The top best new luxury cars coming in 2019
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Mercedes-Benz is obviously fishing for some new customers as it launches the 2019 A-Class Hatch — it is set to become the new gateway for an aspiring Benz owner. It will be offered in A 250 front-drive and A 250 4Matic all-wheel-drive models. Naturally, being a hatch it has the needed flexibility — 370L of luggage space seats up and 1,210L with the 40/20/40-split rear seat folded. The standard equipment list includes heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and dual-zone climate control along with a central touchscreen for the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. It also supports M-B’s version of Siri — say “Hey, Mercedes, it’s cold in here” and the A-Class cranks up the heater. Distinctive LED headlights and taillights are also standard fare. Both models are powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four. It makes 221 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The power reaches the road through a seven-speed automatic and either the front or all four wheels. There are four drive modes that fine-tune the throttle response, transmission shift points and steering feel. The A 250 starts at $35,990 with the 4Matic model costing $37,990.
Lexus UX
The latest Lexus ride is the Urban X-over (crossover), or UX. It’s aimed at those who enjoy versatile luxury — the cabin is finished with top quality materials, comfortable seating and, at long last, an infotainment system that works with Apple CarPlay. It also has a useful 486 litres of cargo space with the seats up. The new 2019 Lexus UX is offered in regular (UX 200) and hybrid (UX 250h) models, with an F Sport package being available on both. Both models share an all-new 2.0L engine that pushes 168 hp and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. The hybrid is destined to be the more popular model. It not only has better performance — a combined system output of 175 hp — and fuel efficiency, which is a difficult combination to attain at the best of times, the addition of a rear electric motor gives it an all-wheel-drive extension. In keeping with the new thinking at Lexus, the UX arrives with a full suite of safety equipment in the form of the Lexus Safety System+. The staring price for the UX 200 is $37,100 and $39,700 for the UX 250h.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
The 2020 Range Rover Evoque arrives with sharp new styling — the slim LED headlights and taillights serve to differentiate it from the current model. Likewise, the power comes from an updated and less thirsty version of RR’s turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder Ingenium engine. The Evoque P250 gets 246 horsepower (up 9 hp), while the P300 sees the output rise to 296 horsepower (up 10 hp). The latter also uses a 48-volt-based belt/alternator/starter mild-hybrid system. Both engines work with a nine-speed ZF automatic transmission to drive all four wheels. Naturally, the Evoque is geared to go off-road — it has a maximum fording ability of 600 mm, which is up 100 mm from before. Helping the utility side is a longer wheelbase — it delivers 21 mm more rear seat legroom and ups the cargo capacity to 591 litres with all seats occupied and 1,430 L when you drop the 40/20/40-split rear seat. Inside there are some trick new features including a high-definition camera-based rearview mirror, which eliminates the clutter of the headrests seen in a conventional mirror and overcomes the Evoque’s challenging rear visibility. Pricing will be announced closer to its late spring 2019 launch.
BMW 3 Series Sedan
The seventh-generation BMW 3 Series sedan now wears a much sharper look, and it’s larger with a 41-millimetre stretch in the wheelbase yet it’s up to 55 kilograms lighter. Inside, it has been gussied up with a 12.3-inch screen for the instrumentation and a second 10.25-inch screen for the infotainment system. Also new is a personal assistant — simply say, “Hey BMW” and it answers all. The 3’s powertrains have been reworked to deliver better power and fuel economy — the 330i is up 7 hp and 37 -lb.-ft. compared to the outgoing engine. Likewise, the chassis has been massaged. Key to the handling improvements are the new Lift-Related dampers. These mechanical units react to body motion to deliver superior comfort and better body control. Pick the optional Adaptive M suspension and the ride height drops by 10 mm. The highlight is going to be the BMW M340i xDrive. Its 382-hp engine sees it run from rest to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The new 3 Series pricing jumps to $49,000, up from $44,900, but packs on a lot more feature content even on the base model.
Audi A6/A7
The latest Audi A6 and A7 have new looks, new technologies, some mechanical upgrades and more driver assist systems. Inside, Audi’s MMI Touch Response system replaces the old rotary-knob-based unit with a dual touchscreen display. The company’s slick Virtual Cockpit adds to the cabin’s high-tech feel. It takes the good and makes it even better! Mechanically, both get a 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine with 335 hp and 369-lb.-ft. of torque, a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive. The combination brings a run to 100 km/h of 5.2 seconds. New is the 48-volt-based belt/alternator/starter (BAS) mild-hybrid system. The technology is said to reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 L/100 kilometres. Also new is an available rear-wheel steering system — it brings a tighter turn circle and a faster response when on the road. The key difference between the A6 and A7 is flexibility — the A6 has a 388L trunk; the A7 hatch counters with 705L of cargo space. The added flexibility does have a premium: The A6 starts at $68,200 while the A7 commands $78,000.
Audi Q8
The all-new Audi Q8 arrives beautifully attired, has a responsive mild-hybrid powertrain and a comfortable ride for all of its five passengers. While it is based on the Q7, the Q8 is lower, has shorter overhangs and a wider track, all of which gives it a sportier look. It is powered by a 3.0L turbocharged V6 (335 hp) that drives an eight-speed automatic and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. It has 40/60 front-rear torque split, but it can send up to 70 per cent of the torque to the front wheels and 85 to the rear. As is now common to all of Audi’s high-end models is the 48-volt mild-hybrid system used to improve fuel economy and performance. An interesting feature is the trailer maneuver assist system. It handles the steering inputs — the driver only has to accelerate and brake, which promises to save many a red face! Inside, the Q8 is luxury all the way — from its bolstered leather seating and snazzy virtual cock to the latest MMI Touch twin-screen infotainment system it is chock full of the latest Audi has to offer. The Audi Q8 starts at $81,200.
Mercedes-Benz CLS
If it’s a classy, powerful coupe-like four-door sedan you seek Mercedes has the all-new CLS. The CLS 450 features a totally new 362-hp turbocharged 3.0L inline-six that works a nine-speed automatic, 4Matic all-wheel-drive and a new 48-volt belt/alternator/starter (BAS) mild-hybrid system. It can provide a boost of 21 hp while lowering emissions. The AMG CLS 53 bumps the output to 429 hp and 384 lb.-ft. of torque. The 450’s standard Dynamic Body Control adaptive suspension firms through a corner, yet relaxes to tame a rough road; the CLS 53 up the ante with its AMG Ride Control+ set-up. Both models feature crafted cabins with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that presents the information cleanly and in three different looks. The up-level infotainment system has another 12.3-inch screen that unites the navigation, entertainment and comfort settings. Access is through touchpads on the centre console and steering wheel. As for the techy stuff, there’s a semi-autonomous assistant that eases highway driving — it now allows the car to stop for 30 seconds before it automatically starts moving to keep up with the flow of traffic. The CLS 450 has a starting price of $81,000; the CLS 53 runs $92,000.
Audi A8L
Twenty years ago the original A8 debuted with its novel Space Frame concept. It replaced much of the steel body parts with lightweight aluminum. The all-new fourth-generation A8L (Canada will only see the long wheelbase model) again emphasizes lightweight construction, but it also keys on advanced technology — it’s the first production car designed to meet the Level 3 autonomous driving standard, although that’s in the future. For now it uses the semi-autonomous Traffic jam assist to ease the driving chore on the highway. The 2019 Audi A8L will launch with a 3.0 turbocharged V6 engine with 335 hp. Further out, a 4.0 turbocharged V8 engine will be added. In both cases, the engines are equipped with a 48-volt-based belt/alternator/starter (BAS) mild-hybrid system — it improves fuel efficiency and can add 16 hp and 44 lb.-ft. of torque to the output when needed. The lavishly equipped A8L rides on an advanced adaptive air suspension and is offered with an available rear-wheel steering system. The A8L starts at $97,800.
Mercedes-AMG GT four-door
Take a monster two-door supercar, stretch it, add another two doors and you have the new Mercedes-AMG GT four-door Coupe. It also differs from its two-door siblings with the addition of a third model — the GT 53. This new model uses a 429 hp 3.0L inline-six that works with a 48-volt belt/alternator/starter (BAS) mild-hybrid system. It can provide a boost of 21-hp while lowering emissions. The other two models are the GT 63 and GT 63 S. These two use the same 4.0L turbocharged engine — the difference is the 63 produces 577 hp, the S bumps that to 630 hp and 664 lb.-ft. of torque. All work with an AMG-tuned nine-speed manumatic and 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Of course, the GT 63 S also has a drift mode! A clutch opens to prevent the power from going the front axle, which allows a prolonged and very smoky drift! Up front the new four-door is all GT. Aft of that there’s a four-seat variant with a rear centre console or a five-passenger configuration with a folding 40/20/40-split rear seat. The trunk holds 395 litres seat up and 1,324L folded. Pricing will be announced early next year.
BMW 8 Series Coupe/Cabrio
The BMW 8 Series, which will be offered in both Coupe and Cabrio models, returns after a 20-year absence. What separates the two M850i xDrive models is a multiple layer soft-top that opens in 15 seconds and at speeds up to 50 km/h. That distinction apart, the two share their mechanical make-up. Powered by a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 that generates 523 hp and 553 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,800 rpm, the M850i drives all four wheels through an eight-speed manumatic transmission. To ensure the right road manners the adaptive M chassis arrives complete with adaptive damping, active anti-roll bars and Integral Active Steering. The latter reduces the turning circle at slow speeds and improves stability when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds. Needless to say the list of luxury runs the gamut — from supple leather-wrapped front seats to an integrated cockpit with reconfigurable instrumentation and the latest infotainment system covers all the bases. The return of the BMW M850i xDrive offers the attributes of a fixed roof grand tourer or the glamour of open-air motoring. The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe starts at $123,500; the Cabrio has a starting price of $131,500.
Porsche 911
Porsche is set to launch the eighth-generation 911 (or 992 to its aficionados). When it arrives next summer it will be offered in rear-drive (Carrera S) and all-wheel-drive (Carrera 4S) models. In spite of the attractive new styling, the latest speedster will never be mistaken for anything other than a 911. Most of the changes are found in the beneath the brightwork. While the engine still displaces 3.0L and uses a pair of turbos, the intake, intercoolers, exhaust plumbing and the size of the turbos change. The result is 443 horsepower, up 23 hp, and 390 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 2,300 rpm. Teamed with an eight-speed twin-clutch gearbox, the new 911 runs to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and 3.5 seconds with the Sport Chrono package aboard. There’s also a slight fuel economy improvement. Of course, it will handle like the Dickens. An upgraded version Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) eases the way on the highway as it keeps the body flat through a fast corner. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) then provides better traction and faster turn-ins. Inside, there’s yet more alphabet soup and sports car ergonomics, but with a digital extension — the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) looks after the infotainment functions. The 911 Carrera S starts at $129,100 with the Carrera 4S costing $137,400.
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