Complete guide to 2012’s new cars

Rarely has 12 months of motoring offered the prospect of so many exciting new cars.

From the funky Volkswagen up! city car to the epic McLaren MP4-12C Convertible, there will be new models available for every budget or purpose. And big-hitting models like the Audi A3 and BMW 3 Series will be adorning driveways up and down the country.

Read on for our rundown of the launches we’re most looking forward to in 2012…

Audi

Audi A1 Sportback

Following from the three door Audi A1, the Audi A1 Sportback will offer five doors, more space and practicality, and will cost from £14,000.

Audi A3

The Audi A3 will be the German marque’s most important launch of the year. Three door, five-door Sportback and Cabriolet models will continue to be offered, but saloon and quasi-4×4 Allroad models will swell the ranks.

Audi RS 4

The last Audi RS 4 was the first mid-size performance Audi to outgun the mighty BMW M3, and the next model – which is rumoured to use technology from the Audi RS 5 – should be even better.

Audi S6 Avant

With a thumping 4-litre turbocharged V8 engine powering all four wheels, the S6 Avant promises to be another class-leading performance estate from Audi.

BMW

BMW 3 Series saloon

The benchmark for what a mid-sized executive saloon should be and do, the next BMW 3 Series is one of the most eagerly-awaited cars of 2012. A hybrid version will arrive in 2012, and a staggering 24 versions of the 3 Series will emit less than 120g/km of CO2.

BMW 3 Series Touring

Like the 3 Series in saloon trim, the Touring is tipped to lead the class when it goes on sale later in 2012.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet Camaro

With movie star looks and a 6.2-litre V8 engine, the Camaro has plenty of appeal. Early drives have revealed it to be a pure muscle car – fast in a straight line, but left wanting through the bends.

Fiat

Fiat Panda

The replacement for the 2004 Car of the Year winner comes at a great time – buyers are crying out for funky and affordable cars, and the new Fiat Panda carries this off with ease.

Ford

Ford Fiesta ST

The Ford Fiesta has been crying out for a hot engine, and the 180bhp 1.6 turbo will fit the bill. It arrives at the end of 2012, and the Fiesta ST is tipped to be one of the year’s top pocket rockets

Ford Focus BEV

The Nissan LEAF won’t have the electric family car market all to itself once the Ford Focus BEV is launched. Few details have been ann0unced, but it is expected to have a range of around 100 miles, a top speed of around 85mph and will take three to four hours for a full recharge.

Ford Focus ST

Out goes the sonorous five-cylinder engine from the old Ford Focus ST, and in comes with a 2-litre turbo that’s 20 per cent more efficient and even more potent. The new Focus ST will pack aggressive looks and will spawn an estate version for the first time.

Ford Kuga

The all-new Ford Kuga was unveiled at November’s L.A. motor show and looks stunning. Predictably it’ll be greener than the current Ford Kuga, and comes packed with new technology including a bootlid which can be opened by the driver making a kicking motion under the rear of the car.

Geely

Geely Emgrand EC7

A new name to British buyers is Geely. The Chinese car maker, which owns Volvo, will introduce its Emgrand EC7 saloon and hatchback which will offer a low-cost rival to the Skoda Octavia. Prices will be as low as £10,000.

Hyundai

Hyundai i30

The last couple of years have been a purple patch for Hyundai and its new i30 hatchback looks to continue that trend. It looks more upmarket than the current Hyundai i30 and should be safer and cheaper to run. Of course, it’ll come with Hyundai’s five year warranty too.

Hyundai Veloster

The Hyundai Veloster coupe enters a market dominated by the Volkswagen Scirocco, Renault Megane Coupe and recently-launched Vauxhall Astra GTC, but is said to be easier for four passengers to use and will significantly undercut the rivals’ list prices.

Jaguar

Jaguar XF Sport Brake

Rumoured to make its debut at the Geneva motor show in March 2012, the estate version of the Jaguar XF will rival the forthcoming BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes C Class estate. It should continue Jaguar’s design brilliance, and a hot XF R version is said to be in the pipeline.

Lexus

Lexus GS

The current Lexus GS is getting long in the tooth, but alongide the Infiniti M, it is the only car in its class to offer a hybrid option. The all-new Lexus GS is said to be more fun to drive, and you can bet Lexus will continue to push its petrol-electric technology as a diesel is unlikely to be offered.

Mazda

Competing against the Land Rover Freelander and Volkswagen Tiguan, the Mazda CX-5 is the car maker’s take on compact 4×4s. It is low slung with space for five and is expected to find favour with young buyers. Engineers have managed to limit CO2 emissions from the 2.2-litre diesel engine to less than 120g/km meaning it should be cheap to run.

McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C Convertible

The McLaren MP4-12C Convertible is set to be the new supercar of 2012. I’ll retain the coupe’s double-ton top speed and awesome scissor doors. The carbon fibre machine will attract a significant premium over the coupe’s £168,500 price tag.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes A-Class

The 2012 Mercedes A-Class hatchback will tone down the MPV looks of the current model, and will offer small, powerful engines in a quest to reduce emissions and running costs.

Mercedes B-Class

A busy year for the German marque kicks off with the Mercedes B-Class MPV. It’s more practical, nicer to drive and better looking than the original B-Class, but the ride is firm and it lacks the innovative interior that’s so important in this class.

Mercedes C 63 Coupe Black Series

The ultimate incarnation of the Mercedes C-Class coupe won’t appeal to everyone – it’s a race car with numberplates, and performance to match. Its 6.2-litre V8 develops 510bhp, but with far less weight than the standard car, it’ll reach 62mph in four seconds. Just a handful will be sold at around £100,000 each.

Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake

Following from the Shooting Brake concept at 2010’s Beijing motor show, the Mercedes CLS range will expand to offer a more practical alternative to the saloon version and Audi A7. Plus it will be more attractive than the BMW 5 Series GT.

Mercedes M-Class

Class-leading economy, emissions as low as 158g/km and a range of up to 930 miles on a single tank, the new Mercedes M-Class promises to be a compelling choice for 4×4 buyers. The M-Class will rival the BMW X5 and Range Rover.

Mercedes S-Class

The Mercedes S-Class range will grow to include short- and long-wheelbase saloons, a coupe replacing the CL and a convertible. Like all S Classes, it will brim with new technology to keep the occupants safer and more comfortable.

Mercedes SL Class

Made entirely from aluminium for the first time, the new lightweight Mercedes SL will be more comfortable, quieter and innovative than ever. Clever technology that turns the footwells into bass loudspeakers promises to offer an excellent sound from the audio system.

Peugeot

Peugeot 208

Peugeot’s latest B-segment contender is likely to be a lot more appealing than the 207 it replaces, and not just because it replaces that car’s challenging aesthetic with the Peugeot’s new corporate face, first seen on the 508 saloon. Lighter, more compact and with a funky new interior, the 208 could be the super-mini to watch in 2012. Oh, and there’s a hot GTI version coming too.

Porsche

Porsche Boxster

The new Porsche Boxster will have familiar styling, but will offer more space for passengers and luggage. Engines will be smaller than the current car, and rumours suggest a 2.5-litre four cylinder is waiting in the wings.

Porsche Cayman

Expected to launch shortly after the Boxster, the new Porsche Cayman will be powered by revised versions of the current engines, but will feature fuel-saving stop-start systems before more frugal  engines become available.

Renault

Renault Twingo

The Renault Twingo will receive significant revisions and is the first Renault to feature styling cues showcased on its recent concept cars. New colours and decals allow buyers to customise their car, and its engines will be more efficient.

Renault Twizy

Some cars claim to be radically different from other cars on the road – the Renault Twizy really is. Conceived as a second car for use around town, the Twizy looks like a car from the Jetsons and promises to be excellent around town with its electric drivetrain.

SEAT

SEAT Leon

The third generation of SEAT Leon will arrive in 2012 and promises more of the design flair the current car offers. It will spawn a plug-in hybrid version at the end of the year, and an all-electric version soon after.

SEAT Mii

One of three takes on the Volkswagen up!, the SEAT Mii is a dinky city car with a pair of 1-litre petrol engines, agile handling and space for four. The Mii oozes chic appeal and makes an ideal city car.

Skoda

Skoda Citigo

The second version of the Volkwagen up! is a another route into up! ownership without breaking the bank. The Skoda Citigo offers a pair of 1-litre engines developing either 58 or 74bhp which is plenty to make the Citigo a nippy urban car.

Subaru

Subaru BRZ

Developed alongside the Toyota GT 86, the Subaru BRZ takes the company’s knowledge of building powerful ‘boxer’ engines and blends it with Toyota’s ability to make great handling rear-wheel drive sportscars.

Toyota

Toyota GT 86

Another take on the Toyota-Subaru sportscar is the Toyota GT 86. It will pack a 197bhp 2-litre engine in its lightweight chassis and offer space for four inside. Expect a seven-second 0-62mph time and a 145mph top speed.

Toyota Yaris HSD

The new Toyota Yaris has had a cool reception since being introduced in 2011, but its appeal will widen with the hybrid HSD version. It will join the Honda Jazz in the hybrid supermini sector.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet

The recently-launched Volkswagen Beetle will be joined by a convertible version. Topless models enjoyed huge success with the previous model, which suited the Beetle’s cutesy looks. A range of petrol and diesel engines will be offered

Volkswagen Beetle R

Unveiled as a concept at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, the production version of the Volkswagen Beetle R will offer similarly aggressive looks and the 2-litre turbo from the Golf R and Scirocco R with around 265bhp.

Volkswagen up!

The replacement for the Fox, the Volkswagen up!, might have compact dimensions, but its surprisingly adept on the motorway. It comes with VW’s upmarket image, stylish looks and starts at a competitive £8k – although for that, don’t expect much standard equipment.

By Stuart Milne, Deputy Editor