Worldwide, gearheads and aficionados went gaga over the introductions of vehicles in their respective countries. Philippines, as an example, was all eyes and ears over the Suzuki Jimny, Ford Ranger Raptor and Nissan Terra when it came to local shores.While that is the case for the previous year, there have been tons of news bits on vehicles that will be launched globally and here are some of the highly-anticipated cars to watch out for this year.
Toyota Supra
The latest Toyota Supra is set to be revealed in the North American Auto Show slated January 14 in Detroit. Toyota has made sure to whet its followers' appetite for the upcoming offering as the next-gen Supra graced the Goodwood Festival of Speed and participated in the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring, Race 9 last year.Toyota has yet to confirm if it will be offered with a manual or automatic transmission, but for sure, it will be a feast for Supra and (yet-to-be-converted) non-Supra followers. Let's all just hope that it will be offered in the country. Toyota Motor Philippines, please hear our prayer for the year.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The new-age 'Eleanor' is set to be revealed also in Detroit to match the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. While it has yet to be confirmed, rumors said that the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 would be fitted with a Supercharged V8 that can provide more than 700 horsepower (ZL1 has 650hp and Hellcat is 707 hp).Back in January 2018, Ford released a video to drumroll the upcoming GT500.
https://twitter.com/Ford/status/953054824534364160
Chevrolet Corvette C8
Chevrolet is poised to bring the midsize-engined Corvette C8 in the open.While many were waiting for it to be unveiled earlier, reports claim that it will not be revealed until second quarter of the year.Set to be shown to the world in May with its own product reveal, there have been spyphotos of the Chevrolet Corvette C8 on the streets of Michigan and alleged tests with its sibling, the ZR1 on ice.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Brvjaf9BLdZ/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Also, the Chevrolet Corvette C8 is rumored to be be available with a V6 engine and a manual transmission. If this is true, then it might have a good selling proposition here in the Philippines, right, The Covenant Car Company Inc.? *wink*wink*
Ford Bronco
As if the Shelby GT500 is not gaining enough traction in the industry, Ford is bringing back its iconic SUV nameplate in the Ford Bronco, which will also be revealed at the NAIAS.According to Ford global's website, the return of the midsize SUV is due to popular demand. This big, boxy SUV was first introduced back in the mid 1960's and was sold in the market until mid 1990's.The latest-generation Bronco is set to have the latest technology while retaining its rugged nature. Seemingly sharing the same height and width of the Ford F-150, the next-gen Bronco will be part of Ford’s vehicle portfolio in 2020.A little trivia: the latest Bronco will be manufactured at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, which is the same plant where the 1966 through 1996 models were built. Is Ford Philippines willing to do what it takes to bring this bad boy in the country? We have yet to see.
Land Rover Defender
British truckmaker Land Rover has announced the revelation of the next-generation Land Rover Defender. However, while it will debut this year, the all-new Defender will only be available by next year. After it was seen in the streets of Brooklyn, the 2020 version--which is a Discovery-based model--will again be available in the United States and Canada after not being sold officially in North America since 1997.
Porsche Taycan
Porsche will give Tesla some stiff competition with the introduction of its pure-electric model, the Taycan. According to Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, the Taycan is a "vehicle that can consistently cover long distances and that epitomizes freedom."The Taycan is said to provide 600 horsepower and can hit 100 kph in 3.5 seconds or 200 kph in under 12 seconds due to its two permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM). Aside from that, the Taycan is said to have a maximum range of over 500 kilometers in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle.Are you also waiting for other cars for 2019? Let us know!