Power Surge

From supercars to superminis and reborn classics to high-tech saloons, 2020 will see a huge array of new cars vying for your attention

- Nat Barnes

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

Price: from £45,240

On sale: spring It’s been a long time coming, but the new Land Rover Defender is finally here. Sure to please and anger car enthusiasts in equal measure, the new Defender isn’t an exact replacement for the previous model, for the simple reason that the market has moved away from that farming essential of yesteryear. All Defenders will boast plenty of off-road ability and practicality along with easily recognisable styling cues. Also, there will still be Commercial versions for those after a workhorse. The longer 110 will arrive first, with the shorter 90 threedoor version following soon after. Four accessory packs and 170 individual accessories mean you can build your own bespoke Defender, exactly how you want it. Mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions will join the range soon. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel.

PORSCHE TAYCAN

Price: from £115,858

On sale: now Porsche has fully embraced battery power with this new Taycan, its first fully electric sports car. A four-door saloon, the Taycan initially comes in Turbo or Turbo S forms (indicating their power levels) with a marginally less powerful 4S model due later in the year. The immediacy of electric power combined with the Taycan’s fourwheel drive system means that its performance is at hypercar levels – the Turbo S covers the traditional 0-60mph sprint in only 2.8 seconds with a fully-charged range of 414km. Better yet, the Taycan handles beautifully and, despite the new technology, still feels like a Porsche, too. This year’s World Performance Car? We certainly wouldn’t bet against it.

VAUXHALL CORSA

Price: from £15,550