C-D of new cars
From the eco Citroen DS3 Electrum to the budget Dacia Sandero, here are the best new cars from C to D
Cadillac ATS On sale: Late 2013Price: From £24,000 (est.)
The Cadillac ATS is designed to tackle the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, and it will do so with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, and eventually a diesel – details on which are some way off. The rear-drive saloon will also offer magnetic suspension, and a focus on weight makes it lighter than an equivalent Audi A4.
Chevrolet Aveo RS On sale: January 2013Price: From £16,000 (est.)
The Aveo gets a shot in the arm with a 138bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that’s also used in the Chevrolet Trax and Vauxhall Mokka crossovers. The RS is much lighter than the standard car, and with 17-inch alloy wheels, a bodykit, firmer chassis and decent dynamics, it’s a genuine rival to the Suzuki Swift Sport.
Driven it: Damion Smy“The Aveo RS lives up to its promise of being more fun to drive, offering an engaging blend of pace and affordability in a stylish, well equipped package with smart features.”
Chevrolet Spark On sale: Spring 2013Price: £8,500 (est.)
The facelifted Spark supermini has been launched in the USA – and we’ve driven it. The 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre engines remain unchanged, but there are new bumpers, an expanded colour scheme and a redesigned console inside.
Chevrolet Trax On sale: Spring 2013Price: £16,000 (est.)
Chevrolet’s answer to the Nissan Juke shares underpinnings with the Vauxhall Mokka. But the Trax has been given a much more rugged, ‘mini-Chevy SUV’ look. It’s offered with front or four-wheel drive, and powered by a choice of 1.4 turbo and 1.6-litre petrol engines, plus a 1.7-litre diesel – which will be the pick of the range. Inside, the Trax has 1,371 litres of boot space, as well as smartphone app-reading tech.
Driven it: Damion Smy”The Trax will be the best car Chevrolet offers in the UK, with an array of hi-tech kit, practical cabin and well rounded drive. It has some competent rivals, though.”
Citroen C3 Picasso On sale: Early 2013Price: From £13,500 (est.)
Mid-life tweaks to the C3 Picasso include a revised front bumper, lots of chrome trim and Citroen’s latest double-chevron badge and grille. Buyers will be able to choose from two new paint colours, plus a range of new interior trims. Also available is Citroen’s eMyWay sat-nav, which includes an audio jack, USB sockets and Bluetooth.
Citroen DS3 Cabrio On sale: Early 2013Price: From £14,000 (est.)
Another string is added to the MINI rival’s bow with this cabriolet version, which blends chic looks with a sporty chassis. The roll-back canvas soft-top follows the example of the Fiat 500C, and folds electronically in 16 seconds. It’s offered in patterned black, grey or blue. There’s still a glass rear window and a roof-mounted rear spoiler, but the cabrio is only 40kg heavier than the hatch, minimising the impact on fuel economy and the driving dynamics. Unique LED tail-lamps set the cabrio apart from the hatch, while the bootlid opening mechanism has been redesigned to fold upwards in line with the rear window. This maximises the 245-litre load area – a reduction of only 40 litres against the hatch.
Citroen DS3 Electrum On sale: 2014Price: From £15,000 (est.)
The electric DS3 boasts twice the power of a Renault ZOE, with Citroen saying it will deliver “performance consistent with the current DS3, together with zero emissions”. It can be quick-charged from empty to 80 per cent in 30 minutes, and has a range of 75 miles.
Citroen DS4 Racing On sale: Late 2013Price: £30,000 (est.)
The new DS4 Racing takes the 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo from the DS3 (and also used in the MINI Cooper), and ups power to 256bhp – giving more power per litre than a McLaren MP4-12C, at 160bhp. Firmer, lower suspension and 19-inch alloys should mean it’s great in corners, and a 0-62mph time of less than six seconds is expected.
Dacia Duster On sale: December 2012Price: From £8,995
The Dacia Duster will shake up the SUV market when it arrives later this year, as it’s well made, good to drive and offers class-leading luggage space in a package starting from only £8,995. It’s the brand’s first model to go on sale in the UK, and will come in two or four-wheel drive, with 103bhp 1.5 diesel or 106bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines. And the diesel promises to be cheap to run, with 56.5mpg fuel economy and 130g/km CO2 emissions. Entry-level cars ride on steel wheels and have no air-con or power windows, but the Duster is still set to be a hit.
Driven it: Damion Smy“The Duster is an honest and likeable crossover unapologetically built to a price. Yet it doesn’t feel overly cheap, has good road manners and plenty of space.”
Dacia Lodgy On sale: Mid-2013Price: From £8,200 (est.)
Dacia is on a roll, and after the Duster SUV and Sandero hatch have been launched in the UK, the Lodgy people carrier will follow in the middle of next year. It’ll be the cheapest MPV on the market, sold as a five or seven-seater, and promises an enormous 2,617 litres of luggage space with the seats folded.
Dacia Sandero On sale: Jan 2013Price: From £5,995
The Sandero supermini will join the Renault budget brand’s line-up next year. Prices start at £5,995 and undercut the cheapest Ford Fiesta by almost £4,000. Base models do without alloy wheels, electric mirrors or air-con, although airbags, ABS and power-steering are standard. Mid-spec models get body-coloured bumpers, front foglights and a height-adjustable driver’s seat, while you have to stretch to a top-spec car to get alloys. Dacias will be sold in dedicated sections of Renault’s current dealerships.
Dacia Sandero Stepway On sale: April 2013Price: From £7,995
The rugged Sandero Stepway sits between the Dacia Duster SUV and standard Sandero. It rides 40mm higher off the ground than the regular supermini, while front and rear skid plates offer modest off-road ability. Engines will include Renault’s new 1.2 TCe 90 and 1.5-litre dCi 90.
