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Performance cars under $100,000 are set for a massive shake-up in 2022, with a number of all-new models likely to spur the interest of buyers keen on a more-affordable sporting addition.
More-powerful all-electric options are also making the trip to Australia at a rapid pace, with hot new EVs from Audi Sport and Mercedes-AMG – and even a Kia that can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.5-seconds.
Timing issues caused by the global semiconductor chip shortage that plagued the automotive industry in 2021 are set to remain throughout 2022, meaning several vehicles on this list are either delayed beyond initial projections, or could be delayed.
NOTE: To see all the new cars coming to Australia this year, check out our 2022 New Car Calendar story right here.
New performance cars arriving in 2022
- Audi RS E-Tron GT
- Audi RS 3
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Honda Civic Type R
- Kia EV6 GT
- Mercedes-AMG EQS 53
- Mercedes-AMG SL
- Nissan Z
- Subaru WRX
- Volkswagen Golf R.
NOTE: A quarter refers to a three-month period of the year (i.e. January to March).
Audi RS E-Tron GT
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Arriving: Sometime in 2022
The all-wheel-drive Audi E-Tron GT is another addition to the brand’s electric line-up.
Sharing the VW Group’s bespoke ‘J1’ platform with the Porsche Taycan, this sporty Audi has 350kW of power and 630Nm of torque in standard guise.
In the hotter RS – which looks visually identical to the regular E-Tron GT – combined power outputs reach 440kW/830Nm.
This means the standard E-Tron GT is 0-100km/h can complete a 0-100km/h run in 4.1 seconds, 0-200km/h in 15.5 seconds and a 245km/h top speed.
Meanwhile, the RS completes the same sprints in 3.3- and 11.8 seconds respectively, before hitting a top speed of 250km/h.
With an 85.7kWh battery pack under the floor, both the standard and RS variants of the E-Tron GT have a driving range of more than 400km, while power and torque sits at a punchy 350kW/630Nm in the regular GT.
Interior items such as the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch touchscreen and a D-shaped steering wheel carry over from other Audi models.
First locked in for the third quarter of 2021, the 2022 Audi E-Tron GT has been delayed until some point in 2022. The specific model line-up and pricing details are still to be confirmed.
Audi RS 3
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Arriving: Second quarter
The smallest RS-badged offering from Audi Sport packs even more grunt for 2022.
With a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine, the Audi RS 3 now sports 294kW of power and 500Nm of torque, with power sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Improvements within the dual-clutch auto see the 0-100km/h time drop to a claimed 3.8-seconds – just 0.2 of a second slower than the flagship V8 RS 6 – on the way to a top speed of 250km/h.
An RS sports exhaust is fitted as standard, while the new torque splitter system electronically controls torque across the rear wheels, which helps to improve control during cornering and minimising understeer and oversteer.
Local pricing begins at $91,400 before on-road costs for the RS 3 Sportback, with the sedan body adding an additional $2000 to the listed price.
The 2022 Audi RS 3 will touch down in Australia during the second quarter of next year.
Chevrolet Corvette
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Arriving: Corvette – January; Corvette Z06 – not until 2023
In Australia, the Chevrolet C8 Corvette has been put through the wringer… and it hasn’t even launched yet.
First revealed in mid-2019, right-hand drive production of the C8 Corvette was confirmed, with local distribution and sales to be managed by Holden – but with Chevrolet badging remaining in place.
Fast forward just over six months, and Holden became a dead brand. Now, the Corvette will be imported into Australia through General Motors Speciality Vehicles (GMSV).
Set to arrive in January, the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette range will consist of the 2LT, 3LT and a range-topping Carbon Edition – which is a one-time special edition.
Pricing starts at $144,900 before on-road costs for the Stingray 2LT Coupe, rising to $160,500 for the 3LT and $189,990 for the Carbon Edition. Convertible versions, exclusive to the full-time 2LT and 3LT, cost another $15,000.
Honda Civic Type R
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Arriving: Sometime in 2022
Honda has kicked off a teaser campaign for the 11th-generation Civic Type R hot hatch.
Expected to go on sale late next year, industry rumours suggest the outgoing 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine could see a return – albeit with the probable addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to improve performance and reduce emissions.
As before, the Civic Type R will be offered exclusively – initially, at least – with a six-speed manual transmission.
Performance-orientated additions include a body kit with large air vents on the front spoiler, deep side skirts with louvres incorporated into the front wheel arches, and a large rear wing.
Three exhaust tips will also feature, in addition to Brembo high-performance brake callipers and a set of 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
The 2022 Honda Civic Type R is expected to be unveiled in the coming months, with the model likely to arrive in the second half of next year.
Kia EV6 GT
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Arriving: Late 2022 or early 2023
Kia has confirmed the local line-up for its first dedicated electric vehicle, the EV6, with the flagship GT set to fall close to $100,000.
The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive EV6 GT produces 430kW of power and 740Nm of torque.
It is also the fastest-accelerating Kia production car yet, with a 0-100km/h time of just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 260km/h.
To aid performance, the GT also features an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, while yellow brake calipers combine with yellow accents found inside the cabin.
First deliveries of the 2022 Kia EV6 GT are expected to commence by the end of 2022, but Kia Australia says it cannot rule out a delay into early 2023.
The regular Kia EV6 range will touch down in February, offering a rear-wheel-drive base model, and the GT-Line with either rear-drive or all-wheel drive – all with less power than the performance-orientated GT, but still with a respectable 239kW in AWD guise.
Mercedes-AMG EQS 53
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Arriving: First half
As the first in-house electric offering from Mercedes-AMG, the EQS 53 ups the performance ante of the regular EQS.
The performance version sports a pair of electric motors with two states of tune: 484kW/950Nm or 560kW/1020Nm in the AMG Dynamic Plus.
A sprint to 100km/h from a standstill takes just 3.4 seconds, with the regular EQS580 taking 4.3 seconds. However, compared to the claimed 770km driving range of the EQS580, the EQS 53 has a lower maximum stated range of 580km.
There are subtle changes from the regular EQS, with unique AMG front and rear bumpers, a faux Panamericana grille, a larger rear spoiler and 21- or 22-inch lightweight alloy wheels.
Mercedes-AMG will also offer red brake calipers, carbon trim, Nappa leather seats and a blacked-out design package as a part of its options list.
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 is expected to land in Australia at around $400,000 or higher when it arrives in the first half of 2022.
Mercedes-AMG SL
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Arriving: Second half
The next-generation version of Mercedes-Benz’s iconic SL roadster has been developed from the ground-up by the the firm’s high-performance division.
Two variants of the new SL will initially debut – the SL 55 4Matic+ and the SL 63 4Matic+ – with both offering separate power outputs from the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Each is matched with AMG’s multi-clutch nine-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels.
The SL 55 produces 350kW of power and 700Nm of torque, allowing the vehicle to complete the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 3.9 seconds, with a maximum top speed of 295km/h.
Meanwhile, the flagship SL 63 ups power to 430kW/800Nm, dropping the 0-100km/h sprint time to a claimed 3.6 seconds, and pushing the highest-rated speed to 315km/h.
Inside, the SL features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, integrated into an aviation-inspired dashboard with ambient lighting. There is also an 11.9-inch portrait-mounted touchscreen featuring the latest generation of the company’s MBUX infotainment system in the centre console.
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL is expected to arrive in Australia in the second half of next year. Australian pricing and specification details are yet to be released.
Nissan Z
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Arriving: Mid-2022
The Z is set to become Nissan's new flagship model in Australia, following the recent discontinuation of the GT-R.
Underpinned by a revised version of the outgoing 370Z chassis, the new Z features a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 298kW of power and 475Nm of torque, available with the choice of a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission.
The cabin is a drastic departure from the ageing 370Z, with a clean centre stack, three analogue gauges on the instrument binnacle and a larger touchscreen.
Leather-accented seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, active cabin noise cancellation, reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, radar cruise control, and launch control are all standard.
A limited-edition Z Proto Spec will be offered with a number of unique features, including; two-tone yellow paint with black roof, yellow brake callipers, yellow interior highlights, and 19-inch forged alloy wheels in bronze.
The 2022 Nissan Z will arrive in Australian dealerships during the middle of the year.
Subaru WRX and WRX STI
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Arriving: WRX – second quarter; WRX STI – late 2022
A two-pronged attack to the Hyundai i30 N, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford Focus ST and Honda Civic Type R headlines the next-generation Subaru WRX.
Available in traditional sedan form and as a rebadged Levorg wagon – known as the Sportswagon – the WRX makes the switch to the brand’s 2.4-litre four-cylinder boxer turbo engine, producing 202kW and 350Nm.
A six-speed manual or a completely revised continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic gearbox sends power to all four wheels, with a centre limited-slip differential on the manual.
Unlike the sedan, the only transmission available in the Sportswagon is the ‘eight-speed’ CVT.
Similarities between the WRX and WRX Sportswagon are mostly kept to the front design and Subaru Global Platform underpinnings, with each model offering a unique rear profile and subtle differences inside.
Equipment such as an 11.6-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Recaro front seats and active safety features are expected to remain identical across both body types.
The 2022 Subaru WRX will arrive in Australia in the second quarter, with local pricing and specifications to be announced closer to launch.
Reveal timing for the hotter WRX STI is still to be confirmed, but the flagship variant is expected to land in Australia before the end of 2022. Stay tuned.
Volkswagen Golf R
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Arriving: R hatch – April; R wagon – mid-2022
Joining the hot new Tiguan R, the latest version of the Golf R will join the line-up early in the year to kickstart an onslaught of performance variants for Volkswagen in Australia.
Slightly detuned locally in comparison to Europe, the Golf R hatch will produce the same 235kW, but a lower 400Nm. This reduces its 0-100km/h time by a tenth to 4.8 seconds – the same time as the outgoing model.
The Golf R wagon will stick with the full-fat version of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, with 235kW and 420Nm – but with petrol particulate filter for cleaner emissions. Its 0-100km/h time is claimed to take 4.9 seconds.
A new all-wheel-drive system incorporates torque vectoring that enables power to be distributed between the rear wheels, not just the front and rear axles.
Standard equipment includes; matrix LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive dampers, Nappa leather seats with front heating and ventilation, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, three-zone climate control, and Harman Kardon speakers. The wagon adds an electric tailgate.
Volkswagen has confirmed pricing for the 2022 Golf R, with the hatch priced from $66,990 before on-road costs – an $11,000 hike over the outgoing model.
The wagon version is listed at $69,990, with a panoramic sunroof the sole option across both cars.
Set to initially arrive in April in hatch form, the delayed R wagon will join the range in mid-2022.
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