“Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car” -E.B White.
It is startling how fast the year has gone, and how close 2019 is, however with the new year comes the upgraded, better and faster cars of the future. Cars can often be much more than transport that get us from A to B – they’re our passion projects, prized possessions; our pride and joy. Maybe this doesn’t apply to you – but after checking out this list of what’s to come, you may just be re-evaluating that opinion.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
After being announced three years ago, The Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the first SUV of the brand and the second vehicle with the company’s new all-aluminium architecture, will be available for purchase in 2019. The car is easily recognisable with the Rolls-Royce pantheon grill, long bonnet, rectangular headlights and 22-inch alloy wheels. The car mixes luxury with genuine, all-wheel drive and off-road ability. The opulence of the interior has not been held back, with premium leather upholstery and an all-new touch screen, while the five-link rear suspension, off-road traction control system and eight-speed ZF automatic transmission indicates the Cullinan will be able to handle both the road and wilder terrain.
Toyota Supra
At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the news that the Toyota Supra was being brought back, with the help of BMW, was confirmed. The Supra’s rear-wheel drive platform is being developed with BMW, which means smooth, straight-six power. Toyota has also confirmed that the car will have an inline-six, as well as a four-cylinder option, specifically BMW’s turbocharged 2.0-litre, which will make up to 262 hp. The return of the Supra has been promoted with a race-car concept and adorned with the Gazoo Racing brand, which is a (not-so subtle) hint that the Supra will be going racing after it is released.
Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender (no definitive pictures have yet been released, above is not finished product) has been out of production for a couple of years, however soon the wait will be over. The new model will be shown during the companies 70th anniversary in late 2018. The plan for the new vehicle has been to offer numerous wheelbase configurations, hard and soft tops as well as a pickup truck derivative later. The aluminum-intensive platform and the borrowing of bits and pieces from the Discovery and Range Rover should shed some weight, and reinstate the Defender as one of the three pillars of Land Rover.
Nissan Altima
The new Nissan Altima, revealed at the New York Motor Show, is the first Nissan AWD sedan and has the world’s first variable compression turbo engine (in the Edition One). Features include Nissan Intelligent Mobility, a reworked rear in line with Nissan’s current range and wheel up to 19 inches in diameter. The interior has undergone changes, with a new dashboard design that includes a floating tablet-style entertainment system offering specialised Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2.0-litre VC-Turbo has been described as “near V6-level performance with four-cylinder fuel economy,” by Nissan.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The new Mustang GT500 (no definitive pictures have yet been released, above is not finished product) is set up to be a marriage in heaven ov extreme power and the best suspension setup ever to be featured on a muscle car. The car will have a supercharged V-8, 710-horsepower engine with 650 pound-feet of torque. New intakes, a new exhaust and a reprogrammed ECU is rumoured to be getting upgrades as well as three new modes – Weather, Launch Control and Drag Strip. There is also heresay the model will be offered in six-speed manual and ten-speed automatic. There is no doubt the final reveal is more than awaited, and we’re all in for a surprise.
Jeep Wrangler Pickup
A Jeep pickup truck is finally happening (no definitive pictures have yet been released, above is the Gladiator concept design from 2005 and a concept design for the 2019 model). There has not been a pickup from Jeep since 1992, and we are excited. There is no news of the name or the finalised design, but Jeep have verified the car will be in showrooms in 2019. What we do know, however, is that the design will have removable features, such as doors and roof. It will probably have an off-road trim and a diesel choice, V6 start/stop engine. Not much information to go on makes the wait bittersweet; we know so little but are so excited for the reveal.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
The all-new Corvette ZR1 is something to get on board with. After just looking at the car, you will be impressed. Engineered through extensive testing, the ZR1 has two sophisticated aerodynamic configurations that allow it to show off its supercar strength with precision and poise. The chassis technology is comprised of Magnetic Selective Ride Control technology that reads the road every millisecond. The brakes are standard high-performance Brembo carbon ceramic while the wheels are 19-inch front and 20-inch rear, fully aluminum. There is a new hand-assembled 6.2L LT5 supercharged small block V8 engine and a new four-mode exhaust system has a range of sound profiles: Track, Sport, Tour and Stealth. The sounds use different valves, so you can decide whether you want a thunderous entrance or go to undetected.
Audi Q8
With the Singleframe in octagonal design, the Q8 is becoming the new face of the Q family. Two high-resolution 10.1 and 8.6-inch HD touch screens allow access to air conditioning, comfort and entertainment options. The Quattro all-wheel drive transfers the forces to the front axle and rear axle at a ratio of 40:60 as standard. It has a brawny radiator grill with an elegant roofline that slopes gently into the D-pillars. The wheels are 22-inch and there is the option of the HD Matrix LED headlights. The new and stylish car is luxurious and keenly awaited.
Porsche 911
The eight generation Porsche 911 992 series, to be released mid-2019, has undergone significant changes that have all the Porsche-enthusiasts quaking. The all-new 992 series will have heightened performance, new safety technology and a hybridised drivetrain. The turbo is the most aggressive, which is indicated with wide rear arches and a fixed rear wing that signals their potent performance. Porsche is insistent that the driver will remain the main focus of the car, and while it will have assistance features, such as lane keep assist, the driver has the ability to turn them off.
Bentley Continental GT
The Continental GT is new and improved in so many ways, starting with the 6.0 litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine which only enhances the powerful, well-designed and magnificently crafted car. The wide, low body evokes a sense of speed and presence, which is reinforced by the innovative chassis, electrical architecture and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine has high-pressure direct injection installed alongside port injection, which allows the engine to switch seamlessly between the two, which ensures emission levels are the best. It also features the 48V Active Roll Control system that senses road condition and optimises handling. It is elegant, sleek and has us waiting (not so patiently) for 2019.
