If you are in the market for luxe wheels, we have the rundown of the best cars you will see on the roads this year.
- By Dhiram Shah
Audi R8
Audi’s mid-engine, 2-seater R8 supercar received a mid-cycle refresh last year and was launched with plenty of visual and mechanical changes to keep up with its competitors before the third-generation model breaks cover. To bestow a more modern look on R8, Audi redesigned the grille which now features an eye-catching honeycomb effect; even the restyled air dams are a lot more aggressive and sportier than before. The rear has received the same treatment and gets a new spoiler, full-width honeycomb grille and rectangular tailpipes instead of oval ones.
Audi R8
Porsche Taycan
Porsche finally entered the electric car segment by launching the highly anticipated Taycan at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. In terms of design, the production variant looks almost identical to the Mission E concept by Porsche that debuted back in 2015 and shares styling cues with the iconic 911 sports car. Taycan is also the most aerodynamic car in the brand’s line-up and will help to maximise the range. On the inside, the styling of the cabin stays true to the Porsche design tradition. However, it takes a firm step towards the future with its thoroughly-modern layout made up of several touchscreens and touch-sensitive control panels. drive
Porsche Taycan
BMW M3/M4
After introducing the 7th generation 3-Series at the Paris Motor Show last year, BMW is gearing up to launch the executive sedan’s hotter versions — the M3 and M4. The G80 variant of the high-performance car has been captured several times through spy shots while being tested in Germany. However, a purported picture from the assembly line emerged online recently, offering the clearest indication of what the next-generation M3 looks like. In terms of design, the G80 M3 will borrow styling cues from the new 3-Series, including the headlight and tail lamps.
BMW M3/M4
Porsche 911 Hybrid
Porsche unveiled the new 992-generation 911 last year and the line-up will include a hybrid variant at some point during its planned seven-year life cycle, as confirmed by the iconic sports car’s development boss, August Achleitner, in an interview. Rumours suggest that the 911 range will get both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants with limited electric-only range. The newly developed eight-speed, dual-clutch gearbox produced by ZF has freed up space in the tightly packaged engine bay to make elbowroom for a disc-shaped electric motor. There is no information on the power figures but rumours suggest that the electric unit from the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid might be used to provide an additional boost of 134 horsepower.
Porsche 911 Hybrid
Audi Q8
Audi entered the fast-growing coupe-SUV segment last year by launching the Q8, which is placed above the Audi Q7 luxury SUV to become the new range-topper of the brand’s Q family of high-riding vehicles. The Q8 is built on the same aluminium-rich platform as the Q7. However, it is wider, shorter and lower than its sister model for a sporty stance, which is highlighted by the sloping roofline and flared wheel arches. The German automaker has ensured that the Q8 boasts bold and flamboyant styling to further visually separate it from the understated Q7.
Audi Q8
Land Rover Defender
Land Rover finally revealed the next-generation model of the iconic Defender at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. The utilitarian SUV, thoroughly modernised inside out, has been launched after 62,000 tests and 1.2 million kilometres of rigorous testing. Hailed as the most capable off-roader, the new Defender is engineered to meet global car regulations, which includes the world’s two largest markets — China and the US. The British automaker ditched the body-on-frame architecture for the Defender and designed an all-new platform called the D7X.
Land Rover Defender
Land Rover Defender
Mercedes-Benz GLE
The 4th generation Mercedes-Benz GLE made its debut last year and is all set to be launched in India in January 2020, with the German automaker already accepting bookings. The all-new Mercedes GLE arrives with bigger dimensions, styling updates and a new interior. Mercedes claims that the new GLE is the most aerodynamic model in its class. While the 2020 GLE retains the overall design of its predecessor, it looks more muscular thanks to the rounded edges along with the new-shape angular headlamps and a prominent grille.
Mercedes-Benz GLE
BMW 8 Series
The Bavarian automaker revived the 8-Series moniker last year; it was discontinued in 1999. BMW launched a grand tourer in several different body-styles and engine configurations. Production began late last year at the company’s assembly plant in Dingolfing, Germany and BMW has already expanded the line-up with several offerings in a little over one year. The flagship grand tourer is available in both two-door and four-door variants along with an option between coupe and convertible forms. Sitting at the top of the range is the high-performance M8 version, which can be had in both fixed-roof and top-down variants.
BMW 8 Series
