With the recession taking its toll on businesses around the world you'd think that the car makers would scale back their new model plans to save some money, but in fact the opposite is true. Every brand is fighting hard for its sales and there's no better way to do that than to launch a new car. There are some really exciting new models on their way over the next couple of years. We've picked what we think will be the most eagerly-anticipated ten.
Audi A1:
Due in the UK: 'Quarter 4' of 2010
Price: From £13,750
I don't think we're sticking our necks out too much by saying that Audi's new 'MINI beater' will be hot property when it reaches showrooms later this year. All the class, prestige and quality of Audi's larger cars in a compact and more affordable shape? How could it fail? Audi really didn't need the services of Justin Timberlake to publicise the A1.
BMW 5 Series Touring:
Due in the UK: September 2010
Price: From £30,380
BMW's new 5 Series is a lovely car with better performance and economy than ever before. On top of that it now features styling that isn't so aggressive and may have more widespread appeal than its predecessor. For some reason we find ourselves hankering after the forthcoming estate version - or Touring in BMW-speak. Prices start at £30,380 for the highly-efficient 520d.
Citroen DS4:
Due in the UK: estimated early 2011
Price: Estimated at £20,000
Indulge our educated guesswork on this one. Citroen has not actually unveiled the second model in its new DS range as yet, but we're pretty sure it'll be closely based on the DS High Rider concept on display at the Geneva Motor Show. Picture it with five doors and you get the idea.
Ford Focus:
Due in the UK: early 2011
Price: Estimated at £18,000
Not everyone will be excited by the news that there's an all-new Ford Focus on the way, but given that it's consistently one of the best-selling cars on sale, it's highly significant to a vast number of people. Anyway, have you seen what Ford's designers have been cooking up? Looks fab. Pity we have to wait until 2011 really.
Honda CR-Z:
Due in the UK: summer 2010
Price: From £16,999
That's right, another hybrid. The Honda CR-Z isn't any old hybrid though; it's being marketed as a hybrid sports car. We're dying to find out if it lives up to its billing. Its looks are a good start, being at once futuristic and an homage to the CR-X coupé from the mid-nineties.
Lexus CT 200h:
Due in the UK: late 2010
Price: Estimated at £20,000
Surprised that there are three hybrids on this list? You shouldn't be, as the car makers strive to reduce their fleet's average CO2 emissions. Lexus reckons it might eventually sell only hybrid cars. Enter the CT 200h, a rival for the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, only with a hybrid powertrain. All we know so far is that it'll have 'class leading' emissions and economy.
MINI Roadster:
Due in the UK: estimated early 2011
Price: Estimated at £18,000
Given how long ago MINI unveiled the super-cool Roadster and Coupé twins you'd think they'd be on sale by now, but there's still no sign of the production-ready versions. However, it has been confirmed that the sporty duo will be made in Oxford. We're already saving up for a 200bhp John Cooper Works Coupé.
Nissan Juke crossover:
Due in the UK: October 2010
Price: From £13,000
We wouldn't go so far as to say that Nissan invented the crossover category, but boy, has it made it its own. The Juke is the funkier, smaller brother to the family-oriented Qashqai and it goes on sale later this year. Although nobody's saying it, it could be considered to be an alternative to the ubiquitous MINI. It'll be made in Sunderland.
Saab 9-5:
Due in the UK: Summer 2010
Price: From £26,495
It's difficult to know what will happen to Saab now that it's owned by a small Dutch supercar maker instead of a massive American corporation, but we do know that the nicely styled Saab 9-5 saloon will go on sale this year, starting at £26,495. Think of it as an alternative to BMW's 5 Series and it looks good value.
Toyota Auris HSD:
Due in the UK: July 2010
Price: Estimated at £20,000
Toyota has committed to launching a hybrid version of each of its models and the new Auris HSD (that's Hybrid Synergy Drive) is the start of that programme. It uses the Prius' hybrid technology to achieve 89g/km CO2 and 74.3mpg, which finally gives the all-conquering turbodiesels something to think about. The conventional hatchback shape of the Auris should have more mass-market appeal than the Prius too.
