Autoesque

For the first time, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range is gaining a plug-in hybrid version. The appropriately named C 350 Plug-In Hybrid, which joins the existing C 300 BlueTec Hybrid, will be available in both saloon and estate guises.

Although its Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car is set to be one of 2015’s most important new car launches, Toyota hasn’t forgotten about the more traditional petrol-electric hybrid.

Installing an automatic gearbox in a Lotus Exige S might seem counterintuitive. However, doing so does yield certain benefits.

Toyota Motorsport is going to return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2017.

Following its debut at last year’s Paris Motor Show, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Red Vapor Limited Edition has arrived in the UK.

Yamaha has revealed the colour scheme that its YZR-M1 MotoGP bikes will be wearing this coming season. With Telefónica retained as title sponsor, the predominantly blue paintjob is very much a gentle evolution of last year’s.

Several months after the reworked Corsa first appeared, Vauxhall and Opel have revealed a similarly-updated Corsavan. Although refreshed styling is the most noticeable change, the new model’s payload has been increased by 21 kg (46 lbs) to 571 kg (1,258 lbs). Its cargo capacity is 920 litres.

Nowadays roughly half of all new cars registered in the UK run on diesel. Fleet and private buyers alike have been enticed by the prospect of better fuel economy, lower carbon dioxide emissions and healthier residual values. However, that popularity could be about to wane.

Like so many manufacturers, Chevrolet has resorted to a ‘black look’ for its latest limited-run model. The Silverado Midnight edition, which is based on the existing 1500 LT Z71 variant, gains a variety of suitably dark cosmetic tweaks.

Ferruccio Lamborghini wasn’t an advocate of factory-supported motorsport, so the late founder of the firm that bears his name probably wouldn’t approve of the Huracán GT3.

Toyota has revealed the new Tacoma mid-size pick-up for North America, which is going to be manufactured in Texas and Mexico.

One of the undoubted stars at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit has been the all-new Ford GT.

Previously, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé would’ve been called the Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG Coupé. The change in naming style is meant to better reflect AMG’s sub-brand status, but it still denotes that this newcomer is the high-performance member of the GLE five-door fastback SUV range.

Exclusive styling elements and some extra equipment identify the Rebel, which is a new trim grade for Ram’s 1500 pick-up range.

Ahead of its debut on the Monte Carlo Rally later this month, Volkswagen Motorsport has unveiled the revised Polo R WRC that will compete in the 2015 World Rally Championship.

This year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit has seen Nissan launch the all-new Titan XD full-size pick-up truck.

Buick’s decision to offer a version of the Vauxhall / Opel Cascada convertible comes as no surprise. After all, the brand has been pursuing the very sensible strategy of adopting products from GM’s European division for a while now.

2014 turned out to be a year of significant recovery for the new car market in Ireland. Figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that registrations totalled 96,344, a rise of just under 30% compared to 2013 .

The winners of the 2015 North American Car of the Year and the North American Truck / Utility of the Year awards have been declared today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Maybe Volvo is about to create a new sub-niche with its new S60 Cross Country.

A year after Seat launched high-performance Cupra versions of its Leon hatchback, the same treatment is being applied to the ST model. In terms of the fast compact estate hierarchy - which is small but expanding - the new arrival will slot in between the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf R Estate.

Onyx Black paintwork, a unique grille and some extra equipment identify the new GMC Canyon Nightfall Edition. Based on the existing mid-range SLE crew cab model, it’ll be available with a choice of either rear- or four-wheel drive.

Assembly of the venerable Defender is due to end at Land Rover’s Solihull plant in December 2015. So, to commemorate the imminent passing of a vehicle that can trace its lineage back to 1947, three Celebration Series editions have been launched.

Stats published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders have shown that total new car registrations in 2014 were up by 9.3% versus 2013. As always though, the overall market conceals some highly variable individual manufacturer performances.

2,476,435 new cars were registered in the UK during 2014. That figure, just published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, represents a 9.3% increase compared to 2013.

Detroit Electric says its long-awaited SP:01, which is due to enter production early this year, will be the world’s fastest electric-powered two-seat sports car.

Lexus is continuing to grow its line-up of ‘F’ performance models. The latest addition, which is set to be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit later this month, is the mid-size GS F saloon.

UK customers must be keen on special versions of the Amarok pick-up, because Volkswagen has begun 2015 by introducing another one here. This latest variant is called the Ultimate and production is being restricted to 500 units. A similar model was launched in Germany last June, so that name might sound familiar.

In advance of a public debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit later this month, Infiniti has released the first image of its Q60 Concept.

At the moment, the only available high performance compact wagon is the Ford Focus ST. With a turbocharged 2.0 litre EcoBoost petrol engine developing 246 bhp (184 kW / 250 PS) and 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) of torque on overboost, it can hit 154 mph (247 km/h) and do the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 6.7 seconds.

Picking the most significant new cars coming in 2015 is not an easy task, simply because of the huge volume and variety of planned launches. Nevertheless, here are ten candidates that should make an impact on their respective market sectors.