THE car industry is undergoing rapid change as brands transition away from petrol and towards battery power.
Electric cars are no longer new on UK roads, with the Tesla Model Y remaining a big seller, ditto the MG4 and Skoda Enyaq, while the reborn Renault 5 and Nissan Micra shows how familiar badges can tap into nostalgia.
In fact, these aren’t the only classic names getting the fully electric treatment either, as a host of other household nameplates will follow suit in 2026.
Alpine A110
Alpine is in the process of winding down production of the petrol A110 – the super-fun, lightweight sports car that’s adored by critics – ahead of an all-electric successor launching next year.
A mere 1,750 more standard A110s, plus 50 A110 R units, will be built at its plant in Dieppe, France until mid-2026, when its day will be done.
Orders will close in around six months, with roughly 200 additional cars expected to be sold in the UK before order books shut.
And then after, an electric version should be unveiled to sit alongside the electric A290 hatchback and the A390 SUV.
Mazda6
Coming to a UK showroom near you in early 2026 is the returning Mazda6, which will feature a sleek, fastback look and rear-wheel drive powered by electric.
The 6, or, actually 6e, as it’ll be known, will be offered with two powertrains, a 241bhp version with a 68.8kWh battery delivering up to 300 miles of range and 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, and a 254bhp model with an 80kWh pack good for 345 miles and 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds.
Boasting next-gen Kodo styling, a low roofline, frameless doors and LED ‘wing’ lights that show charge status, there’s even an active rear spoiler and smart, 19-inch alloys.
Inside, drivers are greeted by a 14.6-inch central screen with minimal physical buttons.
In true fastback style, it’s wildly practical with five seats and 400 litres of cargo space – including a 330-litre boot.
Its expected starting price isn’t bad either at under £40,000.
Porsche Cayman
Porsche has bid farewell to the legendary Cayman and Boxster sports cars, as it turns to forming a new EV sports car – set to be launched in 2026.
In recent weeks, Porsche has somewhat cooled its love of electric power amid falling profits, but the project is still active despite them postponing some EV launches due to softer demand.
Recent spy shots of an electric Cayman show a broader, stockier coupe with Taycan/Macan-style headlights and a full-width rear light bar, plus a likely movable spoiler.
The car’s traditional side intakes appear greatly reduced and its silhouette retains mid‑engined proportions.
It also seems Porsche plans to offer pure‑combustion halo variants alongside the EV – in reflection of market appetite.
Range Rover Electric
The incoming Range Rover Electric, JLR’s first fully electric model since the Jaguar I-Pace and, more importantly, the first electric Range Rover, is set to arrive next year – to much fanfare.
Designed to be a calm, quiet and extremely capable off-roader that can handle steep, rough tracks, the electric Range Rover will also boast all of the refinement and comfort that’s widely loved by owners.
Early stats show its real-world range will be around 300 miles – although expect less at motorway speeds and when towing – while its rapid charging should be competitive.
Interior space is, as you’d expect, generous and familiar, with the same luxurious feel as other Range Rovers.
There is no seven-seat option however, and its famous spare wheel eats into boot space.
It won’t come cheap either, likely costing around £150,000.
Volkswagen GTI
Volkswagen’s iconic GTI badge is heading into the electric era, with the first production model – the ID. GTI – set to launch in Europe in 2026.
Based on the ID.2all concept, it promises a compact, affordable hot hatch that channels classic GTI character into an EV package.
This will be the opening act for a broader electric GTI line-up, as an all-electric, ninth-generation Golf is due later in the decade with a GTI variant expected to follow.
This will signal the start of “a whole group of GTI” models, according to CEO Thomas Schafer.
Development is already under way, with engineers focused on preserving the playful, engaging driving dynamics that made GTI cars beloved by petrolheads.
