WCR February 2017

Alfa Romeo’s 3 Series takes on the real thing

Britain’s biggest and best car buyer’s guide

February 2017

BEST NEW CARS 2017

49 STA R CARS

The year’s hottest new models revealed BMW 5 Series

Vauxhall Insignia

Ford Fiesta

Land Rover Discovery

Volkswagen Golf

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Plus New Skoda Kodiaq seven-seater vs rivals

£4.99

February 2017 New Hyundai Ioniq vs Toyota Prius

Jaguar I-Pace

BEST NEW CARS 2017

Are you thinking of buying a new car, but worried something even better may be about to go on sale? Then you need to read this guide to the cars coming in 2017.

Over the next few pages you can find out about all of the upcoming models that have the potential to be class leaders, from frugal city cars and hybrids to stylish coupés and SUVs. Plus, we’ve got details on when they will appear in showrooms and, in many cases, how much they will cost.

Also, keep an eye on whatcar.com, where we’ll continue to update the information every week.

Steve Huntingford editor 12

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13

New cars 2017

Small cars

Fiesta’s looks are an evolution of the current seven-year-old design

Ford Fiesta Spring 2017

UK’s most popular car will be pricier but with its biggest flaws ironed out

THE CURRENT FORD Fiesta is the best-selling car in the UK, and while sales success isn’t always linked to excellence, it is in this case – the Fiesta is one of our favourite superminis in the market today.

It’s particularly good to drive, combining sharp handling and beautifully weighted controls with a supple and controlled ride.

However, some of its rivals, such as the Skoda Fabia and Hyundai i20, offer more practical and appealing interiors, so it’s these areas that Ford has concentrated on improving for the new Fiesta.

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The 2017 Fiesta isn’t much bigger on the outside than the model it replaces, but the dashboard has been reshaped to free up more interior space. The dashboard now feels much classier and is more intuitive to use, with all versions getting simple rotary temperature controls and a touchsceen infotainment system (6.5in on cheaper versions and 8.0in on Titanium spec and above).

No budget models will be offered, because Ford wants to leave room below the Fiesta for the smaller Ka+, which it introduced earlier this

‘There won’t be budget versions of the new Fiesta, but that means it will be much classier inside ’

year. Instead, the range will kick off with Zetec trim, which means a likely entry-level price of around £15,000.

That pushes the Fiesta very close to some truly premium hatchbacks, including the Mini and Audi A1, although the Fiesta’s standard specification will include alloy wheels, air conditioning, Bluetooth and autonomous emergency braking (AEB). You can also add everything from adaptive cruise control and a self parking system to a Bang & Olufsen Play sound system with subwoofer in the boot.

Best of the rest in 2017

Kia Rio February 2017 Cheap and cheerful hatchback should be classier ALTHOUGH WE DON’T rate the current Rio particularly highly, the car’s low price, reasonable running costs and seven-year warranty make it worth considering. Those strong points will all be carried over to the new model, and there’s been a major rethink elsewhere.

It has a classier and more spacious interior and a smart new exterior design. Plus, there’s a frugal new turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine and more standard equipment. Kia promises it will be much better to drive, too.

Dacia Sandero January 2017 Priced from £5995, the Sandero is the cheapest new car on sale in the UK. As part of its mid-life facelift, it will get design tweaks inside and out, and a new entry-level 74bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine, which promises better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

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Nissan Micra March 2017 Complete rethink should take it from zero to hero THE CURRENT MICRA is well behind the best superminis in key areas such as ride comfort, handling, refinement and interior quality. However, its replacement is roomier and has a new touchscreen infotainment system, plus some interior trim borrowed from the pricier Qashqai SUV. Two new electronic systems should make the Micra better to drive: Active Trace Control, which uses the brakes to keep the car on line in corners, and Active Ride Control, which improves stability over bumps.

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Rear end gets new-shaped tail-lights The engine range will consist of small, frugal units, including a new 1.1-litre petrol and an upgraded version of our current favourite, the 1.0-litre Ecoboost. However, buyers wanting hot hatch performance will have to wait until 2018, when the new Fiesta ST is due to arrive.

What will be available at launch is an ST Line trim, which gives the car a much more aggressive appearance, along with sports seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

At the top of the range sits a Vignale model with bespoke paint colours and quilted leather seats.

Seat Ibiza Spring 2017 Hatchback takes inspiration from the larger Leon THE CURRENT IBIZA is Seat’s best-selling model in the UK. However, its replacement is due next summer, and we have high hopes given how good the Spanish manufacturer’s most recent new model, the Ateca SUV, is.

The new Ibiza will be slightly bigger than today’s car, with styling similar to that of the bigger Leon and a plusher interior. Power will come from new turbo petrol and diesel engines, which should give better performance and fuel economy. The new Ibiza is expected to cost from around £10,000.

Suzuki Swift May 2017 The fourth-generation Swift hatchback will be smaller and lighter than its larger Baleno sibling, with which it shares its engines. The Swift will look more ‘mature’ on the outside, but interior space will be kept much the same to avoid treading on the Baleno’s toes.

Volkswagen Polo Summer 2017 The next generation Polo hatchback will fight the Ford Fiesta for market supremacy.

The Polo will be offered only in five-door form, but will come with more standard kit and get an efficient range of petrol and diesel engines. A hot GTI model is planned, too.

Also coming Citroën C3 January 2017 Fiat Panda facelift Early 2017 Dacia Sandero Stepway facelift January 2017 Hyundai i10 facelift Early 2017 Kia Picanto facelift April 2017

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New cars 2017

Family cars & MPVs

Updated Golf gets a restyled front end with new LED headlights

Volkswagen Golf January 2017

Three-year-old hatchback gets a major update, adding plenty of new tech

THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF used to dominate the family hatchback class, winning group test after group test. However, in recent years it’s been squeezed by the classier Audi A3 and more practical Skoda Octavia, so this update is timely.

Exterior changes are limited to restyled bumpers, new LED head and tail-lights, and ‘animated’ indicators that flow in the direction you’re turning. There are bigger changes inside, though, where you can now have a 9.2in touchscreen.

This new range-topping infotainment system also lets you

16 | FEBRUARY 2017 whatcar.com

use hand gestures to control the stereo and accept or decline phone calls. You’ll also be able to specify Volkswagen’s Active Info Display, which swaps traditional instrument dials for a second screen that can be configured to display a sat-nav map and other useful information directly in front of the driver.

There’s new technology on the safety front, too. Since 2012, most Golfs have come with autonomous emergency braking, but this can now apply the brakes if a pedestrian steps out in front of you, not just if the car in front suddenly stops.

‘The new 1.5-litre petrol engine can shut down some of its cylinders, saving fuel’

Combine that with Traffic Jam Assist, and the revised Golf can follow the car in front, accelerating and braking as needed, and steer to keep itself in lane.

Most of the engines from today’s Golf will be carried over, but the 2017 car will be the first model to get a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol unit.

A replacement for today’s 1.4-litre, it gets 148bhp and can shut down some of its cylinders when they aren’t needed, saving fuel.

Shortly after launch, an even more frugal 129bhp Bluemotion version of the 1.5-litre will arrive.

Best of the rest in 2017

Read our first drive on pg 30

Honda Civic March 2017 Bigger, more conservative, and more impressive DESPITE THE EDGY styling of the last couple of Civics, the model has carved out a reputation for impressive reliability, interior quality and practicality.

This latest version is the biggest yet, ensuring passenger and boot space are first rate. However, while it’s solidly built inside, the materials still aren’t especially plush, and the new 7.0in touchscreen isn’t that easy to use.

Fortunately, the new 1.5-litre petrol engine is far more impressive, being quiet and strong, while the car’s ride is compliant and its handling precise.

Hyundai i30 Early 2017 Roomy family hatchback should be better to drive HYUNDAI DESCRIBES ITS new i30 as a car that’s ‘accessible, appealing in design and great to drive’. It claims it benchmarked it against every rival in its class, picking out competitors’ attributes it wanted to improve upon; in particular, improved ride and handling and class-leading interior space.

Both hatchback and estate versions will be offered. While the new i30 will initially be available only in 1.4-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel forms, an i30 N hot hatch version will come later to rival the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Plus, Volkswagen will introduce a new hybrid Golf that’s said to be capable of 60mpg in real-world driving, and a more advanced electric e-Golf with a range of 186 miles; that’s 68 miles more than today’s model can muster.

Buyers who are more interested in speed will have the choice of two hot hatch models: the 217bhp GTI and the 237bhp GTI Performance.

A small increase on today’s entrylevel price of £17,625 is expected for the updated Golf, but it should still undercut equivalent versions of the rival Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

Citroën C3 Picasso Summer 2017 Like the new C3, the larger C3 Picasso’s styling will be reminiscent of the funky C4 Cactus, while it should be flexible and family-friendly inside. Engines will include a 68bhp 1.0-litre petrol, various 1.2-litre petrols and a 1.6-litre diesel with up to 118bhp.

Skoda Octavia January 2017 Skoda’s facelift for the Octavia hatchback is more than just skin deep. As well as its updated interior and exterior, which includes a widened stance to give the car a more muscular look, there are new trim levels and more kit.

Engines remain unchanged.

Subaru Impreza Early 2017 This next-generation model of Subaru’s family hatchback is based on a new platform that will eventually underpin every model in Subaru’s line-up. The Impreza will also get a new engine range, so expect better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

Peugeot 5008 February 2017 Seven-seater has hit the gym; it’s better inside, too THE CURRENT 5008 is a great family car, with space for seven people and a flexible seating layout. However, demand for MPVs is shrinking across the globe, so Peugeot has given this new model a much more muscular look, in the hope of taking its slice of the booming SUV market.

The new 5008 has a much classier interior than today’s car, complete with a fully digital Audi-style 12.3in instrument display. Plus, it’s roomier inside, with third row seats that can be folded flat or removed entirely.

Also coming BMW 2 Series facelift Summer 2017 Renault Mégane update Spring 2017 Seat Leon Summer 2017 Volvo V40 Late 2017

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17

New cars 2017

Executive & luxury cars

Styling is much closer related to that of the pricier BMW 7 Series

BMW 5 Series February 2017

Best-selling BMW gets evolutionary looks and semi-autonomous driving

THE BMW 5 Series is the German manufacturer’s most profitable model, and the current version is so good that it’s What Car?’s 2016 Large Executive Car of the Year. However, BMW isn’t resting on its laurels.

An all-new 5 Series will go on sale in February, with the saloon version first to arrive, priced from £36,025.

For that you’ll get the 520d diesel engine, which is expected to take the vast majority of sales. The 530d diesel and 530i and 540i petrols will also be available from the off.

In the Spring of 2017, the 5 Series range will be expanded to include a

18 | FEBRUARY 2017 whatcar.com

Touring estate model, plus new versions of the high performance M5 and high-riding 5 Series Gran Turismo are planned for later in the year, with the latter likely to get a more SUV-like appearance than the car it replaces.

The new 5 Series is 100kg lighter than its predecessor, which helps lift the fuel economy of the 520d saloon by 2.8mpg to 65.6mpg. This should also benefit handling, with BMW promising the 5 Series will be the best-driving car in its class.

Climb inside and you’ll find there’s plenty of space for four

‘The new 5 Series can brake, steer and even change lanes by itself’

adults, while the design sticks closely to that of the larger and more expensive 7 Series, with the 5 Series feeling every bit as classy.

High up on the dashboard there’s a touchscreen iDrive infotainment system that lets you pinch and swipe as you would with a tablet or smartphone. Or, if you prefer, you can scroll through its menus using BMW’s intuitive rotary controller.

These are standard features, and it’s also possible to add a voice control system that recognises natural speech rather than relying on you saying specific command

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Audi A8 Late 2017 Range-topping saloon gets fully autonomous tech AUDI CLAIMS ITS new A8 luxury saloon will be the first fully autonomous car to go on sale. The autonomous function, which is believed to be called Traffic Jam Assist, can operate at up to about 37mph on congested roads, and – unlike any system currently available – will fully control the car without any input or attention paid from the driver. It can also pull over and stop the car if necessary. Apparently, the A8 will also get an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system, which will learn and predict drivers’ behaviour.

Best of the rest in 2017

Jaguar XF Sportbrake Summer 2017 Jaguar’s answer to the BMW 5 Series Touring and MercedesBenz E-Class Estate will get the same engines as the XF saloon: a 2.0-litre diesel and 3.0-litre petrol and diesel V6s.

Four-wheel drive is likely to be offered. A starting price of around £34,000 is expected.

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Kia GT Late 2017 Swanky sports saloon is Kia’s first premium model

Read our first drive on pg 28

words, as well as Gesture Control, which lets you adjust the stereo volume by rotating your finger in the air, or decline a phone call with a quick swipe of your hand.

In addition to this, the new 5 Series will go head-to-head with its arch-rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, in offering autonomous driving technology. The 2017 5 Series can brake, steer and even change lanes by itself, and while other brands with this technology insist that you keep your hands on the wheel, BMW will let you remove them for up to 30sec at a time.

KIA WILL ATTEMPT to move upmarket in 2017 by launching a stylish, fourdoor sports saloon based on the GT concept that it reveaked back in 2011.

The production GT will stick closely to the formula of the concept, which means coupé looks and rear-wheel drive. In these respects it’s similar to BMW’s 4 Series Gran Coupé, although it will be priced closer to the VW CC. Engine options for the GT are likely to include 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesels, while a 3.3-litre V6 is expected to top the range.

Lexus IS Early 2017 The facelifted version of the IS, Lexus’s Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series rival, gets aggressive exterior styling updates, plus suspension and steering upgrades aimed at improving the driving experience.

The revised IS is expected to cost from around £29,000.

Porsche Panamera January 2017 The second-generation Panamera grand tourer is sleeker looking than the first.

It will cost from £66,386, while the range-topping Turbo Executive model is £122,480.

There are nine variants of the new Panamera, including an estate and a hybrid.

Vauxhall Insignia March 2017 Three bodystyles and more fuel efficient engines ON PAPER, TODAY’S Insignia is a tempting choice for company car drivers, but on the road it’s outclassed by the rival Skoda Superb and Ford Mondeo.

However, our drive of a prototype of the new Insignia showed it has enough promise to worry those cars. And while it still isn’t quite as roomy in the rear as the Superb, the difference is small enough for it not to matter.

Vauxhall says the new Insignia is around 10% lighter than the outgoing model, so it should also be more fuel efficient and emit less CO2.

Also coming Audi A5 Sportback January 2017 Bentley Continental Late 2017 Maserati Ghibli update Early 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class update Summer 2017 Volkswagen CC Late 2017 Volvo S90 T8 Summer 2017

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New cars 2017

Electric, hybrid & hydrogen c a

Jaguar I-Pace Late 2017

Electric SUV has a 310-mile range and will cost far less than its only rival

JAGUAR IS ALL about entering new markets at the moment. Last year it revealed its first SUV, the F-Pace, which has since become its bestselling model, and now it’s time for another first – an electric car.

The I-Pace electric SUV is capable of travelling for more than 310 miles on a single charge, surpassing the range of the world’s only other all-electric SUV, the Tesla Model X, which has a range of up to 303 miles. Mainstream electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe hatchbacks, have ranges of 155 and 250 miles respectively.

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Power for the I-Pace comes from two electric motors, one at the front of the car and the other at the rear, making it four-wheel drive. These produce a combined 395bhp, allowing the car to accelerate from 0-60mph in around 4.0sec.

Jaguar says that the I-Pace can be charged in just over two hours from a standard charging point – or to 80% of capacity in 90 minutes.

It’s not just the exterior of the car that looks futuristic. The five-seat interior features three screens: a configurable 12.0in digital instrument display in front of the

‘The I-Pace’s futuristic five-seat interior has three digital screens’

driver, a 12.0in central touchscreen for infotainment and sat-nav, and a 5.5in screen for the climate settings.

With 530 litres of space, the I-Pace’s boot is considerably larger than those of conventionally powered small SUVs, such as the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca.

There’s also a small storage space under the I-Pace’s bonnet, made possible because there’s no engine.

The I-Pace’s final design won’t be revealed until next year, but we expect it to look very similar to the pictured conceptual version given how closely Jaguar’s F-Pace and

Best of the rest in 2017

c ars Honda FCV Clarity Summer 2017 Hydrogen fuel cell car should be roomier than rivals THERE ARE CURRENTLY only two hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars on sale in the UK: the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell and Toyota Mirai.

However, in 2017, these will be joined by the Honda FCV Clarity. It has an electric motor with more than 134bhp, and is the first hydrogen car to have its entire powertrain in the engine bay, giving more room for passengers.

The FCV Clarity’s claimed range is 435 miles, and it can be refuelled in as little as three minutes (if you can actually find a hydrogen filling station).

Renault Zoe January 2017 New battery extends real-world range by 80 miles

I-Pace has no engine, so doesn’t get Jaguar’s signature long bonnet

F-Type resembled the respective concepts that preceded them.

Final pricing for the I-Pace is yet to be decided, but Jaguar insiders have said it’s likely to cost from around £60,000. That would make the I-Pace much cheaper than the Model X, which costs from £79,500, but much more expensive than the F-Pace, which costs from £35,020.

The I-Pace and Model X won’t be lonely in this emerging market for long. Audi will launch its all-electric SUV, the Q6 E-tron, in 2018, and Mercedes-Benz has promised to build a similar model for 2019.

RENAULT’S ELECTRIC ZOE hatchback is being updated, with the option of a new battery to give a real-world range of around 186 miles between charges.

Officially, this new 41kW battery provides a range of 250 miles. That’s a significant improvement over the current car, which has an official range of 149 miles, equating to around 106 miles in reality.

Charging times are comparable with the current model, so around 30 minutes’ charging from a standard socket will give up to 50 miles of range.

Ford Focus Electric Summer 2017 Ford plans to add 13 new electric vehicles to its range by 2020, starting with this new electric version of the Focus family car. It will get a faster charging system that should be able to give an 80% charge (enough for 100 miles) in as little as 30 minutes.

Smart Electric Drive models Summer 2017 Smart has sold an all-electric version of its Fortwo since 2007, but now you’ll be able to get a similar version of the Fortwo Cabriolet and the larger Forfour. Each model has an 80bhp electric motor, providing a range of 99 miles.

A full charge takes 2.5 hours.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Early 2017 The plug-in hybrid version of the Toyota Prius is capable of driving for up to 31 miles on electric power alone. It’s powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, resulting in CO2 emissions of just 32g/km and official fuel economy of 202mpg.

Tesla Model 3 Late 2017 First mainstream Tesla is saloon rival to Audi A4 THE MODEL 3 is electric car maker’s Tesla’s cheapest model yet, and a rival to conventional executive saloons such as the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.

Tesla is yet to confirm exact specifications, but says the Model 3’s electric powertrain will give it a 0-60mph time of less than 6.0sec, while still offering as much as 250 miles of range on a single charge.

All Model 3s will have the same sort of huge infotainment touchscreen as bigger, pricier Teslas. An entry-level price of around £35,000 is expected.

Also coming Kia Niro PHEV August 2017 Kia Soul EV update August 2017 Renault Mégane, Scénic and Grand Scénic Hybrid Assist Early 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV update Summer 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf facelift Early 2017

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New cars 2017

Small SUVs

See what readers think about it on pg 38

Mini Countryman February 2017

Quirky SUV is bigger, classier inside and will be offered as a plug-in hybrid

THE ORIGINAL COUNTRYMAN proved that a Mini could be anything but. It was the longest, widest and tallest model in the brand’s history, yet it racked up more than half a million sales in six years. Its replacement is even larger, becoming a direct rival for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca, as well as smaller, prestigebadge models such as the Audi Q2.

In addition to being more spacious than its predecessor, Mini claims that the new Countryman will feel of a higher quality inside.

Usability is much improved: the

22 | FEBRUARY 2017 whatcar.com

infotainment screen is still set into a dinner plate-sized ring in the centre of the dash, but you now get handy shortcut buttons and an optional touchscreen, while the speedometer has been moved from the centre of the dash to a position directly in front of the driver.

Two petrol and two diesel engines are available. The entry-level Cooper model gets a 134bhp 1.5-litre petrol, and the Cooper S a 189bhp 2.0-litre, while the diesel Cooper D and Cooper SD get 2.0-litre units with 148bhp and 187bhp respectively.

Alternatively, there’s the Cooper SE

‘The entrylevel car is £3740 pricier than before, but there’s much more standard kit’

hybrid model, which combines the 1.5-litre petrol engine from the regular Cooper with an 87bhp electric motor.

The batteries in the Cooper SE have enough capacity for an electric-only range of around 25 miles, and official fuel economy is a whopping 134.5mpg. That said, as with all plug-in hybrids, you’ll only achieve this sort of figure in the real world if most of your journeys are short and you top up the car’s batteries after each trip.

More positively, four-wheel drive is standard on the Cooper SE (the

Best of the rest in 2017

Peugeot 3008 January 2017 More muscular outside, more modern inside THE ORIGINAL PEUGEOT 3008 small SUV was What Car?’s Car of the Year in 2010, so this new model has a lot to live up to.

It’s a lot more striking than its predecessor, with more muscular looks, while the interior is even more of a step forward, with every version getting plush materials, digital instruments and a driver-focused dashboard.

While the old 3008 is disappointing to drive unless you spec it carefully, the new car has composed handling and a comfy ride, even on 19in wheels.

Ford Fiesta Active Summer 2017 The Fiesta-based Ecosport SUV is probably the worst car Ford makes; it has a jiggly ride and feels cheap. However, the 2017 Fiesta will spawn a new Active variant that’s said to offer rugged SUV looks, hatchback practicality and true Fiesta driving dynamics.

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Seat Arona Late 2017 Nissan Juke rival to follow success of larger Ateca SEAT’S FIRST SUV, the Ateca, was good enough to beat the class-leading Nissan Qashqai, and now Seat is going for the smaller Juke with its Arona.

The Arona is expected to be styled in a similar vein to the Ateca, but unlike that car, it will be available only with front-wheel drive, while power will come from a range of turbocharged engines shared with the next Ibiza.

The Arona is expected to cost from about £14,000, seeing as its key rivals, the Juke and Renault Captur, cost from £14,320 and £14,745 respectively.

engine powers the front wheels and the electric motor the rears), while it’s a £1600 option on other models.

The entry-level Cooper model costs from £22,465, which is £3740 more than the current car, while the range-topping Cooper SD All4 is up by a staggering £5600 to £29,565.

(The price of the Cooper SE plug-in hybrid hasn’t been confirmed yet).

However, the Countryman’s pricing is comparable with that of the Q2, and there’s now much more standard kit, including sat-nav, air-con, Bluetooth and automatic emergency city braking (AEB).

Read our first drive on pg 32

Suzuki Ignis January 2017 SUV-styled city car will be available as a hybrid NINE YEARS AFTER the previous Ignis, a small hatchback, went off sale in the UK, the name will return on the back of a city car-sized mini SUV. The 1.2-litre Dualjet petrol engine used in Suzuki’s Baleno and Swift hatchbacks will be offered in the Ignis, and other options will follow shortly after, including a petrol-electric hybrid with sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.

The Ignis is expected to cost from around £13,500 for two-wheel drive models, while four-wheel drive is likely to cost an extra £1500 or so.

MG small SUV Late 2017 MG’s as-yet-unnamed second SUV will sit beneath the GS in its range as a budget alternative to the Nissan Juke.

MG hasn’t gone with the ‘Russian doll’ school of design, giving the new car a more dramatic look than the GS, with a Jaguar-like front grille.

Mitsubishi ASX Summer 2017 This new Nissan Qashqai rival is an important car for Mitsubishi; it wants to be the leader in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) tech, which isn’t yet offered on any small SUVs. Expect the conventional ASX to cost from around £15,000, and the PHEV near £25,000.

Also coming Ford Ecosport facelift Early 2017 Jeep Compass Summer 2017 Lynk&Co 01 Late 2017 Nissan Juke Late 2017 Renault Captur facelift May 2017 Toyota C-HR Early 2017 Vauxhall Crossland X Early 2017 Volkswagen Golf SUV Late 2017

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New cars 2017

Large & luxury SUVs

Land Rover Discovery February 2017

Radical new looks, a hugely practical interior and new, cheaper engines

WHEN A MANUFACTURER turns a glitzy motor show concept into a production model, the end result is usually disappointing, with the changes needed to make it road legal taking away much of the visual impact. However, Land Rover proved this doesn’t have to be the case when it launched the Range Rover Evoque, and now it’s repeated the trick with the new Discovery.

It looks almost identical to the Discovery Vision concept of 2014, swapping the boxy shape of the current Discovery for something far more modern and aerodynamic.

24 | FEBRUARY 2017 whatcar.com

This newfound style doesn’t come at the expense of practicality, though. Too often in large SUVs, the rearmost row of seats is best reserved for children, but the new Discovery can seat seven adults in comfort, and its boot is huge when the third row is folded flat.

True, the split tailgate of today’s model is no longer, so you may struggle to access the boot when someone is parked closely behind.

But having a single-piece tailgate does allow a larger opening, and there’s a platform that slides out to make loading easier or to sit on.

‘The new Discovery can seat seven adults in comfort’

Among the new mechanical features is independent selflevelling air suspension, which can lower the car by up to 40mm to help people get in and out. There’s also a system that scans the road ahead and automatically adjusts the engine, gearbox and suspension settings to fit the upcoming terrain.

Land Rover says this Discovery will be its most capable off-roader yet. It should be popular with caravan and trailer owners, too, because it can tow up to 3500kg.

While today’s Discovery only has six-cylinder engines, the new model

Best of the rest in 2017

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Winter 2017 Gorgeous Italian design and a sporty V6 model THE STELVIO IS Alfa Romeo’s first SUV, but its maker has had help from its sister brand Jeep, which has more experience than anyone with such cars.

Power for the Stelvio comes from the same range of petrol and diesel engines as in the Alfa Romeo Giulia executive saloon, and topping the Stelvio range will be a sporty 3.0-litre V6 petrol model, the Quadrifoglio.

Both rear and four-wheel drive versions of the Stelvio will be available, and a plug-in hybrid version is likely to be sold from 2018.

Mazda CX-5 Summer 2017 The second-generation CX-5 has a sleeker design than its predecessor, while Mazda has given the car new suspension settings to deliver a more comfortable drive. Interior material quality and connectivity options have also been improved.

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Audi Q5 Early 2017 All-new SUV has top quality interior and new tech AT FIRST GLANCE, this new Q5 looks so similar to the car that’s been on sale since 2008 that you may think Audi has simply given that a minor refresh.

Not so. The new Q5 actually has little in common with its predecessor beneath the skin, and instead has the same mechanical underpinnings as What Car?’s reigning Car of the Year, the latest Audi A4 saloon.

The new Q5 should win buyers with the quality of its interior and tech alone, and our first drive revealed a very comfy ride and secure handling.

will be offered with a four-cylinder diesel as well. This has been made possible by a big weight reduction, which has also helped to improve fuel economy; the entry-level diesel averages 43.5mpg.

With a starting price of £43,495, the new Discovery actually costs £4010 less than the current car, although that difference is down to the addition of the cheaper four-cylinder engine. It does make the Discovery cheaper than key rivals such as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90, though, which cost from £48,310 and £47,350 respectively.

Read how it fares against rivals on pg 50

Skoda Kodiaq April 2017 Seven-seater shows Skoda’s value-for-money ethos WITH THE OPTION of seven seats, the Kodiaq is bigger than Skoda’s ageing Yeti SUV, and a direct rival to the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. However, because of its wide price range, it could also steal sales from more prestigious models such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The Kodiaq can seat adults in all three rows, even if taller people will feel a bit cramped in the rearmost seats. All five rear seats easily fold flat, and even with them up the boot is nearly as big as the Skoda Fabia hatchback’s.

Range Rover Sport Coupé September 2017 This BMW X6 rival will move Ranger Rover into sportier, more road-biased territory.

Engines will be shared with the regular Range Rover Sport, so 3.0-litre petrol and diesels and a supercharged 5.0-litre V8. The Coupé should cost from around £65,000.

Renault Koleos July 2017 The Koleos will sit above the Kadjar in Renault’s SUV range and is expected to cost from around £23,000. Two petrol and two diesel engines will be available, with power from 128bhp and 173bhp. It’s highly likely that the Koleos will be available with seven seats.

Also coming Bentley Bentayga Diesel January 2017 BMW X3 Late 2017 Honda CR-V Late 2017 Jeep Compass Late 2017 Mitsubishi Shogun Late 2017 Ssangyong Rexton Autumn 2017 Vauxhall Grandland X Late 2017 Volkswagen Touareg Summer 2017

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New cars 2017

Sports cars & convertibles

Lexus LC 500 Spring 2017

Fresh performance-oriented coupé with a 5.0-litre V8 engine

THE LC 500 is Lexus’s new flagship model, and a successor to the LFA supercar, which went off sale four years ago. However, the Japanese manufacturer is keen to stress that this isn’t a direct replacement; the LC 500 will cost less and more examples will be built.

It’s essentially a production version of the luxurious LF-LC coupé concept that was first shown at the 2012 Detroit motor show, and will be available with a 467bhp 5.0-litre V8 engine. This is linked to a 10-speed automatic gearbox and can propel the car from 0-62mph in

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less than 4.5sec – faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera.

There will also be a hybrid model, called the LC 500h, which combines a 3.5-litre V6 with an electric motor and a CVT automatic gearbox for a 0-62mph time of less than 5.0sec.

While the exterior of the LC 500 is distinctly futuristic, the interior is likely to be more traditional, with four individual seats and plenty of leather. That said, it will have digital instruments and Lexus’s nextgeneration infotainment system.

These features will filter down to future Lexus saloons, and the

‘Lexus wants to connect with driving pleasure and make cars that are fun to drive’

LC 500’s rear-wheel-drive platform will be used on the replacements for the current LS and GS models.

Traditionally, Lexus has been known for making quiet and comfortable cars with a high standard of fit and finish, but it’s hoping the LC 500 will help give it more of a performance-focused image, and in doing so attract a younger, more affluent audience.

Koji Sato, Lexus’s chief engineer, explains: “The LC 500 is a symbol of a shift in the Lexus brand. We are car lovers, and many of the team at Lexus were thinking that we were

Best of the rest in 2017

Audi A5 Cabriolet March 2017 Soft-top convertible version of the latest A5 Coupé THE STYLING OF the A5 Cabriolet closely follows that of the A5 Coupé that launched in 2016, with the obvious difference being the fabric roof, which opens in 15sec and closes in 18sec while the car is driving at up to 31mph.

The spiciest version of the A5 Cabriolet initially available will be the four-wheel-drive S5, which has a turbocharged 3.0-litre engine that gets 349bhp and propels the car from 0-62mph in 5.1sec. A turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol will also be available, as will 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre diesels.

Honda Civic Type R Late 2017 Wild-looking performance version of family hatch SO FAR, THIS hot version of the new Civic has been shown only in concept form, but the final car should have the same mad looks and some 350bhp.

That will make the new Civic Type R a close match for the 345bhp Ford Focus RS, but while that car has four-wheel drive, Honda has opted for front-wheel drive, so it will be interesting to see if it can tame all that power, or if the the Type R will be more challenging to drive. The new Civic Type R will be slightly pricier than the current model, which costs from £30,000.

missing something. In 2012, our president decided the brand should move in a more ‘emotional’ direction, connecting with driving pleasure and making cars that are fun to drive.”

Prices for the LC 500 have yet to be confirmed, but Lexus has hinted that it will cost from about £70,000.

That would make it more expensive than the rival BMW 6 Series Coupé (£59,535) and Jaguar F-Type Coupé (£51,775), but the Porsche 911 and the Mercedes-AMG GT are pricier still, to the tune of around £6000 and £28,000 respectively.

Mercedes E-Class Coupé Spring 2017 This svelte two-door, four-seat version of the latest E-Class executive car will be revealed in January. It will rival the Audi A5 and the larger BMW 6 Series, and should cost from around £39,000. An E-Class Cabriolet with a powered fabric roof will come later.

Infiniti Q60 Early 2017 Nissan’s luxury brand, Infiniti, is gradually expanding its range, and the Q60, a rival to the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 Coupés, is its most exciting model yet. The Q60’s engines will be a 2.0-litre turbo and 3.0-litre petrol, both mated to a seven-speed auto gearbox.

Alpine sports car Summer 2017 Renault will soon launch a new sports car under its long dormant Alpine performance brand. A rival to the Porsche 718 Cayman and Alfa Romeo 4C, the super-light Alpine will have a mid-mounted 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine and a seven-speed auto gearbox.

Mazda MX-5 RF January 2017 UK’s most popular sports car gets hard-top version THE MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback) is the hard-roofed version of the latest MX-5 soft-top, with which it shares 1.5 and 2.0-litre petrol engines.

The RF might look more like a coupé than a convertible, but the rear deck and pillars hinge backwards to allow the roof’s middle section to fold away.

The RF is priced from £22,195, a large premium over the £18,495 for the standard MX-5. However, the RF is still likely to be the most popular MX-5 model, given that the previous-generation hard-top took 80% of UK sales.

Also coming Alpina 5 Series September 2017 Aston Martin Vanquish S Early 2017 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Summer 2017 BMW M5 Summer 2017 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso T Early 2017 Ferrari F12 M Summer 2017 Mercedes-AMG E63 Early 2017 Noble M600 Speedster Summer 2017 whatcar.com FEBRUARY 2017

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