ALL THE NEW AND USED CARS COMING YOUR WAY:
We help readers with the inside information on what models will be in the showrooms sooner and later
EVERYONE’S going SUV, electric or hybrid. Steadily the carmakers are responding to regulations on the one hand – hybrid and electric – and public demand on the other – for Crossovers and SUVs.
All of which means there is a widening menu of choice for you (so long as you’re not looking for several new generations of saloons, though there are some excellent examples imminent too).
As the following details show, there is a discernible trend towards hybrids and far better indications of when we can expect to see more electric cars arriving here.
Overall, this run-through is designed to give you insight into what is coming over the next six to 12 months; more specifically for the 182-reg and 191-reg buying periods.
It is hoped it may provide a ‘steer’ on whether or not to buy in July or wait until January.
As I’ve said before, knowledge is power in this game and knowing the lie of the land may not only help you decide but perhaps save some money as well.
Let’s hope so because there does seem to be a mighty push of promotions and special deals too.
As ever take a close look and shop around for car and method of financing it.
Alfa Romeo
They will reintroduce two ‘iconic’ models, the 8C and GTV, by 2022 as part of the group’s five-year strategy.
It will also make a new mid-sized and large SUV. The former will sit below, and the latter above, the Stelvio (of which there will be a long wheelbase version too).
Aston Martin
Drop-top DB11 Volante will be V8 – to make it a keen handler.
And the new baby Aston Martin Vantage gets a 503bhp AMG 4-litre V8.
Audi
These are incredibly busy times for some marques and Audi is right in the thick of things.
The eighth generation A6 saloon will arrive by the autumn. Despite the popularity of SUVs, it is still a stalwart of the mid-sized premium market where it jousts with the likes of the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-Class.
All versions will be fitted with fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology as is the case with the A8 and A7 for example.
And an A6 Avant (estate) is coming down the line.
The brand’s first fully electric vehicle, the sporty SUV e-tron, will have a range of around 400km, according to reports.
It is expected here in early 2019 and will slot between the Q5 and Q7 in terms of dimensions.
By the way, the distributors here are taking refundable deposits of €2,000 for ‘priority access’ to the new car.
Meanwhile the new Q8, unveiled this week, will be the flagship SUV for the brand. Expect first cars – by summer – to cost around €100,000. And, yes, we’re told there will be an SQ8 version. The small Q3 crossover gets the new Audi look this autumn and a bit of a stretch to make it bigger than, and put more distance between it and, the smaller Q2.
We’re also told the new A1 baby hatch will be designed to take on MINI with promises of greater refinement all round.
Bentley
The Bentayga PHEV 3-litre petrol-electric hybrid – out this month – will be Bentley’s first electrified model.
BMW
The new X4 arrives this summer. Prices are starting €61,222 (on the road). It’s wider (37mm), longer (81mm) and lower (3mm) than its predecessor.
The new facelifted i8 two-seater roadster costs from €172,265 (OTR). The hybrid supercar now pumps 369bhp thanks to an upgraded power source.
The 8 Series Coupé goes into production later this year.
The 2 Series Active and Gran Tourer are getting facelifts while the M2 Competition will get the twin-turbo 6cyl from the M3 and M4.
Watch out for the stomping M5 Competition in September.
A little later comes the X3M hot SUV.
The new X5 – so popular with so many for so long but challenged by so many new arrivals – is due in the autumn too.
It will share underpinnings with the current 7-series saloon and will have plug-in hybrid and performance variants.
The new 8-series flagship will have six and eight-cylinder petrols and diesels – a V12 comes later.
Next year we should see the all-electric concept iX3.
The first of the manufacturer’s core-range models to be driven solely by electric power, the mid-size Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), has a 270hp electric motor and a claimed range of more than 400km (under the new WLTP system).
It will be a forerunner to a full production car to rival the Jaguar I-PACE and Audi’s e-tron when, as reported, it hits the roads as early as 2019.
Citroen/DS
The new Berlingo Multispace arrives late in the year with the new C5 Aircross pencilled in for January arrival.
There will be a new Berlingo van in the first quarter of 2019.
Meanwhile, the DS 7 Crossback is due in the fourth quarter.
Dacia
The bargain-basement carmaker’s big-selling new Duster family crossover is due in the final quarter of the year. Fascinating to see how it will be priced. No indication of cost as yet.
FIAT
The next-generation Fiat 500 will have a full electric variant when it goes on sale in 2020. There will be mild-hybrid 500s too but the longer-term futures of the Punto and Tipo look bleak.
The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group chief executive Sergio Marchionne said at the recent unveiling of their five-year-plan that the 500 and Panda are the two models which will fare best in Europe.
The 124 Spider will continue (built by Mazda in Japan on the same platform as the MX-5 roadster).
Meantime Fiat here have a couple of updates: a new special edition 500 Collezione – a tribute to the famous model.
And all diesel versions in the Tipo family are now priced the same as their petrol equivalents.
Ford
They nearly always have something big coming along and they don’t come much bigger – in terms of buyer interest – than the new Focus. Put it in your diary for August/September arrival at Irish dealerships. Yes, probably too late for 182-reg but a real prospect for 191-reg in January.
Expect models with 1.5 diesel and 1-litre EcoBoost petrol engines to be the main sellers.
Ford is going mad on ‘Active’ versions (cars made to look a bit more like crossovers). So it is no surprise to hear there will be a new Focus Active. Importantly, ST variants will follow too.
There are Fiesta Active and ST models on their way too.
The revised Mustang will be here by November/ December – not to mention the special Bullitt version.
The Ka+ Active (yes a tiny Active) will also arrive towards the end of 2018. As well as that there will be some new versions of the Transit Connect and Courier.
Honda
The new Civic saloon is due in August with a 1-litre turbo petrol and a 1.6 i-DTEC diesel in manual and automatic guises. It’s a lovely looking car and one I look forward to seeing and hopefully driving here.
Later in the year you can expect the new CR-V soft-roader with its Intelligent Multi Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system (2-litre petrol and two electric motors).
There will also be the new 1.5-litre VTEC turbo petrol version. Pricing closer to launch date, I’m told.
Hyundai
Their next arrival will be the new Santa Fé which they plan having here mid-month (June 16/17).
The popular large SUV is being powered by a 2.2-litre diesel. The car itself looks so much better. They have high expectations of it.
Their KONA electric variant is due in October.
It has a claimed range of 465km.
The i20 supermini gets styling tweaks and it has the option of a dual-clutch automatic for the first time.
A late summer/early autumn facelift of the huge-selling Tucson is scheduled. There will be an updated engine line-up, a mild hybrid diesel and tweaked looks.
Isuzu
The D-Max gets a September facelift.
Jaguar/Land Rover
The big, big news is the first electric Jaguar, the I-PACE SUV. It gets here early autumn (See First Drive on P3). One of the most dramatically-styled cars I’ve come across in a long time.
Meantime, the F-Pace SVR gets a 5-litre V8 engine with 542bhp on tap.
And there will be a new Range Rover Evoque for 2019, though details are scarce.
Before that will be a Velar SVR with 542bhp. Range Rover’s SV super luxury coupé comes towards the end of the year.
Jeep
Today, they’re showing the latest Renegade with new engines and a refreshed look.
In the last quarter of the year, they will roll out the new Wrangler. It will have a hybrid variant and a lot of new technology. Also a new Cherokee on its way.
Looking further afield, they will have a model smaller than the Renegade (by 2022) as part of the group’s five-year plan (including four electric models and 10 plug-in hybrids).
We are also promised a Wrangler pick-up and a Grand Wagonner by then.
KIA
The brand new Ceed gets here at the end of July. Much more sharply designed and without the apostrophe (cee’d no more) it will have a new 1.4 direct injection petrol engine as well as a new 1.6-litre diesel.
An estate (SW – bigger boot than a BMW 5-series Touring it is claimed) follows in September or October.
There will be a Shooting Brake based on the estate in January.
The Sportage gets a new 1.6-litre diesel with mild hybrid in the autumn too.
There will be an all-new electric Soul in January – that should be interesting. And we should see the electric Niro by the end of the year.
Lexus
The 7-seater RX-L is just in the showrooms. It’s an important addition as there are lots of people looking for the extra carrying capacity.
The GS mid-size saloon replacement, the ES 300h, is due to arrive in December.
Entry price will be under €50,000 and it will have a fourth generation 2.5-litre petrol engine as part of the hybrid system. Deceptively roomy car with coupé looks.
Mazda
They will have the heavily revised ‘6’ out in the autumn. There will be exterior and interior body changes and new petrol engines as well as improved diesels.
There will be a face-lifted CX-3 around the same time. And there will be a new 1.8 diesel engine.
They’re making much of the fact it will be their 7 th generation of a new product range. SKYACTIV and KODO design were part of the 6th generation (starting with the CX-5 in 2012).
Since then they have had smaller changes to models.
And so the seventh generation will coincide with new engines, technologies and fresh models.
So expect a lot of news from Mazda over the next 18 months or so.
Mercedes
The new A-Class, and new CLS 4dr, 5-seater large coupé, have just arrived in time for 182 registrations. The A-Class is a big improvement and has technology it will share with larger models (rather than the other way around).
A facelifted C-Class family (saloon, estate, coupé, cabriolet and AMG) will be rolled out during the 182-reg period – likely to be September so maybe a bit late for major buying this year but worth a reminder for January.
The new large SUV, the GLE, is a 191-reg contender too while we’ll see an A-Class saloon – to battle the excellent booted Audi A3 – in February.
From early autumn, it is reported there will be a Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupé/Cabriolet with 429bhp on tap – from their first performance hybrids.
They replace the E43s and will be joined by an AMG CLS 53.
The electric EQC will be here next year; the EQA in 2020. Both have 420km ranges under the new WLTP emissions/fuel-consumption system.
MINI
The big news for next year will be the electric MINI going into production. The car, based on the 3dr MINI, will be built at the brand’s plant in Cowley, Oxfordshire alongside the rest of the range.
However, it will use a new electric drivetrain made in BMW’s e-mobility factories in Bavaria. Range is a predicted 400km.
Mitsubishi
Their heavily revised Outlander PHEV is expected around October, so it will really be in the market for 191-reg buyers. The new 2.4-litre petrol engine means there is a 10pc increase in generator output with a similar amount for the rear motor. Drive-battery capacity is up 15pc and output hiked by 10pc.
They claim quicker steering and two new driving modes: ‘Sport’ and ‘Snow’.
The facelift adds a new front grille, 18in multi-spoke alloys and quilted-leather front seats.
They will also add a new 2.2 DiD 4WD automatic to their Eclipse Cross range and expect it to arrive here early next year.
Nissan
The extended-range LEAF is expected for next May/June while the new e-NV200 van arrives in September/October.
Opel
They’re focusing heavily on the smaller Grandland X SUV – because so many people are buying that sort and size of crossover.
A new 1.5 130hp turbodiesel engine has been added to the line-up for 182-reg.
Later on, in the third-quarter, they will have the new generation Corsa GSi with a 1.4, 150hp petrol turbo under the bonnet. Sounds interesting.
Peugeot
The radically designed new 508 goes on sale here from early 2019 with, I’m glad to say, an evolution of the iconic i-Cockpit.
There will be new-gen petrol and diesels (from 98g/km diesel, 123g/km petrol – the figures take into account the new technical Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure – WLTP – provisions). Two of the petrol versions are new: the 1.6 litre 180hp EAT8 automatic and 225hp EAT8 (GT).
Diesels include 1.5 litre 130hp 6spd manual and 8spd auto, a 1.5-litre 130 automatic, a 2-litre 160 auto and 180 automatic.
So as far as I can work it out – and Peugeot say so – all except the 1.5 diesel 6spd manual model are automatic.
There will be a plug-in hybrid petrol from autumn 2019.
Later this year we’ll see the Rifter MPV which will replace the Tepee. It shares its architecture with the Citroen Berlingo and Opel Combo Life. It will come as a 5-or-7-seater.
Porsche
The Cayenne e-hybrid 456bhp plug-in SUV is eagerly awaited.
And in September the Macan gets a facelift – with new turbo V6 engines on the way.
Renault
The popular Kadjar compact SUV gets a facelift and is due in the early months of next year.
The Clio RS is extremely limited in availability but it’s a great little car.
The more powerful Zoe R110 is due in the final quarter.
The 107hp (up 16hp) it now gets from a new electric motor gives the EV more punch but real-world range (300km) is maintained, Renault insist.
The Master van Z.E. is due around then too.
SEAT
The Cupra Ateca 2-litre 300hp DSG is due in Q4. This will be the first model under the new ‘exclusive’ CUPRA branding.
The Tarraco large 7-seater SUV will be an early 2019 arrival. This marks another step by SEAT into the SUV market (the smaller Arona and compact Ateca have been well received). This is a rival for the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail and KIA Sorento competitor and will be produced in Wolfsburg.
We’ll see the new Leon in the first quarter of 2020 as well as a facelifted Ateca – seems only yesterday it was unveiled as brand new.
Skoda
First up for the Czech Republic automaker is a new Fabia facelift this August. It will have similar powertrains to existing models.
That will be followed by a Kodiaq RS in January. Powered by a 2-litre TDi with 240bhp, it is eagerly awaited by those who like zip in their motors.
Early next year they’ll have a brand new Rapid Spaceback. It will be interesting to see what they come up with after an initial rocky start to the current one’s life.
The Rapid will be followed by a Crossover that will be slightly smaller than the compact SUV, the Karoq.
Both cars will have a range of 1.0 TSI, 1.5 TSI petrols and 1.6 TDI engines.
Subaru
They have just introduced a revamped 2.5i Outback Lineartronic in time for the ‘182’ plate change.
There are upgrades to the exterior and interior, including Lane Keep Assist technology. Prices start from €46,995.
Suzuki
The Swift Sport with the excellent 1.4 Boosterjet petrol engine has just gone on sale.
They tell me there are plans for a new Jimny in 2019.
Toyota
The facelifted Aygo arrives for 182 buying. The new Auris – with no diesel – gets here in the first half of next year.
So there will be a heavy concentration on the hybrid models (built on the new TNGA platform that also underpins the fourth-gen Prius).
The next-gen RAV4 also arrives in the first half of 2019. Again, there will be no diesel and, again, the focus will be on hybrid.
A tweaked Prius is due in the first half of 2019 too. Then, in the middle of next year, we can look forward to a new Camry. Always a great car, it will be interesting to see and drive.
Finally the GR Supra Racing is coming next year too.
Volkswagen
The new Touareg, a rival to the Volvo XC90, BMW X5, Audi Q7, Mercedes GLE etc should be here soon.
It’s big, powerful and packs a lot of technology. Prices start at €65,395 for the 232hp version but the higher-powered 287hp 3-litre TDI in R-Line trim, and extras, will push that towards €90,000. Pricey.
The new Polo is a big, popular supermini that is selling well especially in 1-litre 65hp petrol guise. Now it is about to get a 95hp petrol engine with manual gearbox. R-Line versions of the Polo will cost around €2,000 more than Comfortline models.
And there’s a 2-litre 200bhp GTi version with 6spd DSG gearbox that will set you back €32,395.
Some people are raving about it. The car that is – not the price.
Importantly, they have a new entry-level T-Roc diesel which will slot between the 1-litre and 1.5-litre petrols. The arrival of the 115hp 1.6-litre oilburner means a new start price of €26,995 for the diesel range.
R-Line styling kits have now been added as well. There are hopes the Up! GTi will make it here by next year. Expect a price-tag of around €20,000.
Volvo
They have entry and Inscription trim levels on the XC40 compact SUV from next month as well as a new 3cyl T3 petrol (150hp).
Also due is the entry level XC60 D3 FWD. Volvo On Call will be on all their cars except the V40 and entry level XC40.
Later in the year we’ll see the V60 R Design, Cross Country, T5 and T8 Twin Engine versions.
And next year they’ve pencilled in the new S60 and an XC40 hybrid – with the brand’s 1.5-litre, 3cyl petrol engine allied to a supplementary electric motor.
And, finally, an EV is planned for next year.