From Aston Martin’s new SUV to new automobiles from Rolls-Royce, Audi, Porsche, Bentley and BMW, here are some of the new vehicles to drive in 2020:
ADEDOYIN JOHNSON
Nigeria’s nouveau rich have a large appetite for SUV this is due to two factors: poor conditions of the Nigerian roads, they see Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) as statement symbols. In 2020, this trend is likely to continue as industry expert says the surge in SUV will continue in spite of the economic meltdown.
Often, SUV co-exist with saloon cars in the garage of an average wealthy Nigerian. Hence one could not rule out the fact that luxury cars are still the toast of the rich.
However, experts are of the opinion the rise in battery-powered car will continue even though electric cars are becoming popular in other parts of the world. The luxury automobile industry in. Nigeria is expected to experience more of the same as we accelerate towards 2020 as the electric revolution in the motor industry may be far from becoming a reality in Nigeria where power supply is irregular.
Here are a few automobiles that we believe you should drive in the new year:
The Aston Martin DBX
In 2020, the new Aston Martin DBX will be the talk of luxury. It is an automobile with SUV body but a supercar at heart.
It is Aston’s first attempt at building an entirely new product, its first SUV. The first concept was shown back in 2015, and even back then it was clear that Aston’s entry into the luxury SUV space was shaping up to something special.
Aston’s newest SUV is based on a bonded aluminium chassis resulting in a curb weight of under 5,000 pounds (1,145 kg). I’m hoping that the lightness and stiffness of the body structure should leave it just as much at home both on-road and off-road. The same 4.0-litr twin-turbocharged V8 as in the Vantage and DB11 – a beastly powerplant sourced from Mercedes-AMG – should help in both situations, too.
The DBX’s full suite of active and passive safety features will keep everything under control in the event that the weather changes for the worse. Electronic stability control, traction control, roll-over stability control, hill descent control, and hill start assist are all standard. So too are forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane change warning, traffic sign recognition, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warnings. Braking comes courtesy of six-piston aluminum calipers with 16.1-inch ventilated steel discs in the front, and sliding-piston aluminum calipers in the rear with 15.4-inch brake discs.
Aston Martin is keen to emphasize just how much work it put into the interior design of the DBX. It has more legroom on the inside and has class-leading headroom and space.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
There is only one proud owner of the new SUV by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Nigeria. In 2020, it is expected that more lovers of the exclusivity that Rolls-Royce offers will take advantage of the Cullinan.
The SUV takes visual signs from Phantom with its tall-standing, light, off-road-capable package. The style is one of imposing and surprising modernity.
The exterior silhouette is comparatively linear, upright, and modified with a bit of sophisticated restraint. The interior reveals inspiring swaths of mirror-matched veneers, wraparound leather surfaces, and niceties like an available fixed rear center console with a refrigerator, a whiskey decanter and glasses, and Champagne flutes.
The interior distinguishes itself with a strong sense of occasion. Touch one of the stainless-steel door handles, and the vehicle drops by 1.5 inches, beckoning you into its opulent space. The rear doors open backward and can shut themselves via a small button, à la Rolls’s sedans and coupes. A glass partition separates the cabin from the 21.1-cubic-foot luggage compartment, while the brand’s first folding rear-seat configuration transforms the Rolls-Royce pavilion seating position into a flat, cargo-friendly layout. Rolls-Royce has dubbed its rear liftgate “the Clasp” because it opens in two sections, enabling a party-friendly, rear-facing seat setup.
he Cullinan’s driving dynamic appears to be consistent with Rolls-Royce’s 114-year-old ethos, its effortless forward propulsion and a magic carpet ride. Thanks to the Phantom-sourced 6.75-liter, twin-turbo V-12 engine producing 563 hp and 627 ft lbs of torque, the Cullinan should deliver effortless acceleration in spite of its nearly three-ton curb weight.
Bentley’s 2020 Flying Spur
The 2020 Flying Spur by Bentley could be described as a private jet on wheels. The car has enough legroom to accommodate anyone well-endowed in the right places, and the extra-pillowed headrests are blissful. The kind of plush the car exudes is what you will be treated to at any five-star hotel. The posh offered by the sedan makes it easy to regard it as a mostly chauffeur-driven vehicle.
For this all-new 2020 model, the third-generation Flying Spur, Bentley revisited what it means to experience the car from behind the wheel. The new Flying Spur surpasses the traditional Bentley rubric and sets itself against a set of driving criteria that is expected in a vehicle of this class.
However, the new Flying Spur is still a proper Bentley fundamentally. This time, the brand adds more interesting visual flair to the assortment. The first-generation Flying Spur released in the mid-to-late 2000s was an ultra-luxury sedan that resembled a Continental GT with two extra doors. This DNA lived on through the second-generation car released in 2013. However, for the third generation, Bentley designers came up with a new concept that genuinely differentiates the design of the vehicle from that of its two-door sibling.
The interior is traditionally Bentley in all the right ways. As expected, premium looking and feeling materials cover everything within reach from large sections of leather, to etched metal buttons. Some of the designs feature the optional $13,160 Mulliner Driving Specification, which adds leather headliner and three-dimensional leather to the door panels. The labour-intensive process results in a diamond-like surface on the leather-lined door inserts that physically pops out from the door panel.
There are 15 standard leather colours to pick from, including a standard two-tone theme. There is also the wood trim. Also, you can choose from the eight optional dual-tone veneer colours. And if you want a design tastier than the standard, Bentley’s in-house designer will be happy to make that happen for you.
BMW X7
Unveiled late 2019 by Coscharis Group in Nigeria, the X7 is the pinnacle of BMW’s X Sport Activity Vehicle line-up and a statement of the luxury.
The X7 offers standard three row seating for 7 with optional Second-row Captain’s Chairs offering a more exclusive seating arrangement for 6. Standard two-axle air suspension, 21-inch alloy wheels and advanced driver assistance systems ensure that the new BMW X7 lives up to expectations of style, driver engagement, passenger comfort and all-weather and all-terrain capability.
It is the newest and largest model in the BMW X line-up uses outstanding powertrain options and chassis technology, plus generous levels of space in each of its three rows of seats, a luxurious ambience and advanced equipment features, to deliver unparalleled experiences for the driver and passengers.
The expansive exterior dimensions of the BMW X7 take luxury to a new level. At 203.3 inches in length, 78.7 inches wide and 71.1 inches tall, and with a wheelbase of 122.2 inches, the X7 displays harmonious proportions and establishes itself as the new head of the BMW X model family. use of forms, dominated by clearly structured surfaces and precise lines, lends the BMW X7 its modern aura. The largest kidney grill ever designed for a BMW model features very prominently at the front of the new BMW X7. Together with the slim twin headlights extending up to the grill, it emphasizes the width of the car and creates presence. When viewed from the side, the large windows and long, flowing roofline of the new BMW X7 hint at a spacious interior bathed in light. The rear doors are longer than the front doors, emphasizing the spaciousness of the SAV’s rear compartment and easing entry and exit for second and third-row seat occupants. Clearly structured surfaces and the eye-catching character line rising up to the rear are hallmarks of the brand’s new design language. The versatile functionality of the new BMW X7 is highlighted by its 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
2020 Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne is an excellent luxury midsize SUV. The Cayenne has three lively engine choices, with horsepower topping out at 541. This SUV drives like a smaller car and with gusto.
A posh interior with a sleek design, cool technology, and ample passenger room make the Cayenne great for long drives. The most notable downside is a shortage of cargo space compared to the rest of the class. The Cayenne Coupe, which is new for 2020, offers even less room for storage. You should buy a Porsche Cayenne if you want one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs on the market.
Audi Q8
Although it has a middling ranking in the competitive luxury midsize SUV segment, the Audi Q8 is a good SUV. The cabin is impeccably assembled, with plenty of wood, metal, and leather touches. A new dual-screen infotainment setup dominates the dash and centr stack, and though it may take a little longer to learn than previous Audi interfaces, it gives the Q8 a space-age feel. Passenger comfort is excellent in both rows, especially in the rear.
You might look at the Q8 and think it’s sporty, but performance is a mixed bag. The only engine option does its job just fine, but don’t expect to be overcome with power. Handling is more tuned toward comfort and balance, but the Q8 can still take turns with a little bit of enthusiasm. The Q8 is worth your consideration. If you prioritize performance, you will want to take it for a test drive and see if it tickles your fancy.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE is more than just good, it is outstanding. Mercedes implemented many improvements for this redesign, leaving nothing untouched. The body has updated styling and a longer wheelbase, with the latter adding stability and extra passenger space. The bevy of advanced technology includes an all-new infotainment system that is packed with features. Performance and handling also take a serious step up from the previous GLE.
Thanks to its performance enhancements, the 2020 GLE is now livelier on the highway and will appeal to a wider customer base. Some nifty new tech toys. From the clever adaptive suspension system to the state-of-the-art entertainment options, you will fall in love with the GLE. You will be hard-pressed to find an interior as luxurious as the GLE’s.