Crystal ball: New premium cars for 2016

It says plenty about the upmarket tastes of the modern Aussie car buyer that about half of the new models set to arrive on our shores in 2016 are from premium brands.

Alfa Romeo’s new four-door the Giulia is as sexy as it sounds. It will be the full-stop on a year of frenzied activity in the mid-size segment when it arrives late in the year.

This all-important new model for the Italian brand will be offered in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive variants, and while little is known about the mainstream versions, the line-up will be topped by a QV version with a 380kW Ferrari-developed twin-turbo V6, which will power it firmly into the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 AMG realm.

Based on the brand’s recent form with the likes of the Giulietta and 4C, the Giulia is a car to get excited about.

Audi’s Virtual Cockpit will feature, and there will be many driver assistance systems available, including autonomous emergency braking, which will be standard. Expect an array of engines, from a small turbo petrol four-cylinder, via 2.0-litre turbo petrol and diesel engines, to a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel with both front-wheel and all-wheel drive.

Back on Benz, the C450 Sport is an alluring proposition, complete with a bi-turbo V6 and all-wheel-drive. We’ll have to wait until at least March to find out how it drives.

We’ll be treated to a redesigned version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and convertible, a reworked GL-Class replacement that’s now called the GLS, and a drop-top version of the S-Class coupe. Merc will also give us a new SLK, but it will be badged SLC.

Range Rover will do what Wheels has often joked that an SUV-maker would do, bringing us a convertible version of the Evoque (pictured above), which will be the World’s first premium compact SUV convertible – and likely not the last.

The Rolls-Royce Wraith will also shed tin to become the Dawn convertible (pictured below), and the Bentley Mulsanne will drop its head to evolve into the Grand Convertible, which will replace the Azure.

Meanwhile, the premium SUV segment will deliver a smorgasbord of interesting new offerings.

Porsche will introduce a hybrid version of its Macan, the S E-Hybrid, and we’ll likely see a plug-in hybrid BMW X5 in the xDrive40e.

Mercedes’ GLC Coupe, a four-seater version of the GLC with a coupe-like roofline, should bring much of the disutility of a BMW X4 when it arrives in May. That should please buyers for whom a regular GLC-Class is too roomy and practical.

Lexus will introduce a gaggle of new models, including a new ES (February), a GS F, and possibly a convertible version of the RC. They will join the new and bigger RX series SUV, on sale since December.

While on Japanese premium brands, Infiniti is also expected to bolster its line-up, introducing its Q30 compact hatch (Feb), its QX30 compact SUV (mid-year) and a new Q60 (due in the fourth quarter).

Of the thousands of stories that have gone live on www.motormag.com.au this year, these are the 10 you enjoyed the most. Here’s a recap for any you missed the first time around.

10. Sweet Dream – Subaru WRX STI 23B

9. Sweet Dream – Nissan S16 Silvia

8. Walkinshaw Racing Edition review

7. Holden VF II Commodore debuts LS3 V8

6. Ford Mustang lands in Oz

5. Ford Focus RS power revealed

4. FPV engineers create 700Nm XR6 Turbo

3. Herrod Motorsport Ford Falcon XR8 review

2. Holden Monaro HRT 427 for sale

1. Mid-engined Holden Rodeo track monster

RESULTS

Continued dominance in the small and medium segments, as well as a broad range of top-selling SUVs, makes Toyota a sales force to be reckoned with. The heavily discounted Camry continues to dominate the mid-size segment and provide a locally made four-cylinder alternative to the larger Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. Corolla is again on track for top-selling status, while the newly released Hilux looks set to break ute sales records.

Rank: 1st 2015: 199K 2016*: 210K Grade: A- *Figures to the end of October 2015

OPPORTUNITIES

The mighty SUV surge rolls on and Toyota is beautifully positioned to take advantage with recent updates to Prado and LandCruiser, while Fortuner brings more diesel muscle. New CH-R could slot in as a rival to the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V before the end of 2016, but it’s more likely a 2017 proposition. So it’s up to the facelifted RAV4 to do the entry-level SUV heavy lifting. There’s also a new-generation Prius for a low-volume kick.

CHALLENGES

Maintaining focus on the brand. Despite flashes of brilliance such as the 86 sports coupe, Toyota is best known for being dependable, yet bland. As buyers realise other brands can do the dependable bit, but with some fizz thrown in (think Mazda and, occasionally, Hyundai), it means that Toyota needs to apply itself to maintain share. The company is also more exposed than most to the swing away from passenger cars – only because it sells so many of them.

SUMMARY

Hard worker, but could apply itself better – and possibly needs to modify its own high standards. Toyota will again win the sales race in 2016; the question is by how much. Toyota has strength across every major segment, a loyal customer base and can expect modest growth from SUVs and the new Hilux. But it has been shedding market share since 2012.

THE Volkswagen debacle drew from Wheels writers the year’s strongest comment pieces – but they also had points to make about big V8s and open-wheel racing.

Features editor Stephen Corby, arguing that the German car giant deserves to pay heavily for its dishonesty, observes it’s incredible how quickly public outrage can lapse into shrugs of the shoulders.

And our insider column examines the backlash that grew in the US after Volkswagen’s admissions in September, while pointing to a possible trigger for the choice of deceit over transparency.

In the motorsport arena, Peter McKay looked at the case for closed cockpits in Formula 1 and IndyCar, in the aftermath of tragedies for both sports.

Welcome to MOTOR’s 10 fastest cars of 2015. Sort of. While we try and run numbers on every car we test, unfortunately it’s not always possible.

While we’ve driven such supercar luminaries as the Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari FF and Porsche 918 Spyder on Aussie soil this year, for various reasons – launch schedules, time constraints, manufacturers say no – we haven’t been able to extract a full set of figures on every car.

But fear not, when the slowest car on this list is running a 12.5sec quarter, it’s fair to say we’ve figured plenty of fast metal in 2015.

Biggest surprises? Well, three of the cars in the list weigh well over two tonnes (including two SUVs) and there’s a stock-standard hot hatchback in the top three. So without further ado, here’s the 10 fastest cars we’ve tested in 2015.

High-rise wagons with off-roading abilities – or pretensions – are now the most popular pick for Aussie parents, and the catalogue of fresh family-sized SUVs for 2016 reflects that.

The year’s arrivals are headlined by the likes of Volkswagen’s long-awaited second-gen Tiguan and Mazda’s next-gen, turbocharged CX-9.

There is some innovation in medium and large sedans – long the family mainstay – but it’s SUVs in the driver’s seat.

Expect to see front- and all-wheel-drive variants with power from a range of small turbo petrol and diesel engines. VW’s second-gen compact SUV will bring safety equipment such as pedestrian detection, automated city emergency braking and lane-keeping assist systems.

Mazda’s new CX-9 (pictured top), as the last of the line-up to adopt SkyActiv engine tech, will bring a new 2.5-litre petrol turbo engine in place of the outgoing model’s 3.7-litre V6. The big Mazda SUV, which is due in June, will continue to be offered in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive forms. It should use a lot less fuel than its predecessor, without sacrificing real-world performance.

A facelifted Holden Captiva will arrive early in 2016. New frontal styling incorporating LED daytime running lights will introduce the updated version, which will boast a redesigned interior featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto multimedia connectivity. There will be five-seat and seven-seat options within a single model, with Holden dropping its dual-model Captiva 5 and Captiva 7 strategy.

A sibling for the VW Tiguan, the Skoda Yeti, will also arrive in next-gen form, underpinned by the Volkswagen group’s MQB chassis component set. We’ll also see Skoda’s as yet unnamed large SUV during 2016.

The plug-in hybrid variant of Mitsubishi’s updated Outlander is likely to lob in January, and Kia is set to spring a new Sportage on us in March.

In more traditional family form, Volkswagen is poised to take its midsize wagon off the beaten track with a new Alltrack version of the polished Passat (pictured above). And, finally, Skoda’s big sedan/liftback and wagon, the Superb, will be reborn as a classier, more upmarket model about April.

It’s called Pop probably because that’s what your aneurism will do as you attempt to overtake a B-double on a country road. Its atmo 1.2 delivers just 51kW – about the same as a high-end motor scooter.

FORD ECOSPORT 1.5 AUTO 0-100km/h: 14.1 seconds

When you add 150kg of faux muscle to create a baby-SUV, it’s probably a good idea to find an engine to match. Instead, the Ecosport relies on sprint gearing to disguise its weakness.

PEUGEOT 208 ACTIVE 0-100km/h: 13.9 seconds

What the smallest Peugeot on sale lacks in cylinder count, it makes up in determination. The cheeky 60kW 1.2-litre triple is full of character, but little in the way of straight-line acceleration.

PEUGEOT 2008 ACTIVE 0-100km/h: 13.5 seconds

The same charming triple is slotted into this 208-based SUV with similar effect. Its extra bulk (47kg) means 6km/h less speed (169km/h) and a bit more thirst, but she’s quicker off the mark.

This article was originally published in Wheels August 2014.

The Ford Falcon will Sprint faster towards its October 2016 demise, with a special powered-up XR6 Turbo and XR8 grunting up and facing off.

Ford Australia announced the XR6 Turbo Sprint with six-speed automatic, and XR8 Sprint with six-speed manual or auto, will join the Falcon range in limited numbers early next year. Both are confirmed to increase power over the regular versions, however the Blue Oval is still keeping the bleeding obvious a secret.

It has been expected that the XR6 Turbo would move from 270kW/533Nm to the 310kW/565Nm of the defunct FPV F6 and the XR8 from the current 335kW/570Nm to the 351kW/570Nm of the final FPV GT F, however a Ford source hinted that the Sprint packages are likely to stretch beyond anything we’ve seen before.

In true Sprint fashion, the game is on: back in 1993, the original ED XR8 Sprint delivered 192kW from its 4.9-litre V8, up from the standard 165kW/388Nm outputs that saw it threatened by the ED XR6 that delivered 161kW/366Nm from its 4.0-litre six.

Upgraded brakes are part of the Sprint package, Ford says, which will likely see the four-piston Brembo front calipers of the XR8 given to the XR6 Turbo for the first time. The turbo six is also expected to debut the 275mm-wide rear tyres, stiffer springs and Sachs dampers of the supercharged V8 model.

“There has been a lot of speculation around what our plans are for Falcon in 2016 and today we’re happy to confirm that Ford will build a special series to celebrate Australia’s large sedan,” announced Ford Australia president and CEO, Graeme Whickman.

“The XR Sprint will be a limited-edition series and one we think will be highly regarded by our Falcon fans. Ultimately too, like many of our performance Fords, we expect it to be a highly collectible car.”

Next stop, next year, will be the dragstrip for a final-Falcon turbo six versus supercharged V8 zero to 100km/h sprint. Bring it on.

1. ALFA ROMEO GIULIA

Alfa Romeo’s gorgeous Giulia will give buyers a desirable Italian alternative to the usual German medium size car choices, such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. We’d expect to see the Alfa mid-sizer match these key rivals with small and medium petrol and diesel turbo engines, and front- and all-wheel-drive versions.

2. AUDI A4

The next-gen A4 doesn’t look very different to the old one, but despite the evolutionary restyle, it is a brand new model with redesigned underpinnings and suspension aimed at making it sportier and more comfortable to drive. It will bring a lot of advanced driver assistance systems when it arrives in May.

3. MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE

The new coupe and convertible version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class will give buyers a welcome alternative to the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5. They look set to deliver the terrific interior quality and enjoyable steering and handling of the luxurious C-Class sedan and Estate.

4. JAGUAR F-PACE

Jaguar will give SUV buyers a fresh alternative with the arrival of its F-Pace. The new luxury model based on the brand’s medium-sized XE will be powered by a small turbo four-cylinder or a bigger supercharged six-cylinder which should make it a smooth, effortless drive.

5. TESLA MODEL X

Californian brand Tesla’s first Sports Utility Vehicle, the electric Model X, will arrive around February. The battery-powered SUV will be roomy, sporty and five-star safe. It will have a range of about 400km and, like the brand’s Model S, a lot of power.

6. RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE

We’re not sure if a convertible version of Range Rover’s Evoque SUV is a car to get excited about or ridicule (it’s probably the latter) but it’s an important car to know about because it will probably sell well and, as a result, is unlikely to be the last of the drop-top premium sports utility breed.

Other arrivals

Mercedes’ C450 Sport is an exciting C-Class version for those shopping for a sporty medium car. It will bring a powerful bi-turbo V6 engine and a new-to-the-model all-wheel-drive system in March.

Jaguar will introduce a second-generation version of the XF, and will add to its to its XE sedan range with coupe and Estate (wagon) versions.

A new, BMW X4-like swoopy-roofed version of the regular Mercedes GLC-Class will be called the GLC Coupe.

In a costlier realm, he Rolls-Royce Wraith will lose its roof in the translation to the Dawn convertible, and the Bentley Mulsanne will drop its top to evolve into Azure-replacement the Grand Convertible.

Finally, Japanese premium brands Lexus – with a new ES (February), a GS F, a convertible version of the RC, and a bigger new RX series SUV – and Infiniti – with its Q30 compact hatch (Feb), QX30 compact SUV (mid-year) and new Q60 (due in the fourth quarter) – will give buyers much more choice in 2016.

The countdown is on. MOTOR‘s February 2016 issue hits newsstands on Thursday, January 7 with a massive 50-page feature on Performance Car of the Year 2015.

POLL NOW CLOSED. Stay tuned for the results!

What’s in the running? Glad you asked. Find below our 11 contenders with a brief blurb on why it made the cut. Below that you’ll find a poll where you can vote for the car you think will take the title. Or just vote for your favourite!

Who takes the title? Find out on January 7.

Mazda MX-5