The Mini Aceman is out later this year
The Mini Aceman is out later this year
The electric car marketplace has grown significantly over the last few years.
And now, as more and more manufacturers either enter or further expand their EV ranges, the choice for buyers has never been more comprehensive.
So, if you’re planning on buying a new car in 2023, you’re in for something of a treat.
There’s a huge selection of new models scheduled to arrive in Arnold Clark showrooms across the country this year.
The market has not only been crying out for more affordable electric cars, but also smaller models suitable for everyday living in the city. Now Fiat is poised to launch what is likely to be one of the cheapest EVs on-sale in the UK.
The all-new Fiat Panda, which will be loosely based on the Centoventi concept (pictured) from 2019 — though the production Panda is unlikely to have the show car’s back hinged rear doors — promises to have a rugged and utilitarian character inspired by the original 1980 Panda.
With practicality at the forefront of its design, the electric Panda has also been designed from the ground up to be cost-effective to produce. We should also expect it to be bigger than the outgoing Panda and focus on a less-is-more minimalistic aesthetic.
Joining its EV stablemate, the stylish and more upmarket 500, the Panda is likely to get the same 42kWh battery as the 500 Electric. That means a range of around 200-miles on a full charge, and ensures it will be pretty peppy around town.
Price: From £22,000 (est)
We already know how successful the titchy and characterful Honda E has been for the Japanese carmaker, so it will come as no surprise that Honda is planning to expand its all-electric range with a new SUV.
What is also not a surprise is Honda’s boffins and management have determinedly remained tightlipped on any details of the ESUV. That said, whispers have it that the production car will have morphed from the Honda SUV e:Concept (pictured) first shown at the 2020 Beijing Motor Show.
Thinking of making the switch to electric?
What little details we’ve managed to source relating to the rugged EV include the fact the compact dimensions place it between the Jazz supermini and HR-V crossover. We’d also expect it to have a range of around 200-miles.
As for looks? The ESUV is likely, understandably, to take design cues from the smaller Honda E, with a hi-tech interior being mated to smooth and simple exterior lines. What’s also likely is the interior will feature the same widescreen dash made up of a pair of 12.3-inch screens. Outside? Don’t be surprised if the clever ‘virtual’ door mirrors from the Honda E are carried over.
Price: From £30,000 (est)
Building on the success of the ‘standard’ Ioniq 5 — already one of the best all-electric cars on the market — Hyundai will give its family EV the full blown hot-hatch treatment. The Ioniq 5 N will use the same E-GMP platform and 77.4kWh battery as the RN22e concept; plus it will have a dual-motor set-up for four-wheel drive, which is also available on the standard Ioniq 5.
As for power, expect close t 600bhp. I know; utterly bonkers. The 5 N — officially teased by Hyundai in a photograph between the Korean company’s latest concepts, the RN22e and N Division 74 — will be built on the same platform as the sister Kia EV6 GT, and features the same 77.4kWh battery with two electric motors. The Kia delivers 577bhp and 740Nm of torque, plus a 3.5-second 0-62mph time and 162mph top speed. Expect the Ioniq 5 N to get similar performance numbers.
Price: From £60,000 (est)
Deliveries of Hyundai’s new Ioniq 6 (pictured) will start early in 2023. Marrying the underpinnings of the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the Ioniq 6 boasts an attractive, slippery saloon body. Longer, lower and narrower than the Ioniq 5, it does have a slightly shorter wheelbase to accommodate a greater rear overhang. The extended overhang is there to boost the EV’s aerodynamic.
Inside the cabin there’s a mix of button and twin touch screen controls. But the interior headline-grabber are the two ‘winglet’ shaped screens positioned on the far ends of the dashboard in place of door mirrors.
Featuring an 800 volt system, capable of an 80% charge in as little as 20 minutes, the 77.4kWh two-wheel-drive version is likely to have a range of 330 miles between charges. The dual motor all-wheel-drive versions will see range marginally reduced.
Price: From £50,000 (est)
Kia’s small electric SUV mirrors much of the styling first seen on the Imagine show car (pictured) with its coupe-like sloping roof. Based on the Hyundai-Kia Group’s E-GMP architecture, the Kia EV4 has a shorter wheelbase than the EV6. In fact it will be closer in size, both inside and outside, to the Sportage SUV.
Power for the EV4 will be a 77.4kWh battery, which Kia says can be charged from 10-80% in around 20 minutes using a public fast charger, and have a range of around 300 miles for rear-wheel drive models. Expect dual-motor powertrains delivering 4WD to be added to the top of the model’s range.
Price: £35,000 (est)
This year will see a number of new models from Mini. The Aceman is an electric SUV which has been signed from the ground up to be an EV, and its stylistic looks are aimed at building on the Mini’s youthful image.
The Aceman is expected to distinguish itself from the brand’s other models by having a higher ride height and chunky plastic cladding around the wheel arches. It will also be fitted with more angular headlights than traditionally seen on Minis, and the blanked-off grille will be larger than the one on the Mini Electric.
Having been designed as an EV from concept stage, the Aceman will be fitted with a flat interior floor which will accentuate the feeling of space. Slotting between the five-door Mini Hatchback and Countryman SUV, expect the Aceman to have similar dimensions to that of the original Mini Countryman: that mean sit’ll be a tad longer than four metres.
As for power, I understand two battery sizes and two power outputs will be available. The entry-level will get the 40kWh battery, delivering around 180bhp and a range of up to 200 miles. There will also be a larger 50kWh battery, mated to a more powerful motor producing about 215bhp, and delivering a range of around 250 miles.
Price: £27,000 (est)
The next-generation will signal a significant change for the brand’s compact crossover. Built on BMW’s FAAR platform, also used by the next X1, the new Countryman will be offered not only with petrol and diesel combustion engines, but the range will also include a fully electric option.
Not surprisingly, the electric Countryman will share components with the new BMW iX1. That means a 76kWh battery giving it a range of 272 miles and charging speeds of up to 130kW.
No official images have been released yet, but it’s understood the 2023 Countryman (pictured, heavily disguised, on test) will be significantly larger in size than the model it replaces, probably extending to a little over 4.5-metres. In essence that will see the model now going head-to-head with the likes of the Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA.
While the cabin will have space for four adults, the bootspace should also be capable of stowing a few suitcases. Up front, the fascia will be dominated by two large infotainment screens and a floating centre console.
Price: £30,000 (est)
Mini’s raft of 2023 models will also include a new Mini Electric, forming part of the all-new Mini 3-door range. as with the model it replaces, the latest Electric will offer a wide range of personalisable options, including contrast colour schemes, racing stripes and alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, don’t expect much to change, plus there will be a raft of upholstery and trim options. As with the outgoing model, there will be plenty of space in the front for two adults, though squeeing two more adults into the rear will be a tight squeeze. The bootspace will also remain small. But …
… the BIG news is range on a full charge will increase to around 200-miles, significant up from the ‘real world 120-or so of the current Mini Electric. Plus it’ll retain its nippy performance and nimble handling.
Price: £30,000 (est)
Forget the diminutive Smart cars of the past. This new #1 — yes, the Smart boffins actually refer to it as the ‘Hashtag one” when they speak about it — has been designed from the ground up as an all-electric car. It’s also just under 4.3-metres long and 1.6-metres tall. That slots it between the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro in length, and around the same height. It’s fair then to call the #1 a crossover. For further perspective, the five-door family vehicle is also longer than a VW ID.3.
The electric Smart will house a 66kWh battery and has a claimed range of up to 275-miles (WLTP). The #1 will also have a fast-charging capability of 150kW and an AC charging maximum of 22kW. Smart says it can charge from 10-80% in 30 minutes. Powering a single, rear mounted 268bhp electric motor it’ll cover 0-62mph in 6.7secs. Top speed is 112mph.
he entry-level Pro+ should cost around £35,000.
Price: £35,000 (est)
VW will introduce an updated version of its first all-electric model, the Golf-sized ID.3, which was first introduced in 2019. The facelifted version — illustrated in this official VW drawing — will introduce a number of significant changes and improvements, both inside and outside.
The front will see a revised bumper with new air intakes to the side, plus there will be a new headlight design, plus new alloy wheel options. The rear will house a slightly altered bumper, plus there’s the possibility the rear lights may benefit from a tweaked LED signature.
Inside there will be a number of significant changes. While the general layout will essentially remain the same, in addition to a new design for the air vents in the dash there will be an update for the onboard technology. Out will go the current car’s 10-inch central infotainment touchscreen to be replaced by a new 12in screen, lifted from the ID.4, but with a new control system.
According to VW, the new infotainment technology is more convenient and straightforward for users, plus options will include such features as Travel Assist and Park Assist Plus. I’m also expecting the centre console to be restyled and feature two cup holders.
Apparently the new ID.3 will also, according to Volkswagen, be “equipped with the latest software generation, which improves system performance and is able to receive over-the-air updates”. There’s no word, as yet, as to whether the 2023 model will also benefit from improved range and performance figures.
Price: £37,000 (est)
VW will introduce an all-electric alternative to its petrol or diesel-powered Passat. Badged the ID-Aero, it will feature VW’s ID.Light — a strip of LEDs that boosts the power of the car’s headlights — an infotainment screen with augmented reality sat-nav, plus a flat interior floor that’ll increase interior space. Expect a maximum power of around 335bhp and a full-charge range of around 385-miles.
Price: £45,000 (est)
