Arkana, Corolla, Granta Cross and others: the most anticipated Russian premieres of 2019
We have already figured out the world premieres of 2019: there will be a lot of them, and all the key ones are collected in our material. But even more in the new year will be the Russian prime minister. What news are we waiting for in the next 11 months?
The new Q3, with which we met in the fall, is already available in Europe for ordering, and we have to arrive by about summer. The crossover, finally moving from the old PQ35 platform to the new MQB, has grown by as much as 10 centimeters (of which almost 8 fell on the wheelbase) and is ready to offer what we have already seen on older models, in a compact and cheaper format. A virtual cockpit with a 10.25 inch screen, touchscreen multimedia, electronic helpers – and no MMI joysticks.
In Russia, the model will certainly keep the familiar 1.4 and 2.0 TFSI engines, as well as the two-liter TDI, basic front-wheel drive and a robotic transmission. Well, one of the main intrigues can be considered prices: how much will Q3 rise in price with the change of generations, considering that current cars cost about 2.1 million rubles?
We saw the new “treshka” of BMW at the same event as the Audi Q3 – but then the Bavarians did not hesitate to even tell about the Russian prices for the new product. The Troika itself is now based on the CLAR platform, has an ideal weight distribution, an optional adaptive suspension, four-wheel drive and an electronic rear differential lock. In general, she didn’t forget how to drive. Given that the start of sales in Europe is scheduled for March 9, the first cars will get to us in the spring – then we will evaluate how the new sedan is adapted to our asphalt.
True, those who want to buy one for themselves will notice an increase in prices: now the cheapest “troika” costs 2,580,000 rubles – this is a rear-wheel drive diesel sedan 320d. Previously, a similar version cost 2 390 000, and the starting version of the model of the previous generation in Russia – the gasoline 318i for 1 940 000 rubles. The new 320d, but with all-wheel drive will cost from 2,720,000, and for the rear-wheel drive gasoline 330i will be asked from 2,870,000 rubles.
The flagship X7 harnessed for a long time, but now almost all the nuances are known: it will arrive in Russia in March, and even the prices have already been announced. Technically, the crossover is similar to the X5 and shares a range of engines with it – from the diesel three-liter “six” in the basic version to the familiar petrol V8 N63 series, which we will not have under the hood of the X7.
For Russia, the power of the “starter” diesel engine, by the way, was reduced to 249 hp. – To “sweeten the pill” against the background of the luxury tax. Such a machine will cost from 5 830 000 rubles. For the three-liter petrol xDrive40i will be asked from 6 million, and for the M50d with four turbines and 400 forces – 7.5 million.
The rush of recent months around the new Toyota Supra slightly distracted attention from its German co-platform – the BMW Z4. Nevertheless, someone is waiting for her in Russia even more than “Japanese”. With the change of generations, the Z4 has become 8.5 centimeters longer, but the wheelbase has decreased by 2.5 centimeters. The list of engines includes not only a two-liter supercharged “four” with 195 or 258 forces, but also a “real” inline “six”: the top-end Z4 M40i produces 340 hp. and gaining the first hundred in 4.5 seconds.
Like on the X7, all the engines work in tandem with an eight-speed automatic. True, there is no price for a new product yet – but considering that it should be presented for the summer season, it’s not long to wait for their announcement.
Chery has big plans for 2019 – some models have already promised us, but something can be predicted. Of course, the list of potential Russian new products is completely crossovers, and the Tiggo 4 is the youngest of them. Moreover, the assembly of new models is planned to begin in Russia – that is, the Tiggo 4, unlike the imported Tiggo 2, can become “local”.
In China, the model is called 5x, but we want to dissolve it with the “five” already existing in the line. In the home market, the crossover is offered exclusively in a front-wheel drive version with a 1.5-liter atmospheric engine, paired with a CVT. Considering that now the price “gap” between the Tiggo 3 and 5 in our market is about 150 thousand (the “troika” without discounts costs 860 thousand, and the “five” is a million), the Tiggo 4 should get into the niche between them.
Unlike the Quartet, the Tiggo 7 is a step to a new territory: crossovers are more expensive than a million rubles. In China, the model has been produced for the third year and even survived restyling, losing a pair of engines on the way: now only the 1.5-liter turbocharged 147-hp unit combined with six-speed mechanics or a “robot” remained in the range.
