New cars on sale in Australia: March – April, 2017

An interesting mix of new cars are due in Australia in the next couple of months including some all new models highlighted by the third-generation Hyundai i30. The European-designed i30 is expected to boost popularity of the big-selling the Korean car, which is headlined by the 1.6-litre turbo powered SR range topper.

The i30 will do battle with the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and the all-new Honda Civic hatch, which is on its way from the UK to complement the 2016 sedan. This will be followed later in the year by the highly anticipated Honda Civic Type R hot hatch.

The other big launch is the all-new Mazda CX-5 SUV, which is the biggest selling soft-roader in Australia. The new model is expected to share many of the traits with its bigger Wheels Car of the Year winning CX-9 which should extend the model’s sales reign.

Also look out for the new Mini Clubman JCW and Countryman. Other new metal includes the beastly V12-powered BMW M760Li xDrive, the most powerful road-going car ever to come from the Munich carmaker.

The Jaguar F-Type gains mild styling tweaks and LED headlights, lighter, more supportive seats, as well as an overhaul of the multimedia interface. Also adds a special app that links a GoPro camera with the car’s telemetry. A limited-run 400 Sport edition joins the line-up (coupe or convertible) featuring a retuned version of the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 making 294kW (up from 280kw); torque remains at 460Nm. Also brings the Configurable Dynamics system, dark grey 20-inch alloys and Super Performance brakes.

A host of facelifts and new variants of existing models are also due, including the special edition Holden Commodore Director, Magnum and Motorsport models which are set to sell as fast as their 304kW/570Nm LS3 V8s will take them.

NEW MODELS ON SALE MARCH-APRIL

• Abarth 500 facelift
• Audi A5 Coupe
• BMW M760Li xDrive
• Citroen C3 and C4 Cactus petrol auto
• Ford Transit
• Holden Commodore Director, Magnum and Motorsport
• Honda Civic hatch
• Hyundai i30
• Infiniti Q60 S
• Jaguar F-Type facelift and 400 Sport
• Kia Picanto
• Maserati Ghibli facelift
• Mazda CX-5
• Mini Clubman JCW All4 and Countryman
• Nissan Pathfinder facelift and X-Trail diesel
• Peugeot 2008;
• Skoda Superb S