THE BEST TO COME IN 181
If you have already chosen your next car, you may need to think again. There is a host of exciting new models on the way,
1 Alpine A110 This year sees the return of Renault’s Alpine performance badge with the A110. Alpine (pronounced Alpeen) is a name synonymous with motorsport and news of its return will have sports car fans rejoicing. After an absence of more than two decades, the Gallic speedster is set to steal sales from the Porsche 718 Cayman and Alfa Romeo 4C. At just 1080kg, the lightweight A110 promises to be agile and rewarding to drive. A 44:56 weight distribution is perfect for a mid-engine sports coupé and it sprints to 100kph in 4.5 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250kph. Unfortunately this stunning two-seater sports car is confined to only 1,955 units and the €58,500 Première Edition launch model is already fully reserved. 2 Bentley Continental GT Bentley’s Continental is not only a door into a world of exquisite comfort and ultimate luxury, it is an incredible car to drive. For 2018 it is faster, smoother and even eco-friendly. According to Bentley it is powered by the most advanced 12-cylinder on the planet, with 626hp and 900Nm of torque. However, it is the interior that distinguishes Bentleys from virtually all other cars on the road and the new GT features the first Bentley Rotating Display. As befitting the price tag (£156,700stg) it comes with a choice of three audio systems. The standard system features 10 speakers and 650 watts but there is an optional Bang & Olufsen 1,500W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles. For some, the new Continental GT is an expression of pure excess; to others, it is the very epitome of limitless power and budgetless motoring. 3 BMW M5 Now in its sixth generation, the new searingly pricey, fuel-gargling M5 will launch next month. With 592bhp it will blast you to 100kph in a mere 3.4 seconds and will whet the appetite of any speed connoisseurs. All-new is the eight-speed transmission. The M5 weighs 25kg less than the previous version and is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, the most advanced version that follows a long line of V8s from the German car maker. The main power-train difference is the new M xDrive, and what distinguishes it from BMW’s standard xDrive is that it can be switched to drive only the rear wheels. This performance saloon is also a practical car, with seating for up to five people and 530 litres of luggage capacity. With an eye-watering price tag of €163,000 and power you will rarely, if ever, use, it may all seem unnecessary —but then, sometimes what’s unnecessary is just what’s needed. 4 BMW X2 BMW is on a mission to fill every possible niche and the new X2 is the latest addition to their range. It joins the X4 and X6 as a coupéstyled SUV. Aimed at young and affluent buyers, the X2 will compete directly with the Jaguar E-Pace, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40. Powering the range is a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol (sDrive20i) and two 2.0-litre diesels (xDrive20d and xDrive25d). The sDrive models are front-wheel drive and xDrive versions are four-wheel drive. Four trim levels — SE, Sport, M Sport and M Sport X — are available. The sleek styling is in stark contrast to the closely related X1 and the X2 is far more distinctive with a sportier appearance. In terms of size, though, it is just two centimetres shorter and more than seven centimetres lower than the X1. On-the-road prices start at €50,320 for the X2 xDrive20d SE and it is expected to arrive early this year. 5 Citroën C5 Aircross Eight new core models are due from Citroën in the next few years, including the C5 Aircross, which has already gone on sale in China but won’t launch in Ireland until the end of this year. Designed to compete with
the likes of Kia’s Sportage, the Nissan Qashqai and the Seat Ateca, the C5 Aircross aims to distinguish itself with a funky design, class-leading space and lots of personalisation options and features. It will also be the first model in the Citroën range to receive an advanced suspension that will succeed the legendary hydro-pneumatic design to offer better comfort without altering the road holding. The engine range has not been confirmed but it’s likely it will be powered by the same PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines currently on offer on the C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso. 6 Dacia Duster New inside and out, the third-generation Duster is due here later in the year. The new model will be offered with both petrol and diesel engines and promises to be more comfortable and stylish than ever. Inside, it benefits from an all-new dashboard with the Medi- aNav display moved to the upper part, while the seats have been entirely revised for improved comfort and support. There’s good news for those keen to venture off-road: an improved 4WD driving experience promises to be among the very best on the SUV market. No prices have been announced as yet but we expect it to be still shockingly affordable. 7 Ford EcoSport Ford start the year with the launch of a new EcoSport. Not the most successful car for the brand, the new upgraded version is looking to increase sales in the lucrative compact SUV segment. Key improvements include the availability of all-wheel drive for the first time and a new 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine delivering 125PS. It will be offered along with the 1.0 EcoBoost petrol engine. Inside, the compact SUV features a host of family-friendly features, including a new height-adjustable boot floor that can be raised to provide concealed storage or lowered to increase the luggage capacity to 334 litres. The car will be offered in Titanium and ST-Line versions with a range of high technology and extras as standard, including: Ford SYNC 3 Navigation with 8” touch screen; DAB radio; emergency assistance; Apple CarPlay or Android Auto; rear-view camera; keyless start; cruise control with speed limiter; and partial leather trim. However, with a starting prices of €26,900 for the Titanium 1.0-litre 125PS EcoBoost petrol, the EcoSport is in danger of being overlooked amid the influx of cheaper rivals. 8 Ford Focus It’s been 20 years since the Focus first launched, and the fourth generation of one of Ireland’s most popular cars is due here at the end of the summer. We can expect it to be lighter, slightly longer and far more efficient. In keeping with changes made to the Fiesta, practicality and interior quality are likely to see significant improvements. There is also likely to be a lifestyle model similar to the Fiesta Active range and an all-electric Focus. From launch, there will be a range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, including a 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine offered in either 125 or 140hp forms along with a more powerful 1.5-litre turbo petrol with outputs of between 150 and 200hp alongside a 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engine. Prices are not yet known and are not likely to be revealed until closer to the official unveiling this summer. 9 Honda Civic Diesel Arriving in dealerships at the end of the month is the new 1.6-litre diesel-engined Honda Civic. The styling of the new Civic is angular and cutting edge but it may not be to everyone’s taste. At best it is sharp, interesting and certainly makes a dynamic statement for hatchback buyers looking
for something a bit different. To others, however, it might just be a crease too far and a little too fussy. Looks aside, it would be hard to beat the new diesel in terms of efficiency and it promises to return 3.7 litres per 100km, or 76.3mpg, and emits just 99g/km of CO2. A nine-speed automatic gearbox will also be introduced to the Civic in 2018. 10 Jaguar I-Pace Tesla proved that premium performance from renewable energy was achievable and the next much-anticipated launch from Jaguar is the I-Pace SUV — the brand’s first electric car. Twin electric motors provide four-wheel-drive traction and produce a combined 395bhp. According to Jaguar, the I-Pace will be capable of driving for 480km on a single charge and can be charged in just over two hours from a standard charging point, or to 80% of capacity in 90 minutes. The all-electric Jaguar is similar in length to the F-Pace SUV, but with a longer wheelbase for more interior space. Due here in July, the prices for the I-Pace are not yet confirmed but we expect it to cost in the region of €70,000. 11 Kia Cee’d The current generation Cee’d has been around since 2012, so it is due an update. The new version is likely to bear more than a passing resemblance to the Procee’d concept, revealed at the Frankfurt motor show last September, so we can expect bold styling. The range will include a five-door hatch and estate versions, as well as a new SUV variant. The 2018 Kia Cee’d will have its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. 12 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Spy shots of the new A-Class are already appearing online but it will be May before the new model arrives in Ireland. Mercedes are expected to have addressed some of the shortcomings of the previous model, particularly in the area of storage space and legroom. Inside, the latest version of Mercedes’ Comand infotainment system is likely to be found. The engine line-up will include a new range of petrol and diesel engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid model. The first ever A-Class saloon will launch in December 2018. 13 Mercedes-Benz C-Class The all-important C Class range gets a comprehensive facelift this year. Both the saloon and estate versions will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, while the coupe and cabriolet versions will be unveiled at the New York Motor Show in April. The facelift is likely to be fairly subtle, with some enhancements to its premium credentials. In terms of engines, there will be a new 2.0 diesel engine, replacing the old 2.1, with better power, fuel economy and CO2 emissions, while a plug-in hybrid will also be offered. 14 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross A welcome boost to the Mitsubishi range is the launch of the all-new Eclipse Cross. Priced from €27,900 for the 1.5-litre turbo petrol, Mitsubishi’s new mid-sized SUV will be available in three trim levels — Eclipse Cross Invite, Eclipse Cross Intense and Eclipse Cross In- style — and all models come with iSmartphone Link Audio Display supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, touchpad controller, reversing camera and Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Stylish and economical, the Eclipse Cross is an interesting alternative in this very competitive market. 15 Nissan Leaf With fuel prices on the rise, news that electric cars will be exempt from certain road tolls and the government’s benefit-in-kind exemption that featured in the last budget, the arrival of Nissan’s second generation Leaf is very well timed. Due here in February, the Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric car, with more than 300,000 vehicles sold worldwide, with 2,000 of those in Ireland. Thanks to a bigger 40 kilowatt hour (kWh) battery, the range has been extended to an official 378km, which probably represents a realistic 280km on a single electric charge. New to the Leaf is the e-Pedal, allowing the car to be driven with just one pedal. The e-Pedal handles starting, accelerating, decelerating, and stopping. It also features the Propilot Park a system for full autonomous parking with no steering, pedals or gear selection required. Pricing and specification features for the new car will be announced this month. 16 Range Rover PHEV Finally, a Range Rover for the urban dweller. The PHEV will allow you drive around the city on pure electric power. Powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, it goes from 0-100kph in 6.8 seconds and boasts CO2 emissions of just 64g/km. The PHEV P400e is fully capable of managing a 51km commute in full electric mode. Additionally, Land Rover reckon you will achieve a real-world economy of just 2.8 litres per 100km. Prices for the new hybrid start at €130,185. 17 Renault Mégane RS Hot hatches offer a versatility that is unmatched: a car that can do hot laps at Nürburgring or ferry the kids comfortably on the school runs is an irresistible mix. Renault’s latest hot hatch boasts 276bhp from a 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine. It will be available with a choice of two chassis – Sport and Cup. Designed to rival the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Mégane RS is wider than the regular Mégane and is distinguished by its front-end graphics, RS-specific 18- and 19-inch wheels, rear diffuser and trapezoidal centre exhaust. 18 Volvo XC40 Hoping to emulate the success of the XC90 and XC60, a new scaled down SUV, the XC40, joins the Volvo range in 2018. The closest competitors will be the Audi Q2, MINI Countryman and BMW X1. The new XC40 is the first model on Volvo Cars’ new modular vehicle architecture (CMA), which will underpin all other upcoming cars in the 40 Series, including fully electrified vehicles. As expected from Volvo, the compact SUV comes with a raft of safety features including Volvo Cars’ Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off Road Mitigation and Cross Traffic Alert with brake support. Arriving in dealerships this month, prices start from €38,900 for the T3 front-wheel-drive.