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For dedicated car fans, one of the highlights of the fall season is the new line-up of sports cars from the hottest brands in the industry. The latest offerings from brands like Aston Martin and Chevrolet are a great indicator of where sports car design is going; as new technology makes it possible to create an ever-more seamless driving experience, seeing how designers incorporate new capabilities provides a glimpse into the cars of the future. While the 2019 models are not heard quite yet, excitement is already building around major new nameplates and redesigns like these:
Aston Martin Vantage
Without question, the newest addition to the Aston Martin line-up is one of the biggest pieces of sports car news for 2019, and advance reviews are already raving about the Vantage’s excellent qualifications, incredible looks, and fantastic performance. The Vantage is being billed as the British automaker’s entry-level vehicle, being smaller and sportier than the DB11 coupé, and it is an almost entirely original car: Aston Martin says that 70% of the design features are completely different from those of the DB11.
The Vantage’s V-8 engine will deliver 503 horsepower, 505 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 50:50 weight distribution, which should make it one of the most agile and powerful sports cars in its class.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Out of the gate, the new Corvette ZR1 is probably the most hotly anticipated redesign of 2019. The three previous ZR1’s earned a reputation for being unbelievably fast, aggressive cars, and the 2019 model continues the tradition, delivering a staggering 755 horsepower and a drag strip energy that is completely unmatched by anything in its range. While it offers raw power in spades, it doesn’t come at the cost of handling, making the ZR1 easily the best sports car available for its price point.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Miata is not only the best selling sports car ever made, but it is also one of the most recognizable. With its small, agile body and classic roadster lines, the Miata is one of the most popular sports cars on sites like Kijiji Autos and it is a perennial favorite among urbanites who want a speedy summer ride with great handling and a wonderful feeling of driveability.
But as it enters its thirtieth year, the Miata is getting even better. Mazda is introducing a sweeping raft of upgrades, from an increase in horsepower to an expanded array of trim options (seven variants of the 2019 Miata will be available) to new tech features like rear cameras, lane departure warning, and blind spot detection.
With most of these new vehicles not making their appearance until early 2019, fans still have a long time to wait before they can satisfy their curiosity about them in full. But as the autumn season ramps up, it is likely there will be a steady stream of information about specs, performance, and driveability as reviewers from major media outlets get the opportunity to take a first-hand look at how these cars behave on the road. Whether or not the changes to the 2019 models will make them new classics has yet to be seen, but one thing is certain: for auto aficionados, 2019 is going to be an exciting year indeed.
