From well-known brands to newcomers, 2023 has some excellent new cars on the way. Here are some that we think you should know about.
Cars arriving early-2023
Mercedes-Benz EQT
The EQT is an all-electric MPV that will also be offered in a Marco Polo camper variant. It will feature LED daytime running lights, 16in wheels, a choice of 10 paint colours and a 5.5in display, complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. When launched, it will be equipped with a 45kWh battery which will give a range of 175 miles and will charge from 10% to 80% in 38 minutes.
BMW X8
BMW’s X8 is said to pick up from where the X7 left off, although it will be slightly smaller. It’s rumoured that there will be a choice of three powertrains. These are to include two plug-in hybrids, so still suitable for business use, with one combining a turbocharged 3.0-litre engine and an electric motor, and an M variant with an electrified twin-turbocharged V8 said to give an output of 750bhp.
BMW i5
An electrified variant of the new 5 series, the i5, is claimed to share the same batteries with the BMW iX, giving a capacity of 105kWh and around 400 miles of range. In the saloon variant, its rival will be the Tesla Model S, while the Touring will compete with the only other electric estate car on the market, the MG5 EV. It’s expected that the i5 will be offered in an eDrive40 variant with an 80.7kWh battery and a single rear motor.
Jeep Avenger
The Avenger is Jeep’s first all-electric vehicle and has just been named European Car of the Year. The compact SUV goes on sale in March. It is powered by a single electric motor that produces 152bhp while the 54kWh battery offers a 248-mile range. Although it is front-wheel drive for now, a four-wheel drive 4xe variant is to follow in 2024.
BYD Atto 3
BYD’s Atto 3 will be available to lease in the coming weeks. Another of the new wave of Chinese cars coming to the UK, it will sit between the MG ZS EV and VW ID.4 in terms of size and its bespoke platform will support front, rear and four-wheel drive with ultra-rapid charging capability. Battery sizes offered will be 60kWh and 48kWh, delivering a range of up to 261 miles.
Cars arriving mid-2023
Volkswagen ID.7
Volkswagen’s new ID.7, set to launch mid-2023, will rival the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and offer up to 435 miles on a charge. Focus so far has been around its ‘smart’ interior that will feature clever air vents that can move air dynamically across the large cabin area. The system will also detect the driver approaching the vehicle and will automatically heat or cool the cabin.
Cars arriving late 2023
Audi A6 e-tron
Audi’s new A6 e-tron will use a single motor and 100kWh battery, offering up to 435 miles of range, and it will support 270kW fast charging. High-performance variants are claimed to have a dual-motor layout and offer 476bhp. Both the saloon and Avant estate are set to hit the market later this year with prices starting from around £60,000.
Polestar 3
Set to rival BMW’s iX and Audi’s Q8 e-tron, the all-electric Polestar 3 is claimed to offer up to 379 miles of range and feature a 107kWh battery pack. Its dual-electric motor setup will produce 482bhp and 840nm, giving a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds. An extra performance pack will provide 510bhp and 910nm at an extra cost of £5,600. Prices will start from £79,900.
Honda E: Ny1
The Ny1 is a small all-electric SUV that’s based on the HR-V and it will rival both the Vauxhall Mokka-e and Hyundai Kona Electric when it goes on sale in late 2023. While no details have yet been confirmed regarding the Ny1’s batteries and range, it’s said that it could come with a battery that is between 50-80kWh which would give it around 200 miles of range.
Peugeot e-408
Although the 408 PHEV is currently on sale, it is predicted that the all-electric variant will be available late-2023 and will feature a 156bhp electric motor and 54kWh battery. Although there is not a lot of information available just yet, the e-408 is expected to have 100kW rapid charging which takes just under half an hour to charge from 20-80 percent, just like the e-308.
Mercedes-Benz CLE
Nearing its full reveal, the CLE is stated to become available in a coupe and a soft-top convertible and it will replace the C-Class and E-Class two-door variants. The range-topping CLE 63 will utilise the new 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid, with output potential of around 670bhp.
Volvo EX90
Volvo’s new seven-seater all-electric EX90 shares the same platform as the new Polestar 3 from its sister company. If you’re looking to lease it, there is a choice of either a 402bhp Twin Motor or a Twin Motor Performance which boasts an output of 510bhp. Each variant will have a 107kWh battery, will offer a range of around 364 miles and will support 250kW DC charging. There is talk that it will be launched later in the year.
Polestar 4
Sitting below the Polestar 3 is the new Polestar 4 coupe SUV and prices are to start from £47,000. The Polestar 4 is not due to be fully unveiled until October, although evidence of a sloped roofline and full-width rear LED lighting is visible from the released photographs. Its rivals will be the Porsche Macan and Tesla Model Y.
Kia EV9
Starting with the EV6, Kia’s focus on electric vehicles continues with the new EV9 having its world premiere in early 2023, with an official launch closer to the end of the year. Kia claims that its range will be around 336 miles and it can add 62 miles of range with just a six-minute charge.
Kia EV4
Rivalling the Mercedes-Benz EQA, the EV4 is claimed to offer a range of over 300 miles. Its wheelbase will be slightly smaller than the EV6’s, although it will share the same technology, and its dimensions will be closer to those of a fifth-generation Sportage. It’s expected that both 58kWh and 77.4kWh variants will be offered. It’s said that the EV4 will be launched at the end of 2023 with sales commencing in early 2024.
