New year, new car – 33 to watch out for in 2018
- Gareth Herincx
- @garethherincx
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If 2017 was a golden year for new cars, 2018 promises to be even better. A whole rash of important models will be launched – everything from SUVs to supercars and superminis to rugged 4x4s.
We’ve dug out 33 of our highlights, but there are many others yet to be unveiled (including the all-new Ford Focus), so fasten your seatbelts for a race through some of the significant cars of 2018…
Seat Arona
Seat’s entry in the hotly contested compact crossover sector looks a bit like a baby Ateca, but it’s based on the acclaimed Ibiza supermini, so will definitely be one to watch out for.
Jeep Wrangler
The all-new version of the legendary 4×4 may be lighter and all-new, but it remains true to the outgoing model. Rugged and superb off-road, it’s one to please Jeep fans.
Ford Fiesta Active
Hot on the heels of the successful new Fiesta supermini comes the Ford Fiesta Active variant. “Active in name, but also in nature”, it’s a small crossover offering a raised ride height and slightly more rugged styling than the regular hatchback.
Lamborghini Urus
The long-awaited Lamborghini Urus has been launched to compete in the blossoming luxury 4×4 market. Dubbed the first Super Sport Utility Vehicle, it features a 641bhp 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine, giving a top speed of 189mph – making it the fastest SUV in the world.
Alpine A110
Renault’s Alpine brand is back with a pretty retro-looking mid-engined sports car. Powered by a four-cylinder 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 249bhp, it’s capable of 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds.
Kia Stinger
The muscular flagship version of the South Korean brand’s first GT is powered by a 365bhp 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 with driving dynamics honed at the Nürburgring. It’s as good as it looks.
Aston Martin DB11 Volante
Quite possibly the most beautiful convertible ever, the drop-top version of the DB11 boasts a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, producing an impressive 503bhp. The hood takes just 14 seconds to lower and 16 to close and can be operated at speeds of up to 31mph.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
More competition for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Seat Ateca and Renault Kadjar in the medium SUV market, the Eclipse Cross sits between the ASX and the Outlander. If it drives as well as it looks, it could be a serious contender for Mitsubishi.
Hyundai Kona
The attractive Hyundai Kona is another car competing in the hotly-contested compact crossover segment dominated by the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008. It’s safe too, having just been awarded a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP crash safety tests.
Audi Q8
Competing against the Range Rover Sport, BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, the Q8 will be the new flagship of Audi’s SUV range. Big and distinctively styled, it has sporty looks and we can expect diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid variants.
Jaguar E-Pace
Looking not unlike a baby F-Pace, Jaguar latest SUV will square up against the likes of the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Expect Jaguar driving dynamics blended with four-wheel drive on everything but the entry-level car – and all at a competitive price.
Aston Martin DBX
The concept for Aston Martin’s first crossover was first shown in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015 (pictured), but 2018 should finally see the final production model launched. It will be built at the company’s new plant in St Athan, Wales.
Skoda Karoq
Effectively replacing the quirky Yeti, the Skoda Karoq SUV will again compete with the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar. Spacious and competitively priced, it will boast a load capacity of 521 litres – or 1,630 with the rear seats folded.
Jeep Compass
A bit bigger than a Renegade, but a little smaller than a Cherokee, the Compass will compete in the mid-size SUV market against everything from the Nissan Qashqai to the VW Tiguan. One thing’s for sure, as a car sporting the legendary Jeep badge, it will be rather more capable off-road than many of its rivals.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
If you can imagine a mammoth off-roader hiding behind all that camouflage, then that’s what the first SUV from Rolls-Royce will look like. Rather than use the term ‘SUV’, the luxury car maker prefers to call it “a car that offers the luxury of a Rolls-Royce in a vehicle that can cross any terrain”. Expect it to be called the Cullinan with a price tag of around £250,000.
Volvo XC40
Competing against premium rivals including the Audi Q2, BMW X1 and upcoming E-Pace, Volvo’s baby SUV looks a little like a scaled down XC60/XC90. However, like all Volvos, it will be safe and blessed with classy Scandi style inside.
DS 7 Crossback
The long-awaited first SUV from DS Automobiles – Peuegot-Citroen’s standalone premium brand – will compete with premium rivals including the Range Rover Evoque, BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Featuring a diamond-effect grille and distinctive jewel-like LED headlights, it’s a beauty.
Volkswagen T-Roc
Following on from the success of its bigger brother, the Tiguan, the T-Roc will compete in the compact SUV segment. Stylish, spacious, and also available in four-wheel drive, it handles well and comes with a strong choice of engines.
McLaren Senna
McLaren’s extreme new track-focused road car, named after legendary three-time F1 champion Ayrton Senna, is “legalised for road use, but not sanitised to suit it”. It is based on McLaren’s 720S road car and features a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with a power output of 789bhp!
Hyundai i30 N
The first car from Hyundai’s ‘N’ performance division transforms the regular i30 hatchback into a Volkswagen Golf GTI rival packing 247bhp, or 271bhp if you opt for the Performance Package.
Jaguar i-Pace
Jaguar’s first all-electric SUV is certainly distinctive, especially with those huge 23-inch wheels. Capable of 0-62mph in four seconds, it’s expected to have a very useful range of 300 miles.
BMW X2
With a profile unlike any other BMW, this sporty SUV will slot in between the X1 and the larger X3 and compete against premium rivals including the Audi Q2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Subaru Impreza
The fifth generation of Subaru’s legendary Impreza will offer the go anywhere capability and reassurance of permanent all-wheel drive for those that don’t want a full-fat SUV.
Infiniti QX50
This big new premium SUV could turn out to be a breakthrough car for Infiniti – Nissan’s luxury and performance brand. It will feature a ground-breaking variable compression ratio engine, known as the VC-Turbo, which promises much greater fuel efficiency.
Mitsubishi Shogun Sport
This seven-seater, already on sale in Asia as the Pajero Sport, revives a model name not seen in the UK since 2006. Based on the L200 pick-up, it will be powered by a 2.4-litre diesel engine mated to a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. It can operate in either two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive mode.
Bentley Continental GT
At first glance the new Continental GT might not look hugely different to the outgoing model (Bentley’s bestseller), but it’s much sleeker, lighter and packed with the latest tech. It will be powered by an all-new 6.0-litre 600bhp W12 engine.
Tesla Model 3
Sold in America for $35,000, Tesla’s most affordable EV yet could be the car that gets the tills ringing for the pioneering Californian company. It looks futuristic and will have a range of between 220-310 miles.
Citroen C5 Aircross
The big brother to the funky Citroen C3 Aircross, launched in 2017, the C5 Aircross looks just as cool. It’s yet another rival for the Nissan Qashqai.
Nissan Leaf
If its slightly odd looks put some people off buying the nevertheless successful Leaf EV, then the second-generation should help no end. Looking far more convention, the new car will also be able to go further, with a range of 235miles on a single charge.
Subaru XV
Yes, you’ve guessed it, another rival for the Nissan Qashqai. A real step-up from the outgoing car, the new XV has been developed to improve ride, handling, steering and refinement, And of course, it will continue to use Subaru’s highly effective combination of Boxer engine and permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
Ferrari Portofino
Replacing the California T, the stunning Portofino is a V8-powered drop-top GT capable of 0-62mph 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 199mph.
Volkswagen Polo
Here’s a sign of the times – the all-new Polo will be as large as the Golf was in its third generation. We’re expecting great things of VW’s attractive new supermini, offering more space, tech and refinement.
Suzuki Swift Sport
The outgoing Swift Sport was something of a legend, so the lighter new car combined with a 138bhp engine should result in a winning combination. A pocket rocket with a competitive price tag…