2018 to see vast array of new arrivals in the showrooms

By now many of us will have come across our first sighting of a 181 plate. Already a number of new cars have already been launched ahead of the January sales. The mushrooming of the number of small SUVs is quite remarkable and the car makers can’t get them out fast enough. This has been and will be the big growth area for this year too.

Looking ahead at what is about to arrive on our roads in the coming year, there are a number of new models that I am looking forward to driving and reviewing in 2018.

Audi are constantly active and their first autonomous Audi A8 which comes with a mild hybrid power source for the first time is one to watch.

BMW will launch their new cleverly shaped X2 while the new 6 Series GT comes to Ireland in a couple of weeks.

Citroen has a new boss in Ireland with the appointment of Pat Ryan in December and they will replace their C4 Cactus with its air-pocket door panels on the side.

Dacia’s trusty Duster gets replaced. Funny how we still love a bargain in this country and the Renault-owned brand is hell bent to continue with its ‘shockingly low’ prices.

Ford has just announced their new EcoSport  and it should be in Irish showrooms early in 2018. Ford will also have a whole new Focus towards the end of the summer.

Honda will release the Civic Type-R to the public at the start of the year. It will be joined by a four-door Civic saloon later and there a number of engine revamps, too, for all models.

You just can’t stop Hyundai these days. Kona is the new kid on the block and is a smaller version of Ireland’s favourite car, the Tucson. There are additional versions of the i30 range with a Fastback and a saloon adding to the range

Jaguar’s new E-Pace is here next month at a base price of €36,000. With the SUV market booming it could become their best-selling model if the buyers take to it.

Jeep has a new Compass coming towards the start of the year. We expect it to be another competent on- and off-roader with lots of new toys with the family in mind.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.