Words: Jonathan Wells
‘Tis the season to buckle up, shift gears and drive off into the frosty sunset. We all spend our fair share of time behind the wheel at Christmas, so it figures that our minds will drift to the motors we’d rather be driving. 2019 has been a high-octane year for car releases so, from Bentley’s newest to BMW’s most luxurious, these are the cars we want for Christmas.
For a top-class drop-top: Bentley Continental GT Convertible
From the polished and painted tri-spoke wheels to the unique Z-fold convertible roof, the latest offering from the British carmaker is the height of open-top opulence. We’d expect nothing less from a brand celebrating its centenary this year. That’s right, 2019 ends the first hundred gear-shifting, Le Mans-winning, luxury-defining years in the history of Bentley. Needless to say, it marked the milestone in inimitable style.
And the new Continental convertible offers a powerful and responsive driving experience. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, variable displacement system and active all-wheel-drive system are the perfect technologies to wrangle the sheer might of this Bentley — and it doesn’t look half bad either. We certainly wouldn’t mind if it screeched to a halt under our tree.
For any high-flying businessmen: BMW 7 Series
If your New Year’s resolution is to hit the big time, you’ll doubtlessly be looking for a car to be chauffeured around in. This, the latest twin-turbocharged, eight-speed sanctuary from BMW, is the ideal choice. In the back, there’s almost a surplus of space; count those 44 inches of legroom. Full-grain Nappa leather upholstery comes as standard and those diamond-stitched seats are the most comfortable of any car we’ve ever sat in.
The tranquility doesn’t end there. BMW has also upped the acoustic insulation by thickening the window glass, and added further soundproofing measures to the wheel arches and backrests. As they say, silence is German. There’s a Touch Command tablet to play with, two 10-inch full-HD displays and an entertainment system with built-in television and Blu-Ray player. And that’s before you discover the digital seat adjustment, interior lighting controls and not to mention control the seat adjustment, interior lighting and Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System. It’s less a car; more a lifestyle.
For the born adventurers: Land Rover Defender
Land Rover’s new Defender always had big tyre tracks to fill — but the new Defender is a new breed of SUV, and one we’re fully on board with. This reinvented icon makes our Christmas list thanks to a long list of features; including an eight-speed automatic gearbox, twin-speed transfer box and aluminium-intensive build platform. And that’s before we even get to the nitty-gritty of this rough-and-ready off-roader.
Land Rover has also thrown in a new configurable terrain response system, a fresh wade programme to raise, and practically waterproof the car, and even the skill to safely drive downhill at a gradient of 40 degrees. It’s a spec sheet to drive even the most timid motorist to adventure — and one that’s got our bells jingling this Christmas.
For classic, vintage style: Morgan Plus 6
There’s something about Morgans. They may not be the most technologically advanced cars, or have the most modern designs. Heaven knows they’re not practical. But from the Plus 4 to the spunky steampunky 3-Wheeler, the British automaker knows how to roll a fun, memorable car off the production line. And the Plus 6 is no exception.
Utilising the same 3.0-litre straight-six as BMW’s new Z4, this is Morgan’s first ever turbo-charged car. And you can feel the boost. But let’s be honest, no-one is buying a Morgan chiefly for what’s under the bonnet — you’re buying it for those pseudo-retro, vintage-flavoured looks. With a glorious long bonnet, sweeping wings and beautifully appointed, bespoke leather interior, it may be more of a summer car — but we want it this winter.
For the eco-racers: Porsche Taycan
If you were waiting for an electric car to crop up on this list, we’ve saved the best ’til last. Earlier this year, we dabbled in electric road-tripping with Jaguar’s I-Pace and discovered that battery-powered SUVs have cracked the crackling electric game. But could supercars go the same way? Thankfully, Porsche has proved they can — and the German carmaker’s new Taycan has made it firmly onto our Christmas wishlist.
Powered by the brand’s four-year-old Mission E concept, the Taycan has a 280-mile range and borrows its sleek styling cues from the 911. We’re particularly taken by the wheels; 21-inch ‘fan’ designs in carbon or the same colour as the bodywork — or even bright gold. This is less of an everyday driver and more of a four-wheel status symbol. But when you’re as economically and ecologically worthy as this, we can forgive a little flair…
For the retro petrolheads: Charge Mustang
So this may be a little bit of a wild card — and not necessarily a 2019 model — but we wrote about Charge Automotive earlier this year, and haven’t been able to get it out of our heads ever since. With 499 brand-new electric Ford Mustangs now available for reservation, the company takes officially licensed shells and imbues them with new battery-powered life.
From global tyre manufacturer Michelin to technology wizard Arrival, there are some big brands on board with the project — and the cars boast luxury bespoke interiors, rich in ambience and detail. Aside from that, the motors are also equipped with state-of-the-art components and a personalised digital interface, bringing a true classic back to the cutting edge.
Looking for something a little older? These are the best modern classics to buy right now…
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