The last few years have marked a real change in the motoring scene, and it’s now no longer enough for a car to be more powerful, more efficient or safer than its predecessor.
Instead, the industry as a whole is looking to ever more sophisticated electrified and autonomous vehicles – a trend clearly shown in the cars we’re expecting in 2019.
That’s not to say that the entire motoring scene is that of a blank, battery-powered box. There’s plenty of exotic and evocative metal being launched over the next 12 months too. We’ve rounded up a healthy mix of both camps for you to sink your teeth into.
The list is not in any particular order. Just to be fair, we’ve limited it to one model for each car manufacturer*, otherwise we could be here all week…
* with one exception. Big expensive prize** for the first reader to correctly identify the manufacturer in the comments below.
** just to be clear, there is no actual prize.
BMW M8
BMW’s new 8 Series marks the return of a badge last seen in the 1990s, and already comes with the option of a 530hp 4.4-litre V8 engine in the M850i model.

But it wouldn’t be a true BMW without a hardcore M variant, so we’re expecting to see a new M8 arrive with a highly-tuned engine outputting close to 600hp.
DS 3 Crossback
DS Automobiles has already experienced some success in the SUV segment with its large, luxurious DS 7 Crossback, and it is hoping that some of its desirability will trickle down to the upcoming DS 3 Crossback.

It enters into an extremely competitive segment, taking on the likes of the Audi Q2 in the compact SUV market. There are likely to be petrol and diesel-powered offerings to begin with an all-electric version is due to arrive later on.
Honda Urban EV
This adorable electric hatchback was the surprise star of the Frankfurt Motor Show, demonstrating to the world that it’s possible to inject a dose of personality to electric motoring.

Expect to see the show concept toned down a little for production when it arrives late in 2019, but if Honda knows what’s good for it, it’ll retain as much of that cheeky character as possible.
Porsche Taycan
Porsche’s first all-electric model will be the Taycan (pronounced ‘Tie-can’, not ‘Taken’), a super-saloon designed to rival the Tesla Model S.

Performance, as you’d expect from Porsche, will be ample with more than 600hp on tap and four-wheel drive. Whether it can topple Elon Musk’s mighty machines remains to be seen, though.
Ferrari 488 Pista Spider
Ferrari’s hardcore 488 Pista arrived to critical acclaim in 2018, and the Italian supercar manufacturer is hoping that by lopping its roof off to create this – the 488 Pista Spider – it’ll extend its popularity even further.

It matches the hardtop’s performance too; Ferrari claims 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds, and flat-out it’ll do 211mph.
Continued on page 2: Comfy, fast, comfy, fast, green