If there is a single theme running through the most interesting new cars of 2026, it is defiance. Of market logic, of modern branding and the idea that the future has to be sterile, faceless and as autonomous as possible. Gordon Murray’s stubbornly analogue masterpiece and a Toyota V8-powered assault weapon will not be a part of regular traffic, but they are aspirational vehicles, fueling the motivation of new buyers and hopes for an interesting automotive future. 2026 is shaping up to be a year where car makers rediscover the confidence to do things their own way.
GMA T.33
It feels almost absurd that the T.33 is being framed as the “entry-level” Gordon Murray car, yet here we are. Four years on from the revelation that Murray’s second act would abandon the central driving position, GMA has been busy. The T.50 has consumed much of the attention in recent times, but behind the scenes, the T.33 has been quietly maturing into something rather special.
Available as both a coupe and a Spider, it retains the Cosworth-developed V12, revving to a ludicrous 11,100rpm, and does so without the theatre of fans or active aero. The decision to cancel the paddle-shift option because only two buyers wanted it is perhaps the most Gordon Murray thing imaginable.And also a reminder that this is a company that designs cars around principles. Once the 100 coupes and 100 Spiders are complete, a more extreme Speciale version is promised. That this is even being discussed in an era of downsizing and regulation fatigue feels like a blessing.
Renault Twingo
At the opposite end of the spectrum sits the new Renault Twingo, demonstrating how joyful electric city vehicles can be. Joyfulness was the main USP of the original Twingo, launched in the 90s. The new one is bigger, but still small, at 3.79 m in length, yet with a wheelbase long enough to seat four adults, it is a triumph of packaging made possible by an EV platform that actually understands urban life.
The design is retro-futuristic, a delicate balance Renault has been mastering of late. The description from Renault it being “a little bonbon” is right; it captures something essential about the car’s intent. At around £20,000, it also poses an awkward question to much of the industry: why have so many small EVs become so big, so heavy and so joyless?
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ
Then there is the Land Cruiser FJ, a car that exists almost in spite of the global market. Smaller, simpler and built in Indonesia on a cost-conscious platform. It will not be sold in Europe or the United States. 158bhp and no hybrid assistance.The name may be awkwardly repurposed, and the “Freedom & Joy” tagline best ignored, but the concept is sound. This is a utilitarian off-roader designed for markets that value robustness over image.
Jaguar X900
Jaguar, by contrast, has chosen to provoke loudly. The Type 00 concept, unveiled as part of a controversial “copy nothing” rebrand, was met with confusion, ridicule, and lots of anger. Its proportions felt alien, its intent unclear, and its timing questionable. Yet beneath the noise, Jaguar has been doing something rather unfashionable: engineering a large electric luxury car with character.
The production version, expected to debut in 2026 under a name other than the internal X900 designation, promises a driving experience tuned deliberately to echo the effortless surge of an old XJS V12. It is aimed squarely at restoring Jaguar’s sense of prestige. A price around $120,000 suggests a hefty amount of ambition, but early rides in disguised prototypes hint that this may be one of those rare moments when Jaguar strikes a 10.
Scout Terra and Traveler
Scout’s revival under Volkswagen Group ownership is one of the more intriguing slow-burn stories in the industry. The Terra pickup and Traveler SUV reinterpret classic International Harvester ideas through a modern lens, initially as EVs but now increasingly likely to lean on a petrol-powered range extender. If the promised 500-mile range materialises, Scout could sidestep much of the anxiety currently surrounding electric trucks. Production may not begin until 2027, but 2026 should finally bring clarity and perhaps the first glimpse at what these vehicles will be like.
Toyota GR GT
Toyota continues to play a fascinating double game. While Lexus prepares an electric successor to the LFA that remains frustratingly distant, Gazoo Racing is busy building something that feels far more in tune with what enthusiasts actually want right now. The GR GT is not subtle. This is a hybrid V8 supercar with over 641bhp, rear-wheel drive, and just enough electrification to satisfy efficiency targets. The drama and response of a big engine, sharpened by technology. If Toyota delivers on its intent, the GR GT could unsettle the AMG GT and even the Porsche 911 in ways few expected from a brand better known for 4x4s and in the last few years – some of the best hot hatches and RWD sports cars.
Slate Truck
Finally, the Slate Truck arrives as a case study in how fragile good ideas can be. Its original promise was a small, simple electric pickup priced to undercut everything else on the market. The removal of federal EV tax credits has complicated that story, pushing its effective price higher and threatening the appeal. Yet the concept remains compelling. In a market saturated with oversized, overcomplicated trucks, Slate’s simplicity feels radical and that’s great. Deliveries are scheduled for late 2026, and its success or failure may tell us more about the real state of the EV market than any glossy concept ever could.
Taken together, these cars suggest that 2026 will be for those who still care about cars as objects rather than mere transport, that is very good news indeed.
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