Preview 2021, Part 1: Alfa Romeo to Hyundai
IT WILL BE EXCITING The coming year will also be a challenge for automakers. Electromobility is gaining increasing acceptance, and of the 160 or so new models, more than 50 are fully or partially electric. The importance of SUVs also continues unabated. They are also competing with the electrified species for supremacy with around 50 new launches. BMW and Mini alone [...]
In September, Dacia is launching the Spring compact SUV with an all-electric powertrain, 33 kW and 220 kilometer range.
The importance of SUVs also remains unbroken. With around 50 new models, they are also competing with the electrified species for supremacy. BMW and Mini alone will introduce 16 new models in the next twelve months, followed by Mercedes in second place with 13 new models.
At Alfa Romeo, the Giulia and the SUV Stelvio will be launched in November with streamlined facial features. Above all, however, the Tonale will enter the stage; it is based on the Jeep Renegade and is smaller than the Stelvio.
The SQ2 makes the start at the Four Rings
Audi starts the new year with the only slightly modified SQ2 in February, the compact SUV offers 300 hp. It will be followed by the Q5 Sportback SUV coupe in April and finally the e-Tron GT electric sports car with a 590-hp electric engine and four seats on board will be launched in May.
The second half of the year will see the debut of the Q4 e-Tron with a range of up to 500 kilometers and its Sportback coupe variant, while in November it will be time for the revamp of the top-of-the-range A8 and its sporty S8 counterpart.
Mature sustainability at Bentley and BMW
Bentley will launch a hybrid version of the Continental in March, followed by the Flying Spur with this drive technology in July. Somehow, CO2 emissions have to be brought under control to avoid high fines.
BMW will launch its new models in March with the 4 Series Convertible, the M3 and the M4 Coupé, followed by the M5 CS in May. The highlight of the year for the Munich-based company is likely to be the i4, which as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model 3 is expected to offer a range of more than 600 kilometers. The iX, the Bavarians' top electric model, is also expected to be a range artist from December.
In addition, the Active Tourer and the 4 Series Gran Coupé are being revamped, and the X3 and X4 are getting a facelift. The same applies to Mini, where the model update for the two- and four-door models is due in April. And toward the end of the year, communication will begin for the successor to the 7 Series.
Internal combustion and electric drives at Citroën
Citroën is bringing the new C4 to dealers right away in January. Three gasoline engines and a diesel are on offer, but an electric variant, the ë-C4, is also available. What once started out as a chubby Picasso has evolved into an attractive crossover compact car.
The Jumper van will also go electric in March, while the C3 Aircross will follow with a conventional drive and a facelift in June. The Berlingo will then become an electric car in October, and the C5 will round off Citroën's year of new products in November.
The DS 9 rolls off the production line at DS Automobiles
Meanwhile, the French have not given up their dream of a premium sedan in the upper segment. The sister brand DS Automobiles will unveil the DS 9 in November. The sedan, which is just under five meters long, will be available with a plug-in hybrid and in three performance levels.
The versatile EMP2 platform, which is also home to the Opel Grandland X and the Citroën Spacetourer, among others, enables flexible adaptation of the powertrain.
Ferrari puts the Portofino M in the showroom
Ferrari makes a mighty entrance with the model-modified Portofino M in August. The M (Modificata) gets a V8 with 620 hp and a dual-clutch transmission. This makes it Ferrari's entry-level roadster; the 1000 hp SF90 Stradale Spider is available for more than a few francs more. A four-liter V8 provides the basic power of about 800 hp, while three electric motors increase torque and pulling power. All four wheels are driven.
Fiat and Ford show models for every need
Fiat is taking a more leisurely approach: Starting in January, it will launch the 500e, which will be available with electric drive, as a convertible, and for the first time with an additional, forward-opening second passenger door. The Italians will then launch a facelift for the Tipo in February, including the Tipo Cross as a new variant.
Ford is also under power. The Kuga compact SUV will get an alternative hybrid drive in January, and the same will happen with the S-Max and Galaxy vans in May. The Mustang Mach-E electric crossover will be launched as early as February and will be given a sporty upgrade in November as the Mach-E GT.
Hyundai offers lots of driving fun with N variants
While Honda is limiting itself to just one new model next year and will be launching the refreshed HR-V on the roads in April, Hyundai is firing from all cylinders. The new Tucson will kick things off in January (AutoSprintCH reported). Of the ten engine versions on offer, only two are not hybridized.
Barely four weeks later, the i30 N and i30 Fastback sports cars receive a facelift. The N version of the i20 follows in April, when a plug-in hybrid version of the Tucson is also available. The Kona N makes its debut in May.
Ioniq and Genesis focus on power and comfort
Hyundai also has two subsidiary brands. Ioniq is responsible for electric cars; here, the retrofuturistically designed Ioniq 5 in the style of the historic Hyundai Pony will be launched in May, with extremely short charging times; a sports sedan based on the Hyundai Prophecy study and an SUV are to follow later.
But there will also be the first models of the noble Genesis brand - including the G70, a direct competitor of the BMW 3 Series, the highly elegant G80 sedan and two SUV models called GV70 and GV80.
You can read the second part from Jaguar to Opel tomorrow.
