The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
What’s new for 191
JANUARY is when we finally get to actually buy all those updated vehicles with all the new tech. Here’s just a few samples of what’s new in 2019:
ALFA ROMEO: have just introduced the Stelvio 2.9 V6 bi-turbo 510hp AWD Quadrifoglio (€118,795). The Giulietta line-up has been refreshed with a new special series called B-Tech. They are absorbing the diesel VRT increase on Giulia and Stelvio.
AUDI: The new A6 saloon is just on the market (from €51,650 on-the-road). SE and S Line specs prompt Audi claims it’s the best-equipped car in the segment.
The revised Q3 is poised for 191-reg (petrol, diesel engines, front-wheel/quattro options, outputs from 150hp to 230hp).
The new electric e-tron SUV is available to order from January. Cars arrive in the spring. Price, including a four-year service plan, starts from €101,750 on-the-road.
BMW: New models for 2019 include the X5, 8 Series Coupe (convertible arriving Q2), 3 Series and Z4.
The 3-series has a newly developed lift-related damper control system. Away from the mechanics is the Intelligent Personal Assistant, which responds to the prompt ‘Hey BMW’, just like keen rival’s ‘Hey Mercedes’. Prices from €43,770 for the 318d SE. Expected here in March.
The new Z4 open-top costs from €50,420 for the sDrive 20i Sport, which is expected in March.
CITROEN: They have the new Berlingo van coming in January, the Berlingo itself in February, and the C5 Aircross SUV in March.
DACIA: They expect a lot of interest in the new Duster, with prices starting at €17,390. The Sandero and Logan MCV have been updated with new WLTP engines.
FIAT: The new 500X has been updated inside and out and is out now. It is the first Fiat model to have the latest family of turbo engines.
FORD: The Mondeo hybrid estate arrives in February.
The Focus Active is due the first quarter - with the same engines as the Focus hatch: a 1.5 litre diesel and a 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol.
HONDA: The new CR-V hybrid arrives in February and will cost from €38,000.
HYUNDAI: The much-acclaimed new Kona electric is here, as is the new Santa Fé. The Kona electric is an important car, with its 64Kwh battery is capable of covering 482km, they say. It costs from €35,995, excluding delivery and related charges.
Hyundai also have a lot of up-specced cars for January, including the evergreen, sales-topping Tucson.
KIA: The new Proceed, a shooting brake version of the new Ceed, goes on sale in January. Initially there will be the new 1.4-litre direct injection 140bhp petrol.
The eNiro electric car is also due for a 192-reg.
LEXUS: The new ES 300h mid-size executive goes on sale from January, from €49,450. It has the new 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid (106g/ CO2, €190 tax).
The RC 300h is also updated and on sale from January (€56,950).
MAZDA: They have an exciting year, ahead with the launch of the seventh-generation Mazda3. First cars expected from April.
The CX-5 gets a few changes early in 2019 with a new PlatinumPlus grade.
MERCEDES: They will have eight new, and seven face-lifted, models this year, including petrol mild hybrids, petrol and diesel plug-in hybrids and EQC, a full electric mid-size SUV with a one-charge 420km range.
For January look out for the facelifted C-Class in saloon, coupé, estate and cabriolet guise. Arriving February/March are the new A-Class saloon and B-Class.