Amazing Cars of the year

Volkswagen Alltrack

Alfa Romeo 4C

Alfa's lightweight turbo coupe is almost with us. That it may not match the dynamic ability of rivals from Porsche and Lotus can be forgiven in the face of such knee-trembling looks.

Audi A1 Sportback

Audi's MINI-rivalling A1 has been a smash hit: the firm has even had to up production just to meet demand. And now, here's something MINI can't offer - a five-door version of the premium supermini. As five-doors sell better than three in the small car world, expect its popularity to continue.

BMW 3 Series Activehybrid 3

The BMW 3 Series is already one of the greenest premium executive cars you can buy, but that's thanks to super-eco diesels. Here's an alternative: the first petrol-electric model (a 306hp one at that) which can do (44.1mpg), 15.58 kpl and also run for a few miles in zero tailpipe emissions all-electric mode

Chrysler 300C

Interior quality has been vastly improved but the distinctively aggressive looks of old have been replaced with a much more generic face. The petrol models won't be available everywhere, either.

Citroen DS3 Convertible

With everyone wanting to downsize their motors, premium hatchbacks like the DS3 are the cars to be seen in. And what better way to be seen than with no roof?

Citroen DS5

The jewel of the DS range, this Citroen's beauty is more than skin deep, as it boasts a gorgeous, refined interior. On sale in spring.

Fiat Panda

The current-generation Fiat Panda is great but is really feeling its age. Here, then, is a bigger, greener and more refined new one, that still keeps the utilitarian good looks of today's model. It will be in showrooms by the spring

Fisker Surf

A shooting-brake version of the premium, range-extender hybrid, Karma GT (it would be criminal to refer to this svelte beauty as an estate). Eco cars have never looked so good. Won't be cheap, and we're not sure where it will launch, though

Ford B-Max

Ford's sliding door equipped, baby MPV could potentially use the manufacturer's smallest Ecoboost engine yet: a tiny 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged unit, complete with the now ubiquitous stop/start function

Ford Fiesta ST

The Fiesta ST hot hatch returns with a 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, set to develop around 180hp and 177lb ft - not quite as much as the Renaultsport Clio but expect dynamite handling

Ford Focus ST

Ford's new hot hatch won't come with the charismatic five-cylinder engine of old, but expect fine handling and plenty of power from the team behind the mad Focus RS.

Ford Kuga

Ford's Crossover SUV has already been released in the US as the Escape. It features intelligent 4WD and a motion sensing tailgate that opens by waving a foot under the rear bumper.

Honda CR-V