New 4x4s for 2013
* New 4x4 cars due in 2013 * Includes BMW X5 Series and Range Rover Sport * Exclusive info and pictures...
Range Rover Sport
What is it? Lighter, cleaner version of the rakish Range Rover
Price from 50,000 (est)
On sale Summer
The footballers' favourite the Range Rover Sport - gets a ground-up redesign next summer, and will benefit from the weight-saving principles and more efficient engines of the newly launched Range Rover.
Aluminium construction methods could save up to 400kg, and the introduction of a V6 turbodiesel engine should nudge CO2 emissions down to less than 200g/km. The other engines are a 4.4-litre V8 turbodiesel and a 5.0 supercharged V8 petrol.
As with the regular Range Rover, the new Sport's options list will offer greater scope for personalisation (and price hikes).
New Range Rover Sport will be substantially lighter - and more fuel-efficient - than the current car
Porsche Macan
What is it? Baby brother for the Cayenne
Price from 35,000
On sale Winter
Official image shows the Macan will look very much like a smaller version of the Cayenne
The dismay that greeted the launch of the original Porsche Cayenne is unlikely to be repeated when the Macan arrives at the end of 2013. Small SUVs are now in demand, and Porsche's entry into the market should elicit approval rather than disdain.
Porsche has released a teaser image that suggests the Macan will look very much like a smaller version of the Cayenne.
Underneath, it's based on the Audi Q5 and may use some of that SUV's powertrains. A four-cylinder diesel and a hybrid could join the line-up later, but at launch power is expected to be provided by six-cylinder engines.
BMW X5
What is it? Latest version of BMW's sporty 4x4
Price from 42,000 (est)
On sale Autumn
Next X5 will closely resemble the current car; four-cylinder diesel engines are likely to become available for the first time
Our spy shots show that the next generation of the BMW X5 won't look radically different from the current model.
Under the skin, however, there are likely to be substantial changes, and a wider range of engines will be available.
New 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel models are expected to join the line-up to help the X5 compete with the Mercedes ML250, and give significantly improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures. At the other end of the scale, high-performance petrol and diesel M Performance models will be offered.
It is thought that four-wheel drive will remain standard across the range. However, there has been no confirmation as yet from BMW that it will continue to offer a seven-seat version of the X5.
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