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Now is the time to plan for your 2020-reg purchase – if you haven’t already done so.

The pace of electrification in the motor industry is picking up at an astonishing rate.

We are being pulled this way and that about what we should have powering our next new car.

The future edged another bit closer when the Volkswagen ID.3 electric car was shown for the first time on Irish soil yesterday. Appropriately enough it was in a hangar at Weston Airport, Lucan.
Yes, they are ready for take-off, but it will be next summer before the special launch editions – ranging according to spec from €40,000 to €50,000 – will arrive.
It is important to note, however, that potential buyers of more standard cars will have to wait until late 2020, realistically the first quarter of 2021, to get their hands on the first Volkswagen electric family car at a more affordable, projected, price (from around the €30,000 mark).
Regardless of spec, the cars, built on a brand new platform, will be seriously infused with technology.
A brief flick through the infotainment system, for example, bolstered confidence that it is intuitive to operate.
That’s thanks to new digital displays, controls and a specially developed central 10in touch display that gives you all the key information.
The car’s cabin is longer and narrower than your exterior view might deduce. The battery pack is stowed under the floor and, as there are none of the usual impediments, there’s good cabin room. Boot space isn’t great. It’s rear-wheel drive.
The model on display was the range-topper first edition Max. I look forward to seeing the lower-priced models of what they are calling the ‘car for the millions’.
With most charging done at home (80pc), it’s no surprise they are offering to set up a wallbox at your residence (technology lets the car pick the optimum charging time to avail of cheaper electricity).
Like most things to do with the ID.3 there are a number of options in every sphere.
As a prospective buyer you need to spend lots of time getting to know this car – there are so many details.
Just a few examples:
* The ID.3 will have three battery size options: 45kWh (330km), 58kWh (420km) and 77kWh (550km).
* They reckon you’d save €1,600-a-year on running costs compared with a 1-litre petrol Golf Highline.
* Those who pre-ordered to buy the first edition get one year free charging or 2,000Kw.
* There are several finance options, including one to cover maintenance.
The ID.3 will be on static display on Grafton Street, Dublin, Friday and Saturday.

It can be said of any new year but 2020 brings a special level of urgency for those thinking of buying or selling a new car.There is now so much choice, of models and of power sources. They range from diesel, to petrol, to hybrid and plug-in and, of course, electric.Seldom in motoring history has there been such a choice of what you can buy, and what you can use to power your car.ALFAThe new electric Tonale will slot in under the Stelvio crossover when it goes on sale in 2020.AUDIHuge span of new and revised cars for 2020, including the new Q3 Sportback coupe-SUV (from €41,100) which is just on sale (150hp diesel or 230hp petrol).There is also the Q5 TFSI e plug-in (more than 40km pure electric).Prices from €57,500 OTR. Other plug-in hybrids to broaden the choice include the A8, A7 and Q7.The A4 has been tweaked on the outside, refreshed inside; big upgrades in connectivity technology, a new engine line-up and optional mild-hybrid systems. From €41,520.A refreshed A5 Sportback and A5 Coupé with mild hybrid technology are January bound. The large Q7 gets a minor revision; also here will be the SQ8 SUV and redesigned RS7 (V8, 591bhp).We’ll have to wait until early 2021 for the new electric Q4 e-tron crossover. It has a 74kW battery and an anticipated range of 450km.BMWThe new X6 is effectively here (€95,960). It was the first of its kind and rivals followed/copied (Mercedes GLE Coupe, Range Rover Velar, Porsche Cayenne Coupe). This looks less dramatic but X6 is always a great drive.The new 2-series Gran Coupe, here in March, will cost from €34,010.The X3 xDrive30e plug-in hybrid goes on sale too, soon joined by the electric X3. Prices from €61,690 as of now.Only 35 of the limited-edition super-fast M2 CS will be made. A few may get here from the spring; no word on prices.The electric i4 saloon will be rolled out next year.And there will be a second-generation X5 xDrive45e plug-in.CITROENIt gets its first plug-in hybrid, the C5 Aircross PHEV, in the new year.It combines a 4cyl petrol engine, electric motor and 13.2kWh lithium-ion battery, so you can travel around 50km on electric power alone. No word yet on prices or spec. CUPRAIt will unveil its Formentor plug-in SUV towards the end of 2020. It will have a 50km electric-only range. Expect a Cupra-badged version of next year’s Leon too.DACIAEven though the new Duster is not that long here, there are improvements for 2020 which include a new TCe100 petrol engine.DSThe new DS 3 Crossback SUV is sharply styled and due next year. There will also be an electric version called the 3 Crossback E-TENSE. Still not exactly sure when they will get to Ireland.FIATThe little 500 goes electric relatively early next year – expect to see it at the Geneva Show in March.FORD Ford Puma The new Puma mild-hybrid SUV goes on sale before the end of the year. It will be one of eight ‘electrified’ vehicles (not necessarily electric) Ford has coming our way next year.One especially worth looking out for is the new Kuga petrol plug-in hybrid. It, like most plug-ins now, has a pure-electric driving range of 50km+.And its first electric high-performance SUV, the Mustang Mach-E is due later in 2020. From €50,000.HONDAIt expects to roll out six ‘electrified’ models within three years. The hybrid-only Jazz (spring 2020) and electric ‘Honda e’ are due to arrive earliest.HYUNDAIA new hybrid version of the Kona has just gone on sale (from €28,495). Meanwhile the electric IONIQ has been tweaked and gets a new dash. There is an increased range of 312km. From €34,850. There’s also a new-look i10 (€14,245).JAGUARThere will be a heavily revised F-TYPE sports car next year.JEEPThe new Renegade line-up gets a plug-in version by mid-2020.KIAWe’ll see a PHEV version of the new urban crossover XCeed in the spring. The e-Niro electric gets a bit of a facelift too. The Sportage 1.6D with mild-hybrid technology is ready for January orders.LAND ROVERThere will be a lot of interest in the arrival (March) of the new Defender. Also expect PHEV models for the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque ranges.LEXUSThe RX large hybrid SUV gets a January update: a new front look and upgraded interior (touchscreen, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Lexus Safety System Plus now standard).MAZDAMid-size CX-30 gets here this month; choice is of 1.8 diesel or two petrols. Revised Mazda2 due in January while a new CX-5 is expected mid-2020.The brand’s first mass production MX-30 electric car is scheduled for Irish dealerships in the second half of 2020. It has a 35.5kWh battery and a claimed range of 210km.MERCEDESIt has a wave of new/revised or ‘electrified’ cars for 2020. No fewer than 22 models are scheduled. Six will be conventionally powered but 16 will be plug-ins.First to arrive will be the GLB, followed by the GLA, GLE Coupé and GLS. The EQA and S-Class will arrive towards Q4.Launch dates may change but here’s a snap dateline of some early arrivals: January 2020 – GLB; February – Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC; April – GLA; April – GLS; June – GLE Coupe, Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, EQV.The electric range expands with the June arrival of EQV (a V-Class MPV with a 100kWh battery and 400km-plus range).MINIThe electric version will cost from €27,765 OTR (Cooper SE) when it arrives in March. The lithium-ion battery covers a range of 235km to 270km on a single charge.Watch out for a range-topping Cooper Works GP next year too.MITSUBISHIA face-lifted Space Star city car provides an early-year choice for small-car buyers. There’s a 1.2 litre petrol engine and either manual or automatic transmission. A new Eclipse Cross plug-in is due by October.NISSANThe latest Juke is now in dealerships. Prices start from €21,995. The Micra gets upgraded; there is now an SV Premium trim. Meanwhile SE replaces SV trim in the Qashqai – and the price comes down by around €1,200.OPELThe new Corsa is due – for January sales – by the end of the month. An electric version is pencilled in for March. It has a 50kw battery and a 330km range. Expect it to start around €26,000.A hybrid Grandland X arrives in the spring. Later, most likely in the autumn, will come the new, second-generation Opel Mokka X.There will also be a Vivaro e – an electric version of its eponymous van. It has a zero-emission range of up to 300km.PEUGEOT Peugot 208 The 208 and electric e-208 hatch are early-year starters. The 208 will have four petrols and a 1.5 diesel. Prices from €18,300 for the 75bhp Active 1.2 PureTech.Making it a busy start too will be the arrival of the new 2008SUV and the 3008 Hybrid4.The 508 plug-in hybrid (Fastback, SW) arrives early 2020 as well.PORSCHEA Macan EV is likely in 2020, coming as it does after the Taycan’s debut earlier this year.RENAULT Renault Captur As we reported last week the new Clio has just arrived. Prices start from €16,990. There will be a new e-tech hybrid next year.Just launched is the new Renault ZOE R with a 52 kWh battery making a driving range of 390km+ possible.The small crossover Captur has been heavily revised and gets here from February.SEATThe el-Born will be its first all-electric SEAT. Due next year, it will have a 62kWh battery pack.Big news is the arrival of the new Leon in the second quarter. There will be a range of petrol and diesel engines with a plug-in hybrid due later in the year.The seven-seater Tarraco, recent Irish car award winner, will get a plug-in hybrid in 2020.SKODA Skoda Octavia The small KAMIQ crossover has just arrived. Engines include a 1.0 and 1.5 turbo petrol and a 1.6 diesel.There will also be a plug-in hybrid of the Superb. Its 85-kWh electric motor gives it up to 62km of electric-only driving.The new Octavia, unveiled in Prague last week, goes on sale here for next July’s reg-plate change.A vastly improved car overall, it is claimed.SUBARUIts e-Boxer mild-hybrid petrol-electric system will boost the XV Crossover (€41,495) and the new Forester (€47,045 ex-grants). The Forester is due this month; the XV in December.SSANGYONGThe new Korando C300 will be officially launched here on Friday, December 6.TESLAIts Model 3 is already on sale here. Due on world markets next year is the compact Model Y SUV.TOYOTA Toyota C-HR The C-HR compact crossover has been revised and, importantly, gets a new 2.0-litre engine for its hybrid system. There’s a new multimedia set-up too. The Proace City light commercial is a third-quarter arrival. And we can expect the new Yaris towards the end of next year.VOLKSWAGEN VW Golf The electric ID.3 with its 58kWh battery and a range of 420km is its most significant launch of the year. There will also be 45kWh (330km range) and 77kWh (550km range) versions a good bit later in the year. Reckon on the 45-kWh version starting just under the €30,000 mark.Expect a second ID model later in the year. It will be much more like an electric SUV.Massive news too is the March arrival of the new Golf – an icon if ever there was one. There will be no e-Golf but there will be several ‘mild’ and plug-in hybrids as well as new petrol and diesels.The overhauled Passat gets a new GTE version. As it has a larger battery it is capable of 55km on EV-power only (from €46,496 after grants).The small crossover T-Roc gets an ‘R’ infusion (from €53,750).VOLVOIt launches the XC40 plug-in hybrid in March (from €46,495). There will be a Polestar-engineered V60 and S60 (405bhp, T8 plug-in hybrids). The Polestar S60 starts at €69,022; V60 from €72,293. There will be a V60 Cross Country D4 AWD 190bhp auto in March (€52,550).The big news, however, is its first electric, the XC40 with a 75kWh battery, that manages more than 400km and it arrives next year. There will be a new V40 by the end of 2020.It’s worth noting that in 2020 the top speed of all Volvo models will be electronically limited to 180kmh.

When is a Mustang not a Mustang?