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IT’S always an exciting time when we put together our round-up of the hottest new cars that are on the way to showrooms in the next 12 months and beyond. But this guide, which starts on Page 39, feels that little bit more special. It’s bigger, for starters; 12 months ago we downloaded 109 vehicles from our journalists’ notepads and interview transcripts. This time, we’ve had to cram in 125. They’re not all SUVs, either (thank goodness) – a sign that buyers of conventional hatchbacks and saloons are going to have plenty of new metal to choose from in the months ahead, too. But it’s the variety of the powertrains underneath the 125 cars that’s most interesting – because it proves how good the car industry is at reinventing itself…

• Five-door aims to move upmarket with interior revamp • Petrol power, with diesel possible and mild hybrid likely John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy SKODA is planning to shake up its family car line-up in 2019 by offering an all-new version of its Rapid Spaceback as an alternative to the Octavia and also the likes of the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus, Auto Express has learned. The existing Rapid has suffered poor sales outside of Skoda’s home market in the Czech Republic. Equally, while the Octavia has been a success, the car’s extra length over conventional family hatchbacks has put off some buyers. Now we can reveal that the brand is switching to a two-pronged attack on the likes of the Astra, Focus and VW Golf – and that central to this is…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods “We have to definitely adapt the proportions to the technical demands, and make a new statement, but it has to be at first glimpse a Bentley“STEFAN SIELAFF Bentley design director BENTLEY is planning an all-electric flagship as the classic British brand aims to reposition itself as a marque with strengths in both luxury and technology, Auto Express can reveal. The Crewe-based manufacturer has already announced its entire range will be available with an electrified powertrain by 2025. But Auto Express has learned work is under way on a pure EV that will harness some of the developments in the forthcoming Porsche Mission E and help Bentley to offer green credentials alongside its traditional craftsmanship. With the firm’s boardroom fresh from a complete shake-up, and Brit Adrian Hallmark named…

“The new GSi should be more affordable for younger buyers to insure” John_McIlroy@dennis.co.uk @johnmcilroy THIS is our first look at the reborn Vauxhall Corsa GSi, a car that will aim to offer a performance image on a budget when it goes on sale in late autumn. The GSi is based on the three-door Corsa, but it gets chassis modifications and sports styling add-ons. Its front end is dominated by larger air intakes and a honeycomb grille, while there are sill extensions along the flanks and a sizeable rear spoiler beefs up the look at the rear, along with a chrome exhaust. Under the skin, the GSi has the same suspension and brakes as the Corsa VXR, with firmer springs and retuned dampers, and it sits on 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside,…

THE fourth-generation Ford Focus range will be expanded to include Active crossover and luxurious Vignale trims when it arrives later this year, the company’s European product development boss has confirmed. The new model is due to be revealed in the coming months. And Joe Bakaj, Ford’s European vice-president for product development, has confirmed to Auto Express that it will be available in the same chunky Active trim level as the Fiesta and the recently updated Ka+, featuring a raised ride height and chunky body cladding. When asked if the next Focus would get the Active treatment, Bakaj replied: “Yes. And we already know it’s going to fit great with that vehicle. It’ll be able to attract some of those customers who want something different. Perhaps they’ve driven saloons all their…

COVENTRY-based LEVC has only just launched its TX electric taxi, but the company is already testing a plug-in mid-sized van that’s due in 2019. Eagle-eyed Auto Express reader Tristram Belemore-Smith spied the disguised vehicle undergoing testing near the Lotus factory in Norfolk. The development work is being carried out by engineering firm Emerald, as it was on the taxi project. Like LEVC and Lotus, Emerald is owned by Chinese firm Geely and basing itself at Lotus’ Hethel HQ. Auto Express understands that the new van will use the same platform as the TX, along with its range-extender powertrain, which uses a 1.5-litre threecylinder petrol engine as a generator for a large battery pack and electric motors. The taxi claims a pure EV range of 80.6 miles and will cover a…