The best and biggest new cars coming in 2021

2020 hasn't been a great year. It's disrupted everybody's lives and like the rest of the world, the car industry hasn't gone unaffected.

Factories were forced to close and sales were down dramatically but still car makers launched new products. And whatever 2021 has in store for us, we can be sure it involves even more new cars, with an emphasis on hybrid and EVs.

It’s a constantly changing landscape with nailed-on certainties joined by more ambitious intentions but here we’ve tried to gather some of the most interesting or important models slated to arrive in 2021.

Alfa Romeo Tonale

A smaller sibling to Alfa’s existing Stelvio, the Tonale will aim to take on compact premium SUVs like the Volvo XC40 and Range Rover Evoque when it goes on sale. With great Alfa looks and a plug-in hybrid option it could be the shot in the arm the brand needs

Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA

At the other end of Alfa’s range from a small hybrid SUV is the Giulia GTA. A Guilia Quadrifoglio on steroids, the GTA is a more powerful, lighter weight take on the super saloon. Its 2.9-litre V6 puts out 533bhp and there’s a wider track and bespoke suspension setup to sharpen its handling. A GTAm version strips out the rear seats in favour of a roll bar.

Aston Martin Valhalla

Billed by Aston as the “son of Valkyrie”, the Valhalla will be the brand’s third mid-engined hypercar, following the mind-bending Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR. Adopting F1 technology, the Valhalla will use an in-house designed 3.0-litre V6, which Gaydon says will be the most powerful in its range - so expect more than 700bhp from its twin-turbo hybrid setup.

Audi e-tron GT

If Audi's e-tron was a safe first step into the world of EVs - everyone loves an SUV, after all, the e-tron GT is slightly more ambitious. Positioned to take on the Porsche Taycan, the all-electric four-door fastback shares the Porsche's platform and is expected to offer up to 641bhp and around 250 miles of range. It will sit at the top of the Audi EV family, expected to include 12 vehicles by 2025.

Audi Q4 e-tron

Another EV concept due to become a reality in 2021. The Q4 e-tron is mid-sized all-electric SUV built on the VW Group's MEB platform, positioned to challenge the Tesla Model Y. Technical details for the final version are scare but the concept's 225kW (301bhp) and 280-mile range hint at what buyers can expect.

BMW i4

BMW has so far only released concept car images of the i4 but a production version is expected to go on sale next year, possibly with some of the more controversial design elements toned down. The i4 will be a pure-electric mid-sized saloon that will take on the Tesla Model 3 and BMW claims it will offer 523bhp and 373 miles of range from its single motor and 80kWh battery.

BMW iX

Previously named the iNEXT, the iX will be one of the first cars built on BMW’s common platform, which can support combustion engine, hybrid and all-electric powertrains. The iX will use the latter of those and act as the flagship model for BMW’s i range of EVs. It’s a large SUV - close to X7 size - and while full details of the drivetrain are still vague, BMW says it will offer up to 500bhp and have an official range of more than 370 miles.

Citroen e-C4

The new Citroen C4 has begun appearing in showrooms around the country but it'll be the start of 2021 before the all-electric version starts reaching customers. The swoopy hatchback-cum-crossover features a 50kWh battery offering up to 217 miles of range and a 134bhp electric motor and will challenge the likes of the Ford Focus and Nissan Leaf.  Prices start at £32,180.

Cupra el-Born

The el-Born is Cupra's first all-electric model and is based on the regular Seat el-Born EV. As with other Cupra products, the el-Born takes the regular family hatchback and adds a performance spin on it. It's not just about a more powerful motor (expected to be around 210bhp) but also about tuning the cars ride, handling and braking to offer a more dynamic experience. Curpa says the el-Born will reach 30mph in 2.9 seconds and offer up to 310 miles of range.

Dacia Spring EV

Dacia is famous as a budget brand and EVs are famous for being relatively expensive. Which makes the Spring EV an important car. Based on a Chinese-market Renault, the roadgoing version of the compact all-electric crossover is expected to be the cheapest EV in Europe when it goes on sale in early 2021. It's not guaranteed to come to the UK but Dacia says it is exploring the idea. Under the skin, the Spring uses a 43bhp motor and 26.8kWh battery for a range of 140 miles.

Fiat 500

The all-electric Fiat 500 might look fairly familiar but it's all-new. Ditching the internal combustion engine completely, it’s a modernised take on the 500's famous design but is built on a new EV platform with 94bhp motor and a 42kWh battery good for a claimed 199 miles of range. As well as subtly different looks, expect a more modern interior when it goes on sale early in 2021.

Ford Puma ST

The Ford Puma has already been winning accolades for its positive driving experience but Ford is continuing to push the envelope with a full-on ST version of its compact SUV. Based on the Fiesta's underpinnings, the Puma ST