2019 is just barely over the halfway mark, but the results are in.
By now, almost every car manufacturer has given us their latest creations – the good, the bad and the embarrassing. As an unabashed car enthusiast and having basically grown up inside of Kansas City repair shops, I know a little about cars.
While we all stop to look at sports cars and fantasize about opening them up on an open highway, knowing the anatomy of a car and what exactly goes into the process gives someone the ability to fully appreciate a well-crafted end product.
So, with that in mind I thought I would share my unofficial list of the best newly-introduced cars of 2019 (subject to frequent change):
1.) Lamborghini Huracan
Lamborghini is a name well-known to car buffs, and for good reason. The brand is about as exotic as it gets.
Some people like to get sucked into the age-old Lamborghini vs. Ferrari debate, but that’s sort of like comparing apples and oranges. If I were to weigh in personally, I prefer the Lamborghini’s decidedly futuristic look over the Ferrari. An argument could be made that Ferrari has a similar look to Corvette – whereas nothing looks like a Lambo.
And 2019’s Huracan carries that tradition into the present. Aside from the obvious style, it’s also a joyride. Sitting low, geared for speed and gifted with superior handling; it has all the ingredients of a top performing vehicle.
2.) Rolls Royce Phantom
Typically, I don’t go all in for the overly formal (sometimes stuffy) nature of “legacy brands” like Rolls Royce or Cadillac, but the Phantom is one of those truly stunning vehicles that you have to admire when you see it.
It’s worlds apart from the flashy, loud sportscars. Known for its boxy shape and large grill, there’s a quality of timeless sophistication in its design. It’s the type of car that looks all the more striking with classic colors like black, or dark grey.
One of the more impressive aspects of the vehicle is its size – it is a very large sedan. It measures over 18 feet long. Yes, that’s 18 feet in length and 6.5 feet wide, with a total weight around 5,500lbs. And even with all of that mass, the 563hp V12 engine moves this car from 0-60 in around 5 seconds.
Between the impeccable style of the car and the equally extraordinary specs, this car certainly deserves a ranking somewhere on anyone’s list of top luxury vehicles.
Aston Martin Vantage
Lastly, we come to somewhat of a compromise between the exotic and the luxury camps of car enthusiasts; the Aston Martin Vantage. Neither too sporty nor too ceremonial, the Aston Martin Vantage strikes a nice balance.
You may know Aston Martin from the James Bond movies, as it is a regular favorite for the spy. The Vantage sits low and comes exclusive as a coupe, but still has that sense of reserved elegance that you would expect in a luxury vehicle.
Due to the unique aesthetic, the Vantage looks just as sharp in a bright lime green as it does in a muted grey.
It’s a noted “fun car.” With the light weight (3400lbs) and the 500hp – it would be hard not to zip around town, perhaps a little too fast.
While there are too many wonderful cars to list them all here, these are my top 3 for 2019. Again, it’s an unofficial list and there are so many options.
Let me know your top picks down below.
~ Michael Gortenburg Kansas City, Missouri
Michael Gortenburg 