POWER SURGE

From supercars to superminis and reborn classics to high-tech saloons, 2020 will see a huge array of new cars vying for your attention

- CHRIS HALL

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

Price: from $49,900

It’s been a long time coming, but the new Land Rover Defender is finally here. Sure to please and anger car enthusiasts in equal measure, the new Defender isn’t an exact replacement for the previous model, for the simple reason that the market has moved away from that farming essential of yesteryear. All Defenders will boast plenty of off-road ability and practicality along with easily recognizable styling cues. Also, there will still be commercial versions for those after a workhorse. The longer 110 will arrive first, with the shorter 90 three-door version following soon after. Four accessory packs and 170 individual accessories mean you can build your own bespoke Defender, exactly how you want it. Mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions will join the range soon. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel.

PORSCHE TAYCAN

Price: from $103,800

Porsche has fully embraced battery power with this new Taycan, its first fully electric sports car. A four-door sedan, the Taycan initially comes in Turbo or Turbo S forms (indicating their power levels) with a marginally less powerful 4S as the base model. The immediacy of electric power combined with the Taycan’s four-wheel drive system means that its performance is at hypercar levels – the Turbo S covers the traditional 0-60 mph sprint in only 2.8 seconds with a fully-charged range of 257 miles. Better yet, the Taycan handles beautifully and, despite the new technology, still feels like a Porsche, too. This year’s World Performance Car? We certainly wouldn’t bet against it.