2024 will see a raft of EV models roll out, but the combustion engine still has a few roars left.

Unsurprisingly, electric cars are the main focus of car makers going into 2024, although plugin and mild hybrid options will be plentiful - demonstrating that the world isn’t quite ready to go fully electric yet. And there’s still demand for old-school combustion engine offerings - notably the last ever fuel-powered Ford Mustang.

Here are some of the most exciting new cars coming to a showroom near you in 2024.

 

Aston Martin Valhalla

Capitalising on Aston Martin's prominent position in F1, the long-awaited Valhalla will feature active aerodynamics and a carbon fibre chassis, in common with its other-worldly Valkyrie hypercar relative.

The Valhalla will be Aston's first-ever series-production mid-engined road car, fitted with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, and boasting a 7,200 rpm redline. Added to this will be two electric motors - one front, one rear - which will, says Aston, produce a total power output of 1,003bhp, and a maximum torque output of 1,000Nm. All this will result in a 0-62mph figure of just 2.5 seconds!

 

Alpine A290

French sports car maker Alpine will unveil its super-quick A290 model this year, an amped-up incarnation of the Renault 5 E-tech EV. Underpinned by a 215bhp motor, the A290 boasts a 0-60 time of just six seconds, lowered and stiffened suspension, and a wider track. In terms of styling, it is likely to resemble the eye-catching Alpine A290_ß prototype, unveiled in 2023.

Michelin will furnish the car with specially designed tyres, which are likely to be fitted to 19-inch rims.

 

Alfa Romeo Milano

Coveting a segment dominated by the MINI Countryman and Volvo EX30, the Milano is a small electric SUV - although a mild-hybrid petrol model may be offered later if there's sufficient demand.

The Milano will share the same e-CMP platform seen on the Peugeot E-2008 and the Jeep Avenger but will only be available as a four-wheel drive initially, made possible by its dual-motor design.

The manufacturers say the Milano will "guarantee quick cornering with a high level of grip.”

 

BMW M5 Touring

The latest enthralling version of the M5 will be an estate - the third in the performance car's illustrious history. The BMW M5 Touring will go up against the potent Audi RS 6 Avant.

Powered by a suitably modern plug-in hybrid, comparable to the one used in the XM super SUV, this latest M5 will be a departure from the 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V10, last seen in the E61 of 2010 (and the most recent M5 Touring).

This model, alongside the M5 supersaloon, is expected to produce around 738bhp and 1,000Nm of torque - as delivered by the BMW XM ‘Label Red’ variant.

 

BMW X2

The second-generation X2, due out this year, will offer more aggressive styling than its predecessor, akin to the bigger X4 and X6 coupe-SUVs.

It will provide more cabin space and feature the most up-to-date version of the excellent iDrive infotainment system. Buyers can choose between a 168bhp mild-hybrid three-cylinder petrol version (the sDrive20i), or a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol model (the M35i xDrive).

A pure EV model, the iX2, will also be available, boasting all-wheel drive underpinned by a motor on each axle.

 

Audi A6 e-tron

Audi continues to embrace its EV lineup, which began with the Q8 e-tron and the e-tron GT. The latest, the A6 e-tron, will arrive this year, soon to be followed by the Q6 e-tron.

Buyers can choose between a Sportback saloon model or the more familiar Avant family estate.

Based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform co-developed by Porsche (and seen in the new Macan EV), it is believed the A6 e-tron will boast the dual motor setup of the Q6 e-tron. This should give it a range of about 400 miles.

 

Audi Q6 e-tron

Audi haven't given much away about its new electric SUV - the Q6 e-tron - but we do know it will use the PPE platform (see above) and have a range of around 370 miles, ably assisted by its meaty 100kWh battery. Its dual motor arrangement will deliver 396bhp in the 'entry-level' model, and 510bhp in the souped-up SQ6 offering.

Essentially an EV alternative to the ICE Q5, buyers can choose from the familiar Audi styling or the more sporty Sportback option. With no bulky combustion engine, this model will offer significantly more cabin space than the Q5.

 

Cupra Tavascan

It took some time for the Tavascan to make the leap from prototype to production model, but for many Cupra fans, it was worth the wait. This decidedly sporty model now holds its own against stiff competition from the Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, and Volkswagen ID.5.

The striking A-pillars were inspired by the visor of a racing helmet, while bucket seats and a vast 15-inch touchscreen complete the sporty, high-tech look.

 

Citroen e-C3

Peddled as an everyman's EV supermini, the e-C3 will start from under £23,000 in the UK. Featuring a 44kWh lithium ferro phosphate battery, it will offer a very practical 199-mile range. An even cheaper battery will come online later, delivering 124 miles of range - sufficient for urban tootling.

If you're not yet persuaded by the EV argument, fear not, as Citroen will be providing petrol versions of the C3. Additionally, the new C3 Aircross will be expanded to become a seven-seater.

 

Ford Capri

It may not look like its petrol-thirsty ancestor, but that hasn't stopped Ford from harnessing the nostalgia of the past for its new zero-emission coupe SUV.

The new Capri embraces the trending coupe look with gusto, with an unabashedly sloping roofline akin to the new Cupra Tavascan and Peugeot E-3008.

Based on VW's MEB platform (thanks to a milestone Ford-VW partnership), it's little wonder the Capri has similar styling to the Cupra. And it will have much in common with the forthcoming Ford Explorer (see below), which will also use the MEB system. As such, it will be made available with the same selections of battery and motor combos and have a very similar cabin.

 

Ford Explorer

As mentioned, the Explorer will use the same VW MEB electric car platform as the Capri. Battery size will range from 55kWh to 82kWh, with a range of up to 335 miles with the optimal setup. Most Explorers will be rear-wheel drive, but the top-of-the-line model gets a 335bhp, dual-motor arrangement.

Buyers will get a great package as standard, including keyless entry, climate control, massaging seats, heated steering wheel, and 15-inch infotainment system installed with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It will also be hugely practical, with a 450-litre boot - although this is less than the ID.4's, to the tune of 100 litres.

While the Explorer was unveiled in March 2023, you won't be able to buy one until summer of this year, due to forthcoming regulatory changes relating to battery safety.

 

Ford Mustang

2024's incarnation of the Mustang will be the very last with a combustion engine. The model will have the familiar 5.0-litre V8, producing more than 450bhp - even on the entry-level version.

While the engine will have an enticingly traditional exhaust note, the rest of the car will have all the modern bells and whistles - including a digital instrument panel that blends into the main display of Ford's SYNC 4 infotainment system.

Buyers of the final installment of this legendary model can choose between a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic. It will also feature mechanical limited-slip differential and MagneRide adaptive suspension.

There's also a special track-centric edition called Dark Horse, offering Brembo brakes, extra oil coolers, additional chassis bracing, and Torsen limited-slip differential.

 

Dacia Duster

The third-generation Duster continues to impress, with a re-thought exterior and interior, and an uprated infotainment system - all for a starting price of just £20,000.

It still uses the CMF-B platform - as seen on various other Dacia and Renault models. Harnessing this platform has, according to Dacia, reduced vibration and noise, and enhanced driver comfort.

Harnessing a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine, together with an electric motor and starter generator, the Duster Hybrid 140 relies on its battery for 80% of driving time when used in urban settings. Lower-cost models will come with a 1.2-litre petrol unit, assisted by a 48V mild-hybrid starter-generator.

 

Dacia Spring

This year, the Dacia Spring will go up against the Citroen e-C3 in the small but competitive budget EV space. The sub-one-tonne vehicle will boast a range of 140 miles for longer distance driving or an impressive 190 miles when zipping about the city.

The Spring 45 base model marries the modest 26.8kWh battery with a 44bhp electric motor, delivering a 0-62mph figure of 19.1 seconds - which is impressive for all the wrong reasons!

Opt for the Spring 65, with its 64bhp motor, and you'll reach a dizzying acceleration of 13.7 seconds.

The UK model will feature spec and styling based on the French version, while the starting price is likely to be under £20,000.