Guest post: The 10 most anticipated new cars of 2014
BMW i8
As far as new car releases go, 2013 was exciting but 2014 is set to be every car lover’s dream with a great selection of interesting new models making their way onto the market. You can expect new releases from top brands like Jaguar, Porsche and Ferrari, as well as top quality cars from affordable manufacturers Ford, Nissan and Hyundai. As the economy started to recover towards the end of last year we saw all kinds of record sales in the motoring industry and as the economy continues to go from strength to strength, 2014 is surely destined to see a continuation of this trend.
Top affordable cars of 2014
Although junior crossovers have been around for a few years now, the EcoSport is certainly a valiant effort. As a latecomer to the market, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s come too late in the day to rival successes like the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. However, with the EcoSport, Ford has done everything properly. Many reviewers will tell you that it’s the best to drive in this category. It’s based on the Fiesta – the bestselling car, year on year – so what else would you expect? This is a car that’s been on sale in other areas of the world, such as Brazil, for a year or so now, but Ford claims it delayed its release into the European market in order to give themselves time to re-engineer the car according to European tastes. They say that: “Engineers have beefed up crash protection and made substantial changes to the chassis in an effort to improve ride comfort, handling and refinement. Interior quality has also been upgraded.” Luckily for us, the wait is nearly over and this new kid on the block will be seen in UK showrooms such as Matlock Ford from May.
Hyundai i10 This will be the second generation of the i10 to hit the UK and it has been developed especially for European markets, just like its predecessor. Although the idea surrounding the new i10 was the same, Hyundai have been a lot more adventurous and the two generations – other than their name – are in no way alike. The new i10 is far more stylish than the previous model, has a good sized boot and will seat four adults comfortably. Although this model is more expensive than the first, it’s definitely worth it and this is a great bid by Hyundai to rival similar cars like VW’s Up!
Nissan Qashqai
Nissan Qashqai Another second generation that’ll be taking the motor trade by storm this year is the new Nissan Qashqai. This car is slightly more expensive than the earlier model, but is also, in many ways, completely different. It’s much better for the environment, it’s based on a new platform (one that will also be used for other Nissans and also Renaults) and it also has much more room inside without being much larger in size. This car can automatically parallel park, has cameras that help with reverse parking and an Around View Monitor which helps see the space you have available when parking in tight parking bays. As far as technology goes, you can’t get much better.
Audi A3 Cabriolet Yes, it’s yet another version of the Audi A3. However, this is one you’ll be glad of. The new A3 Cabriolet is based on the saloon as opposed to the hatchback, which means it looks exceptionally sophisticated. The interior of the new A3 Cab is just as you’d expect from a great Audi. It exudes quality and sophistication and, for a convertible, there’s a pleasantly surprising amount of space in there too. The range of engines that are available means you could be spending anything from £25-30,000, but you’re unlikely to find anything of the same calibre for a price that’s significantly cheaper.
Mini hatchback There are several reasons why Minis have proven so popular over the past decade and one of those reasons is their style. This is why, despite the fact that this is the third generation of the Mini hatchback, the style remains very much the same. One of the best things about the Mini is the fact that they’re so fun to drive and despite the new model being bigger and taller than the previous model, the driving experience is said to have been improved.
Porsche Macan
Top expensive cars of 2014
Jaguar F-Type Coupe The Jaguar F-Type Coupé is perhaps the most anticipated new car of 2014, much like the F-Type Roadster was in 2013. The pictures have shown that its looks live up to the hype and with a 542bhp engine available, it’s unlikely to disappoint when it comes to power either. You will have to wait another couple of months before you can get your hands on one though, as they don’t go on sale until March.
Porsche Macan Another 4X4 addition to the Porsche family is the Macan, which is smaller than the Cayenne but expected to be just as successful. The first deliveries of the Macan – which has a £43,300 to £59,300 price tag – are expected in April and it’s expected to rival other smaller 4X4s like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
BMW i8 The BMW i8 is the second addition to their new eco-friendly ‘i’ collection – although there’s still a bit of a wait for this one as it’s not expected to go on sale until July. The i3 city car was the first vehicle to be released in this range but there’s no need to worry about encountering another range of similar cars with only a couple of differences because there’s barely any similarity between the i3 and the new i8. The petrol and electric powered engine of the i8 is buried deep under the bonnet of a true sportscar and can manage 354bhp. The i8 can reach 62mph in less than five seconds and yet still achieves a mammoth 78mpg.
Ferrari 458 Speciale Almost every year Ferrari brings out a stunner that makes it onto almost every new car list – unless the list is specifically covering affordable cars, obviously, as the 458 Speciale will set you back about £208,000. However, for this you’ll get to your destination quicker than ever with 597bhp available to you. This gets you from 0 to 62mph in exactly three seconds. The fact that the 458 Speciale is much lighter and more powerful than the standard 458 means that extra technology like Side Slip angle Control (SSC) is exceptionally useful when maintaining speed, and more importantly control, around corners.
BMW 4 Series convertible BMW is making several new releases this year and they’re all great. The new 4 Series convertible uses the same folding hard-top roof that can be seen on the convertible 3 Series rather than the weight-saving fabric tops that are so popular at the moment. This new addition to the 4 Series is nothing like its predecessor as it’s wider, lower and longer, but still boasts a massive 303bhp if you opt for the turbo-charged three-litre engine that’s available. Just like with the i8 though, if this is the car you’re waiting for then you’ve got a little longer to wait yet because it doesn’t go on sale until March 8th.
