coasting, and the standard-fit sat nav gives the option to plan journeys in such a way that you can get the most miles from your gallon.

Inside, very little has changed from the regular X5. Some key changes are the hybrid-specific instrument cluster and the iDrive options, like the energy flow diagram that you can use to keep tabs on your driving.

But if the car works for you and your driving tendencies, then the xDrive40e is a particularly enticing choice, especially when you realise it's free to tax. Some standard kit includes self-levelling rear air suspension with an automatic tailgate, xenon headlights, LED fog lights and heated front seats.

If I were in the market for a premium hybrid SUV such as the X5 xDrive40e, here's how I would specify mine (without ticking every single box and doubling the price):

BMW X5 xDrive40e SE Configuration

Volkswagen Jetta

Now in its 6th generation, the Jetta is still going strong thanks to minor updates here and there. Despite North America being one of the Jetta's most important markets year after year, Volkswagen continues to offer the Jetta in Europe with minor alterations to suit our roads.

The angular front bumper and prominent 'tornado' line along the sides of the Jetta keep it looking very 21st century without being too exaggerated, bold and in-your-face. The indicators integrated into the door mirrors, silver-framed driver instruments and high-quality materials all try to persuade us that it's unnecessary to spend our money on the Passat when quality can be much more affordable.



Standard safety kit includes 6 airbags and an array or acronyms. All that's important is that the Jetta performed well in its Euro NCAP testings achieving the highest possible 5-star rating. The 3 year mechanical warranty is not alone in reassuring you that your money is well-spent. It's joined by a 12 year anti-perforation guarantee, a 3 year paint warranty and an extendable 1 year membership of Volkswagen Assistance.

When it comes to choosing engines, you're not spoilt for choice. There are two EU6-compliant engines, both with two different power outputs. The 1.4 TSI petrol engine can be had with 123 and 148 bhp outputs. Both come standard with a 6-speed manual 'box although you can have the higher output petrol with a 7-speed DSG automatic. Both cars get to 62 mph in less than 10 seconds and are said to achieve over 50 mpg. CO2 figures range from 117-125 g/km making them cost £30-£110 a year to tax.

You could, however, opt for diesel power. The 2.0 TDI is to be had with 108 and 148 bhp outputs. The lesser powered unit can be mated to a 5-speed manual 'box or a 7-speed DSG. With the manual it's capable of 70.6 mpg, emitting 105 g/km of CO2. The top-of-the-range diesel comes with 6 gears, whether it be manual or DSG automatic. It's just 0.3 of a second off the quickest 1.4 TSI to 62 mph, at 8.9 seconds. Efficiency figures vary a bit with this engine, but mated to the 6-speed manual the 148bhp 2.0 TDI should get 67.3 mpg and emit 109 g/km. All diesels cost £20-£30 a year to tax. The engine range doesn't quite compete with that of the Škoda Octavia which has emissions starting from 90 g/km for the 108 bhp 1.6 TDI.



Unlike some rivals, for example the Octavia and the Audi A3 Saloon, the Jetta cannot be specified with a high-power output to give it some oomph. The former has a vRS variant which can be had with 2.0-litre TDI and TSI engines with power ranging from 181 to 227 bhp. The latter can be bought with a crazy 296 bhp 2.0 TFSI (petrol) engine and quattro all-wheel-drive.

To go with the shortage of engines is the shortage of trim levels. With three trim levels to choose from, it can instantly be cut down to two. Although the S has air conditioning and a simple touchscreen radio system, it lacks alloy wheels which means it's a trim to disregard. SE adds 16-inch alloys, cruise control and a more sophisticated radio system with Bluetooth and DAB digital radio at a £1,330 premium. Make that a GT for another £1,570 to add luxuries such as 17-inch alloys, front fog lights and automatic wipers.



The Volkswagen is a strict saloon, unlike the Octavia and Peugeot 508 which are also available with a more practical estate guise. The Peugeot 508 can alternatively be specified as an RXH which adds four-wheel-drive and off-road rugged looks and functionality. The Peugeot uses conventional combustion engines as well as offering a HYbrid4 - the all-wheel-drive hybrid that emits 95 g/km and achieves 70.6 mpg on certain models.



If I were in the market for a car like the Jetta, after having considered carefully the other options, I would spec my car like this:

Volkswagen Jetta Configuration

2016's Most Anticipated Cars

Abarth 500X

• £22,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Winter 2016

It's likely to use the same turbocharged 1.75-litre petrol engine found in Alfa Romeo's 4C, but detuned to 200 bhp. It'll still cover 0-62 mph in less than 7 seconds, giving the Nissan Juke Nismo RS and MINI Countryman JCW a run for their money.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

• £24,000 (estimate)
• Arriving September 2016

All we've seen so far is the Quadrifoglio Verde version which utilises a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 to produce 500 bhp. Thanks to all-wheel-drive, it'll get to 62 mph in 3.9 s and is expected to cost north of £50,000. It's aimed to take some customers from the BMW M3, Audi RS 4 and Mercedes-AMG C63. There will also be some sensible engines in the forms of a 2.2-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol, all producing between 150 bhp and 280 bhp either with rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.

Audi S4

• £40,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Early 2016

It's not the full hog - that would be named the RS 4. Instead, it plans to rival the BMW 340i and Jaguar XE S. Its 349 bhp and 500 Nm comes from a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, meaning 0-62 mph takes just 4.7 s. It won't be cheap to run, with claimed figures of 38.2 mpg and 170 g/km. It'll use a new 8-speed single clutch automatic transmission.

Audi A5

• £30,000 (estimate)
• Arriving September 2016

It'll be built on the same platform as the recently refreshed A4, and it's more of a facelift this time. Still, we can expect the 148 bhp 2.0 TDI to emit less than 100 g/km, making the idea of owning a premium coupé a more attractive prospect.

Audi Q1

• £17,000 (estimate)
• Arriving September 2016

It's set to fill the gap in Audi's SUV range and is up against the likes of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. It'll have the same underpinnings as the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo, so we could see a 1.0-litre TFSI unit, but the 1.4 TFSI and 1.6 TDI will be the highlights. A plug-in hybrid could show its face too, with the same setup as the A3 e-tron with sub-25 g/km emissions. An all-new 10-speed DSG automatic gearbox will be available, as Audi plans to attract more male buyers (with 70-80% of the A1's buyers being female).

Audi Q5

• £32,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

It's built to rival its premium German crossover counterparts, the new Mercedes GLC and BMW X3. The engine range will be similar to that of the A4, and we could even see a plug-in hybrid four-wheel-drive Q5 with the titles of e-tron and quattro. It would borrow the Q7 e-tron's technology to achieve over 160 mpg.

Bentley Bentayga

• £160,000
• Arriving Spring 2016

Bentley claims the Bentayga will be the world's fastest, most luxurious, most exclusive SUV in the world. The 6.0-litre W12 demonstrates this, producing 600 bhp and 900 Nm. The 0-62 mph sprint is covered in 4.0 seconds, but the claimed figures of 22.1 mpg and 292 g/km aren't as impressive. But if you can afford this sort of car, that doesn't matter. Particularly if you can afford this car as well as the optional Breitling clock which'll cost some £150,000. That's not a typo.

Bentley Grand Convertible

• £TBC
• Arriving soon...

The Mulsanne-based convertible will feature the 530 bhp 6.75-litre V8. It produces no less than 1000 Nm and will be a limited edition collector's car. In short supply, the Grand Convertible will cost a lot more than the Mulsanne Speed's £252,000.

BMW M2

• £44,070
• Arriving April 2016

It's time for the 1 Series M Coupé's successor to show its face, and what a beautiful face it has. But it's what's underneath that counts, the uprated straight-six from the M235i with 370 bhp.

BMW 225xe Active Tourer

• £35,155
• Arriving March 2016

It uses the i8's 1.5-litre 3-cylinder engine with a combined output of 221 bhp. It should cover up to 25 miles in electric-only mode.

BMW 330e Saloon

• £33,935
• Arriving Early 2016

BMW still wants the 3 Series saloon to be the rear-wheel-drive sports saloon that it always has been, but in favour of fuel efficiency, it'll combine a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with the power of electric to produce 248 bhp and 420 Nm. 0-62 mph will take 6.1 s yet it will emit 44 g/km.

BMW X4 M40i

• £55,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

The 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six will rival the Porsche Macan Turbo S. 0-62 mph comes up in 4.9 seconds, with expected figures of 33 mpg and sub-200 g/km.

BMW M4 GTS

• £120,000 (estimate)
• Arriving March 2016

Only 700 units will be produced, just 30 of which destined for British soils. Costing twice the price of the by no means regular M4 Coupé, it will get to 62 mph in 3.8 s and on to a top speed of 190 mph. It does this thanks to an extra 68 bhp. Getting around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:28:00 was an achievement too, that's the same as the 1st generation McLaren MP4-12C!

BMW 5 Series

• £32,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

Just in time to knock Mercedes' E-Class off the podium, the new 5 Series will concentrate on better fuel efficiency. Although the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder 520d will still be a best-seller, BMW might add some 3-cylinder petrol units and clean its diesels so that some could dip below 100 g/km. A 100 mpg-plus 530e will appear as well as a complete opposite, the gas-guzzling M5 with its 4.4-litre V8.

BMW 740e

• £TBC
• Arriving Summer 2016

Available in short wheelbase and long wheelbase, it shares its powertrain with the X5 xDrive40e that's already in production. That being a 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid that can do 134.5 mpg and 49 g/km.

BMW i8 Plus

• £150,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

The extra performance will come from the conventional engine as opposed to the electric motor. The 1.5-litre 3-cylinder already produces 228 bhp, it's difficult to see how BMW could squeeze any more out of it. That's why it's thought that a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine could take centre stage in the i8 Plus, which will easily produce over 300 bhp. The 0-62 mph target is 4 seconds.

Dacia Duster

• £9,000 (estimate)
• Arriving March 2016

It's just a facelift, although I think it's time for the Duster to have a bit of a revamp. New is the 1.2-litre TCe 125, 1 petrol engine that produces 123 bhp and 250 Nm. Even with a 6-speed manual 'box and four-wheel-drive, it should get near 50 mpg.

Fiat Tipo

• £15,000 (estimate)
• Arriving September 2016

It's a saloon-shaped family hatch to rival the likes of the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra. It will use 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrols as well as a 1.6-litre diesel.

Fiat 124

• £19,500 (estimate)
• Arriving Autumn 2016

It's essentially a reworked Mazda MX-5, this time, with a 1.4-litre MultiAir II petrol engine that kicks out 138 bhp. A 6-speed manual is the only option, although further down the line we could expect Abarth to have a go at getting 170 bhp from the same engine.

Ford KA

• £9,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

Currently offered in a 3-door-only guise, the KA will just be offered as a 5-door. There's no word on engine lineup, but its pricing suggests that it will rival the VW up! (and SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo) and Hyundai i10.

Ford Focus RS

• £29,995
• Arriving Spring 2016

The 2.3-litre turbocharged unit produces 345 bhp. Thanks to all-wheel-drive, 62 mph can be clocked in 4.7 s. Still, it emits 175 g/km and is said to achieve 36.7 mpg.

Ford Edge

• £29,995
• Arriving Spring 2016

It's based on the new Mondeo and sits above the EcoSport and Kuga in Ford's SUV lineup. We can see it as a cheaper alternative to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. This is shown in its limited choice of engines - it's just the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel with 178 or 207 bhp. Ford reckons that almost 80% of all buyers will opt for the high-spec Titanium which is a little over £2,000 more than the entry-level Zetec.

Ford Ranger

• £19,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Early 2016

The 198 bhp 3.2-litre Duratorq 5-cylinder diesel engine has had efficiency upped by 18%. So has the 2.2-litre diesel which is available in 158 bhp and 128 bhp (up by 22%). It has a proper low-range gearbox that can tackle most things. It'll wade through 800 mm of water and tow up to 3,500 kg.

Ford GT

• £250,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

The production will span 3-4 years with 250 being produced each year. It will feature a 592 bhp mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Honda FCV

• £30,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

The Toyota Mirai has just hit the streets, so it's time for a bit of healthy competition. All we know is that it will do 435 miles on a full tank and produce roughly 134 bhp.

Honda NSX

• £120,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

It's for sale for $156,000 (c. £105,000) over the pond, but add on some import taxes to that and we have ourselves an Audi R8 and Porsche 911 rivalling sports car. It uses a conventional 9-speed automatic gearbox, but modernism takes over with the V6 petrol engine that is used in conjunction with 3 electric motors. It has 550 bhp and all-wheel-drive.

Hyundai i20 Active

• £13,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Early 2016

It's already for sale in India, named the i20 Cross. It's a supermini that wants to have a piece of the Dacia Sandero Stepway's cake. It'll be a front-wheel-drive car (there simply wouldn't be enough custom for a four-wheel-drive car of this sorts) and will come with the same range of engines as the i20.

Hyundai i30 N

• £25,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

It could use a tweaked version of the i30 Turbo's 184 bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, or opt for a 2.0-litre unit like many of its rivals. We don't know what sort of hot hatch it will be, a Ford Focus ST rival or a Focus RS rival. Only time will tell.

Hyundai Ioniq

Literally all we know is that this car will not be sold with any conventional forms of propulsion. It will be offered an an all-electric 'EV', a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid 'PHEV'.

Infiniti QX30

• £27,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Spring 2016

It will be a small crossover rival to Audi's Q3 and Range Rover's Evoque. It's based on the Q30, which is essentially a Mercedes A-Class. So there we have it, the QX30 is, in essence, a Mercedes GLA. It will even share the 2.0-litre petrol and 2.1-litre diesel engines. There's even talk of a hot QX30 that would rival the Audi RS Q3.

Infiniti Q60

• £38,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

It's a 2+2 coupé to take some cash away from the BMW 4 Series, Audi A5 Coupé and Lexus RC.

Jaguar F-Pace

• £34,170
• Arriving April 2016

The top-of-the-range F-Pace S will have the F-Type's 3.0-litre supercharged 375 bhp V6 petrol engine. It sits somewhere between the Audi Q5 and Q7, but its closest rival is the Q5. It will also have a 178 bhp 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine with rear-wheel-drive output and a 6-speed manual gearbox which will emit just 129 g/km and achieve up to 57.7 mpg. If you want a bit more bang for your buck, try the 3.0-litre V6 diesel which produces 296 bhp and gets to speed through an 8-speed ZF automatic 'box and all-wheel-drive.

Kia Niro Hybrid

• £25,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

It will fuse electric power with a 1.6-litre petrol powerhouse and a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Kia's targeting CO2 emissions of less than 90 g/km which means we could expect 70 mpg.

Kia Sportspace

• £22,000 (estimate)
• Arriving September 2016

It's the company's largest estate, but aims to be more like the Mercedes CLA and CLS Shooting Brakes rather than a conventional estate.

Kia Sportage

• £18,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Spring 2016

It will use a range of 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines combined with both front- and four-wheel-drive, just as you'd expect. The biggest change is the design, with its bold tiger-nose grille and in-your-face LEDs.

Land Rover Discovery 5

• £45,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

The current Discovery 4 is just a facelifted Discovery 3 which was introduced back in 2004. We will see a complete redesign as well as some efficient 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel and petrol Ingenium units. There's also the possibility of a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 and even an electric-diesel hybrid.

Lexus LF-C2

• £40,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Autumn 2016

It will be powered by the IS 300h's petrol-electric powertrain as well as being offered with a 5.0-litre V8. This convertible will be a rival for the Audi A5 Cabriolet and BMW 4 Series Convertible.

Lexus RX

• £39,995
• Arriving January 2016

It's up against the BMW X5, and for the first time we've seen a petrol-only version, the RX 200t. No doubt, the RX 450h will return. It uses the same 3.5-litre V6 300 bhp engine as before, but it's just a mild hybrid. It doesn't offer the same plug-in capabilities as the BMW X5 xDrive40e and Mercedes GLE 500e.

Maserati Levante

• £40,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

It's based on the Ghibli and is by no means as extravagant as the Bentley Bentayga, but who wouldn't want a twin-turbo V6 or V8-powered exotic coupé SUV? Power outputs for the diesels are between 247 and 345 bhp, and all will get automatic gearboxes and all-wheel-drive as standard. I think it's best if Maserati keep the runnings costs to itself, though.

Mercedes E-Class

• £35,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

The 7th generation E-Class is Mercedes' most technologically advanced car yet, and takes its fluid lines from the C-Class and high-tech, quality interior from the S-Class. Power could be up to 600 bhp from the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 E63 AMG which would put fear into the BMW M5's boots. We'll have to wait until 2017 for that though, as well as the Coupé and Cabriolet variants, although the Estate should find its way to showrooms sometime in 2016 shortly after the Saloon.

Mercedes GLC Coupé

• £TBC
• Arriving Summer 2016

The SUV is up for grabs at £35,000, and if Mercedes uses the same 20% difference between its GLE SUV and Coupé, we could expect the GLC Coupé to cost around £42,000. It's finally an answer to BMW's X4, and a strong range of petrol and diesel engines as well as a possible plug-in hybrid will make it a strong contender.

Mercedes GLS

• £69,100
• Arriving Mid 2016

It's nothing more than a facelift, and if you take a look at Mercedes' website you'll see that there are two options. The GLS 350d (an unchanged 187 bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel unit) and the GLS 63 S AMG, which, thanks to a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8, produces 577 bhp. There's a possibility of yet another plug-in hybrid PHEV in this range, too.

Mercedes SLC

• £34,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Spring 2016

It's a rebadged SLK that rivals the Audi TT and BMW Z4. The hard-top can be operated at speeds of up to 25 mpg, and the range will kick off with the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder 154 bhp petrol SLC 180, which isn't confirmed for the UK. What we will get, however, is the SLC 200, the SLC 300 (formerly SLK 250) and Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 with its twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 producing 362 bhp.

Mercedes SL

• £74,000 (estimate)
• Arriving April 2016

It's just another facelift. It's largely unchanged with the SL 400, SL 500 and SL 63 and SL 65 AMG remaining integral parts of the lineup. All versions now come with the firm's 9G-TRONIC transmission as standard.

MINI Convertible

• £18,475
• Arriving March 2016

It will only be available in 3 variants, the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder units that are the petrol Cooper and diesel Cooper D, as well as a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Cooper S. The fabric roof will take 18 seconds to fold at speeds of up to 19 mph.

MG GS

• £18,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

It's a much needed SUV for the MG range to rival the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Honda CR-V. It will utilise a 2.0-litre petrol engine to make 217 bhp and 350 Nm to get to 62 mph in around 8 s. There will also be a 1.8-litre diesel.

Mitsubishi ASX

• £15,500 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

It's more of a Nissan Juke rival, but its engines are unconfirmed. It's most likely going to have some form of plug-in hybrid.

Mitsubishi Shogun

• £28,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

The L200-based Pajero Sport could land on British terrain badged as the Shogun Sport, but we're due for an upgrade in the form of the regular Shogun too. They will both feature front ends similar to the facelifted Outlander's, but the 2.4-litre 4-cylinder diesel that emits under 200 g/km that's been previewed in Thailand might not make it here. All being said, the Outlander PHEV's powertrain could be featured.

Nissan Micra

• £11,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

Taking inspiration from the Sway concept, the new Micra will ditch its bubbly, curvy looks in favour or a more modern style, featuring a DS 3-like C-pillar as well as a floating roof and the V-Motion grille.

Nissan Pulsar Nismo

• £23,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Mid 2016

It will rival cars like the Ford Focus ST with 247 bhp from a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. There's talk of a more powerful 275 bhp Nismo RS, too. The design is a lot more in-your-face than other hot hatches, with a deep front bumper and a striking red splitter.

Peugeot 308 R Hybrid

• £35,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

The 1.6-litre 267 bhp turbocharged petrol from the 308 GTi will be mated to two 114 bhp to give a total system output of 493 bhp and 730 Nm. It will get to 62 mph in less than 4 s in Hot Lap mode, but can emit 70 g/km in its normal PHEV mode.

Porsche Panamera

• £65,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

Based on the VW Group's MSB platform that will underpin future generations of the Audi A8 and Bentley Continental, it will favour turbocharging in all engines. The lineup will include the Cayenne Turbo S's 562 bhp bi-turbo V8.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible

• £47,500
• Arriving Spring 2016

On sale in time for 2016's summer, the Evoque Convertible has been strengthened more. This adds 277 kg in the diesel models, heavily affecting acceleration and fuel efficiency. But at the end of the day, if the summer doesn't live up to what we expect, it's still a true 4x4 that can deal with 45-degree gradients, 35-degree tilts and 500 mm-deep water. Now that sounds more like a British summer(!)

Renault Twingo GT

• £14,000
• Arriving Summer 2016

It could be named the Renaultsport Twingo RS, but due to its complex engine setup, it probably won't produce enough power, so Renault will keep it low with the 'GT' suffix. It'll probably keep the 0.9 TCe engine with power upped by 30 bhp to 120 bhp.

Renault Mégane

• £16,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Spring 2016

It shares its design cues more with the Talisman and Espace than the Clio and Scenic. It's 25 mm lower and over 39 mm wider, giving it a much more domineering stance. The outgoing engines will have quite a bit of work done to them, maybe we might even see some new engines. There will be a 300 bhp turbocharged Renaultsport arriving later, but the 3-door Coupé and Sport Tourer estate will join the range in 2016.

Renault Alaskan

• £18,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Early 2016

It's heavily based on the Nissan NP300 Navara and is powered by the 187 bhp 4-cylinder twin-turbo dCi diesel engine. It will have a switchable 4WD transmission for some proper off-roading, and will be available as a 5-seater double-cab, but a single-cab is also a possibility.

Renault Alpine

• £50,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

Created to mark the brand's 60th anniversary, the two-seat, rear-engined rear-wheel-drive coupé will produce an estimated 300 bhp.

Rolls-Royce Dawn

• £250,000
• Arriving Spring 2016

It's essentially a Drophead Wraith disguised by a new name. It will share many of the Wraith's components including the 6.6-litre turbo-V12.

Skoda 7-seater SUV

• £23,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

A rival to the 7-seat Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, it will take the form of a stretched Yeti body. It will rely on 1.6 and 2.0 TDI and 1.4 TSI engines.

SEAT Leon Cross Sport

• £30,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

As we wait for the SEAT SUV range, the rugged-looking Cross Sport makes an appearance. It's a crossover take on the 3-door Leon SC. It will use the VW Golf R's 296 bhp 4-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine, four-wheel-drive and DSG automatic transmission to get to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. The same time as a Golf R and a second quicker than the Leon Cupra 265!

SEAT SUV

• £18,000 (estimate)
• Arriving in 2016

It will rival smaller crossovers like the Mazda CX-5, but again, based on the Leon. It will even share its engines with the Leon, with 1.4 TSI and 1.6 TDI units making up the bulk of the sales.

Smart ForTwo Cabrio

• £13,265
• Arriving Early 2016

If your budget doesn't stretch to a Range Rover Evoque Convertible, maybe you could consider the ForTwo Cabrio. Its three-layer soft-top will close in 12 seconds on the move up to 96 mph! It will use the same 1.0-litre 70 bhp and 0.9-litre 89 bhp engines.

Smart ForTwo Brabus

• £15,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2015

Just like the hot Twingo, the ForTwo will use the 0.9 turbocharged petrol engine. Gone are the days of the automated 5-speed manual, though, as you can now specify the Mercedes A-Class's 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. It'll rival the Abarth 500.

Subaru Impreza

• £17,500 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

The main difference will be new engines. Four-cylinder units that will feature active cylinder technology.

Suzuki Baleno

• £12,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

A Skoda Fabia rival, the Baleno will feature a new 1.0-litre Boosterjet petrol engine that produces 110 bhp and 170 Nm, emitting 103 g/km. This will sit alongside the 1.2 Dualjet naturally-aspirated petrol. They will both be available with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed auto, and a mild hybrid has also been confirmed with CO2 emissions of 93 g/km.

Tesla Model X

• £50,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Spring 2016

If this doesn't get your heart racing, I don't know what will. The high-performance P90D will produce 762 bhp and 967 Nm, and when in Ludicrous Mode, it will reach 62 mph in 3.2 seconds. "Nelly the elephant went to town". There you go, you would have already broken all speed limits in the UK. But it's a practical all-electric all-wheel-drive 7-seat SUV that has stylish rear 'falcon wing' doors and all-round automatically opening doors! It overshadows the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S's 562 bhp and 0-62 mph time of 4.1 s.

Toyota Prius

• £25,000 (estimate)
• Arriving February 2016

The 4th generation Prius will use the same trusted 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid mix but with targets of 90 mpg and 70 g/km. This time, with the rear axle-mounted electric motor, it's an e-AWD. The Prius Plug-in will join shortly after.

Toyota C-HR

• £15,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Summer 2016

Still looking like a concept, the Juke rival is expected to use the Prius's powertrain.

Vauxhall Astra GSi

• £22,000
• Arriving Early 2016

Sitting between the SRi and 3-door-only VXR, it will produce around 250 bhp from a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol. This could change to be a 1.6-litre, though, just like what's favoured by the Peugeot 308 GTi.

Vauxhall Zafira

• £22,000
• Arriving Late 2016

The Zafira is taking a whole new direction. Instead of being an MPV, it will become an SUV that's built in partnership with PSA Peugeot-Citroën, but this won't be evident to the general public with designs worlds apart. It will feature a range of 4-cylinder and 3-cylinder turbocharged engines.

Volkswagen Tiguan

• £23,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Early 2016

With quality matching the Mercedes GLA and BMW X1, the new Tiguan will feature VW's Active Info Display (the Virtual Cockpit seen in Audi's TT and A4). 1.6 and 2.0 TDI and 1.4 and 2.0 TSI engines will feature, but a GTE plug-in hybrid is being considered.

Volkswagen Golf R400

• £38,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

Another 100 bhp on top of the crazy Golf R! The 395 bhp 450 Nm 2.0-litre 4-cylinder figures seem almost unreachable. But then again, VW has access to the Audi RS 3's 2.5-litre 5-cylinder TSI engine, so that could be transferred to give it a 0-62 mph time of 3.9 s.

Volvo S90

• £35,000 (estimate)
• Arriving Late 2016

The S80 replacement and BMW 5 Series rival will feature the D4 and D5 turbodiesels as well as a 50 g/km T8 plug-in hybrid.