New Models 2nd Half 2006
August 14, 2006 by Alborz Fallah
CarsGuide put up an interesting article regarding the upcoming models for the rest of the year. The more interesting things to note from the article is the idea that the large car segment is set to increase its share with the launch of the new Holden VE Commodore and the Toyota Camry. Nonetheless, I am a little pesimistic about these predictions.
Honestly guys (and girls), there is no reason you need to buy a Holden Commodore in this day and age, the money you spend on a brand new VE Commodore can be spent better elsewhere. The market predictions are taking into account fleet sales, the family or big-car segment depends so much on fleet sales its not funny. I urge all Australians who are looking to buy a new car to invest a little time and effort into checking out new models from other manufacturers.
The new Toyota Camry is worth a look, sure its only powered by a 4 Cylinder engine, but if you are after a car that will get you from A to B and has some room, its the one you want. Why buy a Ford Falcon? Why buy a Holden Commodore? Sure you get the extra 60kw or so out of the car compared to a camry, but you pay for it at the bowser, and if that wasn’t enough, everyone should know by now that Commodores and Falcon lose a good 30% of their value within the first year! Do you want that sort of depriciation on your brand new car?
Okay I’ll stop ranting, but really though, check out all these new cars coming out before the end of the year:
ALFA ROMEO
Spider convertible in November.
AUDI
Q7 4WD in September;
RS 4 Avant in October;
A8 4.2 FSI in October;
S6 in November;
S8 in December.
BMW
3 Series coupe in October;
X3 small SUV facelift is due in December;
Z4 coupe in October priced at $87,900 for the 3.0-litre and reaching $127,200 for the M version coupe;
The M6 convertible is expected to cost $290,000-$295,000 and arrive in December.
CHRYSLER
Dodge Caliber from under $25,000, this month.
CITROEN
C6 in October, up to $90,000.
FERRARI
599 GTB Fiorano at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, priced from $650,000.
FORD
BF Falcon II in October.
HOLDEN
Captiva 4WD, later this year;
Statesman in September.
HSV
VE range later this month.
HONDA
Legend luxury sedan in September.
HYUNDAI
Elantra sedan at the end of this month;
Santa Fe diesel in October.
KIA
Sportage diesel, Sorento diesel and short wheelbase Carnival before the end of the year.
LEXUS
RX400 hybrid 4WD in September;
LS460 sedan featuring world’s first eight-speed transmission and a 4.6-litre, V8 engine in November.
MAZDA
MX-5 Roadster coupe, under $50,000 in October;
CX-7 two models, under $50,000 in November;
Mazda6 Diesel in November.
MITSUBISHI
Colt Cabriolet in October;
Pajero in October;
Triton 4×2 in October;
Outlander later this year.
MERCEDES
E-Class in September. The E500 range will get a new V8 engine and the 63, AMG’s new performance engine will replace the 55 across the range;
GL-Class large 4WD in November;
ML280 diesel 4WD due in September.
PEUGEOT
307 HDi automatic this month. Automatic hatch will be priced at $34,790, while the Touring will be $36,490.
PORSCHE
911 turbo in August, priced at $327,000;
GT3 will follow priced at $253,200;
2.7-litre Cayman is expected around October at $118,000.
SUBARU
Liberty in September;
Outback in September;
Tribeca large 4WD in November.
SUZUKI
Swift Sport in September.
TOYOTA
Aurion V6 in November.
VOLVO
XC90 diesel this month followed by 4.4-litre V8 petrol version in October;
C70 hard-top convertible in October priced from $69,950;
C30 baby car early next year.
VOLKSWAGEN
Touareg 4WD due later this year.
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