Sunday, 13 April 2014

10 Cars We're Most Looking Forward to in 2014

The last few years have been excellent ones for the UK motor industry. Boosted by increasing sales and a high proportion of stylish head-turners like the Jaguar F-Type, we’re now in a position to be a leading country when it comes to car manufacturing. But it isn’t just UK cars that are causing a storm, the motor world in general is having a bit of a resurgance. In this post, we look at 10 cars we’re most looking forward to in 2014.

Porsche Macan
Looking to go directly up against rivals such as the BMW X3, this Porsche Macan is set to once again pitch to SUV drivers after speed and class. There is something different and altogether more appealing about the Macan though - it happens to be the fastest SUV in the world. The new Porsche V6 in the 400hp range topping Turbo S model propels you to 62 mph in a rather respectable 4.6 seconds. Very impressive when you consider it weighs 2 tons. Not quite 911 performance, but as near as dammit.

Porsche 198 Spyder
There’s no two ways about this - the Porsche 198 is a beautiful looking car. Many believe looking at the 2014 Porsche 198 Spyder is like looking at the future of the supercar. Similar to the new McLaren - this Porsche breaks new ground in terms of construction, technology, speed and engine development. A very exciting edition to Porsche’s range.



Caterham 160
The Caterham 160 is a special car because the name of the game is affordability and fun. The Lotus 7, the car this Caterham stems from, was developed from 1950s technology, and this back to basics approach is an exciting and promising development from the UK manufacturer.



BMW M235i
A new edition to the BMW range is long overdue, and it’s exciting to hear that they have committed to the M235i. It’s not a full on M-performance car - it replaces the 1-series, but expect an M2 on the horizon.

2014 Ford Mondeo
When we first saw the the 2014 Ford Mondeo a few years ago, the motor industry took a sharp intake of surprised breath. The new Mondeo, released at the end of 2014, brings the range up to date in terms of house style - and offers an impressive spec list. I’m particularly drawn to the idea of a 2.0L engine producing 188hp - with an additional electric motor. Good stuff from Ford...

BMW i8
Released as a plug-in concept car originally, and then unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW i8 ships in June 2014 and merges a 1.5L petrol engine to a 98kW electric motor. It is said to be able to return more than 120mpg, and be good for an electronically limited 160mph. Also, I’m looking forward to it because it literally looks like it’s from the future.

VW Golf R
The new Golf R model is a significant improvement on the previous versions - adaptive four wheel drive (with power in the real wheels kicking in when the fronts are struggling) is a good job too; with a massive new 2.0L TSI four-pot 296 bhp.

Tesla Model S
Yep, it’s finally here. After flashy videos, sleek photography and earnest Elon Musk interviews, the Tesla Model S has arrived. There’s no question it’s a properly exciting car - the first ever electric executive saloon - and it looks fantastic. The power from the electric engines has to be felt to be believed, and the interior looks pretty amazing too. Stay tuned, I’m hoping to drive the thing soon!



New Audi TT
The new TT has been a long time coming. The 2nd generation model is now looking rather dated, but the 3rd generation promises a load of new tech, new engines and a more refined design. Cylinder on demand will be used, as will a revolutionary ‘virtual cockpit’ display offering everything from Google Maps to performance characteristic displays.

Mercedes-Benz GLA
The new GLA combines off-road versatility with urban style, and is an interesting addition to the Mercedes-Benz range. With a unique, aggressive styling it’s bound to go down well with those not wanting to invest in the bigger ML 4x4.

With the increase in success of new cars in the UK over the past couple of years, the future looks bright for the industry in this country. There are some exciting cars being released, or just having been released, and there's a lot to look forward to as development continues across the board.

Companies such as Stoneacre Motor Group offer fantastic deals on new cars - with comprehensive finance packages and offers available.