5 cars we are looking forward to in 2019

2019 promises a good mix of all body styles – SUVs, hatchbacks, sedans as well as sports cars. Here are five cars that we are really looking forward to driving

1. Kia SP Concept

Launching in: April 2019

Expected Price: Rs 10-16 lakh

In April 2017, Kia Motors announced its plans for India. Further expanding on the strategy, the Korean carmaker showcased their entire range of products at the Auto Expo 2018 in February. At the event, the company took the wraps off the Kia SP Concept – a car that is likely to rival the Hyundai Creta. Preparing for its big India entry, Kia will commence operations in India with the production-version of the SP concept. In terms of design, the SP Concept is typically Kia. Up front, it has the ‘Tiger Nose’ grille which is flanked by slim headlights on either side. Expect the interior to be rich in terms of quality and features. While Kia hasn’t revealed any details about the SP Concept as yet, we expect it to be based on the same platform as the new-gen Creta. In fact, it will also share the same engine and transmission options. The Kia SP Concept will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks, Tata Harrier and the Renault Captur.

2. Honda Civic

Launching in: February 2019

Expected Price: Rs 17-22 lakh

Honda revealed their plans of bringing in four new products in the Financial Year ending March 2019. So far they have already brought in the new Amaze, the updated Jazz and the new CR-V. The last of the four is possibly the most anticipated of the lot. Honda will bring the Civic back on sale starting February 2019. The Japanese carmaker had the Civic on sale in India, before it was pulled off due to limited sales. Despite being a great car to drive, the Civic couldn’t hold off the diesel and SUV waves forcing Honda to pull the plugin 2012. The new Civic gets an edgy design which is in line with the rest of the Honda line-up. It gets a bold face with a piano black grille that proudly flaunts the Honda emblem. The bumper houses circular fog lamps with chrome accents. The D-segment sedan also gets sporty alloy wheels and an unusual coupe-esque rear. The India-spec Civic is expected to come with a 1.8-litre petrol motor and a 1.6-litre diesel. Both engines will come paired with a 6-speed manual. 

3. Volvo S60

Launching in: Late 2019

Expected Price: Rs 40-45 lakh

Volvo has been building some really awesome cars lately. The XC90, S90 and more recently the XC60 and XC40, all have set new benchmarks in their respective segments. So when Volvo brings in the new S60 to India later this year, the expectation is similar. When the Volvo S60 comes to India later this year, it will be launched with a choice of four engines. In line with Volvo’s no-diesel policy, this one will come with 2 petrol mills and 2 hybrid powertrains. The base variant will come fitted with a 2.0-litre supercharged mill that pushes out 246.5bhp and does the 0-100km/h dash in just 6.5 seconds. At the top of the spectrum is the T8 twin engine with a 2.0-litre 298bhp petrol which works in union with an 86bhp electric motor. This variant of the S60 touches the ton in just less than 5 seconds. Both engines come paired with 8-speed automatic transmission.

4. AMG GT 4 door

Launching in: Late 2019

Expected Price: Rs 1.5-1.8 crore

An AMG with large doses of practicality, who wouldn’t want a taste of that? It has four-doors, reasonable room at the back and boot space that is indeed quite useable. And while it does all of this, the AMG GT 4-door won’t compromise on what it is meant to do – the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 makes sure of that. It pushes out 630 horses and 847Nm of torque which helps it cross the 100km/h mark in a brisk 3.2 seconds. If that still doesn’t excite you, its 315km/h top speed – which by the way makes it the fastest production AMG – surely will. This engine comes paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

5. Ferrari 488 Pista

Launching in: Mid 2019

Expected Price: Rs 5-6 crore

0-100km/h in 2.85 seconds, 200km/h in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 340km/h – that is the Ferrari 488 Pista for you in a sentence. To achieve these numbers, Ferrari has shaved off 90 kilos off the GTB out of which nearly 18kilos from the engine itself. Then there is a carbon fibre bonnet, bumper and spoiler, and a lithium-ion battery just like the GTE race car. While these are just some numbers and quick facts about the 488 Pista, all that the car is capable of makes it an engineering marvel like no other. We have already driven the 488 Pista, here's our detailed video review