Preview: Check out what's new in 2010.
Here are some of the newcomers that will draw buyers to showrooms in 2010.
Chinese cars will bring incredible new value to Australian showrooms this year. The first arrivals from Geely promise a starting sticker well below $15,000 and will be followed by similar bargain-basement buys from Great Wall Motors.
But a counter-action by Japan has already begun, as Suzuki slashes prices to undercut the newcomers with a $12,490 driveaway deal on its Alto GL and a $12,990 driveaway tag for the Alto GLX with six airbags, anti-skid brakes and stability control.
The Chinese cars headline a year when more than 100 new models are expected in Australia, from a major update of the Holden Commodore through to super-luxury newcomers from Aston Martin, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce.
The Corolla-sized 1.5-litre Geely MK sedan and hatch will be priced from $13,000. Initially 1000 cars will arrive, distributed by the John Hughes Group in Perth.
Here’s a sample of what’s around the corner.
AUDI
AFTER a stellar 2009 for Audi, it continues with the A5 Sportback due next month, S5 Sportback in July, A8 in the second half and R8 Spyder about October.
ALFA ROMEO
THE new Giulietta arrives in November. There are two petrol engines (a 90kW 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and an upgraded MultiAir version at 127kW) and two diesel engines (78kW 1.6-litre and a 127kW 2.0-litre). Expect Volkswagen Golf pricing.
BMW
WE’VE seen them overseas and now they will arrive locally. First the 5 Series Grand Turismo arrives in March, and the X1 soft-roader in the second quarter. Perhaps the most eagerly awaited is the new 5 Series sedan, about June, to be followed by the wagon about October.
DODGE
THE Caliber hatch gets a modest refresh about June.
FIAT
THE baby Fiat 500 gets its electric two-stage convertible roof this month. Heavily based on the hardtop version, the Fiat 500C gets a 74kW 1.4-litre petrol engine that has a claimed fuel figure of 6.3 litres/100km. Prices start at $28,990. The fabric roof can be partially open at up to 60km/h.
FORD
FORD’S not saying but the Kuga (pronounced cougar) is big on its radar. Acclaimed as one of the best SUVs in its class, the Kuga could replace the ageing Escape. The VW Tiguan rival gets a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, but may later add the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine also seen in the Focus ST. The all-wheel drive is expected to be joined by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Mondeo wagon.
HOLDEN
HOLDEN already builds an E85 Commodore for Brazil. Now it’s Australia’s turn. The ethanol-compatible engines are a first for an Australian carmaker and operate on anything from E10 (10 per cent ethanol, 90 per cent petrol) to E85 (85 per cent ethanol).
HONDA
HONDA’S Insight hybrid arrives about July with a budget sub-$30,000 price and the ability to sip only 4.4 litres/100km. The five-door Insight joins the Civic Hybrid and CR-Z hybrid coupe. The Insight uses a 1.3-litre petrol engine and electric drivetrain. The Civic and CRV get modest updates in March.
HYUNDAI
THE ix35 offroader is here in March to replace the Tucson and the mini i20 hatch arrives about June. The all-new mid-size sedan, codenamed the YF, should be here in June to replace the Sonata.
JAGUAR
THE eagerly awaited XJ hits showrooms in May but the XK and XKR are due to be upgraded this month.
LOTUS
THE company’s breakthrough mid-engined sportscar, the Evora, arrives this month. The 3.5-litre V6 is roomy, fast and safe and aimed squarely at the Porsche Cayman. The Evora 2+0 will cost $149,990 and the 2+2 $156,990.
MITSUBISHI
THE iMIEV electric hatch could beat Nissan to become Australia’s first full-electric production car. Based on the "i" mini-car, it has a large-capacity lithium-ion drive battery under the floor and the 47kW power unit under the luggage compartment. It has a single-charge range of 160km. Expect it about October in very small numbers, and with little change from $60,000. The mini-Outlander, called the RVR, arrives about July, with a new name.
NISSAN
THE 370Z Roadster arrives in March and the Dualis facelift mid-year.
PEUGEOT
The RCZ is Peugeot’s answer to the Audi TT and arrives in July. The 2+2 coupe – which may come as a convertible later – is based on the 308. Despite being smaller than the TT, it has a bigger cargo area because it foregoes all-wheel drive. Engines include the GTI’s 147kW turbo 1.6-litre shared with the Mini Cooper JCW. Expect the 3008 in May.
PORSCHE
THE GT3 is here this month, to be followed by the 911 Turbo Coupe and cabrio from mid-February. The GT3 RS should be here in May, but the big news is the all-new Cayenne off-roader, which arrives mid-year.
ROLLS-ROYCE
THE cheapest Rolls-Royce, the Ghost, arrives in June with a $695,000 price. But you’ll have to be quick with only 40 expected this year and most are sold.
SUBARU
IN JUNE the trusty Forester gets the same 2.0-litre turbo-diesel as the Outback. The engine is a "boxer" flat four-cylinder pumping out 110kW/350Nm delivering sub-7.0 litre/100km fuel consumption.
SUZUKI
THE Kizashi is Suzuki’s first big car. The Camry-sized sedan will be the company flagship when it arrives in May. It will be powered by a 2.4-litre four driving the front wheels, but a V6 all-wheel drive model and a hybrid may come later. The SX4 gets a facelift in February.
TOYOTA
THE big news for Toyota is the Camry hybrid. The Australian-built hybrid goes on sale next month. The 2.4-litre petrol engine and electric motor combine for 140kW yet produce less than 150g/km of CO2. Toyota claims it uses at least 35 per cent less fuel than its Australian-made six-cylinder competitors.
VOLVO
THE S60 is back and adopts most of the styling features shown in the concept version that debuted at the Detroit Motor Show. Australia gets a range of petrol and diesel engines which may include the European-spec 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol.
VOLKSWAGEN
CARSGUIDE’S car of the year, the Golf hatch, is joined by the wagon in February and the new T5 commercials and Caravelle in March. The Polo hatch arrives in April with the GTI in October. Performance buyers look out for the Golf R in June. The Amarok four-door ute reaches showrooms about September.
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