M-N of new cars
Our A-Z continues with letters M to N, with highlights including the MINI Roadster, updated Nissan GT-R and efficient Mazda CX-5
Maserati Quattroporte
On sale: November
Price: £85,000 (est)
It’s one of the most desirable luxury sports saloons in the world – and the new version is set to get even more glamorous. Inspired by the new Kubang SUV concept, the second-generation Quattroporte will stand out even more. Power will come from an updated V8 engine.
Mazda 6
On sale: December
Price: £18,000 (est)
Previewed by the Takeri concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, the production version of the new 6 is scheduled to appear at September’s Paris show. Engines will include a 164bhp 2.0-litre petrol and 173bhp 2.2 diesel taken from Mazda’s SkyActiv range.
Mazda CX-5
On sale: April
Price: £22,000 (est)
The CX-5 will go up against fierce compact crossover rivals such as the VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai, and is an impressive addition to the class. Not only is it stylish, roomy and practical, it’ll also be the greenest, most efficient SUV money can buy. It’s the first car to feature Mazda’s new SkyActiv fuel-saving technologies, and the range incorporates a 163bhp petrol and 148bhp or 172bhp diesels. The latter, a 2.2-litre four-cylinder, is the pick of the line-up, offering ultra-low CO2 emissions of only 119g/km and economy of nearly 65mpg. Crucially, it loves to rev and feels very petrol-like in its nature. The CX-5 will be a strong contender in the SUV market.
We’ve driven it…
Luke Madden, Motoring writer: "I’m a big fan of the CX-5 – it’s great to drive, with sharp handling and well weighted steering. The new SkyActiv diesels are incredible. They’re smooth and efficient with lots of low-rev shove, but plenty of pull at high revs, too."
Mercedes A-Class
On sale: December
Price: £18k (est)
Out goes the old MPV-style A-Class and in comes a more stylish – and conventional – hatchback that will target the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and VW Golf. It should be a huge success for Mercedes, with a new front-wheel-drive chassis giving a very sporty yet comfortable driving experience. The new A-Class will be available as both a three and five-door, while power will come from a new 1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine, producing either 120bhp or 154bhp. There will also be a super-efficient new 1.8-litre diesel, offering up to 134bhp. Factor in a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the newcomer should feel every inch the baby Mercedes.
Mercedes B-Class
On sale: March
Price: £21,000 (est)
Finally, the B-Class offers buyers a genuine alternative to cars such as the Ford C-MAX and VW Golf Plus. It’s stylish, more practical and more efficient than any previous model. The entry-level diesel emits only 115g/km of CO2 and delivers fuel economy of 64.2mpg, making it one of the greenest MPVs around.
We’ve driven it…
Jack Rix, Deputy motoring editor: "Upmarket, flexible and smart, the new B-Class improves on the old car. It’s not as much fun to drive as a Ford C-MAX but it’s comfortable and bodes well for the new A-Class, with which it shares its platform."
Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake
On sale: May
Price: £48,000 (est)
Space and style are the key ingredients of the swoopy new CLS estate – dubbed the ‘Shooting Brake’ after the 2010 concept car. It will have the same range of engines as the saloon, luggage space should be on par with the C-Class estate and there’ll be space for four adults.
Mercedes E-Class 300 Bluetec Hybrid
On sale: July
Price: £40,000 (est)
It will be a bold new dawn for Mercedes when the production-ready E-Class diesel hybrid makes its debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January. The car mates a 200bhp 2.2-litre diesel to a 15kW electric motor and will return around 60mpg and emit only 109g/km.
Mercedes M-Class
On sale: March
Price: £42,000 (est)
Claimed to be the world’s greenest SUV, the new M-Class will feature a four-cylinder diesel engine for the first time, returning nearly 50mpg. At the other end of the scale is the AMG version, which has a 518bhp twin-turbo V8 and sprints from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds.
We’ve driven it…
Sam Hardy, Motoring editor: "The new M-Class is a big leap forward – it’s precise yet relaxing to drive and the interior is as luxurious and well made as you’d expect. Clever active anti-roll bars make it far more agile in corners."
Mercedes SL
On sale: September
Price: £63k (est)
The all-new SL will be wider, lower and lighter than the car it replaces. It takes the fight to cabrio versions of the Jaguar XK and BMW 6 Series, and Mercedes expects the entry-level 3.5-litre petrol V6 to be a big hit. Gadgets will include a Magic Sky Control electro-chromatic glass roof.
Mercedes SLK 55 AMG
On sale: January
Price: £58,000 (est)
The fastest SLK features a clever naturally aspirated 416bhp 5.5-litre V8 that shuts down four cylinders on light throttle loads. The result is a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds, 33.6mpg economy and a glorious soundtrack. Porsche’s Boxster is still more fun to drive, though.
Mercedes SLS E-Cell
On sale: September
Price: £250k (est)
Powered by four electric motors producing 533bhp, the SLS E-Cell takes four seconds to go from 0-62mph – only two-tenths slower than the petrol version. But it doesn’t come cheap: the E-Cell will cost around £100,000 more and its limited run will make it a very rare beast indeed.
MG 3
On sale: October
Price: £9,500 (est)
There are high hopes at MG for its all-new supermini. From launch, the only engine option will be a 107bhp 1.5-litre. It’s quick, although fuel economy of 43mpg and CO2 emissions of 154g/km lag behind rivals such as the Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI – so a 1.4-litre diesel will follow.
MINI Roadster
On sale: May
Price: From £18,015
The Mazda MX-5 has a fight on its hands – with the sporty two-seat MINI Roadster. It’s a drop-top version of the Coupe with a body that sits 20mm lower to the road than the four-seat MINI Convertible. The Roadster stands out on the high street with its raked windscreen and distinctive rear end, although from the front it looks like any other MINI. UK cars get a semi-automatic fabric roof. This folds away in only 10 seconds to reveal the familiar retro-styled interior. A stiffer chassis should combine with the lower centre of gravity to make the Roadster great to drive, while there’s a choice of three petrol engines and one diesel. All cars also get stop-start, so they’ll be frugal as well as fun.
Mitsubishi ASX facelift
On sale: October
Price: £16,000 (est)
Mitsubishi’s Qashqai rival will get an update late next year, to help it compete with new cars like the Subaru XV. Expect reshaped bumpers and light clusters, plus new versions of the 1.6-litre petrol engine and 1.8 diesel. A plug-in hybrid is set to join the range, too.
Mitsubishi Colt
On sale: March
Price: £9,500 (est)
The new Colt will be another road tax-free supermini when it arrives early next year. It will emit less than 100g/km of CO2 and have a choice of 1.0 or 1.2-litre petrol engines mated to a CVT gearbox. It gets stop-start technology and regenerative brakes, too.
Mitsubishi Outlander
On sale: October
Price: £24,000 (est)
The new Outlander, previewed by the PX-MiEV concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, will get the option of seven seats. The 2.2-litre diesel will continue, alongside a smaller 1.8 diesel from the ASX, while the flagship will be a 170mpg plug-in hybrid with a 30-mile electric range.
Morgan Plus 8
On sale: April
Price: £70,000 (est)
Discontinued in 2004, the Plus 8 is back – with a smart makeover and an engine revamp. The new car gets plenty of modern styling, too. Power will come from the same 4.8-litre V8 petrol engine that powers the Aero Supermax. It’s not cheap, though…
Nissan GT-R MY12
On sale: February
Price: £76,000 (est)
Another year, another round of upgrades for the sensational GT-R. Despite the super coupe receiving an extra few bhp only 12 months ago, Nissan has tweaked the suspension and the 3.7-litre twin-turbo V6 again to push it to 542bhp: 0-62mph now takes 2.8 seconds.
We’ve driven it…
Jack Rix, Deputy motoring editor: "The previous GT-R was incredibly fast and capable in all conditions. The new one is even quicker and sharper to drive. It’s still not that easy to live with, but that’s a small price to pay for amazing performance."
Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi Stop-Start
On sale: January
Price: £19,445
The Qashqai is one of the best all-rounders in the family car class – and the addition of a new 128bhp 1.6-litre dCi engine, complete with fuel-saving stop-start, makes it even better. It’s capable of returning 62.8mpg, and is cheap to tax, too, with CO2 emissions of only 119g/km.
Details
Chart position: 5
