The Ferrari 488 Spider
Next year promises a sales record and hundreds of new models, writes Geraldine Herbert and here is our pick of ten cars worth waiting for in 2016
Ferrari 488 Spider
Ferrari ‘s most powerful mid-engined Cabrio is due here in Spring 2016. A rival to the likes of McLaren’s 650S and the Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 this stunning looking car is as much about luxury as it is about performance and boasts a 0-100 km/h time of 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h. If this car is a bit out of your budget, you can always rent a Ferrari for the weekend with a service such as Supercar Hire.
Fiat 124 Spider
Based on Mazda’s MX-5 Fiat has essentially taken the bones of the MX-5, the chassis and interior and added it’s own exterior design and engine.Powering this diminutive Fiat is a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine that produces a very respectable 140 bhp and is available with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. Fiat are being tight lipped about the pricing but we would expect it to be priced similarly, maybe a little higher than the Mazda MX-5 when it goes on sale here during the second half of 2016.
All-new Focus RS
Ford Focus RS
The eagerly awaited third-generation Focus RS is the latest to join the line-up and is expected here before June, with a starting price of €51,600. The 345bhp Focus RS will sprint from 0-100kph in 4.7 seconds and go on to reach 266kph.
Honda NSX
25 years since it first launched and ten years since it went out of production the Honda NSX replacement is due in the spring. Fitted with a twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine and three electric motors the NSX produces 550 bhp. The combination of a twin-turbocharged engine together with the electric motors promises to deliver instantaneous yet broad torque. Before you get too excited Honda’s eagerly awaited supercar has already sold out
Jaguar F-PACE
Jaguar F-Pace
April sees the arrival of Jaguar’s new F-Pace crossover, the first sports utility vehicle from the brand. It sports the now familiar Lightweight Aluminum Architecture making it light, sporty and more fuel efficient
Kia Sportage
Following the launch of the refreshed Kia cee’d, the all-new Sportage arrives just in time for January sales. It will initially be launched with the 1.7D engine in 2WD, with the 4WD version available in March. The 1.7 engine has been refined for extra efficiency and with the addition of Idle Stop and Go technology, the new Sportage moves from Band B2 to A4 with annual road tax now at €200pa. Three trims are offered – LX EX and GS – and prices start from €27,495.
Maserati Levante
Still only appearing in spy shots on the web we expect to see Maserati’s new SUV, the Levante enter production in early 2016 and go on sale before the end of next year.
The world’s first premium compact SUV convertible.
Range Rover Evoque Convertible
Four years after the Evoque first went on sale, Land Rover reveals the ultimate go-anywhere luxury convertible, the Range Rover Evoque convertible. Due here in spring, its roof is a five-layer fabric structure known as ‘Z-fold’ for the way it retracts. Crucially, it stows away in just 18 seconds and for those sudden downpours at speeds of up to 50km/h. Pricing for the Evoque Convertible has not been confirmed for Ireland yet, but we would estimate a starting price of circa €68,000.
Renault Megane
Due here in summer 2016 is the fourth-generation Mégane, recently unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It will be available with a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines and is topped by a GT version. Wheelsforwomen will be driving it next week so we will keep you posted on our first impressions.
Toyota Prius
Toyota’s hybrid range continues to grow and a brand new version of the car that started it all, the Prius arrives here in February. It has emissions of just 70g/km and combined fuel economy from 3.0 l/100km (93.8MPG). Prices start from €31,450.
Geraldine Herbert
2nd December, 2015
