Here are some of the ones to watch!
TOW CAR ADVICE
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT
On sale Now Price From £80,235
The Range Rover may well be Land Rover’s flagship, but the Range Rover Sport actually sells in greater numbers.
A little more affordable (relatively speaking) than the Range Rover, and sharper to drive, the new Sport could be the pick of the range.
Buyers have the choice of six engines for now, with a fully electric model set to join them in a year or two.
Outputs range from 300hp for the entry-level mild-hybrid diesel, to 530hp for the twin turbocharged V8 petrol.
There are also two plug-in hybrids, with 440hp or 510hp, and CO2 emissions as low as 18g/km according to official figures. Thanks to the large battery, these cars will go up to 70 miles on electricity alone, promising exceptionally low running costs for such a very powerful, luxurious car.
Kerbweights start at 2310kg for the lightest petrol, rising to 2735kg for the more powerful plug-in hybrid. So the 85% match is at least 1964kg. The towing limit of the plug-in is 3000kg, rising to 3500kg for the rest of the range.
Prices start from £80,235 for a diesel, but if you want one of the plug-in hybrids, you’ll be looking at prices from £84,530.
We’ve yet to drive the new Sport, but colleagues who have done so have been impressed. We look forward to towing with one later in the year.
DACIA BIGSTER
On sale Late 2023/Early 2024 Price From £22,000 (est)
Dacia will go large when the aptly named Bigster joins the range. The new SUV will be its largest car to date.
The production model should look broadly similar to the Bigster Concept, which was revealed in early 2021.
If so, the Bigster will be arguably Dacia’s most striking car, as well as the largest.
Dacia’s design director, Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, said: “Dacia Bigster Concept epitomises the evolution of the brand. Essential, with a touch of cool and an outdoor spirit. It proves that accessibility is not opposed by any means to attractiveness.”
Roughly translated from designer-speak, we’re taking this to mean that Dacia plans to make more appealing cars that also remain affordable and functional.
At 4.6m long, the Bigster Concept is slightly larger than a Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai or VW Tiguan. It should offer plenty of space for people and luggage, and there are rumours of a seven-seat version.
The engine line-up has not been confirmed as yet, but a petrol-electric hybrid is on the horizon. We’d also expect to see the 130hp petrol engine used in the Duster and Jogger ranges. Fingers crossed, there will be a diesel, too, an engine type available
