It’s that time again! Expect fresh faces as fight for sales mounts
IT’S been a tough time for new car sales in recent months as buyers decided to play a waiting game.
Now, the arrival of the latest 19 number plate on March 1 could prove a useful booster, helped by a host of newly-minted models.
Between them, they show how our new cars are going to become ever more eco friendly, safer, better equipped and an even more compelling ownership proposition.
Not all the newcomers will carry badges you’ve heard of with Cupra making its introduction as a dedicated brand in the SEAT stable. Look out for the Cupra Ateca, a punchy SUV with 296bhp from its 2.0 litre petrol engine.
Ford had a busy 2018 for new models and now comes the Focus Active, a version of the widely welcomed new Focus hatch and estate but with extra ride height and some extra body cladding for a semi-SUV look.
Honda has ditched diesels in favour of petrol from its new CR-V range and 2019 sees the introduction of a hybrid petrol/ electric version with better than 51mpg in official test and priced temptingly closed to the pure petrol version.
Kia is adding a third body style to its new Ceed range in the stylish shape of the Proceed, mixing estate car practicality with coupe kerb appeal. The load space is only slightly smaller than you’ll find in the Ceed SW estate, and lots of potential buyers might think the good looks more than compensate.
SEAT is extending its already attractive SUV offerings with the new seven-seat Tarraco as flagship to a range that already includes the smaller Arona and mid-sized Ateca. Seven seats will be standard fit and there’s a four-wheel-drive option, along with petrol and diesel power.
Look out for a Focus rival from Skoda in the shape of the new Scala hatchback. Taking over in the range from the Rapid, the Scala stands out with an all-glass tailgate and, inside, has the ability to update and download apps over the air to keep you bang on trend.
Mercedes-Benz sales have bucked the downward trend and the arrival of a new B-Class range, an MPV that’s a little larger than before and strong on practicality and interior space. The notably smart interior offers a multimedia system with touch, voice and gesture control of certain functions.
Volvo continues its upward march with the introduction of the V60 Cross Country, adding extra ground clearance to the standard estate along with some rugged body cladding. All-wheel drive is standard, along with hill descent control and a drivetrain setting maximised for off-road adventures.
A zero to 62mpg time of 3.8 seconds and 176mph top speed make the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV an awesome machine, from its 510 horsepower 2.8-litre V6 petrol engine to an all-wheel drive system.
The new Citroen Berlingo enters 2019 with an international award for its spaciousness and practicality. It is available with five or seven seats, with a longer body for the latter. The two wide sliding side doors have electric windows and there’s up to an amazing 1,050 litres of boot space on offer.
The French car maker - which is celebrating its centenary in 2019 - is also returning to the mainstream SUV market with its new C5 Aircross. Priced from £23,225 it’s competitively pitched and comes with Citroen’s latest comfort systems for a near ‘magic carpet’ ride.
Fiat’s 500X crossover has been given a thorough makeover inside and out and sees the introduction of new comfort and safety features. There is a completely restyled cockpit and the 500X is the first Fiat with the latest family of turbo engines for a fine balance of performance and economy.
The Nissan Qashqai, Europe’s best-selling crossover, is now more appealing than ever with a new range of highly efficient petrol powertrains, plus an all-new infotainment system with significantly enhanced functionality. An all-new 1.3-litre petrol engine is available, linked to a six-speed manual transmission or an all-new seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission.
Vauxhall has introduced a new top-of-the-range Crossland X Ultimate to its SUV range, featuring an eight-inch touchscreen with an infotainment system provides seamless smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.