This is an inescapable fact: the automobile landscape is in turmoil. The diesel gate, the targets set by the EEC to reduce average CO2 emissions to 95 g / km at the end of 2020 and the enthusiasm of motorists for SUV will completely reshape the vehicles that manufacturers will introduce on the market in the coming months. As much to maintain their market share as to extend it, the majority of them will continue to expand its product portfolio. As regulations evolve, autonomous driving systems should also be taken to a new level. Long awaited and already tried in our columns, the new Alpine A110 Berlinetta is the great French novelty of the year. Production of the launch series published only 1955 units has just begun. When all the copies have been delivered, the Dieppe factory will be able to begin manufacturing the model of series declined in two versions: Pure and Legend. It is urgent because the order book has already reached one year of production. The price of the New Cars in basic version should start around 50,000 euros.
We cross the Rhine to go to Bavaria at Audi. The manufacturer with interlaced rings continues his product offensive. The year 2018 promises to be particularly busy with the launch of its flagship, the A8 limousine, which will be accompanied by the months of the appearance of new versions including a new hybrid rechargeable. As it prepares to introduce the new generation of the RS4 Avant, now equipped with a 2.9-liter V6 twin-horsepower unchanged 450 hp, Audi will renew its mass-market models: the city car A1 and the small SUV Q3. These new models of cars developed on the latest platforms of the VW group are lengthening a bit to improve the liability. At the other end of the range, the in the first quarter and by presentations of a large SUV coupe (Q8) to compete with the BMW X6 and a 100% electric SUV. Already seen in the form of a show prototype, this vehicle could be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show before being marketed in early 2019. Finally, this brand aspires to become the leader. of the premium market will present the new generation of the A6 road. Bentley, his English cousin, proceeds in the first half of the renewal of the Continental GT, a model apart because it allowed the Crewe firm to change size in the early 2000s.
In Bavaria, but in Munich, BMW is also sharpening its program to defend its positions. No segments have been forgotten. The year begins with fanfare with the launch of the X2, a sports SUV extrapolated from the X1. It will then be the turn of the X4 to take advantage of the latest developments in the new X3. At the same time, the Series 2 Active Tourer MPV should benefit from a makeover. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, which marks the official return of BMW in the GT category, will be a perfect setting for the official presentation of the new 8 Series. This grand touring coupé will be powered by an inline 6-cylinder and a V8. The GT category will also see the appearance of an i8 roadster. This rechargeable hybrid model benefits from technical developments that will be found on the coupe version. Motorsport side, the range will be enriched by the new generation of the M5 road and a vitamin version of the famous M2. The power of its 6-cylinder 3-liter turbo is expected to exceed 400 horsepower. The Mondial de Paris will be dedicated to launching the new Z4 roadster. Meanwhile, we already know that this new pleasure vehicle will be a common platform for the future Toyota Supra coupe and that both models will be assembled in Austria by the specialist Magna.
We are back in France at Citroen. In the midst of rebuilding its range, the chevron brand has just restyled the C4 Cactus. Judged too spicy and sometimes misunderstood, his sedan gets rid of his Air bumps on the flanks. Responsible for filling the void left by the disappearance of the C4 sedan, the C4 Cactus inaugurates new suspensions with hydraulic stops. As for the engines, they are part of the PSA organ bank. If the new Berlingo will monopolize the news at the time of the Geneva show, it will be necessary to wait until Paris to discover the C5 Aircross. Citroën has great hopes for this model, which is already on the market in China. Its DS premium label, which distanced itself in 2014 to the point of becoming a full-fledged brand, continues its product offensive. In addition to the commercial launch of the DS7 Cross back at the beginning of the year, the year 2018 will be dominated by the revelation of the DS3 Cross back. This urban vehicle will be in the guise of a 5-door SUV and will introduce a 100% electric motor. On the other side of the Alps, Ferrari is putting the finishing touches on the development of its Portofino which will replace next summer the California coupe-cabriolet. As for the parent Fiat, no information has yet filtered through its 2018 program. At Ford, the news will be dominated by the renewal of Focus and the animation of the Fiesta range with the arrival of a sports version ST and an Active folding variant.
The English Jaguar will be the first European manufacturers to market a 100% electric SUV. Its i-Pace is scheduled for the third quarter of 2018. Its neighbor Land Rover will be satisfied with the rechargeable hybrid for its Range Rover Sport and Range Rover. The manufacturer announces a cumulative power of 404 horses, an electric range of 51 km, charged the battery, and consumption (NEDC standard) of 2.8 l / 100 km, which represents CO2 emissions of 64 g / km. At Jeep, the SUV specialist, there is still no question of electrification but the renewal of the Wrangler icon and the restyling of the Cherokee.
