K-L of new cars
Here are the most exciting cars for 2013 from K to L, including the new Kia Carens and sleek Lexus LF-CC
Kia Carens On sale: March 2013Price: From £16,000 (est.)
The new Carens is much more stylish than Kia’s previous seven-seater MPV, while it’s also longer and wider to provide more space for passengers. There are some clever storage areas, while premium options include heated rear seats. A choice of 1.7-litre diesels will be offered alongside a 1.6-litre petrol four-cylinder engine.
Kia Pro_cee'd On sale: Spring 2013Price: From £12,000 (est.)
The Pro_cee’d is the three-door version of the C’eed, and joins the five-door and Sportswagon estate in the line-up. The basic looks of the Cee’d are successfully adapted into three-door form, with the familiar tiger-snout grille complemented by a dramatic character line sweeping along the body towards a thick C-pillar. A range of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel models are expected, but in keeping with the car’s sporting pretensions, a GT model has been confirmed. It’s likely to use a 200bhp version of the Hyundai Veloster Turbo’s 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder. The Vauxhall Astra GTC and VW Scirocco will be its key rivals.
Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 On sale: NovemberPrice: From £150,000 (est.)
The Gallardo now has a subtle new look, inspired by the angular design of its Lamborghini Aventador big brother. The bumper now has a huge intake, plus there are new hexagonal brake ducts. Their patterns are mirrored at the rear and there’s a new 19-inch wheel design. An optional Style Package adds gloss-black paint on the front spoiler and front and rear grilles.
Land Rover Range Rover On sale: NowPrice: From £71,295
The Range Rover has been on a diet that even the most body-conscious celebrity would be proud of. Its aluminium construction sheds a whole 420kg from the car’s kerbweight, promising to make the Range Rover sharper to drive and cleaner than before. But ditching the pounds hasn’t come at the expense of luxury. The new Rangie is bigger than the previous car, giving 118mm more rear legroom. It’s posher than ever, too, with the option of massaging seats in the front and rear, and a powerful 29-speaker Meridian stereo. And it’s improved off-road, too, thanks to better approach angles and a new Terrain Response system.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Cabrio On sale: 2014Price: From £40,000 (est.)
A top-of-the-range car usually comes with all the bells and whistles, and the Evoque Cabrio will be packed with just about everything – except, that is, a fixed roof. The canvas-topped two-door is still in the pipeline, but should top the Evoque range from 2014. Land Rover is expecting it to prove especially popular in the US.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport On sale: Late 2013Price: From £50,000 (est.)
The wraps have already come off the new RR flagship – and our spies have also caught the new version of the Range Rover Sport. It has more pronounced front and rear bumpers, plus more steeply raked windscreens. A choice of petrol V8 and diesel V6 engines is expected to be offered, all fitted with an eight-speed auto gearbox.
Lexus LF-CC On sale: 2014Price: From £30,000 (est)
The sleek LF-CC previews the next generation of Lexus’ BMW 3 Series-rivalling IS, which will be sold as a coupe alongside the saloon for the first time. It gets a dramatic grille, new L-shaped ‘arrowhead’ LED lights and three separate housings for the headlamps. Aggressive tail-lamps follow the daring design of the front. The LF-CC’s new hybrid powertrain will make it to the production IS, too. This mates a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver around 200bhp, while Lexus says it will emit less than 100g/km of CO2. A showroom-ready version of the saloon is likely to debut at January’s Detroit Motor Show, while the new IS coupe is expected to arrive in summer 2014.
Lexus LS On sale: January 2013Price: From £71,995
A new, more aggressive grille is the biggest news for the facelifted Lexus LS. There’s also a new F Sport model, with a lower ride height and bolder front bumper. UK buyers will be offered the choice of a petrol-powered LS 460 or hybrid LS 600h - with the latter matching a petrol V8 to an electric motor to give 439bhp and 30mpg-plus.
