MMXIV - What's in store?

Yes, as I am sure you have half the brain to know (or at least guess), those Roman numerals show that it is indeed 2014. Jesus, I'd still say the nineties were only 10 years ago, not almost a quarter of a century. But anyway, this is a car blog, so I will take this space to see what 2014 has in store for us...

Audi TT MBQ - Due in July

Sounds like the TT has gone through a tuning company, doesn't it? Well, no. The TT is being treated to the new platform that the current Golf/Leon/Octavia/A3 sits on along with some new engines and a visual refresh. Mind you, I'm surprised it's not a full regeneration as the current TT dates from 2006.


BMW 2 Series - Due in July


OK, this isn't confusing when you think about it. Basically, the even numbered Beemers are coupés and convertibles and the odd numbered are saloons and practical things. Got it? The 2-series will share the same underpinnings as the 1-series, including that marvellous M35i engine.


Ferrari LaFerrari - Due in July


Seems July is going to be a pretty good month. With a 790bhp 9250rpm V12 engine mated with a 160bhp electric motor, this should give the McLaren P1 and the Porsche 918 a good spanking. The ultimate 3 car battle? I think so.


VW Golf R - Due in February 

The new Golf has already wowed the media with such refinement, but now VW has to prove that the Golf isn't all about the M1 on cruise control. The new range topper will be armed with a 296bhp 2.0L turbo four, four wheel drive and 0-60 in just 5.3 seconds in the manual and a mad 4.9 with a boring DSG box. Looks the part too.



McLaren 12C Sprint - Due in June

You know the Ferrari 458 Speciale? Well, this is McLaren's stab at a hardcore track special. Stiffer, more aggressive and equipped with a wing that looks completely out of place, this should eradicate some of the 12C's well-known sensibleness.


Qoros 3 - Due very soon

This is a new Chinese import that's on it's way to scare the European companies. Before you move on, you must know that this has just been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating and will come with competitive engines, namely a turbo 1.6 with 140bhp. Maybe just loose those ugly wheels?


Vauxhall Corsa - Due in August

Yes, it's just another super-mini, but the Corsa is a huge seller in Europe (UK especially), that this is one of the most pressured models to get right. The current generation was jaw dropping when it came out, but it's incredibly long in the tooth now. The Adam is good, so hopefully the new Corsa shouldn't be a muck-up.



Mercedes GLA 45 - Due in February

Now, this is something strange. A soft-roader from Mercedes with the hardcore engine from the A45 AMG. It does beg the question, why not just have the A45 in the first place?


Land Rover Freelander - Due in October

Please bare in mind here that this will not be called the Freelander, but it will still be the smallest Landy in the range though. The Not-Called-Freelander is probably best to be thought of as a mini Discovery than a separate model.


Toyota Aygo/Citroen C1/Peugeot 107 - Due September

A supposedly new model from the supposedly still joint venture between the three companies. The current model sold like hot cakes, and still is, but desperately wants a refresh. Will still be very cheap.


BMW i8 - Due in July

BMW has already caused a stir with the i3, and now the sexier looking sibling is soon to be released with more oomph and a 300mile range. Officially, it will do 113mpg whilst cracking 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. It looks fabulous too, and many are saying there will be a convertible version too. If you don't want one, something is very, very wrong with you...


Ford Mondeo - Due in September

This has already been sold under the Fusion name in the US for over a year now, and is long overdue for the UK. Engine line-up looks strong, including the 1.0 EcoBoost and a plug-in hybrid, but do not expect it to have the wow factor of what the current model had when it was released.


Mini Cooper - Due in March

The controversially faced new Mini from BMW is set to arrive very soon, and it's all about 1.5l three cylinder engines. Don't worry, they still produce a peppy amount of power, and the Cooper S will get a 2 litre 4 cylinder engine. Expect BMW engines to have great efficiency too; 80mpg and no road tax is a plus.

Images and statistics were courtesy of topgear.com