2020 promises all kinds of exciting and long-awaited cars. A common theme which we have seen is a rise of electric cars with a 135% increase year on year in new registrations according to the SMMT. Brands such as Volkswagen, Audi and Jaguar are all set to release more innovative electric car models throughout the year. But one trend that has continued from the past few years is the rise of SUVs, be it compact or otherwise. We are seeing many coupe style SUVs as well as SUV’s from brands that would traditionally make performance supercars. Read on to find out about new cars for 2020.
Volkswagen ID Crozz
The Volkswagen ID Crozz is an all-electric SUV, designed with a classy coupe body. It will have an impressive 340-mile range, dynamic all-wheel drive (unlike the ID 3) and an airy, spacious cabin. Some of its cutting-edge features include an augmented reality head up display which projects key information such as directions and speed onto the windscreen. In addition to this, the clever head up display will also interact with your surroundings to point out areas of interest and highlight speed limits. Its design is unique, sleek and futuristic. This is best demonstrated by the design of its headlights which morph around the car body into the taillights. The ID Crozz is likely to have similar battery choices to the ID 3 which will have either 48, 55 or 63kWh. You can expect the ID Crozz to go on sale from mid-2020.
Audi Q4 e-tron
The Audi Q4 e-tron is an all-electric compact SUV and is expected to go on sale from September 2020. The Q4 e-tron will have a large 83.0kWh battery and a range of up to 260 miles. It can accelerate from 0-62 miles in 6.3 seconds and can go up to a maximum 112 miles an hour. The Audi Q4 e-tron is a Quattro with the front and rear axles powered by an electric motor. An electronic control allows optimal torque distribution, rather than the axles having a mechanical connection – making it perfect in all weather conditions. The interior is ultra-modern with light warm colours and a contrasting dark floor area. The floor covering is made of recycled materials, whereas the seats are capsulated with Alcantara material, finished off with thick double stitching. The exterior isn’t much of a jump from other Audi SUVs, however the bold light band across the back for taillights really make a statement.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is Tesla’s fourth electric car and has some similarities with the Model 3. It is an SUV with up to 300 miles of range, and it can go from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. The slightly lower range model with the dual motor all-wheel drive has a range of 280 miles and can go from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. The Performance Model will also have a range of 280 miles however the price will be slightly higher. The design of the Model Y is like a cross between the Model 3 saloon and the Model X SUV. It has seven seats however unlike the Model X, it doesn’t have the falcon doors. It has a panoramic glass roof and is similar in size to the Mercedes Benz GLC – giving it more of a crossover type feel. Orders for the Tesla Y are now open, with deliveries starting from summer 2020.
Audi e-tron Sportback
Re-defining driving is the Audi e-tron Sportback which is being released in Spring 2020. Not only is this car an SUV, but it’s an SUV coupe that is also electric. The coupe shape gives it a better drag coefficient and ensures the e-tron Sportback is aerodynamic. Some other new changes include its new digital matrix headlights which are made of one million micromirrors. They can tilt at 5000 times a second which means the LED light direction and shapes are more precise. These are useful for a range of safety measures, such as keeping your high beam light out of the vision of oncoming cars, and to illuminate the lane ahead of you. The lights aren’t just practical, but they have a fun element to them as well. They can create different light patterns when you lock and unlock your car. The Audi e-tron Sportback has a sporty feel due to its low centre of gravity and almost 50:50 weight distribution. You can also select a boost mode which can peak to 402bhp and 490lb torque.
Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender has made a comeback this year and deliveries are expected in Spring 2020. The new Defender encompasses elements from its original iconic design but with a modern – and less boxy- twist. The Defender also promises more competence with its all-terrain capabilities and new architecture which is three times stronger than the body frame design of previous Defenders. It will host a new brake-by-wire system which allows more linear and precise braking pressure. The suspension has also been reinforced to allow more suspension travel and ground clearance. You can choose from a four cylinder or six-cylinder petrol engine. The first with 296 bhp and the latter with 396bhp. There are also two four-cylinder diesel options with 197bhp and 237bhp. In addition to the latest tech, the interior also offers plenty of space and functionality. For example, the gear selector is dash mounted to leave room between the front seats for an optional third seat in the 90 model.
Alpina B3 Touring
Alpina revealed its tuned version of the new BMW 3 series at Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year and it will be available to order from the 1st quarter of 2020. It boasts 19-inch alloy wheels, a body kit, a larger diameter quad-exit exhaust system and a reprofiled tailgate with a new roof spoiler. As an optional extra you can get the 20inch multi spoke alloy wheels instead to really make a statement. The Alpina B3 Touring is powered by a tuned version of the BMW twin-turbocharged 3.0 litre straight six petrol engine. The turbochargers have been reengineered and ECU remapped resulting in 457bhp and 700Nm of torque. The B3 Touring will include an eight-speed automatic gear box and all four wheels will receive engine power. The interior is luxurious with leather trimmed sport seats and a hand stitched leather steering wheel. Alpina branding is also elegantly placed across treadplates and floor mats throughout the car.
Aston Martin DBX
The Aston Martin DBX SUV has been revealed after four years in development and will be on sale from early 2020. It’s the rival SUV to many other prestige cars like the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga. In size it has the same dimensions as the Range Rover Evoque. But when it comes to the exterior, it has a long bonnet and a coupe-esque body rather than being a bulky SUV. The DBX is built on an aluminium platform to help reduce its weight while not compromising on its strength. It features a ducktail spoiler, and two large exhausts on the rear. The LED headlights are round to remind us of the iconic Aston Martin sportscars. The DBX has a 4.0 litre turbocharged V8 engine from Mercedes AMG with 542bhp and can accelerate from 0-62 in just 4.5 seconds. The interior is luxurious and spacious – enough to seat four 6 footers. You also have a panoramic sunroof to make the DBX feel airier.
Audi A3
The Audi A3 has finally made a comeback after being long awaited. It is built on second generation Volkswagen Group MQB architecture which is also present in the Golf. This A3 is the five-door lift back version compact car. Its exterior has been updated to include chrome strips all along the body, from the headlights to the taillights. The wheel archers and carriers are also slightly wider than the 2012 model, giving it a more modern look. It will be available in a 1.0 litre, 1.5 litre and 2.0 litre turbo charged petrol units. There will also be a 2.0 litre TDI diesel in three states of tune. A plug-in hybrid version will also be available, as well as a cabriolet. However, the cabriolet will be slightly smaller. The Audi A3 will be unveiled at Geneva Motor Show in March 2020 however for the five-door liftback variant you will have to wait until 2021.
Jaguar XJ-E
Jaguar is set to release its Jaguar XJ-E which is the electric version of the XJ. The official release date has not been announced however it is expected to arrive in 2020 with production starting at the Castle Bromwich plant in 2020 too. This is a part of the plan to electrify the rest of Jaguar’s cars in the near future. Although it will be the electrified version of the XJ, it by no means will look and feel the same. Jaguar promise to retain its sleek style, but want to offer a calming and serene experience within the XJ-E. According to a Jaguar, , it wants to give you a similar experience to “doing yoga in a car”. The Jaguar XJ-E is expected to have 300 miles range and is likely to be able to accelerate from 0-60mph in less than 5 seconds. There will be two electric motors attached to each axle to give you four-wheel drive. The rear of the XJ-E was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show where we could see the slim LED taillights and bold Jaguar letters across the back. The XJ-E will be competing with other luxury saloons such as the Tesla Model S, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
