LOOKING for a new company car or a new car to lease. Well, say hello to 2018 because there’s a wealth of new debuting during the course of 2018, from fabulous new electric vehicles to brilliant sports cars – in fact every sort of car that would suit an SME business, from the executive requiring a new company car to the business owner wanting…well, something a little more special.
Some of these business cars we’ve seen already, either previewed at motor shows or teased with picture releases, while others are still under wraps. But here’s a taste of cars that you could be leasing or choosing as your next company car in 2018.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV due this summer is set to become the new benchmark in the premium compact SUV segment as the “fastest SUV around the circuit”, having clocked the new record for its class on the iconic Nurburgring: 7 min 51.7 sec.
It has an exclusive aluminium 2.9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo petrol engine from Ferrari technologies delivering 510hp at 6,500rpm and 600Nm mated to eight-speed automatic transmission, that shifts gear in just 150milliseconds in Race mode. It can blast to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds, and on to a best-in-class top speed of 176mph.
Alpine A110
The legendary French sports car brand Alpine is back, as part of Groupe Renault, with seven UK sales centres to launch its new A110 sports coupe expected to cost around £40,000.
Designed and manufactured in France, the mid-engined, two-seater coupe features aluminium construction to keep down weight and is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder Renault petrol engine producing 252PS for 0-6mph in 4.5 seconds and electronically limited 150mph top speed with low CO2 emissions of 138g/km.
Audi range
Audi is currently remodelling most of its range with the second generation A1 due at the end of the year using the same platform as the SEAT Ibiza and VW Polo and using 1.0 and 1.5 petrol turbo engines and certain to include a new version of the stunning S1 hot hatch with Quattro AWD, and probably a plug-in hybrid.
The new A6 executive saloon expected in the summer will feature a suite of electronic driving aids shared with the recently launched A8 limo (pictured above).
Audi SUVs
The headline arrival of 2018 will be the Audi e-tron Quattro SUV, a fully electric car with a range of more than 300 miles as it takes on Tesla’s Model X and the new Jaguar I-Pace.
As if the SQ5 was not sporty enough, Audi raises the performance with the RS Q5 costing over £60,000 and power expected to be shared with the 444bhp twin-turbo V6 in the RS4 Avant that also has Quattro all-wheel drive standard.
Smaller but still potent is the new Audi SQ2 upping the ante in the Q2 range – expected to cost just over £30,000 with 306bhp petrol turbo and quattro AWD, naturally.
Also around £30k will be the new generation Audi Q3, now the oldest in the line-up, which will be longer and wider but lighter and with the latest technology like Virtual Cockpit with petrol and diesel versions at launch in the autumn, followed by a PHEV.
Range-topping Q8 flagship is expected to have a coupe cut, but more practical than BMW and Mercedes rivals. Naturally high on high-tech and autonomy, a PHEV is certain and without doubt an RS Q8.
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley’s sleek and stunning new Continental GT is a director’s cut with a price over £155,000 and due this spring.
Naturally there will be the flagship 626bhp twin-turbo W12 petrol engine with 900Nm of torque for 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and 207mph top speed. But this will be followed by a more affordable V8 and a plug-in hybrid V6, all using the platform design shared with the Porsche Panamera.
Sure to follow the two-door coupe and convertible will be a new Flying Spur, the four-door version with the same powertrain choices.
BMW 3 Series
Three years after the last facelift, the new BMW 3 Series expected late in the year is due to follow last year’s new 5 Series with technology filtering down from the 7 Series that preceded it.
BMW 8 Series
Moving up in scale, BMW is reviving the 8 Series after a 20-year gap, with a Coupe followed by a Gran Coupe and a Convertible and prices starting over £65,000. Again this will be later in the year.
BMW i8 Coupe & Roadster
There’s not such a wait for the latest sporting plug-in hybrids, the new BMW i8 Roadster and refreshed i8 Coupe arriving this month – Coupé prices start at £112,730, the open-top Roadster with all-electric fabric roof is priced from £124,730. And the new models have a longer range.
BMW M5
Due next month at a lower price – £89,640 – for an awesome amount of traditional fossil fuel power is the crazy M5 with 592bph on tap from its 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 and lots of tricks for track day fun.
BMW X2
Fancy a compact SUV sportier than the X1 – enter the X2 arriving in the middle of the year costing around £30,000.
Sharing the same platform as the X1 and MINI Countryman and the X1, the X2 brings a sloping roofline and narrowed windows for a coupe cut. There will also be the choice of front-wheel drive or xDrive four-wheel drive, and a choice of six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic gearboxes.
BMW X4
Moving up in size and price, to around £40,000, the X4 coupe SUV will soon follow, with sleeker lines than the X3 and a go-faster M-version doubtless on the stocks. Expect xDrive four-wheel drive as standard, and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid before too long.
BMW X7
While the X5 has been a star for BMW in the burgeoning SUV sector, rivals have served up bigger versions like the Audi Q7 and Skoda Kodiaq so it’s only natural that the X7 is on its way although pre-production testing has only just started in the USA.
The seven-seater is due at end of year with a price tag of around £70,000 expected.
BMW Z4
Sports car competition is hotting up and BMW won’t be left behind with the new Z4 developed in conjunction with Toyota, out to rival the Porsche 718 Boxster with a choice of four and six-cylinder engines plus a fabric soft top instead of folding metal roof to save weight and stowage. Expect to pay over £35k.
Citroen C5 Aircross
Citroen suspension systems have been legendary for comfort and the new Citroen C5 Aircross SUV should maintain the reputation with its Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension system and double-glazed front windows to reduce wind and road noise to impress in this £20,000+ bracket.
There will also be a plug-in hybrid C5 Aircross with four-wheel drive and a pure-electric range of more than 30 miles, but you’ll need a 2019 calendar for that.
Dacia Duster
Our cheapest SUV the Dacia Duster is still priced from around £10,000 in its new form with new body styling, wider track and bold grille.
Refreshed inside with better-quality materials, the touchscreen infotainment on higher-spec models can be linked to a reversing camera, there are natty LED headlamps and new 17-inch alloy wheels, and safety technology has been upgraded. The five-seat model will continue to be available with two or four-wheel drive.
DS 7 Crossback
On sale from March for around £30,000, the new DS 7 Crossback raises its rating in the premium sector, with an Active Scan suspension system to monitor road conditions and adjust the adaptive dampers to give the smoothest ride possible.
A special launch edition La Premiere is loaded with equipment, including a pair of 12in infotainment displays, Art Rubis hide upholstery and 20in diamond-cut alloys.
Under the bonnet is a lusty turbocharged 222bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine or a 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel, both mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. A plug-in hybrid will follow.
Ferrari Portofino
You don’t have to pay a million for a Ferrari – look more around £160,000 for the brand’s sharp new entry model the Portofino, named after the fabulous Riviera resort, arriving this spring.
Replacing the California, the format stays the same with front-mid engine, rear-wheel drive, folding hard-top and 2+2 seat layout but power’s up 40bhp with 592bhp twin-turbo V8 and new chassis for 3.5sec 0-62mph and 199mph max.
Ford EcoSport
Ford’s smallest SUV derived from the Fiesta arrives with a new face, new technology and all-wheel drive for the top of the range priced from around £16,000.
Engines are upgraded too with Ford’s 1.5 TDCi diesel or the 1.0 EcoBoost petrol. Driver aids include cruise control with a speed limiter and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Ford Fiesta ST
It’s got a reputation to maintain but the sharp new Fiesta ST expected to be priced around £19,000 is sure not to disappoint this spring.
A new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo replaces the old four-cylinder 1.6, with an extra 17bhp to 197bhp for 0-62mph in 6.7 sec, two tenths quicker than the car it replaces. Cylinder deactivation helps cut CO2 emissions to 114g/km for business attraction.
Maintaining the image are lowered ride height, aggressive bodykit and exclusive 18in alloys, Recaro sports seats and Ford’s new SYNC3 infotainment.
Also arriving this spring is the new Fiesta Active which takes on a more rugged SUV-style with raised suspension and black plastic protection trim.
Ford Focus
The Focus, chasing Fiesta in the sales charts and battling VW’s Golf, gets a major makeover this spring with sharper looks and longer wheelbase for more space.
With prices from around £18,000, the engine line-up will also be similar to the smaller hatchback’s, with the 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost at the core plus 1.5 and 2.0-litre diesels.
Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang muscle car gets a new look and engine changes this spring, just two years after UK launch – but prices rise too, starting from £35,995 for the 2.3 EcoBoost Fastback version and with the new V8 Fastback breaking into Premium road tax territory as it tops £40,000.
Sharper looks with new lights and Ford’s latest infotainment system, the V8 model now gets 443bhp, up 30bhp, while the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine’s output drops to 286bhp but is also quicker. Both engines will be available with a 10-speed auto.
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Diesel is off the menu for the next CR-V, to be offered in the autumn priced from around £28,000 with a 1.5-litre petrol or Honda’s new hybrid powertrain with 2.0-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, one for driving the wheels and the other acting as a generator.
Hyundai i30 Fastback
Hyundai’s range expansion continues apace with the introduction of a third bodystyle for the i30 range with the inch lower roofline of the Fastback priced from under £20,000.
The five-door’s for those who want something sportier but can’t stretch to the 248bhp i30 N hot hatch also coming our way.
Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell
Hyundai has been developing its own hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle – and following the ix35 FCV it will be a dedicated fuel-cell model to be called Nexo with the range raised by 30% to nearly 500 miles with more power, features including remote autonomous parking and yet a price expected to be around £30,000.
Infiniti QX50
Infiniti hopes to make a bigger impact with the bolder next generation QX50 priced from around £35,000 to rival BMW’s X3 rival, debuting a new 2.0-litre turbocharged variable compression petrol engine to deliver the economy of a diesel with the power of a big petrol powerplant.
Jaguar E-Pace
Nothing to do with electricity, the E-Pace is the first front-wheel drive Jaguar in years and the scaled down SUV priced from £28,500 sits below the successful F-Pace.
Taking on the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, it is offered with optional 12.3-inch TFT digital instrument panel and a 10.2in central touchscreen and powered by the 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder Ingenium engine, mated to a six-speed manual or nine-speed auto.
Jaguar I-Pace
The I-Pace is electric, all-electric, priced from around £55,000 to take on Tesla’s pricier Model X in the zero emissions SUV stakes.
With a completely new aluminium platform and two small electric motors it has plenty of space, with roomy cabin and stowage, both in the boot and under the bonnet.
A 90kWh lithium-ion battery in the floor promises a range of at least 300 miles from a charge while 395bhp on tap promises to whistle it from 0-62mph in around four seconds.
Jeep Wrangler
Proud of a timeline dating from the World War 2 Willys Jeep, the latest Wrangler priced from around £35,000 keeps its styling cues and all-terrain capability with modern underpinnings when it arrives this year.
Expect the usual choice of petrol and diesel engines, with a hybrid to follow.
Kia Stinger
Stinger is proof that Kia has come a long way from its humble hatch days with the four-door sports saloon arriving this month priced from £32,000 with powerplants topped by a 3.3-litre V6 in the Stinger GTS.
Kia Cee’d
Kia is growing up fast, as shown by the new Stinger, but the more modest Cee’d family hatch isn’t left behind with the third generation priced from around £16,000 promising a new design direction from nose to a tail likely to figure a bolder sportwagon styling. Price expected to be from £16,000.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento SUV gets a sporty GT-Line version with a facelifted line-up priced from £29,000. Inside, the update includes an eight-inch infotainment system, plus a Driver Attention Warning tiredness alert system. The 2.2 CRDi diesel remains, now with an efficient 8-speed auto.
Land Rover Discovery SVX
No pussyfooting in the SUV stakes with Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicles department’s version of the Discovery, the SVX, priced from around £100,000.
A dedicated off-road version of the seven-seat SUV, it is powered by a 518bhp 5.0-litre V8 with go-anywhere trimmings.
Lexus LS
Offered exclusively as a petrol-electric hybrid featuring the Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System that made its debut in the LC coupe, the new LS flagship saloon will be available in four equipment grades: LS 500h, LS 500h Luxury, LS 500h F Sport and LS 500h Premier.
All-wheel drive will be available for the Luxury and Premier models. On-the-road prices start at £72,595.
Mercedes A-Class
Mercedes is romping up the sales charts and that’s sure to continue with the new A-Class due in the autumn for around £20,000 with roomier cabin and spacious boot.
Under the bonnet will be a smoother 2.0-litre diesel from the E-Class, a new 2.0-litre petrol engine and a plug-in hybrid to take on the Audi A3 e-tron.
Mercedes C-Class
The new facelifted C-Class is due middle of the year priced from just under £30,000, like the A-Class powered by the smoother 2.0-litre diesel and more technology from the E-Class.
It’s not just the compact executive saloon that gets the treatment but Coupe, Cabriolet and Estate too, and of course the Mercedes-AMG versions.
Mercedes GLE
A new edition of the GLE Class is due this summer, with a curvier styling, E-Class technology and luxury features and prices from about £53,000.
All models of this long-running SUV are expected to get all-wheel drive and a 9-speed auto gearbox.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Just arriving in Britain is the new Eclipse Cross, a crossover that fits between the ASX and Outlander, priced from £21,275.
Powered at launch by a new 163bhp 1.5-litre petrol turbo, diesel models will follow, while 4-wheel drive and a CVT auto will be offered on top specification models.
Nissan Juke
The second version of Qashqai’s little brother is due this year priced from around £15,000, with more space and small petrol engines plus styling cues from the new Micra.
Nissan Leaf
The new Nissan Leaf, the world’s best-selling electric car, arrives this spring priced from £26,490 with major changes both in looks and under the skin.
Key is the greatly improved range, claimed up to 235 miles, with a bigger battery that gets faster charging.
Porsche Cayenne
The third generation of Porsche’s SUV that outsells the 911 sports car arrives this summer with a platform shared with the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga and pricing from £55,965.
The luxury 4×4 also uses active anti-roll bar technology with 48V electrics and powerplants from a 2.9-litre turbocharged petrol V6 S model, with 434bhp, to the flagship Turbo, with 542bhp 4.0-litre V8.
Porsche Macan
Porsche’s small SUV the Macan gets a subtle refresh in line with the Cayenne while power is likely to get a boost to take on its cousin in the form of the Audi RS Q5.
Renault Alaskan
It’s had its launches and show reveals and finally the Renault pick-up the Alaskan arrives in March priced from £23,000.
Like the Mercedes X-Class, the Alaskan is based on the Nissan Navara but with Renault-developed 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel in two power outputs with manual or auto gearboxes.
Renaultsport Megane
Following on from last year’s launch of the new Megane comes the Renaultsport or RS version priced just under £30,000 with 276bhp on tap and an accent on handling with low speed manoeuvrability and high speed stability.
The 1.8-litre engine is taken from the forthcoming Alpine A110 sports car, but with more power. The five-door Megane RS features sports seats and an RS Monitor for lap times and performance figures.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Even that exceptional maker of luxury carriages has succumbed to the idea of an SUV – or, to quote Rolls-Royce – an ‘all-terrain, high-sided vehicle’. Nothing so vulgar as a Sports Utility Vehicle. Expect to see one out of camo later this year.
SEAT large SUV
SEAT is introducing a large SUV this year, to follow Ateca and keep up with sister brand Skoda’s Kodiaq. Expect a price around £23,000.
SEAT Ateca Cupra
Ateca has been a winner in the SUV stakes for SEAT, and the fun brand maintains its sporty reputation with a Cupra version coming this summer priced from £32,000.
Powered by the 2.0 TSI turbo petrol engine from the Leon Cupra, expect 300bhp matched to SEAT’s 4DRIVE four-wheel-drive system..
SEAT Leon Cupra R
You’ll be lucky to get your hands on a Leon Cupra R, priced from £33,000 but with only 799 examples produced.
Highlights are 306bhp manual or 300bhp DSG, adaptive dampers, bigger Brembo brakes and a sports exhaust plus aggressive bodykit with copper highlights.
Subaru Impreza
On sale this month is the new Subaru Impreza hatchback priced from £20,000. Sharing the CXV platform it has symmetrical all-wheel drive, a Lineartronic CVT box and either a 1.6 or 2.0-litre boxer petrol engine.
Safety features include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.
Suzuki Swift Sport
On sale in June is the new Swift Sport with a 138bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine for the hot hatch priced around: £16,000.
The roomier car is packed with equipment including a 7in infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
For its Sport tag it gains uprated brakes and suspension, more aggressive looks, 17-inch polished alloys, dual exhausts, sports seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota’s Land Cruiser 4×4 gets a smoother new look for 2018, with a £38,000 pricing bringing 8in Touch 2 infotainment touchscreen and Safety Sense driving aids bringing adaptive cruise, lane keeping, pedestrian detection and auto main beam.
Under the bonnet it keeps a 2.8-litre diesel for the UK.
Toyota Supra
After a 16-year absence the scintillating Supra is set to return, with a price around £50,000 following development in conjunction with BMW’s new Z4.
We have yet to learn what awesome powerplant is planned but a hybrid could well use tricks learned from its Le Mans racer.
TVR Griffith
Unveiled at Goodwood Revival, TVR Griffith marks the brand’s return later in the year with £90,000 price.
With design by the legendary Gordon Murray and a Cosworth V8 that drives the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, the 500bhp sports car has the right ingredients.
Vauxhall Insignia GSi
Vauxhall’s Insignia gets sporty this summer with the £29,000 GSi hatch powered by a 257bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo petrol and sister Sports Tourer also available with 198bhp BiTurbo diesel and four-wheel drive.
Sporty bodykit reflects racetrack handling development.
Volkswagen Golf SV or Sportsvan
VW’s Golf SV or Sportsvan MPV gets a fresh look in line with the Golf hatch, with revised lights and bumpers in the five-seater’s package priced around £20,000. The new 1.5 EcoTSI petrol engine arrives, plus the latest touchscreen infotainment and driver aids Front Assist and Traffic Jam Assist.
Volkswagen Polo SUV
VW continues its SUV charge with a Polo-based SUV crossover expected to be called the T-Cross as it shares styling cues with the bigger T-Roc.
Expected to be priced from £17,000, powerplants are likely to start with a 109bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol unit, while dual-clutch auto and manual gearboxes are likely to be offered with the option of all-wheel drive.
Volkswagen up! GTI
The tiny up! looks up to the legendary Golf GTI with its badging and nimble sporty package for around £17,000 early this year. Power comes from a 114bhp 3-cylinder TSI for 8.8sec 0-62mph.
Volvo XC40
Volvo enters the fastest-growing segment in the automotive industry with its smallest SUV, the XC40 arriving this spring. Joining its larger XC60 and XC90 cousins, the XC40 completes Volvo’s global SUV line-up priced from just over £27, with plenty of technology from its larger 60 and 90-series cars to challenge the Jaguar E-Pace and Range Rover Evoque.
