You might be coming up to review your next company car contract with Sandicliffe Motor Contracts and you’re asking yourself: do I extend my existing contract; do I order that new company car and what new cars are being launched soon?
Don’t worry, we have hand-picked our top choice for EVs, hybrids and SUVs coming soon in 2019!
Audi e-Tron
Price: From £65k (estimated)
On sale: Early 2019
Audi’s answer to the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X boasts up to 402bhp and a claimed range of over 249 miles. The e-tron is able to hit 0-62mph in less than six seconds and top out at 124mph. Audi also claim that around 30 per cent of the e-tron’s total range is generated by energy recuperation. If 0-62 in under six seconds is too timid for you, then keep your ears to the ground as automotive rumours suggest that a there will be a hot e-tron RS also being added to the line eventually.
Audi Q4
Price: From £33k (estimated)
On sale: Late 2019
Audi continues to grow its Q range of SUVs with the addition of the Q4. Based on the Q3, the Q4 is predicted to start production in 2019, where it will go head to head against its closest rival the Mercedes GLC Coupé and BMW X4. The Q4 is expected to be a production version of the TT Off-road concept (shown above) previously seen at 2014’s Beijing Motor Show. It’s expected to have a range of engines including a 1.5-litre TSI, 2.0 TDI and 395bhp 2.5 five-cylinder RS Q4 turbo. It’s also likely that the possibility of a plug-in hybrid will be included, because the car will share all of the Q3’s mechanical running components.
BMW 3 series
Price: From £34k (estimated)
On sale: March
The 7th generation 3 Series will be the most technologically advanced version to date. With updates that include a switch to BMW’s CLAR platform, allowing a new generation of powertrains to be fitted, such as the more efficient plug-in hybrid. From launch, customers will have the option of a single petrol and two diesel models; all are 2.0 litres with power ranging from 187bhp to 263bhp. Next year the 330e PHEV will arrive, promising 37 miles of electric range and sub-40g/km of CO2. BMW will turn also its attention to performance; a pair of six-cylinder M Performance models are expected arrive at the end of 2019.
Kia ProCeed
Price: From £24k (estimated)
On sale: January
Kia’s new Ceed will be feature a shooting brake variant called the ProCeed early next year. Positioned between the hatch and Sportswagon estate, the ProCeed shooting break will only come in sporty GT-Line and GT trims. It will share much of the interior and exterior looks with the Ceed and Sportswagon, however the ProCeed is said to come with a firmer suspension set-up, improving agility. There will be four engine choices, ranging from a 118bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit to a 201bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol with 265Nm of torque.
Mazda 3
Price: From £19-23k (estimated)
On sale: Early 2019
This was a highlight from last year’s Tokyo Motor Show and was called the Mazda KAI concept, which previewed what was is expected to be the all-new version of the Mazda 3 when it comes out. This sleek and swooping lined car looks like an Italian hot hatch but underpinned with Japanese engineering. The 3 will feature Mazda’s new SkyActiv-X petrol engine and use a new compression and ignition technology, the motor is said to deliver diesel-like efficiency in a petrol format. The technology has been mooted as the end of diesel. Although fuel economy figures haven’t yet been revealed, the 2.0-litre SkyActiv-X is predicted to deliver 187bhp and 230Nm of torque.
Mercedes EQC
Price: From £70k (estimated)
On sale: Late 2019
Mercedes will enter the premium electric SUV race with the EQC and take the battle to Jaguar’s I-Pace and Tesla’s Model X. The EQC will get an 80kWh battery pack, capable of achieving 280 miles of range under the new tougher WLTP test cycle. It will feature two electric motors, one on each axle which will provide 402bhp and 765Nm of torque and the ability to achieve a 0-62mph time of only 5.1 seconds! Mercedes has said that the EQC will offer rapid DC charging capability as standard, meaning it can be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in just 40 minutes. We expect the EQC to be a popular choice when it arrives late 2019.
BMW iX3
Price: From £60k (estimated)
On sale: Late 2019
BMW are no stranger to risk taking in the electric car market with successful models launches of the i3 and i8. In 2019 however, it is now firming positioning itself as a more mainstream EV producer, with an electric SUV called the iX3. Drivers will be treated to a view of the production model next year; however, it won’t come to UK showrooms until 2020. BMW says it will match its competitors’ cars, like the I-Pace, with a driving range of approximately 250 miles before a recharge is required, and with the equivalent of 270bhp providing it the performance to closely compete with Jaguar.
Mini EV
Price: From £25k (estimated)
On sale: Late 2019
MINI are planning to launch an all-electric MINI hatch to compete with the growing demand for plug-in hybrid/EVs and will join a line-up that will also feature he Countryman SUV for next summer. The production model is expected to be based largely on the MINI EV concept (as shown) displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2017. It will feature funky aero effects, such as the spoilers in front of the rear wheels, as well as the blanked-off radiator grille at the front. Predicted range should be beyond the 186 miles of the BMW i3, too due to new battery developments. The brand-new MINI EV is planned to go into production at the manufacturer’s Oxford plant next summer, however with uncertainties of Brexit this could be a factor that pushes production delivery into 2020.
2019 Polestar 1
Price: From £120k (estimate)
On sale: Late 2019/ Early 2020
Polestar is a name connected currently with Volvo’s premium performance, however Volvo’s plans for Polestar are to create a standalone brand which will see the company create the ultimate in premium performance and safety. Anyone who attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2018 may have seen the Polestar 1 zipping up the hill with its high performance and acceleration. The P1 will be the first model from Polestar and is will be a four seat GT which is likely to boast 600bhp and features carbon fibre bodywork. Only 500 will be made each year, however will British drivers be prepared to pay an inflated price for what essentially is Volvo DNA is another question.
Skoda Rapid Spaceback 2019 (Vision RS)
Price: From £19-22k (estimated)
On sale: Spring 2019
Skoda are taking steps to replace the unloved Rapid and Rapid Spaceback with a radical update, pushing the car up in size and quality, making it a firm rival for the VW Golf, Audi A3 and Ford Focus. The Vision RS concept pictured will give consumers a good idea of how the production model of the new Rapid might look. If early concepts are anything to go by, we feel it will be a massive hit with company car drivers. The concept show model is a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid, but the regular car is likely to be petrol engine. Its will be positioned to provide the next generation Octavia to be slightly larger also.
Tesla Model 3
Price: From £35k (estimated)
On sale: Late 2019
Tesla Model 3, as with all Tesla’s is an all-electric car crammed with performance. The Model 3 is an executive saloon that with stunning 4×4 performance from a motor on each axle – of which Tesla says will achieve a staggering 0-60mph time of only 3.5 seconds when in its Performance version. It will also have a claimed range of 310 miles. It’s expected that the Performance version will cost around £60,000 fully loaded up options when it arrives in the UK late 2019.
VW Golf Mk8
Image source: Auto Express Exclusive
Price: From £20-24k (estimated)
On sale: Summer 2019
The VW Golf Mk8 is expected to go into production summer 2019, and has been previewed by Auto Express with an exclusive image, full images available at Auto Express. The car is much wider and longer than the current model as with most next generation cars. An important element to the car will be the autonomous driving tech, it will include a digital cockpit and assistance systems and be a benchmark for connectivity and safety, VW announced earlier this autumn. The drivetrains will include a mild-hybrid and new PHEV options.
Volvo S60
Price: From £31k (estimated)
On sale: Summer
Volvo all new S60 saloon will continue the Chinese-owned marque’s assault on Audi, BMW and Mercedes models when hits shores in the UK summer 2019. The S60 is the size of a BMW 3 Series-sized and will be built in the US, featuring a range of 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged engines. There will also be a four-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid powertrains which will deliver up to 395bhp will be available in the top-spec T8 engine which has been highly rated by the team at SMC who tested the T8 engine earlier in the year at Volvo’s Pride event.
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