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25 FOR 25

What is going to happen in the year ahead? Here are 25 cars, events, racing stars and big stories to keep an eye on

FORD CAPRI

Does new electric crossover live up to its name more in rear-driven form?

The riddle of the sands

Dacia is hoping to crack the Dakar Rally first time out with Prodrive and a star line-up. DAMIEN SMITH finds out more

Damien Smith

Always beware hype in motorsport. Still, at the dawn of 2025, I find myself irresistibly drawn by a tractor beam of anticipation. So here goes: I haven't felt this pumped about a forthcoming Formula 1 season for years.

SKODA ELROQ

One of the best crossover EVs arrives in a smaller form

URBAN CRUISER RETURNS AS EV TWINNED WITH EVITARA

Toyota’s new Volvo EX40 rival will be built beside Suzuki sibling in India

ALL-NEW CLA SIGNALS STEP CHANGE FOR MERCEDES EVS

We ride shotgun in the car set to usher in what Merc calls its 'EV 2.0' era

AMG'S NEW SUPER-SUV TO PACK OVER 1000BHP

Electric GT SUV will use advanced tech to take on Eletre and Cayenne EVs

SOLID-STATE BATTERIES SET TO GO MAINSTREAM

New, lighter battery tech boosts range and is close to making production

An alien encounter

The Tesla Cybertruck looks like it has come from outer space. Aversion and confusion naturally abound. MARK TISSHAW musters the courage to make first contact

Jaguar GT EV

The first new model in Jaguar's grand plan to reinvent itself as an upmarket electric car specialist is a four-door Porsche Taycan rival

Alpine A290

Sportier version of the Renault 5 electric car aims to deliver hot hatch thrills for a reasonable price On sale March Price from £33,500

Hyundai Ioniq 9

Electric seven-seater is based on the Kia EV9, so it should be exceedingly spacious – and have an even longer range

BYD Sealion 7

Chinese brand BYD's line-up continues to expand with this new, Tesla-rivalling electric family SUV On sale Late 2024 Price from £45,000 (est)

BMW iX3

The first of BMW's nextgeneration electric models looks to make big gains in efficiency and driving pleasure

BMW 330e

Plug-in hybrid exec gets a bigger battery for a boost in official electric range – and lower company car tax On sale Now Price from £46,985

Porsche Macan Electric

Entry-level Macan has the longest official range of the line-up. Could it be the one to have? On sale Now Price from £68,555

Bucking the trend

Do you think electric cars are all too expensive? Well, think again, because the number of affordable options is growing steadily. We take three on a road trip to find out which one offers the best value

Vauxhall Frontera

A familiar name returns to replace the Crossland small SUV, and you can have it in petrol or electric form On sale Early 2025 Price from £23,495

OUR MANIFESTO FOR ACHIEVING EV GOALS

If the Government is serious about phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, this is what it should do, says Claire Evans

Kia EV3

Smallest member yet of Kia's EV electric car family spells big trouble for plenty of rivals On sale January Price from £32,995

Audi Q5

Upmarket family SUV gets more advanced mild hybrid engines and some of the trick technology from the electric Q6

Cupra Formentor

This sharp-looking plug-in hybrid family SUV has plenty of punch and a good electric range; can it be fun as well as frugal? We're finding out

Dacia Spring

The UK's most affordable electric car arrives on our shores - but is it the bargain it appears to be? On sale Now Price from £14,995

Volkswagen ID 2

Smallest model yet in Volkswagen's electric car line-up promises a range of up to 280 miles - and a hot GTI version is in the pipeline

Audi A6 Avant e-tron

Audi's large executive model switches to electric power, with the estate version taking on the BMW i5 Touring On sale Now Price from £64,300

Volvo XC90

Facelifted combustion-powered seven-seat SUV gains refinement tweaks and updated infotainment On sale Now Price from £63,790

Lamborghini Urus SE

Lambo's super-SUV gets a major mid-life overhaul, going hybrid in the process. Has it become any easier to like?

HALL evo OF FAME

The evo Hall of Fame was established to recognise the great and the good of our corner of the universe. Prepare to welcome this year's inductees

CIRCUIT DAY

After three days of assessing their behaviour on the road, it's time to head to the Circuito de Navarra to find out how our nine contenders respond when their handling limits are explored