10 cars for 2010

After this annus horribulusfor the Irish motor industry, what new metal are we looking forward to next year? Paddy Comyngazes into his crystal ball

1 BMW 5-SERIES

Arriving in March 2010, the new BMW 5-Series is better looking than before, taking cues from the new 7-Series and 5-Series GT.

It isn’t much bigger than the one it replaces, but there is a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. The new car has a double track arm front axle and the Integral-V rear axle, which we are told will improve agility.

The engine line-up will consist of one eight-cylinder and three six-cylinder petrol engines, as well as two six-cylinder diesels.

The most relevant engine to Irish buyers will be the 520d, a four-cylinder diesel that comes with 184bhp and 380Nm of torque and which, with a manual transmission, will have CO2 emissions of just 132g/km; even when fitted with an automatic transmission, it will have emissions of less than 140g/km.

Other diesel engine choices include a 245bhp 530d and a 204bhp 525d. In the petrol line-up there is a 535i with twin-turbos putting out 306bhp, a 258bhp 528i, a 204bhp 523i and a 407bhp V8 550i.

The car comes to Ireland in March, but buyers will have to wait until the summer to get the 520d.

2 PEUGEOT 5008

Peugeot’s renaissance as a manufacturer of cars offering clever solutions at a good price will continue in 2010 with February’s arrival of the 5008 MPV, which looks set to offer one of the best value packages in this large MPV segment.

The 5008 is a generously sized people carrier with proper space for seven people, yet sold with the ever-popular 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine which returns CO2 emissions of 140g/km, keeping road tax low. It also means the 5008 will be offered at a superb price, from €26,995 for the SE version and €28,995 for a high-spec SX version.

Even the “bells and whistles” SV model comes in at only €30,995, which is still less than some of the entry models of its key rivals such as the Ford S-Max and Toyota Verso. This makes it likely to be the most important MPV of 2010 until we see the arrival of the new Ford Grand C-Max.

3 FORD C-MAX/GRAND C-MAX

We should see the new version of the C-Max come in late 2010, with two versions available, the standard C-Max and the larger Grand C-Max.

The Grand C-Max will have seven seats and twin sliding rear doors. In addition to upgraded versions of Ford’s TDCi diesel engines, the new C-Max line-up will also feature a choice of petrol engines, including Ford’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine. EcoBoost combines turbo charging and direct injection technology to deliver fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduced by up to 20 per cent compared to conventional larger displacement petrol engines with a similar power output.

4 HYUNDAI IX35

Hyundai’s new C-segment crossover showcases the brand’s “fluidic sculpture” design language. The ix35 replaces the popular Tuscon and elements of its design will be carried over to other new Hyundai models, most notably the pronounced hexagonal grille which will become a family attribute.

Expect a 2.0-litre diesel engine with low CO2 emissions. The ix35 will sit somewhere between the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga and you can expect an improved interior to the outgoing Tuscon. We should see the new ix35 in spring 2010.

5 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R

The top of the range high-performance Golf R will arrive in February next year, with a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual gearbox or DSG transmission.

The Golf produced just short of 270hp and 350Nm of torque, which is amazing for a four-cylinder engine. The Golf R, available with three or five doors, uses a pre-charged hydraulic version of Volkswagen’s 4Motion four-wheel drive system. This system can react quicker than previous 4Motion systems while also limiting torque to maximise traction and minimise wheel spin. The Golf R is the fastest accelerating Volkswagen ever produced, sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. The DSG gearbox shaves a further two-tenths of a second from this time. Despite this impressive performance, the Golf R returns 8.5 l/100km on the combined cycle (DSG 8.4 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 199g/km (195g DSG). Expect a price tag of €48,000.

6 JAGUAR XJ

The XJ comes to Ireland in February and the styling has been the main talking point of the new car. It is a world away from the car it replaces, with a totally modern design that is bound to split opinion.

The engines available will be a 3.0-litre V6 diesel, 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 and a 5.0-litre supercharged V8.

Fuel economy and emissions are impressive, with the diesel-powered XJ returning CO2 emissions of 184g/km. The XJ is made from a lightweight aluminium structure, which makes it about 150kg lighter than its key rivals. Prices will start from €86,450.

7 CITROEN DS3

Citroën will bring the DS line back to life with this, the DS3. Some traditionalists have been cynical about the French brand using such a historic name on a small car range, but Citroën appears to be coming out with a line of eco-friendly, well-appointed small cars.

The DS certainly looks good and its interior lends itself to huge amounts of personalisation. The DS3 will be available with a choice of five CO2-efficient engines consisting of two HDi diesel units and three BMW co-developed petrol engines. The two diesels – a 90bhp and a 100bhp – have emissions of 99g/km and 115g/km respectively and the three petrol engines come with power of 95bhp, 120bhp and 150bhp and have emissions of between 136g/km and 160g/km.

8 PEUGEOT RCZ

Peugeot’s stunning RCZ will arrive in Ireland next summer and is without doubt, the best-looking car the French firm has ever built.

Looking like someone in France did some work experience over at Audi, the RCZ comes with engines ranging in power from 156bhp to 200bhp, including a 163bhp 2.0-litre diesel with CO2 emissions of less than 140g/km. At the top of the range, there is a 1.6-litre twin scroll turbocharged engine good for 200bhp.

The main talking point of this car is the amazing bubble roof, carried over from the concept car, and an active rear spoiler that deploys in two positions depending on the speed of the car.

Expect this car to cost around €35,000 when it arrives next summer.

9 VOLVO S60

While there remains a little uncertainty about the future direction of Volvo, its immediate future includes an all-new version of the S60.

The car is aimed as a rival to the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 and will make its debut at next March’s Geneva Motor Show before going into production in the summer of next year.

The engine line-up has yet to be confirmed but expect to see Volvo’s all-new 1.6-litre 180bhp EcoBoost petrol turbo unit in the range.

A 1.6-litre diesel is also on the cards – this is likely to power an ultra-efficient DRIVe model.

10 AUDI A7

The A7 is likely to be revealed at the tail end of next year, adding to the ever-growing Audi range. It will be Audi’s mixture of coupé and saloon.

A wide range of engines will be offered in the A7 and its S7 and RS7 variants, with everything from diesel-electric hybrids to 600bhp V10s likely to feature.

There will also be the usual blends of diesel engines and V6 petrol engines and Quattro all-wheel drive will naturally feature across the range.

Air suspension will replace the standard spring-based system found in other Audis.