2019 in Review: The Cars You’ll Want to Drive, The Car Shows You’ll Want to Attend

Happy New Year from everyone at Redex. As 2019 starts to gather momentum, we’re looking ahead to what the next 12 months could mean for the world of motoring – from new cars set to roll off the production line, to the exciting car shows and events we think you should know about.

2018 was a big year for the car industry. We saw a slump in diesel sales and a rise in alternative-fuel cars, and the likes of Ford, VW, BMW, Vauxhall and Audi continued to dominate new car sales. Add to that the growth in electric cars, and 2019 looks set to be a stellar year for eco-friendly motoring.

Whether you’re into modern hybrids or vintage classics, there’s certainly lots to look forward to over the coming months. Here, we take a look at the cars you’ll want to drive, and the car shows you’ll want to attend, in 2019.

The Best New Cars Coming in 2019

If you’re into new cars, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2019, including the next generation of hybrids and electrics and the return of an off-road icon. Below, we showcase some of the cars we’re eagerly anticipating over the next 12 months.

 

Land Rover Defender DC100

 

The Land Rover Defender was always going to be difficult to replace; after all, how can you improve on such a classic, iconic design? Two years have passed since the final Defender rolled off the production line, and 2019 has been earmarked as the year when its replacement, the Defender DC100, will launch.

It’s not yet clear if the new car will be as big a hit as its predecessor, but one thing’s for sure: farmers and off-road enthusiasts alike will be pleased that a tough new replacement to the original will soon be available.

 

Audi e-tron

 

The Audi e-tron is landing in 2019, the manufacturer’s first ever all-electric car. On the surface, the e-tron looks like any other Audi, but its racy frontend hides a powerful electric motor that offers a range of 250 miles from a single charge, and a 0-62mph time of fewer than six seconds – not bad for a plug-in car that weighs as much as a Range Rover.

It’s not yet clear exactly when the e-tron will arrive, but British drivers can join the queue to get one – provided they pay the £1,000 deposit. The car is currently being built in a state-of-the-art factory in Brussels, which Audi claims is 100% carbon neutral.

 

Cupra Ibiza

 

With Ford not releasing a new Fiesta ST, the Cupra Ibiza looks set to be the best hot hatch coming in 2019. This fierce looking hatchback is the first new car released under the sole Cupra name, with Seat rebranding their performance division to simply ‘Cupra’ in 2018.

With a 200bhp turbocharged engine, the Cupra Ibiza could well be the most powerful hatchback of the decade. Add to that the nimble handling which Seat has perfected with the standard Ibiza, and this Spanish-made hot hatch could prove a real giant killer when its launched in summer 2019.

 

Aston Martin RapidE

 

Aston Martin might be known for luxury classics and powerful, petrol coupes, but they’re getting in on the electric action this year. The RapidE is a four-door, four-seat luxury saloon with a powerful, all-electric engine. AM has quoted performance figures of 200 miles per charge and a sub-5 second 0-60 time, but these are currently only prospective, and the design hasn’t yet been finalised.

Those interested in getting their hands on a RapidE will need to be quick, rich and reasonably lucky. Aston Martin is only planning to build 155 of its all-electric model, and prices are currently estimated at around £200,000.

Audi A9

 

Audi’s super luxurious, range-topping A9 is finally set to roll off the production line in 2019, five years after Audi announced its production at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2014. But despite the long production time and huge media interest in the A9, little is actually known about the specifics of the new car – with Audi choosing to remain tight-lipped about what looks set to become their most luxurious, sophisticated and technologically-advanced car to date.

What we do know is that the A9 will feature semi-autonomous self-driving technology, Audi’s excellent Virtual Cockpit – which makes the instrument panel completely configurable – and a 4-litre, 597bhp twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It’ll also cost an estimated £90,000, so start saving today.

Hyundai Nexo

 

Electricity may be the hero of the hour in the world of zero-emissions motoring, but there’s an alternative quietly gathering momentum – and that’s hydrogen. On its release, the Hyundai Nexo will become the most mainstream, readily available hydrogen-powered car ever to hit UK forecourts, and it’s Hyundai’s hope that the Nexo will kickstart the hydrogen fuel revolution, just as Tesla did for all-electric.

Of course, not many motorists will be able to justify buying the Nexo. Currently, there are only 11 hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK, and the cost of the car itself far outstrips the equivalent all-electric. But the Nexo is certainly an exciting development, and we’re looking forward to what the future holds for hydrogen-powered motoring.

 

Hyundai Elevate

 

Looking even further into the future, Hyundai have recently revealed another concept which may not hit the roads for a while (or ever). A mash-up of the Mars Rover and an AT-AT Walker from Star Wars, the Hyundai Elevate can switch between four wheels and four legs – providing the ultimate in off-road capability.

The concept car is able to step over gaps of five feet and even climb five-foot walls – meaning the Elevate can get almost anywhere. Hyundai have pitched the Elevate as a disaster zone recovery vehicle, thanks to its all-terrain capabilities. However, we wouldn’t mind using the Elevate in the normal commuter traffic jam, literally side-stepping the cars in front.

Car Shows and Events to Look Out for in 2019

We love car shows – they’re a great day out and a chance to view some really special vehicles. We’ve listed a few here to give you some inspiration for shows to attend this year, whether you’re looking for a family day out or a more serious car meet.

Busy car show

Classic Motor Show

Love classic cars? Don’t miss the Classic Motor Show, undoubtedly the biggest and most prestigious event on the classic car calendar. Attended by thousands of enthusiasts, as well as most (if not all) of the UK’s classic car clubs, the CMS features a display of over 2,000 classic cars, ranging from 1920s grand coupes to iconic 4x4s of the 1970s. This year’s event takes place at the NEC Birmingham from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 November – we were there last year and had a great time, keep your eyes open for info about this year.

Carfest

More like a festival than a serious car show, Carfest has grown to become one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of motoring – with races, exhibits, live music, food and drink and fairground rides making it a great day out for the whole family. The great thing about Carfest is that it takes place over two sites on different dates, making it easier for people to find an event date that suits them. We’ve listed the details for Carfest North and South below:

  • Carfest North: Bolesworth Estate, Cheshire, Friday 26 – Sunday 28 July
  • Carfest South: Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire, Friday 23 – Sunday 25 August

Pendle Powerfest

You might remember the Pendle Powerfest from our guide on how to start your own car meetup. Taking place annually in Lancashire, PP has grown to become one of the biggest car shows in the north of England, with over 250 cars showcased every year. 2019’s show is coming to the grounds of Nelson & Colne College on 25 May, and there will be dedicated zones for cars from different nations – including America, Japan, Italy, France and Britain. For true car fanatics, this is the show for you.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this whistle-stop tour of the cars and events we’re looking forward to this year. Which cars, car shows and events are you anticipating in 2019? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t forget to join in the conversation as part of the Redex Club Facebook group.

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