New Cars for 2023 – Part 2 - Mike Brewer Motoring

Some exciting cars arrive before the end of the year, and while new EVs dominate there’s still room for internal combustion.

With six months of new vehicles now on the roads, here’s our look at the new cars of 2023 coming over the course of the rest of the year.

BYD Seal

You might not be familiar with the Chinese car maker, Build your Dreams, but alongside its Atto 3 and Dolphin models there’s this Tesla Model 3 rival. The sleek exterior is allied to a spacious cabin with strong build quality and plenty of tech, while there’s a choice of powertrains. The 308bhp single-motor version has a claimed range of 354 miles while the dual-motor all-wheel drive variant makes 523bhp and covers 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds.

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BYD Seal

Ford Explorer

This famous American model name arrives in the UK as Ford’s newest EV, the chunky and distinctive styling combined with a five-seat cabin. It’s based on the VW ID.4 so shares that model’s powertrain, although precise details of the specification we’ll see are yet to be confirmed. Expect strong levels of performance and efficiency, though, and a roomy and comfortable interior featuring a 14.6-inch touchscreen that slides to reveal additional storage space.

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Ford Explorer

Lotus Eletre

Marque purists probably won’t approve but Lotus bills this as the world’s first ‘Hyper SUV’ and there’s certainly no shortage of power and performance. Eletre and Eletre S models get 603hp for 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and a 373-mile range, while the R variant has 905hp and cracks the same benchmark sprint in less than 3 seconds. It should be possible to charge the 112kWh battery from 10-80% in around 20 minutes.

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Lotus Eletre

Vauxhall Astra EV

Vauxhall will be an EV-only brand from 2028, and the electric Astra hatchback and Sports Tourer estate are the latest step towards that. The 114kW motor is fed by a 54kWh battery pack and the claimed range is 258 miles, while a charging rate of up to 100kW DC is possible. There’s little change to the models otherwise, with the interior featuring the Pure Panel dashboard with a pair of 10-inch screens.

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Vauxhall Astra EV

Lamborghini Revuelto

The replacement for the stunning Aventador is as exciting as you’d expect, the plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring a 6.5-litre V12 engine with three electric motors and a total output exceeding 1000bhp. Driving all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, it’ll do 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds and 217mph while the driver can choose from 13 different modes including one that allows fully-electric driving. The dramatic carbon-fibre bodywork is the icing on the cake.

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Lamborghini Revuelto

Maserati GranTurismo Folgore

Following the arrival of the V6-powered GranTurismo, the all-electric version features three motors – on at the front and two at the rear – and a power output of 750bhp. That’s enough for it to hit 62mph in 2.7 seconds and 199mph, performance that’s combined with up to 280 miles of range. The luxurious four-seater features an 800v electrical architecture for fast charging speeds and is expected to cost around £190,000.

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Maserati GranTurismo Folgore

Abarth 500e

Abarth’s first electric vehicle features more extrovert styling compared to its Fiat 500 sibling, and while it shares that car’s 42kWh battery there’s a boost in power to 152bhp. 0-60mph should take around 7.0 seconds, and while that doesn’t sound all that rapid Abarth claims impressive mid-range acceleration. And alongside a sporty-looking cabin there’s a sound generator that mimics engine noise, although it can be turned off if you prefer silent progress.

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Abarth 500e

Ferrari Purosangue

It might be another car to upset the purists, but Ferrari’s first four-door model (they’re not calling it an SUV) has no shortage of drama. It certainly looks the part and features rear- hinged back doors, while under the bonnet is a normally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 making 715bhp. It packs a punch with 0-62mph in a claimed 3.3 seconds and a top speed approaching 200mph. It won’t come cheap, though, with pricing from £313,000.

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Ferrari Purosangue

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

A key rival to the new BMW 5 Series also due this year, the latest E-Class is slightly larger than before. An estate model follows later and both versions will be powered by mild-hybrid four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, alongside a plug-in hybrid promising up to 69 miles of electric-only running. Expect all the usual comfort and luxury on the inside, and even greater levels of tech including an optional Superscreen dashboard display.

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Mercedes Benz E-Class

Rolls-Royce Spectre

A Roll-Royce is perfectly suited to silent electric running, and the company’s first EV is sure to be very special. Exceptional levels of refinement and luxury are guaranteed, along with a very hefty price tag, but despite weighing almost three tons it won’t lack for performance; employing a 106kWh battery pack and front and rear-mounted motors for four-wheel drive it should crack 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds. Not that many owners will be trying that…

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Rolls-Royce Spectre

Volkswagen ID.7

The latest addition to the ID family is this swoopily-styled offering that promises strong levels of space and comfort, along with a cabin featuring recycled materials. A single-motor rear-wheel drive powertrain will be the initial offering with dual-motor variants likely to arrive later, and the ID.7 could offer up to 435 miles of range. Details of battery size and charging speed are still to be confirmed but they should be competitive for the class.

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Volkswagen ID.7

Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate

A last hurrah for the desirable DBS, the 770 will be available in coupe and Volante forms, but the bad news is that all 499 have already been sold. That means missing out on not just the dramatic looks but a tremendous twin-turbocharged V12 engine that produces 759bhp and 664lb/ft of torque. Driving the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox, those outputs mean a top speed of 211mph and a 0-62mph sprint of just 3.4 seconds.

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Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate

Kia EV9

This boldly-styled seven-seater borrows its underpinnings from the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, so buyers can expect impressive range and performance and plenty of tech. An 800v electrical architecture will allow quick charging, too. The details released so far reveal an equally interesting cabin design with all the space and comfort that families could need, and it features recycled materials as well. Prices are likely to start at around £60,000.

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Kia EV9

Renault Austral

This spacious and practical new model replaces the Kadjar in Renault’s line-up, and is likely to feature just one engine for the UK. It’s a 1.2-litre hybrid making 196bhp and promising 61.4mpg and CO emissions of 104g/km. Packed with driver-assistance features, there’s a Google-based infotainment system with information displayed on a pair of 12-inch screens, one of which houses the instruments. Prices are yet to be confirmed by they could start at around £35k.

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Renault Austral

Renault Clio

The heavily-revised supermini boasts sharper looks and a single E-Tech hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a pair of electric motors. Cabin quality has been improved and it now makes use of recycled materials, while the dashboard will feature either a 7-inch or 10-inch instrument display and a 9.3-inch touchscreen. An esprit Alpine trim level will top the range but prices for the new Clio should be a touch cheaper than before.