THE START OF ANY new year is always an exciting time, but for those with an interest in cars, the beginning of 2013 triggers the mouthwatering prospect of at least 164 new models being introduced over the next 12 months.
We can't promise to bring you roadtests of them all throughout the year, but we'll do the best we can to cover the most important models. But before the manufacturers throw us the keys, here's an insight into the main models which hit the streets in 2013.
Without question though, one of the most anticipated cars to be launched this year is the Jaguar F-type.
Initially available only as a cabriolet, the F-type is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 pumping out either 335bhp or 375bhp. Just for good measure, there's also a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 which will deliver 488bhp.
Showroom demand for the car — which arrives in May — is said to be matching that of the Range Rover Evoque, which points to the fact the F-type is likely to be a raging success.
And that's despite the fact the entry-model starts at £58,500!
FAMILY CARS:
Top of the stack is the seventh-generation VW Golf, which goes on sale later this month. The car by which all others in the class are benchmarked, the Golf MkVII takes the model to yet another level.
And the improvements are fairly dramatic, in terms of performance, efficiency, refinement, handling, usability and value. The Golf is at the epicentre of the hatchback market, and the new model further strengthens its position at the top of the pile.
This month also sees the introduction of the new Mazda6, in both saloon and estate form, with the 148bhp , 68.9mpg diesel being the pick of the range.
And while the new Mercedes A-Class also enters showrooms this month, we've got to wait till the summer for the new Ford Focus EV. Capable of being fully charged in four hours using a 32-amp supply, the electric Focus is powered by a 23kWh lithium-ion battery. Top speed is 84mph and it hits 60mph from standstill in 10.0secs.
This year also sees the arrival of the new MG6 diesel, Skoda Octavia and Kia Carens in March, with the facelifted Vauxhall Insignia landing in the autumn.
SMALL FAMILY CARS:
Pick of the bunch here is the new Mercedes CLA. Not due until the summer, the CLA is aimed at younger buyers and will follow closely the lines of the CSC concept. That means swooping lines, four doors and a sporty, squat stance. Slotted below the C-Class, the front-wheel drive CLA is expected to be 47mm longer, 121mm wider and 47mm lower than the C-Class. On sale in the UK around August, the CLA will have the range of powerplants lifted from the C-Class with prices expected to start around £21,000.
This month sees the Vauxhall Mokka go on sale, alongside the new budget-model Dacia Duster. Fiat's new 500L enters showrooms in March.
Nissan breathes new life into its electric Leaf with the next generation in April, while Renault will introduce its Clio SUV in early summer. Derived from the Nissan Juke platform, the Clio SUV will utilise the engine range from the fourth-generation Clio. And while Seat will introduce its Leon SC in the summer, we'll have to wait till the winter to get our hands on the second-generation Kia Soul.
SMALL CARS:
Britain's best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, gets a new look for 2013, with a host of new engines to boot. Pick of the bunch is the excellent 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol.
This month also sees the launch of the Dacia Sandero, which is expected to ruffle a few feathers. At £5995, or £69/month, plus deposit, the Sandero is the cheapest car in the UK. Initial reports are the Sandero does everything 'reasonably' which, for the money, certainly makes it a stripped-out proposition worth checking.
Vauxhall's Adam arrives in March, one month after the new Renault Clio. The French manufacturer will also launch its electric Zoe in the summer. Autumn sees the new Nissan Note — which switches from a high-riding hatchback to a more conventional supermini — and the MG3.
Winter sees the long-awaited introduction of the first in the BMW i-car sub-brand, the i3. The five-door electric hatchback is also fitted with a range-extender option.
HOT HATCHES:
This promises to b one of the most exciting and hotly-contested sectors in the market this year, with the new Renault Clio RS200, VW Golf GTI, Ford Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208GTI, Kia cee'd GT, Peugeot RCZ R, VW Up GT and Mini JCW GP all arriving. Oh, and don't forget the Mercedes A45 AMG.
Due in May, the Clio RS200 has a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine which is expected to catapult the car, via its standard dual-clutch transmission, from standstill to 60mph in under 6.5secs.
The Golf GTI, meanwhile, has a new 217bhp 2.0 turbo. More significantly is, for the first time, there's a optional performance pack available. This delivers an extra 10bhp, plus 52lb/ft more torque. With larger brakes and new differential, it's the most extreme Golf GTI yet. But you'll have to wait till July to get your hands on it.
Peugeot is also upping the ante: the RCZ R, at 260bhp, is the most powerful production Peugeot ever. Its arrival in December will coincide with a facelift of the rest of the RCZ range.
Mercedes will launch its AMG version of the new A-Class in the summer. With around 350bhp from its 2.0-litre engine, the A45 AMG is expected to be good for0-62mph in 5.1secs, and a top speed of 155mph. That increases to 168mph if you go for the optional performance pack. Expect it to cost around £36,000: a steal.
EXECUTIVE:
The movers and shakers of British industry will be spoilt for choice this year. While they will have to wait till next winter to get their hands on the new £64,495 Mercedes S-Class, if they've got a spare £200k they can snap up the Rolls Royce Ghost Coupe in the autumn.
The two-door Ghost will be faster than the saloon, which means it'll dip under the 4.7sec mark to 62mph. Don't forget though: it is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.6-litre V12!
Summer sees the arrival of a clutch of newcomers, including the Maserati Quattroporte, Lexus IS and Aston Martin Rapide, while the Infiniti Q50 arrives in the autumn.
Spring though sees the arrival of BMW's 3-series GT. The five-door liftback is 110mm longer than the 3-series saloon and delivers more luggage space than a 3 Touring. BMW's new 4-series — essentially a 3-series coupe — arrives in the autumn, in both coupe and cabriolet forms.
SUV:
Without question, the most important launch is that of the new Range Rover, which enters showrooms this month. Improved in every division — which in itself is a major achievement, given how startlingly good the previous model was — the new Range Rover has been dramatically reduced in weight, with up to 400kg shaved from its bulk. Everything in the newcomer is simpler and the quality of the interior is second to none. It is, quite simply, the best car there is.
BMW will launch its al-new third-generation X5 in the winter, coinciding with the new Range Rover Sport — which shares the Range Rover's aluminium underpinnings — and Porsche Macan.
The Porsche, which hopes to replicate the success of its bigger brother, the Cayenne, is similar in size to the Audi Q5, and though there are similarities to its make-up, the Macan has been re-engineered to ensure it handles and steers like a traditional Porsche.
Ford's new Kuga arrives in February, while March sees the new Toyota Rav4 and Mercedes GL enter UK showrooms.
PERFORMANCE:
Buyers will again be spoilt for choice, with the new Porsche Cayman, Vauxhall Insignia Super Sport, Audi RS6 Avant, Porsche 911 GT3, and Jaguar XFR-S all making their debuts. Without question though, one of the most anticipated cars to be launched this year is the Jaguar F-type.
Initially available only as a cabriolet — though a hardtop will follow — the F-type is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 pumping out either 335bhp or 375bhp. Just for good measure, there's also a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 which will deliver 488bhp.
Showroom demand for the car — which arrives in May — is said to be matching that of the Range Rover Evoque, which points to the fact the F-type is likely to be a raging success.
And that's despite the fact the entry-model starts at £58,500! Porsche, meanwhile, believe the second-generation Cayman will be the car to beat when it arrives in March: certainly on the track. Lighter, faster and with even better handling, the Cayman will be available with either the 275bhp 2.7-litre or 325bhp 3.4 flat-six engines. Combined with its sharper styling, it makes you wonder why you would ever consider a 911.
Hmmm, but then again, Porsche is also unveiling its 911 GT3. Powered by a 450bhp 3.8-litre flat-six, it should be capable of covering the 0-60mph sprint in under 4secs
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Jim McGill