poita
12th January 2013, 09:27 AM
What are you most looking forward too?
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/new-cars-of-2013-20121227-2bx5g.html
Alfa-Romeo
Alfa-Romeo’s Australian arm says we will have to wait until 2014 to see the hotly-awaited 4C Coupe in Australia. The new machine should be revealed in production form overseas in 2013. The four-cylinder, turbocharged 4C should have about 150kW and be able to sprint to 100km/h in less than five seconds.
There will be a repositioning of the Alfa-Romeo brand locally in 2013, which could involve new prices and variants for the Mito and Giulietta.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin will introduce the Vanquish in January. The Vanquish replaces the 380kW DBS at the top of the Aston Martin range. The V12-powered coupe has 421kW and 620Nm and will cost $472,840 before on-road costs.
Aston Martin has also revitalised its stunning DB9 coupe, which will sell alongside the Vanquish from January. The 6.0 litre V12 now has 380kW (up from 350kW and 620Nm), enough to help it sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. The new DB9’s look is very similar to that of the discontinued Virage, and it costs from $349,500 plus on-road costs.
Audi
Audi’s calendar for 2013 includes an all-new A3 hatch and several performance cars that will have well-heeled petrol heads readying their chequebooks.
The new A3 Sportback will arrive in May, followed by the regular version in July. The cars will be available with a range of four petrol and diesel engines ranging from 77kW to 132kW, as well as manual and dual-clutch transmissions.
The German manufacturer’s year starts with a storming new diesel engine option for the A6 and A7 that kicks out 230kW and 650Nm. The 3.0TDI bi-turbo donk has plenty of poke and will be an option through Audi from January.
The high-performance S3 version of the new hatch will arrive in October and is expected to use a highly tuned version of the 2.0 TFSI engine in the TTS and previous S3.
February will see two of Audi’s hottest cars arrive. The new RS4 Avant is a 331kW station wagon that puts its power through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel-drive.
As with its arch-rivals the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the RS4 has a naturally aspirated V8 and performance to rival just about anything with four doors.
The second performance hero to come from Audi for 2013 is the TT-RS Plus, an up rated version of the already potent TT RS coupe.
It has a turbocharged five-cylinder engine that makes 265kW, enough to rival the Porsche 911.
Audi’s flagship R8 will receive a mid-life update in April that introduces dual-clutch S-Tronic gearboxes to its V8 and V10 powered supercars.
There will also be a hard-edged R8 V10 plus model with 404kW that replaces the track-focused R8 GT at the top of the range.
The RS5 cabriolet is due in May. It will share its 331kW motor and seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox with the hardtop version already available.
February’s RS4 Avant will be followed by the RS6 Avant in October, which adds turbos to Audi’s petrol-powered V8 to give it 412kW and 700Nm. The hyper wagon is lighter than its predecessor and promises to be a better drive.
The brand will also launch a pair of new SUVs that could hardly be more different. An entry-level, 103kW Q3 2.0 TDI will make Audi’s smallest 4WD more accessible, while a 230kW, 650Nm diesel-powered SQ5 will bring diesel power and off-road capability to Audi’s performance orientated S-series of cars.
Bentley
Bentley will introduce one of its fastest-ever cars in April, the 460kW, 800Nm GT Speed.
Powered by the brand’s W12 engine, the GT Speed is said to be capable of accelerating from rest to 100km/h in four seconds flat.
The W12 will also rest under the bonnet of the new Flying Spur sedan, which is due to arrive in December. Part limousine and part supercar, the Flying Spur’s can cruise at 250km/h.
BMW
BMW’s year will start with a six-cylinder hybrid version of the 7-Series luxury sedan in January.
A new 3-Series touring (wagon) will hit showrooms before April, followed by the 3-Series GT four-door coupe after June.
The Z4 convertible is set for a facelift in July and could get updated engines and BMW’s latest fuel-saving technology.
The brand has not yet revealed a release date for its stunning new 4-Series coupe, which has been sold until now as a 3-Series coupe.
The 4-Series is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor and will be available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, though performance enthusiasts will have to wait until 2014 to drive the replacement for BMW’s M3 coupe.
BMW insiders suggest that there could be a special edition of the current, V8-powered M3 sold in 2013 before it is replaced by a turbocharged six-cylinder model in 2014.
The M division will also release a V8, twin-turbo version of the 6-Series Gran Turismo in July, with the new car sharing its 412kW power plant with the M5 sedan and M6 coupe.
The M5 might benefit from a facelift for the 5-Series range which will happen after September.
Chery
Chery’s Australian importer won’t reveal its plans for 2013, but is looking at introducing the J3 Sedan, a four-door version of the five-door hatch currently sold in Australia.
Chrysler
Chrysler is likely release a cut-price version of 300C SRT8 in the first half of 2013.
The 6.4-litre Hemi-powered sedan could be available for less than $60,000, providing stiff competition for Australian rivals Ford Performance Vehicles and Holden Special Vehicles.
Citroen
Citroen’s plans for 2013 are clouded by a change in local distributors. It will, however, launch a new C4 Picasso people mover and a facelifted C3 hatch.
Citroen will also reveal the production version of the DS4 Racing hot hatch, which was teased as a turbocharged concept car in February 2012.
The similarly fizzy DS3 Racing won critical acclaim in Europe but was not sold locally because it did not meet Australian Design Rules specifying minimum ride heights.
Ferrari
Ferrari’s flagship F12 Berlinetta will reach Australian shores in July.
The jaw-dropping coupe is powered by a 545kW V12 and will cost $691,100 plus options, statutory charges, dealer costs and delivery.
Ferrari has an 18-month waiting list for the successor to the critically acclaimed 599 GTB.
Fiat
Fiat says it will reposition its Australian range in 2013. The brand says it is “very interested” in high-riding crossover variants of the 500 hatch that are sold overseas, as well as the latest Grande Punto and Panda.
Ford
Ford is launching two important new cars in 2013, the Kuga small SUV and Fiesta hatch.
The all-new Ford Kuga should arrive in May, when buyers will be able to choose between a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine or the 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol unit.
Ford’s Fiesta city car is also in line for an August update that will see it receive a turbocharged 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. It will also bring Ford’s Sync connectivity system to the Fiesta line.
June will see the local debut of the Ford Fiesta ST, a three-door hot hatch powered by a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine with 132kW and 240Nm.
As with Ford’s Focus ST, the Fiesta ST will only be available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Foton
The Chinese brand will launch a single cab version of its ute as well as a 14-passenger van. The company had plans to launch a seven-seat SUV this year, but that is unlikely to happen until 2014.
FPV
Ford Performance Vehicles has not announced any new cars for 2013, but the brand might have an ace up its sleeve.
The GT R-Spec muscle car sold out in 2012, but key features from that car – including its wider rear axle – could make it into the fast Ford line-up.
Geely
China’s Geely will introduce the EC7, a four-cylinder medium-sized hatch and sedan. The cars will go on sale nationally in the second half of 2013. It’s a significant move for Geely, which until now has only sold cars in Western Australia.
Great Wall Motors
Great Wall’s Australian importer has not yet locked in plans for 2013, but will reveal some details in February.
Holden
Holden will have a huge year that could shape its future as a manufacturer.
The brand’s upcoming VF Commodore could be the last vehicle to be entirely designed and built in Australia.
Holden boss Mike Devereux says the VF will be “a massive update”.
The vehicle will be a technical showcase for the brand, and could take technology from fellow GM brands such as Cadillac.
We expect to see most of the new Commodore range in May. Holden has remained tight-lipped about launch dates for its ute and wagon variants, but the new wagon has already been spotted on the road, and we’d be surprised if it and and the ute don’t follow soon after the sedan.
The high-performance SS models may borrow technology from Holden Special Vehicles, with magnet-controlled suspension and data logging systems similar to those used in motorsport.
Holden will also introduce an automatic version of its entry-level Spark hatchback in January.
Cruze will benefit from a Sportwagon body to join current hatch and sedan offerings.
The addition to Holden’s small sales star will be available from January. But unlike Cruze hatch and sedan, the wagon will be built in South Korea and not Australia.
It will have 500 litres of load space in the rear, and a massive 1500 litres of storage with the rear seats folded flat.
Going up a size, the mid-size Holden Malibu will be available in mid-2013.
Holden says the front-wheel-drive sedan is no threat to Commodore, and hopes it will steal sales from Mazda6 and Toyota Camry.
Holden will also sell the Trax, a small SUV based on the Barina.
The Trax will be two-wheel-drive and petrol powered, built in South Korea and priced at $20,000 to $25,000.
It will go on sale in about August.
Honda
The Jazz Hybrid will go on sale in February, looking quite similar to existing petrol models. Final specification for the car has not yet been confirmed, but its fuel use should be close to the Honda Insight’s 4.3L/100km.
The Hybrid CR-Z coupe is in line for a minor facelift in April, while Honda will introduce a diesel version of its Civic hatchback in March that will be one of the most fuel-efficient cars on sale. The 88kw 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine uses just 3.6L/100km of fuel.
A new Accord sedan is also due in June.
HSV
As with Holden, HSV is in for a big year on the back of the VF Commodore.
V8 engines will be sourced from Chevrolet’s selection of high-performance power plants, with industry experts tipping that a supercharged 6.2-litre motor could find its way into the hottest Commodores.
There are also rumours that HSV may retain some of its 317kW and 325kW engines to give customers a choice of power plants.
Hyundai
Hyundai is launching just one new car in 2013, a wagon version of its i30 hatch.
The i30 tourer will be available before Easter, priced from only $29,990.
The car will share the i30’s petrol and diesel engines and be available in both manual and automatic forms.
Infiniti
Australia’s newest luxury car brand will sell a sedan to rival the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Lexus IS. Infiniti says the all-new Q50 sedan will be built on a front-midship platform and feature a range of petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines.
Jaguar
The stunning F-Type convertible will be available before June 2013.
The F-Type will be powered by a range of supercharged V6 and V8 engines, giving it a power spread from 250kW to 370kW.
It could prove a hit with Aussie buyers, some of whom ordered cars before the machine was revealed to the public.
The brand claims its 300km/h V8 convertible will be faster than Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage, and a rival to the Porsche 911.
The car will initially only be available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, though Jaguar says it will consider a manual option for traditionalists.
Just one example of Jaguar’s sledgehammer XF-RS has been confirmed for Australia in 2013. The Jag has a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 pumping out 404kW, and will be available for customers in the second half of 2013.
Jeep
Jeep will launch face lifted versions of its Compass, Patriot and Grand Cherokee SUVs in 2013.
The range will come in for mid-year updates, and it appears that only the Wrangler will miss out on a refresh in 2013 as there is rumoured to be an all-new Cherokee by the end of the year.
Kia
Kia will bring in a new version of its Rondo MPV in April, giving families another choice of seven-seat motoring.
The brand will also introduce an all-new Cerato sedan in May, followed in July by a five-door hatchback version that should be its biggest seller here.
A replacement of the two-door, four-cylinder Koup is due in late November.
Kia’s local arm is trying to source the Slovakian-built Sportage diesel SUV for the second half of next year, but it is not locked in yet.
It is also chasing the pro_cee’d GT, which shares its 152kW, 265Nm turbo engine with the Hyundai Veloster Turbo and can dash to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
Lamborghini
Lamborghini’s flagship Aventador Roadster will make its way Down Under in June.
The 515kW, V12-powered supercar has a two-piece carbon-fibre roof that can be stashed in the car’s front storage compartment.
The feature is a massive improvement over the roof on the old Murcielago Roadster, which was a contraption drivers had to assemble using cloth and scaffolding.
Lamborghini’s smaller Gallardo coupe will be put to stud in 2013, but not before buyers are given the chance to take home a final edition Gallardo LP560-4.
Run-out versions of the baby Lamborghini will go on sale locally in January.
We also hear that there may be one last-take version of the LP550-2 Gallardo, the rear-wheel-drive V10 coupe which gave us the striped tribute to Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni.
Land Rover
Land Rover will launch its new Range Rover flagship in February 2013.
Extensive use of aluminium has made the new car up to 420kg lighter than the outgoing model, despite being no less luxurious.
The 4WD is available with three petrol and diesel engines with power ranging from 190kW to 375kW.
The brand will also release a new Range Rover Sport in October, with the full range of engines led by a Supercharged V8 with 375kW.
Lexus
Lexus’ local plans for 2013 revolve around one model line, its small IS250 and IS350 sedans.
The IS Series is by far Lexus’ best selling model, but 2012 sales of the ageing range are down by between 17.8 per cent (IS350) and 32.6 per cent (IS250C).
The brand promises that its new car will be dynamically superior to BMW’s 3-Series, and our preview drive found that the car has plenty of potential.
Lexus has not revealed exactly how much power the sedan will have, but the IS350’s V6 makes 233kW in the GS350 and should kick out more than 200kW in the IS350, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The smaller IS250 will have about 150kW.
Lotus
Lotus will launch one of its fastest cars yet in 2013. The Exige S has the brand’s most powerful engine, a supercharged 3.5 litre V6 with 258kW, in its smallest coupe.
The little firecracker is said to offer the performance of Porsche’s track-focused 911 GT3 at little more than half the cost.
We’re told the latest Lotus will cost about $140,000 when it lands in January.
Maserati
Maserati’s best-selling Quattroporte has been updated, and will go on sale in late 2013.
The premium sedan has grown larger, and will now be powered by a choice of turbocharged V6 and V8 engines.
The Italian marque is also expected to reveal a smaller sedan at the Geneva motor show that could make it here by December. The Ghibli will be a rival to the BMW 5-series, and should share the Quattroporte’s turbocharged motors.
Mazda
Mazda now has only two models which have not been updated with the brand’s Skyactiv engine technology.
The Mazda2 and Mazda3 will soon receive an updated look as well as new engines and gearboxes to bring them in line with competitors.
Mazda2 will be released in the third quarter next year. The car should feature a range of updates including a change away from the current car’s dated four-speed auto gearbox.
A spokesman for the brand said it was possible that Australia’s best-selling car, the Mazda3, would be revised in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The small car range will benefit from styling changes that bring it into line with the svelte new Mazda6.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is off to a running start with the new turbocharged B250 hatch going on sale in time for 2013, leading a range of new metal that will keep the brand fresh.
The brand will show its face lifted E-Class sedan at the Detroit motor show in January, before the car goes on sale locally in June.
The revised car will use single-unit headlamps in place of the quad-light look used by the E-Class for almost 20 years.
The two door, four-seat E-Class cabriolet and coupe will adopt the new look in September.
A new 245kW twin-turbocharged,3.0-litre V6 petrol engine will be available with the new E400 model, which should dash to 100km/h in less than six seconds.
Mercedes-Benz will launch the CLA, an all-new small sedan in the second half of 2013.
The CLA will take design cues from the bigger CLS sedan and will offer the option of a 155kW, 2.0 litre turbo engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
A new A-Class hatchback will arrive in March, offering drivers the opportunity to stay in touch with social media when behind the wheel.
Mercedes-Benz will target more blue-collar brands such as Ford and Volkswagen with the new A-Class, which could surpass the C-Class sedan as the manufacturer’s most popular model.
AMG is in for a busy year with the launch of the hot A-Class A45 AMG in August.
Its turbocharged, four-cylinder and all-wheel-drive layout is a departure from what AMG usually offers, and could rule over the small performance car kingdom with 250kW and 400Nm of grunt.
The Mercedes-Benz turning house will return to regular programming with the V8, twin-turbo CLS 63 AMG shooting brake in May. The sexy wagon is expected to cost about $10,000 more than its sister sedan.
July will see AMG’s flagship, the SLS Black Series, reach our shores. The 464kW bruiser is expected to cost $700,000, and have more power than the SLS GT3 race cars which compete in the Bathurst 12-hour and Nurburgring 24-hour events.
A facelifted E63 AMG will touch down in September, and AMG will also produce a V8, twin-turbo version of the GL SUV in May to sit alongside the similarly powered ML63 AMG.
The majority of the GL range will have touched down in April, giving buyers an updated SUV one size larger than the Mercedes-Benz ML.
A revised take on the S-Class luxury sedan should arrive in November, bringing more active safety equipment to help drivers stay on the road.
Mini
Mini’s increasingly diverse range will expand in 2013 with the launch of its new Paceman hatch in March.
The three-door Paceman is based on the all-wheel-drive Countryman – the largest Mini yet – and will be one of the more expensive elements of the Mini range.
The Paceman will be joined by a John Cooper Works edition of the Countryman at about the same time, as well as the second edition of Mini’s high-performance Cooper S Grand Prix model.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi returns to the city car segment in January with the new Mirage. The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder hatch will be available in three trim levels priced from $12,990.
A much-needed automatic variant of the diesel ASX SUV will arrive in May, and a range-extender hybrid variant of its Mitsubishi Outlander will arrive in June.
The Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid matched to a diesel engine with a longer range and lower emissions than the regular diesel SUV.
Nissan
Nissan is set for a huge year, starting with the all-new Pulsar sedan in February and following with the Pulsar Hatch in May or June.
The hatch range will include a modern take on the Pulsar SSS theme, a hot hatch that was popular in the 90s.
The 2013 SSS will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine and is expected to have about 140kW of power.
Nissan uses the same engine in its Juke, an odd-looking SUV that will finally make it to Australia in August.
Nissan’s new Patrol 4WD will touch down in February, but only in V8 form.
It will be joined by the latest evolution of Nissan’s GT-R supercar, which has been tweaked for even more speed and will go on sale from February as well.
The Pathfinder ute is also in line for an upgrade in the second half of 2013.
Nissan’s Altima sedan, a replacement for the Maxima, will go on sale in the new financial year, well after its V8 Supercar racing debut in February’s Clipsal 500.
Opel
High-performance Opel Performance Centre cars are front and centre for the brand in 2013.
OPC, like HSV, FPV or AMG, gives Opel products a boost in power and equipment.
The brand will introduce three turbocharged OPC products in March. The small Corsa hatch gains Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, a sharp bodykit and a turbocharged motor pushing out 141kW and 260Nm.
Astra will also receive the OPC treatment, resulting in a 206kW, 400Nm hatch capable of accelerating to 100km/h in just six seconds.
The OPC range will be headed by the Insignia sedan, which has a turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The Opel flagship makes 239kW and 435Nm, channelled through a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system.
Peugeot
Peugeot will introduce a facelifted version of its RCZ coupe in May. The stylish two-door will adopt a look already seen in Europe that is similar to the new 208 hatch.
The French manufacturer’s latest hot hatch will go on sale in August in the form of the 208 GTI. Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine with 147kW, the little lion will take on Ford’s new Fiesta ST and the Volkswagen Polo GTI when it arrives.
Peugeot’s 5008 MPV will be available from June. The seven-seat SUV is sold overseas with a choice of six petrol and diesel engines which may make it to Australia.
Porsche
Porsche will launch an all-new Cayman coupe in the first half of 2012. The brand won’t say exactly when the hardtop companion to the Boxster will be available, but it will launch with manual and dual-clutch gearboxes tied to a choice of two engines.
The base Cayman will have a 2.7-litre six-cylinder engine with 202 kW, while the Cayman S will have a 3.4-litre engine and 239 kW of power.
December should see the arrival of two high-performance versions of the 911 coupe.
The competition-focused 911 GT3 is expected to have a 3.8-litre engine with more than 300kW, and the option of a paddle-shift dual-clutch gearbox. It will be the first car in Porsche’s GT line to dispense with the clutch pedal, which will probably please speed demons and offend traditionalists.
Porsche’s flagship 911 Turbo will also go on sale in time for Christmas. The twin-turbo supercar has been spotted testing in Europe, and will be one of the Australia’s fastest cars.
Proton
Proton will release the Prevé small sedan in January. The 80kW sedan will go to market with a drive away price of $18,990. A 103kW turbocharged version will go on sale mid-year, bringing more equipment and power to the Prevé range.
The Malaysian manufacturer will also introduce the Exora, a 7-seat MPV that could prove to be the cheapest of its kind in Australia. Proton has not committed to pricing for the car, but says it will go on sale mid-year for less than $30,000.
Renault
Renault will bring an injection of style into its line-up by introducing the fourth-generation Clio in September.
The brand says the new Clio features vastly improved dynamics and class-leading crash performance.
Renault showed off its next-generation Clio RS at the Paris motor show, in September 2012 and there’s a chance the turbocharged hot hatch could go on sale before 2014. The French marque has kept mum on a Clio-based SUV that has been spied testing, and it too could be sold in late 2013.
More certain is a wagon version of the Megane, which will go on sale mid-2013. The new body style will be sold alongside the Fluence sedan and Megane five-door.
Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce introduced a revision of its Phantom flagship line in late 2012, and will not introduce any new models locally in 2013. The million-dollar limousine now features LED lighting, an upgraded infotainment package and an eight-speed gearbox.
Skoda
Skoda’s new Rapid will arrive in sedan form around Easter.
The Rapid is smaller than Skoda’s Octavia sedan and will be available with a range of Volkswagen-sourced petrol and diesel drivelines.
The Rapid may also arrive in hatch form, but Skoda can’t say if it will be here in 2013. The same goes for the new Skoda Octavia, which has been caught testing overseas and will be launched in Europe early in the year.
Smart
Smart is playing its cards close to its chest, but there may be an electric smart car on the cards for late 2013.
Subaru
Subaru will launch a new Forester in March. The revised SUV swaps Subaru’s five-speed automatic gearbox for a continuously variable transmission paired with the brand’s 2.5-litre boxer engine.
A new entry-level Forester will bring a 2.0-litre engine and manual transmission to the range.
Subaru has confirmed that the turbocharged Forester XT will return, but it has not yet committed to selling the car in manual and automatic forms.
Buyers of the high-riding Outback will have to wait until mid-year to drive diesel variants with a CVT automatic. The car has only been sold with a manual transmission so far.
Suzuki
Suzuki will expand its range with a small SUV in December. Known as S-Cross, the compact car has not yet been shown to the public and is expected to make its debut on the global stage in the first half of 2013.
Rumour has it the compact SUV will be powered by a four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT automatic transmission.
Tesla
Patient Australian Tesla customers will start seeing deliveries of the Model S sedan in 2013, two years after they put down deposits for the car.
The all-electric Model S is capable of accelerating to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds, faster than many V8-powered sedans.
First deliveries of the car should happen in November. Pricing is said to range between $100,000 and $200,000, with final figures to be confirmed by Easter.
Toyota
Toyota will launch its all-new RAV4 in February.
The new car has a range of four-cylinder engines, with the thirsty 200kW V6 used in the current RAV4 swapped for a fuel-efficient 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel turbo diesel that should give the car sub 6L/100km fuel use figures.
Other models will use a Corolla-sourced 102kW 2.0-litre petrol-fuelled four to drive the front wheels, while the Camry will donate its 2.5 litre, 133kW engine for use in all-wheel-drive cars.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is set to have a busy year with the launch of its new Golf and Beetle.
The larger but lighter seventh-generation Golf will arrive between May and June, powered by a choice of petrol and diesel power plants.
Launch engines are expected to include a 1.4-litre, 103kW, 250Nm petrol engine and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 110kW and 320Nm.
A successor to Volkswagen’s successful Golf GTI hot hatch is not expected to go on sale in 2013.
The next-generation GTI will once again be powered by a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, and an optional limited slip differential could help the GTI return to the top of the hot hatch totem.
The new bug will be released in February with the brand’s petrol-powered, four-cylinder 118TSI engine.
Buyers will be able to choose between manual or dual-clutch automatic variants, but the convertible version might not make it Down Under.
Australian buyers might also miss out on the high-performance Beetle R, which was shown in concept form in Germany last year.
Volvo
Volvo’s new V40 hatch will be available in Australia from March.
The small car will bring a raft of new safety technology to the small car segment, including pedestrian airbags and the ability to tell your phone where you left the car.
It has a range of four- and five-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, with maximum power varying between 85kW and 190kW.
It might be joined by the soft-road V40 Cross Country, a tougher version of the V40 which would not be available until the second half of 2013.
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/new-cars-of-2013-20121227-2bx5g.html
Alfa-Romeo
Alfa-Romeo’s Australian arm says we will have to wait until 2014 to see the hotly-awaited 4C Coupe in Australia. The new machine should be revealed in production form overseas in 2013. The four-cylinder, turbocharged 4C should have about 150kW and be able to sprint to 100km/h in less than five seconds.
There will be a repositioning of the Alfa-Romeo brand locally in 2013, which could involve new prices and variants for the Mito and Giulietta.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin will introduce the Vanquish in January. The Vanquish replaces the 380kW DBS at the top of the Aston Martin range. The V12-powered coupe has 421kW and 620Nm and will cost $472,840 before on-road costs.
Aston Martin has also revitalised its stunning DB9 coupe, which will sell alongside the Vanquish from January. The 6.0 litre V12 now has 380kW (up from 350kW and 620Nm), enough to help it sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. The new DB9’s look is very similar to that of the discontinued Virage, and it costs from $349,500 plus on-road costs.
Audi
Audi’s calendar for 2013 includes an all-new A3 hatch and several performance cars that will have well-heeled petrol heads readying their chequebooks.
The new A3 Sportback will arrive in May, followed by the regular version in July. The cars will be available with a range of four petrol and diesel engines ranging from 77kW to 132kW, as well as manual and dual-clutch transmissions.
The German manufacturer’s year starts with a storming new diesel engine option for the A6 and A7 that kicks out 230kW and 650Nm. The 3.0TDI bi-turbo donk has plenty of poke and will be an option through Audi from January.
The high-performance S3 version of the new hatch will arrive in October and is expected to use a highly tuned version of the 2.0 TFSI engine in the TTS and previous S3.
February will see two of Audi’s hottest cars arrive. The new RS4 Avant is a 331kW station wagon that puts its power through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel-drive.
As with its arch-rivals the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the RS4 has a naturally aspirated V8 and performance to rival just about anything with four doors.
The second performance hero to come from Audi for 2013 is the TT-RS Plus, an up rated version of the already potent TT RS coupe.
It has a turbocharged five-cylinder engine that makes 265kW, enough to rival the Porsche 911.
Audi’s flagship R8 will receive a mid-life update in April that introduces dual-clutch S-Tronic gearboxes to its V8 and V10 powered supercars.
There will also be a hard-edged R8 V10 plus model with 404kW that replaces the track-focused R8 GT at the top of the range.
The RS5 cabriolet is due in May. It will share its 331kW motor and seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox with the hardtop version already available.
February’s RS4 Avant will be followed by the RS6 Avant in October, which adds turbos to Audi’s petrol-powered V8 to give it 412kW and 700Nm. The hyper wagon is lighter than its predecessor and promises to be a better drive.
The brand will also launch a pair of new SUVs that could hardly be more different. An entry-level, 103kW Q3 2.0 TDI will make Audi’s smallest 4WD more accessible, while a 230kW, 650Nm diesel-powered SQ5 will bring diesel power and off-road capability to Audi’s performance orientated S-series of cars.
Bentley
Bentley will introduce one of its fastest-ever cars in April, the 460kW, 800Nm GT Speed.
Powered by the brand’s W12 engine, the GT Speed is said to be capable of accelerating from rest to 100km/h in four seconds flat.
The W12 will also rest under the bonnet of the new Flying Spur sedan, which is due to arrive in December. Part limousine and part supercar, the Flying Spur’s can cruise at 250km/h.
BMW
BMW’s year will start with a six-cylinder hybrid version of the 7-Series luxury sedan in January.
A new 3-Series touring (wagon) will hit showrooms before April, followed by the 3-Series GT four-door coupe after June.
The Z4 convertible is set for a facelift in July and could get updated engines and BMW’s latest fuel-saving technology.
The brand has not yet revealed a release date for its stunning new 4-Series coupe, which has been sold until now as a 3-Series coupe.
The 4-Series is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor and will be available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, though performance enthusiasts will have to wait until 2014 to drive the replacement for BMW’s M3 coupe.
BMW insiders suggest that there could be a special edition of the current, V8-powered M3 sold in 2013 before it is replaced by a turbocharged six-cylinder model in 2014.
The M division will also release a V8, twin-turbo version of the 6-Series Gran Turismo in July, with the new car sharing its 412kW power plant with the M5 sedan and M6 coupe.
The M5 might benefit from a facelift for the 5-Series range which will happen after September.
Chery
Chery’s Australian importer won’t reveal its plans for 2013, but is looking at introducing the J3 Sedan, a four-door version of the five-door hatch currently sold in Australia.
Chrysler
Chrysler is likely release a cut-price version of 300C SRT8 in the first half of 2013.
The 6.4-litre Hemi-powered sedan could be available for less than $60,000, providing stiff competition for Australian rivals Ford Performance Vehicles and Holden Special Vehicles.
Citroen
Citroen’s plans for 2013 are clouded by a change in local distributors. It will, however, launch a new C4 Picasso people mover and a facelifted C3 hatch.
Citroen will also reveal the production version of the DS4 Racing hot hatch, which was teased as a turbocharged concept car in February 2012.
The similarly fizzy DS3 Racing won critical acclaim in Europe but was not sold locally because it did not meet Australian Design Rules specifying minimum ride heights.
Ferrari
Ferrari’s flagship F12 Berlinetta will reach Australian shores in July.
The jaw-dropping coupe is powered by a 545kW V12 and will cost $691,100 plus options, statutory charges, dealer costs and delivery.
Ferrari has an 18-month waiting list for the successor to the critically acclaimed 599 GTB.
Fiat
Fiat says it will reposition its Australian range in 2013. The brand says it is “very interested” in high-riding crossover variants of the 500 hatch that are sold overseas, as well as the latest Grande Punto and Panda.
Ford
Ford is launching two important new cars in 2013, the Kuga small SUV and Fiesta hatch.
The all-new Ford Kuga should arrive in May, when buyers will be able to choose between a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine or the 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol unit.
Ford’s Fiesta city car is also in line for an August update that will see it receive a turbocharged 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. It will also bring Ford’s Sync connectivity system to the Fiesta line.
June will see the local debut of the Ford Fiesta ST, a three-door hot hatch powered by a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine with 132kW and 240Nm.
As with Ford’s Focus ST, the Fiesta ST will only be available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Foton
The Chinese brand will launch a single cab version of its ute as well as a 14-passenger van. The company had plans to launch a seven-seat SUV this year, but that is unlikely to happen until 2014.
FPV
Ford Performance Vehicles has not announced any new cars for 2013, but the brand might have an ace up its sleeve.
The GT R-Spec muscle car sold out in 2012, but key features from that car – including its wider rear axle – could make it into the fast Ford line-up.
Geely
China’s Geely will introduce the EC7, a four-cylinder medium-sized hatch and sedan. The cars will go on sale nationally in the second half of 2013. It’s a significant move for Geely, which until now has only sold cars in Western Australia.
Great Wall Motors
Great Wall’s Australian importer has not yet locked in plans for 2013, but will reveal some details in February.
Holden
Holden will have a huge year that could shape its future as a manufacturer.
The brand’s upcoming VF Commodore could be the last vehicle to be entirely designed and built in Australia.
Holden boss Mike Devereux says the VF will be “a massive update”.
The vehicle will be a technical showcase for the brand, and could take technology from fellow GM brands such as Cadillac.
We expect to see most of the new Commodore range in May. Holden has remained tight-lipped about launch dates for its ute and wagon variants, but the new wagon has already been spotted on the road, and we’d be surprised if it and and the ute don’t follow soon after the sedan.
The high-performance SS models may borrow technology from Holden Special Vehicles, with magnet-controlled suspension and data logging systems similar to those used in motorsport.
Holden will also introduce an automatic version of its entry-level Spark hatchback in January.
Cruze will benefit from a Sportwagon body to join current hatch and sedan offerings.
The addition to Holden’s small sales star will be available from January. But unlike Cruze hatch and sedan, the wagon will be built in South Korea and not Australia.
It will have 500 litres of load space in the rear, and a massive 1500 litres of storage with the rear seats folded flat.
Going up a size, the mid-size Holden Malibu will be available in mid-2013.
Holden says the front-wheel-drive sedan is no threat to Commodore, and hopes it will steal sales from Mazda6 and Toyota Camry.
Holden will also sell the Trax, a small SUV based on the Barina.
The Trax will be two-wheel-drive and petrol powered, built in South Korea and priced at $20,000 to $25,000.
It will go on sale in about August.
Honda
The Jazz Hybrid will go on sale in February, looking quite similar to existing petrol models. Final specification for the car has not yet been confirmed, but its fuel use should be close to the Honda Insight’s 4.3L/100km.
The Hybrid CR-Z coupe is in line for a minor facelift in April, while Honda will introduce a diesel version of its Civic hatchback in March that will be one of the most fuel-efficient cars on sale. The 88kw 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine uses just 3.6L/100km of fuel.
A new Accord sedan is also due in June.
HSV
As with Holden, HSV is in for a big year on the back of the VF Commodore.
V8 engines will be sourced from Chevrolet’s selection of high-performance power plants, with industry experts tipping that a supercharged 6.2-litre motor could find its way into the hottest Commodores.
There are also rumours that HSV may retain some of its 317kW and 325kW engines to give customers a choice of power plants.
Hyundai
Hyundai is launching just one new car in 2013, a wagon version of its i30 hatch.
The i30 tourer will be available before Easter, priced from only $29,990.
The car will share the i30’s petrol and diesel engines and be available in both manual and automatic forms.
Infiniti
Australia’s newest luxury car brand will sell a sedan to rival the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Lexus IS. Infiniti says the all-new Q50 sedan will be built on a front-midship platform and feature a range of petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines.
Jaguar
The stunning F-Type convertible will be available before June 2013.
The F-Type will be powered by a range of supercharged V6 and V8 engines, giving it a power spread from 250kW to 370kW.
It could prove a hit with Aussie buyers, some of whom ordered cars before the machine was revealed to the public.
The brand claims its 300km/h V8 convertible will be faster than Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage, and a rival to the Porsche 911.
The car will initially only be available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, though Jaguar says it will consider a manual option for traditionalists.
Just one example of Jaguar’s sledgehammer XF-RS has been confirmed for Australia in 2013. The Jag has a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 pumping out 404kW, and will be available for customers in the second half of 2013.
Jeep
Jeep will launch face lifted versions of its Compass, Patriot and Grand Cherokee SUVs in 2013.
The range will come in for mid-year updates, and it appears that only the Wrangler will miss out on a refresh in 2013 as there is rumoured to be an all-new Cherokee by the end of the year.
Kia
Kia will bring in a new version of its Rondo MPV in April, giving families another choice of seven-seat motoring.
The brand will also introduce an all-new Cerato sedan in May, followed in July by a five-door hatchback version that should be its biggest seller here.
A replacement of the two-door, four-cylinder Koup is due in late November.
Kia’s local arm is trying to source the Slovakian-built Sportage diesel SUV for the second half of next year, but it is not locked in yet.
It is also chasing the pro_cee’d GT, which shares its 152kW, 265Nm turbo engine with the Hyundai Veloster Turbo and can dash to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
Lamborghini
Lamborghini’s flagship Aventador Roadster will make its way Down Under in June.
The 515kW, V12-powered supercar has a two-piece carbon-fibre roof that can be stashed in the car’s front storage compartment.
The feature is a massive improvement over the roof on the old Murcielago Roadster, which was a contraption drivers had to assemble using cloth and scaffolding.
Lamborghini’s smaller Gallardo coupe will be put to stud in 2013, but not before buyers are given the chance to take home a final edition Gallardo LP560-4.
Run-out versions of the baby Lamborghini will go on sale locally in January.
We also hear that there may be one last-take version of the LP550-2 Gallardo, the rear-wheel-drive V10 coupe which gave us the striped tribute to Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni.
Land Rover
Land Rover will launch its new Range Rover flagship in February 2013.
Extensive use of aluminium has made the new car up to 420kg lighter than the outgoing model, despite being no less luxurious.
The 4WD is available with three petrol and diesel engines with power ranging from 190kW to 375kW.
The brand will also release a new Range Rover Sport in October, with the full range of engines led by a Supercharged V8 with 375kW.
Lexus
Lexus’ local plans for 2013 revolve around one model line, its small IS250 and IS350 sedans.
The IS Series is by far Lexus’ best selling model, but 2012 sales of the ageing range are down by between 17.8 per cent (IS350) and 32.6 per cent (IS250C).
The brand promises that its new car will be dynamically superior to BMW’s 3-Series, and our preview drive found that the car has plenty of potential.
Lexus has not revealed exactly how much power the sedan will have, but the IS350’s V6 makes 233kW in the GS350 and should kick out more than 200kW in the IS350, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The smaller IS250 will have about 150kW.
Lotus
Lotus will launch one of its fastest cars yet in 2013. The Exige S has the brand’s most powerful engine, a supercharged 3.5 litre V6 with 258kW, in its smallest coupe.
The little firecracker is said to offer the performance of Porsche’s track-focused 911 GT3 at little more than half the cost.
We’re told the latest Lotus will cost about $140,000 when it lands in January.
Maserati
Maserati’s best-selling Quattroporte has been updated, and will go on sale in late 2013.
The premium sedan has grown larger, and will now be powered by a choice of turbocharged V6 and V8 engines.
The Italian marque is also expected to reveal a smaller sedan at the Geneva motor show that could make it here by December. The Ghibli will be a rival to the BMW 5-series, and should share the Quattroporte’s turbocharged motors.
Mazda
Mazda now has only two models which have not been updated with the brand’s Skyactiv engine technology.
The Mazda2 and Mazda3 will soon receive an updated look as well as new engines and gearboxes to bring them in line with competitors.
Mazda2 will be released in the third quarter next year. The car should feature a range of updates including a change away from the current car’s dated four-speed auto gearbox.
A spokesman for the brand said it was possible that Australia’s best-selling car, the Mazda3, would be revised in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The small car range will benefit from styling changes that bring it into line with the svelte new Mazda6.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is off to a running start with the new turbocharged B250 hatch going on sale in time for 2013, leading a range of new metal that will keep the brand fresh.
The brand will show its face lifted E-Class sedan at the Detroit motor show in January, before the car goes on sale locally in June.
The revised car will use single-unit headlamps in place of the quad-light look used by the E-Class for almost 20 years.
The two door, four-seat E-Class cabriolet and coupe will adopt the new look in September.
A new 245kW twin-turbocharged,3.0-litre V6 petrol engine will be available with the new E400 model, which should dash to 100km/h in less than six seconds.
Mercedes-Benz will launch the CLA, an all-new small sedan in the second half of 2013.
The CLA will take design cues from the bigger CLS sedan and will offer the option of a 155kW, 2.0 litre turbo engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
A new A-Class hatchback will arrive in March, offering drivers the opportunity to stay in touch with social media when behind the wheel.
Mercedes-Benz will target more blue-collar brands such as Ford and Volkswagen with the new A-Class, which could surpass the C-Class sedan as the manufacturer’s most popular model.
AMG is in for a busy year with the launch of the hot A-Class A45 AMG in August.
Its turbocharged, four-cylinder and all-wheel-drive layout is a departure from what AMG usually offers, and could rule over the small performance car kingdom with 250kW and 400Nm of grunt.
The Mercedes-Benz turning house will return to regular programming with the V8, twin-turbo CLS 63 AMG shooting brake in May. The sexy wagon is expected to cost about $10,000 more than its sister sedan.
July will see AMG’s flagship, the SLS Black Series, reach our shores. The 464kW bruiser is expected to cost $700,000, and have more power than the SLS GT3 race cars which compete in the Bathurst 12-hour and Nurburgring 24-hour events.
A facelifted E63 AMG will touch down in September, and AMG will also produce a V8, twin-turbo version of the GL SUV in May to sit alongside the similarly powered ML63 AMG.
The majority of the GL range will have touched down in April, giving buyers an updated SUV one size larger than the Mercedes-Benz ML.
A revised take on the S-Class luxury sedan should arrive in November, bringing more active safety equipment to help drivers stay on the road.
Mini
Mini’s increasingly diverse range will expand in 2013 with the launch of its new Paceman hatch in March.
The three-door Paceman is based on the all-wheel-drive Countryman – the largest Mini yet – and will be one of the more expensive elements of the Mini range.
The Paceman will be joined by a John Cooper Works edition of the Countryman at about the same time, as well as the second edition of Mini’s high-performance Cooper S Grand Prix model.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi returns to the city car segment in January with the new Mirage. The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder hatch will be available in three trim levels priced from $12,990.
A much-needed automatic variant of the diesel ASX SUV will arrive in May, and a range-extender hybrid variant of its Mitsubishi Outlander will arrive in June.
The Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid matched to a diesel engine with a longer range and lower emissions than the regular diesel SUV.
Nissan
Nissan is set for a huge year, starting with the all-new Pulsar sedan in February and following with the Pulsar Hatch in May or June.
The hatch range will include a modern take on the Pulsar SSS theme, a hot hatch that was popular in the 90s.
The 2013 SSS will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine and is expected to have about 140kW of power.
Nissan uses the same engine in its Juke, an odd-looking SUV that will finally make it to Australia in August.
Nissan’s new Patrol 4WD will touch down in February, but only in V8 form.
It will be joined by the latest evolution of Nissan’s GT-R supercar, which has been tweaked for even more speed and will go on sale from February as well.
The Pathfinder ute is also in line for an upgrade in the second half of 2013.
Nissan’s Altima sedan, a replacement for the Maxima, will go on sale in the new financial year, well after its V8 Supercar racing debut in February’s Clipsal 500.
Opel
High-performance Opel Performance Centre cars are front and centre for the brand in 2013.
OPC, like HSV, FPV or AMG, gives Opel products a boost in power and equipment.
The brand will introduce three turbocharged OPC products in March. The small Corsa hatch gains Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, a sharp bodykit and a turbocharged motor pushing out 141kW and 260Nm.
Astra will also receive the OPC treatment, resulting in a 206kW, 400Nm hatch capable of accelerating to 100km/h in just six seconds.
The OPC range will be headed by the Insignia sedan, which has a turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The Opel flagship makes 239kW and 435Nm, channelled through a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system.
Peugeot
Peugeot will introduce a facelifted version of its RCZ coupe in May. The stylish two-door will adopt a look already seen in Europe that is similar to the new 208 hatch.
The French manufacturer’s latest hot hatch will go on sale in August in the form of the 208 GTI. Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine with 147kW, the little lion will take on Ford’s new Fiesta ST and the Volkswagen Polo GTI when it arrives.
Peugeot’s 5008 MPV will be available from June. The seven-seat SUV is sold overseas with a choice of six petrol and diesel engines which may make it to Australia.
Porsche
Porsche will launch an all-new Cayman coupe in the first half of 2012. The brand won’t say exactly when the hardtop companion to the Boxster will be available, but it will launch with manual and dual-clutch gearboxes tied to a choice of two engines.
The base Cayman will have a 2.7-litre six-cylinder engine with 202 kW, while the Cayman S will have a 3.4-litre engine and 239 kW of power.
December should see the arrival of two high-performance versions of the 911 coupe.
The competition-focused 911 GT3 is expected to have a 3.8-litre engine with more than 300kW, and the option of a paddle-shift dual-clutch gearbox. It will be the first car in Porsche’s GT line to dispense with the clutch pedal, which will probably please speed demons and offend traditionalists.
Porsche’s flagship 911 Turbo will also go on sale in time for Christmas. The twin-turbo supercar has been spotted testing in Europe, and will be one of the Australia’s fastest cars.
Proton
Proton will release the Prevé small sedan in January. The 80kW sedan will go to market with a drive away price of $18,990. A 103kW turbocharged version will go on sale mid-year, bringing more equipment and power to the Prevé range.
The Malaysian manufacturer will also introduce the Exora, a 7-seat MPV that could prove to be the cheapest of its kind in Australia. Proton has not committed to pricing for the car, but says it will go on sale mid-year for less than $30,000.
Renault
Renault will bring an injection of style into its line-up by introducing the fourth-generation Clio in September.
The brand says the new Clio features vastly improved dynamics and class-leading crash performance.
Renault showed off its next-generation Clio RS at the Paris motor show, in September 2012 and there’s a chance the turbocharged hot hatch could go on sale before 2014. The French marque has kept mum on a Clio-based SUV that has been spied testing, and it too could be sold in late 2013.
More certain is a wagon version of the Megane, which will go on sale mid-2013. The new body style will be sold alongside the Fluence sedan and Megane five-door.
Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce introduced a revision of its Phantom flagship line in late 2012, and will not introduce any new models locally in 2013. The million-dollar limousine now features LED lighting, an upgraded infotainment package and an eight-speed gearbox.
Skoda
Skoda’s new Rapid will arrive in sedan form around Easter.
The Rapid is smaller than Skoda’s Octavia sedan and will be available with a range of Volkswagen-sourced petrol and diesel drivelines.
The Rapid may also arrive in hatch form, but Skoda can’t say if it will be here in 2013. The same goes for the new Skoda Octavia, which has been caught testing overseas and will be launched in Europe early in the year.
Smart
Smart is playing its cards close to its chest, but there may be an electric smart car on the cards for late 2013.
Subaru
Subaru will launch a new Forester in March. The revised SUV swaps Subaru’s five-speed automatic gearbox for a continuously variable transmission paired with the brand’s 2.5-litre boxer engine.
A new entry-level Forester will bring a 2.0-litre engine and manual transmission to the range.
Subaru has confirmed that the turbocharged Forester XT will return, but it has not yet committed to selling the car in manual and automatic forms.
Buyers of the high-riding Outback will have to wait until mid-year to drive diesel variants with a CVT automatic. The car has only been sold with a manual transmission so far.
Suzuki
Suzuki will expand its range with a small SUV in December. Known as S-Cross, the compact car has not yet been shown to the public and is expected to make its debut on the global stage in the first half of 2013.
Rumour has it the compact SUV will be powered by a four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT automatic transmission.
Tesla
Patient Australian Tesla customers will start seeing deliveries of the Model S sedan in 2013, two years after they put down deposits for the car.
The all-electric Model S is capable of accelerating to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds, faster than many V8-powered sedans.
First deliveries of the car should happen in November. Pricing is said to range between $100,000 and $200,000, with final figures to be confirmed by Easter.
Toyota
Toyota will launch its all-new RAV4 in February.
The new car has a range of four-cylinder engines, with the thirsty 200kW V6 used in the current RAV4 swapped for a fuel-efficient 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel turbo diesel that should give the car sub 6L/100km fuel use figures.
Other models will use a Corolla-sourced 102kW 2.0-litre petrol-fuelled four to drive the front wheels, while the Camry will donate its 2.5 litre, 133kW engine for use in all-wheel-drive cars.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is set to have a busy year with the launch of its new Golf and Beetle.
The larger but lighter seventh-generation Golf will arrive between May and June, powered by a choice of petrol and diesel power plants.
Launch engines are expected to include a 1.4-litre, 103kW, 250Nm petrol engine and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 110kW and 320Nm.
A successor to Volkswagen’s successful Golf GTI hot hatch is not expected to go on sale in 2013.
The next-generation GTI will once again be powered by a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, and an optional limited slip differential could help the GTI return to the top of the hot hatch totem.
The new bug will be released in February with the brand’s petrol-powered, four-cylinder 118TSI engine.
Buyers will be able to choose between manual or dual-clutch automatic variants, but the convertible version might not make it Down Under.
Australian buyers might also miss out on the high-performance Beetle R, which was shown in concept form in Germany last year.
Volvo
Volvo’s new V40 hatch will be available in Australia from March.
The small car will bring a raft of new safety technology to the small car segment, including pedestrian airbags and the ability to tell your phone where you left the car.
It has a range of four- and five-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, with maximum power varying between 85kW and 190kW.
It might be joined by the soft-road V40 Cross Country, a tougher version of the V40 which would not be available until the second half of 2013.