New car releases for 2018
It’s set to be a bumper year for new cars in 2018. From rehashes of old favourites to completely new models made by obscure manufacturers, we’re excited to see the developments and missteps that are sure to be made in the automotive industry this year. Let’s take a look at some of our favourites!
Hatchbacks
Suzuki Swift Sport
Great news, everyone. There’s a car manufacturer who’s still willing to build small, sub-tonne, sporty little hatchbacks. And who is this manufacturer? Volkswagen? Peugeot? Alfa Romeo? No, it’s Suzuki, whose perennial favourite model the Swift is set for a long overdue update in 2018. For many, the Swift is everything the Mini reboot could have been – with cute, quirky styling, smart engine choices and a sports model that is designed specifically to put a smile on your face. Watch out for the Swift Sport in 2018. It’ll be the pocket rocket we’ve all been waiting for.
Audi A1
Here comes the 2nd generation Audi A1 – look busy! The ever dull, but well put together A1 hits the streets in a new guise for 2018. Expect new toys, subtly tweaked styling and two new, economical engines. Are you yawning yet? The short and skinny of it is, buy the A1 and you’ll get where you’re going in comfort, but not style.
Saloons
Peugeot 508
Peugeot are entering the premium saloon market in 2018 and have to compete with the giants of Audi and BMW to succeed. Although Peugeot’s cars promise various luxuries that are rare in big, executive saloons – things like indicator stalks and working parking sensors – it’s a tough job ahead for the budget French manufacturer. To give them the best chance, they’ve fitted their clever i-Cockpit infotainment system, heated leather seats and an impressive selection of petrol, diesel and sleek hybrid engines. To top it off, the 508 doesn’t look bad either. Watch it flop.
Sports
Aston Martin Vantage
Here’s a marmite car if ever we saw one. Sure, it’s going to be blindingly fast with a Mercedes AMG 4.0 litre, V8 lurking beneath the bonnet, and with patrons including the royal family, James Bond and every resident of Dubai – it’ll spare no expense in terms of interior luxuries. However, there’s an elephant in the room.
Is the 2018 Vantage beautiful? Is it ugly? No one can work it out. Does the new Vantage look like a wild cat ready to pounce and eat its prey – or a catfish, bottom feeding on the floor of its tank? Only time will tell.
TVR Griffith
Like The Crystal Maze, Robot Wars and Wispa Bars, TVR is back from the dead (again). We thought they’d be gone for good but yet another consortium is here to bring us the Griffith in 2018. It’s a classic model name that promises to give the British sports-car-loving public a thrilling ride, questionable electrics and a challenging ownership experience. But seriously, TVR look like they’ve cleaned up their act and have put an adult in charge of proceedings. Watch out for the latest TVR Griffith careening sideways in a country lane near you, soon!
4x4s
Volkswagen Atlas
It’s the even bigger brother of the Tiguan and closely resembles its sporty stablemate, the T-Roc, also new in 2018. However, the Atlas – as the name suggests – is a gargantuan car capable of carrying 7 people in absolute comfort and luxury. Volkswagen may be the car of the people, but they’re gunning for the premium market with this characterful SUV.
Audi Q6 e-tron
The Audi Q6 e-tron may look like Optimus Prime got stuck half way through transforming, but it’s a mightily quick, electric SUV that embarrasses its gas-guzzling competition. With a 300 mile battery range and a 0-60mph time of under 4 seconds, you’ll be happily surprised with how the big Audi handles its girth. Bad news bears, however, since the Q6 – originally slated for 2018 – has been pushed back to a 2020 launch date. Hard lines, Audi fans.
Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio
It has a name like a bag of dropped Scrabble letters, but the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio proves that the Italians know how to stamp effortless style onto even the largest and most unwieldy of cars. If you want a Porsche Macan’s handling and performance, but without the eye-wateringly ugly looks, the Alfa may be just your bag. With a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and 503 brake horse power under the bonnet, we’re confident it’ll rev your proverbial engine.
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