We're breaking out our automotive crystal ball and taking a look into the future to pinpoint the best new cars due to go on sale in 2015. Obvious highlights include the Jaguar XE, a new compact executive challenger from the famous British marque and the all-new Volvo XC90, a car that should intensify the fight for premium SUV sales.
There's much more too with Honda's latest Jazz finally arriving on these shores, a new Mazda2 supermini and Audi unleashing a new R8 supercar. Yes, 2015 has all the hallmarks of a year that will live long in the memory of car fans. Just scroll down the page for the latest details on all the year's newcommers.
The best new cars coming in 2015
Jaguar XE
Price: £25k
On sale: early 2015
The XE is going to be Jaguar’s most important car for years. It’ll be aiming to break German brands’ dominance of the compact executive class, with a raft of new technology to lure buyers away from the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. This shot of the nose is all we’ve seen so far, but a clean design with XJ styling cues is a strong starting point.
This will be the first Jaguar to use a new aluminium platform – which also serves as the basis for the upcoming C-X17 SUV – and will be offered with a variety of new four-cylinder engines. Some will emit less than 100g/km of CO2 and others will help the car top 186mph. We’ll see the production model by the end of the year, with estate and coupé versions to follow.
Volvo XC90
Price: £40k (est)
On sale: Early 2015
While the new Volvo XC90 hasn’t been officially revealed yet, our exclusive image (left) gives you a clue about how it could look. Its design will be heavily influenced by the Volvo XC Coupé seen at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year. The SUV will also be the first production Volvo to be based on the SPA architecture, constructed from a mix of lightweight, high-strength steels. An all-new 302bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, twinned with an electric motor, has been confirmed.
Mazda2
Price: £11k (est)
On sale: Early 2015
Even though it’s badged the Hazumi concept, what you’re looking at here is a thinly veiled version of the all-new Mazda 2. The production model will arrive early next year, and will be slightly bigger than the car it replaces, giving it similar proportions to Ford’s class-leading Fiesta supermini.
The design is clearly inspired by Mazda’s recently launched 3, and features a three-dimensional shield-shaped grille, which incorporates the headlight design. Under the skin, Mazda will fit the latest 1.5-litre SkyActiv diesel – this efficient engine makes its debut in the new 2, and promises less than 90g/km of CO2.
A 1.5-litre petrol engine will also be offered. Mazda expects the new 2 to double its sales in the supermini class.
Honda Jazz
Price: £14,000 (est)
On sale: early 2015
third generation of Honda’s popular Jazz arrives next year. The design will be a departure from the current supermini, and the car will strengthen its place at the top of the class for interior space.
Not only will it retain the current Jazz’s Magic Seats, with their flip-up bases, an increase in wheelbase length will mean even more room. Plus, there’ll be more engines – as well as an improved hybrid and two petrol engines, a diesel will join the range. And Honda will boost the handling, to rival Ford’s Fiesta.
Audi R8
Price: £100,000 (est)
On sale: early 2015
If you’ve already pored over the technical specs of Lamborghini’s new Huracán, you’ll know a fair amount about Audi’s all-new R8. The cars share the same mixed-material chassis, combining a carbon fibre section with an aluminium spaceframe for lower weight and improved stiffness. Like the Huracán, the R8 won’t be offered with a manual box – only a seven-speed twin-clutch S tronic – but it will be longer and wider than the Lambo
for improved comfort and stability.
Ford S-MAX
Price: £23,000
On sale: early 2015
The second generation of Ford’s sporty MPV was seen in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. But we’ll have to wait until the end of this year to see the showroom version. That’s because Ford wants to get the launch of the new Mondeo out of the way, then the S-MAX can start rolling down the same production line in Valencia, Spain.
However, the concept is said to be very close to the finished version, so expect a similar design, plus tech like self-parking and the
latest SYNC 2 infotainment system to feature. Engines will include the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol, a broad choice of diesels and a hybrid.
Hyundai i20
Price: £10.5k (est)
On sale: early 2015
The Hyundai i20 was only facelifted recently, but that hasn’t stopped the brand pressing ahead with an all-new model, which is due to debut
at the Paris Motor Show in October. It’ll be among the largest cars in its class, as Hyundai bids to offer more space and value than rival models such as the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. There’ll also be a hot-hatch version, wearing Hyundai’s new ‘N’ performance branding.
Audi A4
Price: £24k (est)
On sale: early 2015
The new A4 will mark a bold new era for Audi’s saloon-car design. With a front-end treatment similar to the new TT, it’ll feature a sharp new grille, slimmer headlights and the four-ring badge placed on the bonnet. Audi also plans to usurp the BMW 3 Series as the best-handling car in the class, thanks to a 100kg weight reduction from the current car. As well as the usual petrol and diesel engines, hybrid models are expected.
Ford Edge
Price: £26,000 (est)
On sale: 2015
Ford’s line-up of SUVs will expand next year, with the Edge sitting above the EcoSport and Kuga. It’s based on the new Mondeo platform and aims to appeal to buyers who want a large, well specced 4x4. The car has already been shown in concept form, and it’s likely Ford will give us a look at the production version before the end of this year. We expect a choice of 2.0-litre diesels, plus the plug-in hybrid that will be used in the next Mondeo.
Honda Civic Type-R
Price: £30k (est)
On sale: March 2015
Honda promises its next Civic Type R will be a true race car for the road. And while the brand has already gone public with its desire to break the sub-eight-minute Nürburgring lap record set recently by SEAT’s Leon Cupra, the Type R Concept (above) gave us a hint of the wild looks. Flared wheelarches, quad exhausts and a huge rear wing will all grace the new car, which Honda now sees as a rival for the VW Golf R. It’ll be priced accordingly, too, and while it won’t have 4WD, the Type R will get a new direct-injection 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo developing “over 276bhp”.
Ford Mondeo Vignale
Price: £30k (est)
On sale: early 2015
Would you pay £30,000 for a Mondeo? Ford thinks so, as the large family car will be the first model to be offered in a new flagship Vignale range. Setting it apart are quilted leather, Alcantara rooflining and different alloys. Other models will follow, such as the Focus – but Ford is describing Vignale as an ownership experience, with cars sold from bespoke areas of dealers, and buyers getting benefits like free valeting for the model’s lifetime.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
Price: £45,000 (est)
On sale: Early 2015
It was inevitable that Alfa would chop the roof off the 4C at some point... One of the big benefits of the 4C coupé’s carbon fibre monocoque construction is its stiffness, so Alfa claims the roof mechanism only adds 60kg to the 895kg kerbweight – if engineers had needed to strengthen the body, it would have been a lot more. The stunning Spider is set to stick with the coupé’s drivetrain, so that means a 1.75-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine and a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox – and it should translate into a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds and a 155mph top speed. Plus, revised headlights and a new exhaust should ensure the Spider looks and sounds even better than the coupé.
Toyota FT-1
Price: £45,000
On sale: late 2015
It’s hard not to see the FT-1 as a replacement for the Supra, even though Toyota is officially referring to the concept as a design study. And given how well the car was received at its debut at January’s Detroit Motor Show, a replacement for the coupé could become reality. A spokesman confirmed the intention is to gauge reaction to the front-engined, rear-wheel-drive FT-1 and “take the plan from there”. Toyota has remained tight-lipped over engines, but did reveal that it isn’t a hybrid.
Ford Mustang
Price: £30,000 (est)
On sale: early 2015
Fans of American muscle cars rejoice. The sixth-generation Mustang will come to the UK in right-hand drive next spring. There’ll be a 304bhp 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost model and a top-spec 420bhp 5.0 V8. Coupés and convertibles will be offered, as will six-speed manual or auto boxes. As it’s now a global car, Ford has added multi-link rear suspension for the first time, while torque vectoring and a limited-slip diff should give fine handling. The coupé is expected to start at £30k; the V8 from £35k.
Mercedes S-Class Coupe
Price: £100,000 (est)
On sale: early 2015
Stunning concept cars often struggle to make it to production with their beautiful looks intact, but Mercedes has managed to achieve just that
with the new S-Class Coupe. It wears the same sharp creases and sculpted lines as the show car seen on the stands at Frankfurt in 2013.
The two-door is 89mm shorter than the saloon, and the roofline has been lowered by 85mm, making for a sleeker profile. Inside, the design is much more sporty, with a three-spoke steering wheel and steeply raked windscreen. Mercedes has taken the wraps off two versions: the S500 and S63 AMG. The latter uses a 5.5-litre twin-turbo engine and can hit 62mph in 3.9 seconds, while the S500 gets a 449bhp 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8.
Infiniti Q30
Price: £16,000 (est)
On sale: spring 2015
Infiniti calls the Q30 a fusion of a hatchback, a crossover and a coupé, and it’s the Nissan-owned premium brand’s take on posh hatchbacks like the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. As part of the tie-up between Infiniti and Mercedes, the newcomer will be built on the latest A-Class’ MFA platform.
The Q30 is seen as essential for expanding Infiniti’s market share in Europe, and the car will be assembled in the UK, at Nissan’s Sunderland factory on Wearside.
Honda NSX
Price: £100,000 (est)
On sale: mid-2015
As well as launching a new Civic Type R (Page 60) and returning to F1 as an engine builder, Honda will revive its NSX next year. But the new supercar will be a hybrid. A mid-mounted direct-injection V6 will drive the rear wheels through a twin-clutch gearbox, while three electric motors – two on the front axle and one built into the gearbox – give the car four-wheel drive and a combined power output of over 400bhp. The motors will also have a torque vectoring function, ensuring agile handling.
