The Range Rover Evoque has been one of Land Rover’s biggest and most successful models (Image: RANGE ROVER)
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
On sale: spring Price: from £31,600
WITH more than 772,000 sold worldwide since 2011, the Range Rover Evoque has been one of Land Rover’s biggest and most successful models, so this second-generation model will have some serious shoes to fill.
Better packaging and more interior space has been promised (Image: RANGE ROVER)
Better packaging and more interior space has been promised and the three-door and Convertible versions have been dropped leaving only this five-door built at Halewood, Liverpool.
All models, barring the entry-level car, will get four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, while the new Evoque will get mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions for the first time.
As well as a special ground view function to allow the driver to see in front of the car, the rear view mirror doubles as a video screen using another camera if your view is blocked behind.
This new 911 looks far better in the metal (Image: Porsche)
PORSCHE 911
On sale: March Price: from £93,110
NOT so along ago, the Porsche 911 was revered among driving enthusiasts for its small dimensions and usability.
This eighth generation of the German firm’s famous rear-engined sports car has grown longer, wider and heavier, with the more powerful S version arriving first with 450bhp in standard and four-wheel drive 4S forms.
The less powerful 911 plus the cabriolet and targa models will follow during the course of the year.
This new 911 looks far better in the metal than in pictures and driver enjoyment is sure to remain as good as ever. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel.
Longer, wider and taller than the X5 (Image: BMW)
BMW X7
On sale: April Price: est from £72,155
IF you thought that BMW already had a seven-seater 4×4 in its range with the X5, then you’d be right.
But with the ever-increasing global appetite for anything SUV-shaped and the luxury end of the market booming, this new X7 is BMW’s answer to the Mercedes GLS and larger Range Rover.
Longer, wider and taller than the X5, this X7’s size and styling might not be to all tastes.
But with more space and more luxury than the X5, there is standard air-suspension and a panoramic glass roof with a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound stereo available as an option.
Initially, there will be the choice of one petrol or two turbodiesel engines with a plug-in hybrid forecast for the future.
The C5 Aircross is sure to boast good road manners (Image: CITROEN)
CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS
On sale: February 4 Price: from £23,225
CITROEN will be celebrating its centenary in 2019 and this new C5 Aircross looks like being another reason for plenty of Gallic smiles over the next 12 months.
We’re big fans of the smaller C3 Aircross and this larger C5 shares plenty under the skin with another of our favourites, the Peugeot 3008.
Tailored more for comfort than as a serious driver’s car, the C5 Aircross is sure to boast good road manners as well as high equipment levels and we think it looks great.
It’s also packed with features including a forward-facing camera that can double up as a dashcam and also Citroen’s Grip Control system for improved traction without using four-wheel drive.
A plug-in hybrid version is due in 2020.
This new Corolla looks to be an interesting contender in the family hatchback sector (Image: TOYOTA)
TOYOTA COROLLA
On sale: March Price: from £21,300
THE Corolla name makes a return to Toyota showrooms after an absence of 14 years, replacing the outgoing Auris.
Available in both hatchback and Touring Sports estate bodystyles, this new Corolla looks to be an interesting contender in the family hatchback sector, leading with not one but two hybrid models with 120bhp or 178bhp.
With more than 90 per cent of sales of the outgoing Auris being the hybrid models, there’s no question that Toyota dominates this sector, although rivals are catching up rapidly with further choices of plug-in and fully electric models.
The new Corolla features improved materials and build quality and has been promised to be better to drive, as well as featuring more interior space and practicality than its predecessor.
The full range will officially be introduced in November (Image: MERCEDES)
MERCEDES EQC
On sale: June/November Price: est from £67,500
ALONG with the Audi E-tron, this Mercedes EQC – the first in the threepointed star’s new EQ range – should be one of the biggest cars to arrive in 2019 into the growing electric car market.
With an 80kW battery, the Mercedes EV boasts similar statistics to its Audi rival with a 249-mile range and 5.1-second 0 to 60mph time.
But a stunning interior is coupled with a traditional exterior.
An initial release of 100 EQC First Edition models, all pre-sold, will be on the road this summer, although the full range will officially be introduced in November.
This E-tron will have a 95Kw battery and a fully-charged range of 248 miles (Image: AUDI)
AUDI E-TRON
On sale: March Price: from £71,490
IF 2018 was a big year for hybrids and fully electric vehicles, then 2019 is sure to be even bigger.
The next 12 months will see the introduction of the Audi E-tron and the Mercedes EQC to take on the Jaguar I-Pace in the premium electric market as well as Porsche’s Taycan saloon.
This E-tron will have a 95Kw battery and a fully-charged range of 248 miles.
It drives well, boasts Audi’s usual immaculate build quality and also some intriguing tech.
With 15.5 million sales over the past 44 years, it is BMW’s global best-seller (Image: BMW)
BMW 3-SERIES
On sale: March Price: from £33,610
MANY might shrug their shoulders at the arrival of this, the seventh generation of BMW 3-Series.
But with 15.5 million sales over the past 44 years, it is BMW’s global best-seller and been the benchmark car in its class for some time.
You can read a full road test on these pages next week but the big news is that this new 3-Series is better than ever.
The two highlights of the new BMW saloon’s range, especially for the crucial company car market, will be the 320d, expected to be the bestseller and also the 330e plug-in hybrid due in July.
With just 39g/km emissions and a 42-mile electric-only range, the 330e is likely to account for a third of all sales.
Make no mistake, while other 2019 new arrivals might enjoy the limelight, few will match the sales impact of this new 3-Series.