The Class Of 2017

From superminis to supercars, some fantastic new motors are being introduced around the world

- Nat Barnes

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

PRICE: from $57,085 More than 1.2 million sales and 28 years after it first arrived, it’s fair to say that the Land Rover Discovery is popular. The squared-off looks have been toned down and the split tailgate has gone, but there’s still plenty of appeal in this fifth generation Discovery.

Not only has it gone on a much-needed diet, but it’s more practical than ever, with the traditional seven seats, plus nine USB sockets (no more arguments about which of your offspring’s tablets to charge first), a waterproof key and the ability to reverse it at low speed while being towed from outside the car. Expect to see more than one or two on the school run near you soon.

MERCEDES AMG GT ROADSTER

PRICE: est. from $130,000 With all the sharp edges of a ten-minute-old sherbet lemon, the curvy Mercedes AMG GT Coupé might not be to everyone’s liking, but this new Roadster version is nothing short of gorgeous. Losing the roof gives the AMG GT an entirely different look, which we actually prefer to its coupé sister.

Under the hood is the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, available in standard 476bhp or full-on bonkers 557bhp forms. The latter is capable of the 0 to 60mph sprint in an eye-watering 3.7 seconds and on to a toupée-tugging 196 mph top speed. The faint-hearted needn’t apply.

 

CITROEN C3

PRICE: from €12,950 ($14,135) Citroen’s C3 might have been the French firm’s biggest seller worldwide, but it was about as interesting as a bowl of dayold semolina. This version plans to set that straight. Out go the conservative looks and in their place, some striking lines, a touch of design flair and the eye-catching Airbumps on the doors, borrowed from the larger C4 Cactus.