Star cars 2012, part two

Ford B-Max

The Paris show in September will be the venue for the public debut of Ford’s fascinating Fiesta-based utility hatch, the Ford B-Max. It might just have hit on a clever solution to the problem of unhindered access to the interior of a small car by combining a pair of sliding rear doors with a pillarless design. About 110mm longer than a Fiesta, the B-Max will offer a more practical interior and be in competition with the Vauxhall Meriva. Engines will be drawn from the Fiesta and Focus ranges and include the new 123bhp, three-cylinder 1.0-litre Ecoboost.

Ford Focus

The well received Ford Focus Zetec S, powered by a 180bhp 1.6-litre Ecoboost petrol engine, hits dealers next month, priced from about £20k. In May the Focus will receive the economy-minded 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Ecoboost engine. With 123bhp on tap — the output of a 2.0-litre engine a decade ago — the 1.0 Ecoboost also promises 56mpg and 114g/km.

Ford Mondeo

While the influential ‘Mondeo Man’ in the 1990s would have found himself at the wheel of Ford’s staple four-door, in 2012 he’s more likely to be driving a BMW 3-series. That’s not to say the launch of any new Mondeo isn’t one to look forward to. Previous Mondeos have always been able to hold their own against or even outperform premium rivals perceived as being from the class above.

The new Mondeo’s styling has already been previewed by the sleek and technical-looking Evos concept and we’ll see the final product in just a few days’ time at the Detroit show. So we know what to expect from the styling. The big question is whether the new Mondeo can ride or handle like its impressive predecessor now that it has become part of the ‘One Ford’ global car programme.

Fears that Ford’s global cars will cater merely for the lowest common denominator dynamically have not materialised with the Fiesta or Focus, but whether the same rules will apply to the new Mondeo and its North American sister car, the Fusion, is something that we’ll be watching with interest.

Honda Civic

Honda is launching its ninth-gen Civic next month, but the much-needed 1.6-litre diesel won’t arrive until November. As well as better dynamics and a bigger boot, the new Civic will feature a higher-quality interior and super-slippery aerodynamics that result in a 0.27 Cd. Engines will be improved and carry-over units include a 110g/km 2.2-litre diesel.

Honda Insight facelift

A minor model change to the Honda Insight in April will involve mainly cosmetic tweaks.

Hyundai i30

The new Focus fighter from Hyundai borrows its styling from the rakish i40. Roomier inside and featuring a larger boot than its predecessor, the Hyundai i30 comes with a full range of petrol and diesel engines from its February launch.

Hyundai i30 MPV

A seven-seat competitor for the Ford C-Max arrives next winter. Based on the new i30 platform, the Hyundai i30 MPV will also share its petrol and diesel engines with the hatchback. Expect conventional doors, which are cheaper to engineer, and easy access to the third row.

Hyundai i40

The four-door i40 saloon joins the range this month. Engines and trim follow the estate line-up. Prices start at £17,500. Read our full road test of the Hyundai i40 here.

Kia Cee’d

A new Kia Cee'd is due to be revealed at the Geneva show as a five-door and featuring revised underpinnings and a sleek new body. The SW estate will follow in October and the three-door in 2013.

Kia Optima

Based on the Hyundai i40, the Optima will compete in the heart of Mondeo/Passat country with a value-for-money offering. Just a single 1.7-litre diesel with manual or auto transmission will be offered from next month. Read our first drive review of the Kia Optima here.

Lexus CT200h F-Sport

Sports suspension — stiffer springs and higher-specification dampers — should raise the Lexus CT200 from the mundane to the interesting. Prices for the Lexus CT200h F-Sport start from a shade under £28,000 and it launches this month.

Mazda 6

We’ll see the new Mazda 6 at the Paris show this autumn, but UK cars won’t arrive until early in 2013. Based closely on the coupé look of the Takeri concept, the new 6 will feature a complete suite of SkyActiv energy-saving technology, including lightweight steel body construction, a 170bhp 2.2 engine emitting 104g/km of CO2 and weight-saving transmissions.

Mercedes A-Class

The all-new Mercedes A-class, due in June, sits on a new modular front-drive platform and takes a major change in direction to become a more conventional premium hatchback rival to the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series. The seating position is as low as its competition, the styling is sharp and the petrol and diesel engines are either new or heavily revised.

Mercedes B-Class

An all-new B-class arrives in the spring. Lower, wider and roomier than the outgoing B-class, the new five-door hatch also has a higher-quality interior with cues from the range-topping SLS. The seating position is 86mm lower and more upright, and rear legroom is said to surpass that of the S-class limo. Boot capacity is also up, to a commodious 666 litres. The petrol engines are significantly upgraded ‘M270’ units of 1.6-litre capacity and 121bhp and 145bhp output. Diesels are 1.8-litre engines that make 107bhp and 134bhp. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox replaces the CVT. Read our first drive review of the Mercedes B-class here.

MG 5

A Focus-sized hatchback version of the MG 6, the MG 5 is a variant of the China-only Roewe 550 and is due in 2013. Aspects of the styling and handling will be reworked for Europe. The suspension is struts and twist beam — less sophisticated than the multi-link axle of the 6. Engines are 1.3 and 1.8 petrols.

Renault Fluence

The family-friendly offering in Renault’s 2012 wave of EVs is the four-door notchback Fluence, on sale in May. It’s priced from £23k — £18k when a £5k government subsidy is factored in — and renting the batteries is a further £69 per month. Read our first drive review of the Renault Fluence here. Renault claims the car has a range of 115 miles.

Seat Leon

The new Volkswagen Golf platform will spawn a fresh new Seat Leon, with styling based on the IBE concept car that was first shown at the Paris motor show in 2010. Expect a launch late in the year, with UK sales starting early in 2013.

Skoda Octavia

Skoda’s version of the Golf will grow in size and move another notch upmarket, making way for the Lauretta supermini-sized saloon. The familiar high-quality, value-for money formula will be matched to sharper styling derived from the Skoda Vision D concept.

Subaru Impreza 5dr

Subaru’s five-door hatchback is the same car as the XV crossover, but with a lower ride height and no cladding. Let’s hope that the grippy but lumpy chassis tune better suits the Subaru Impreza hatchback than it does the XV.

Toyota Avensis facelift

The cosmetic changes may be minimal (even return buyers will struggle to see any styling changes unless you have the two cars sitting next to each other), but a revised 2.0-litre D-4D diesel with 124g/km of CO2 — a 20g/km reduction — is a worthwhile improvement nonetheless. Due in June. Read our first drive review of the Toyota Avensis here.