New Models
New Models

The cars we’re looking forward to most in 2017

New Year's Day already seems a lifetime ago, and the year that has a hard act to follow, on newsworthiness at least, is spooling up to be a big one.


So among the motor shows and new releases 2017 has in store, what are the CarAdvice team looking forward to most?

We've asked around the office, and have the usual, varying array of responses.

What are you looking forward to most in 2017? Let us know in the comments below.


Founder

To be perfectly honest I'm looking forward to getting my Model X! But I guess that's old news...

In that regard, then, I'm looking forward to driving the special version of the new Lamborghini Huracan rumoured to be called 'Performante' that will apparently have a Nurburgring track time to make Ferrari fanboys stay awake at night.


Rob Margeit
Editorial Production Manager

As a closet Alfa fan (I know, I know) nothing has me more excited than a proper Alfa performance car. That it's a sedan and not some hyped-up hot hatch, only makes the prospect more tantalising.

After all, who doesn't love a good sleeper? With a top speed over 300km/h and a 0-100 time of under four seconds, there's no question the Giulia is the real deal.


James Ward
Associate Publisher

It has to be the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV. It looks fantastic and reports form around the world, even from our own Anthony Crawford, suggest it has the performance to match. But any car can be fast, where the Giulia has my anticipation senses tingling, is in driver connection and character. Even a 'not very fast by traditional standards' Alfa can be a hoot, so one with some actual punch has me exceptionally keen to jump behind the wheel!


Mike Stevens
Producer and News Editor

Genesis G70. I love me an underdog, and Hyundai's new luxury Genesis arm is surely that. The spy photos of the G70 make it look mighty imposing, and that speculative rendering we published has really got me psyched. I hope it proves accurate!

Combine all of that with mid-sized proportions, a rear-wheel-drive layout and that new 3.3-litre turbo six, and I'm pretty damn keen. This could be really good buying, even if only as a used car with the likely resale hit making the price more appealing.


Trent Nikolic
Senior Editor

I'm most looking forward to the new Land Rover Discovery at this stage.

Massive shoes to fill and has to be seriously capable off-road as well. It also has to move the game forward given the Disco was a leader for so long, but the competitors have caught up and moved on, especially in a technological sense.


Matt CampbellContributor

Volkswagen Golf 7.5. Right, so it's already the benchmark small car, and has remained our pick, even in the face of strong competition.

But now, with the mid-life update including a revised interior, new technology, new engines and – presumably – better driving refinement, despite retaining the polarising DSG auto transmissions.

The question is: will this be the perfect small car? We'll see.

Also, I'll sneak in the Honda CR-V. If the new Civic is anything to go by, the new version of Honda's roomy mid-size SUV should be a pearler. Turbo engines, better steering, nicer interiors and even better practicality mean this should be one for family buyers to keep an eye out for.


Mike Costello
Senior Editor

Honda Civic Type-R. At the risk of being too Honda-heavy, the imminent circa 240kW, manual-only Type-R hatch promises to be brilliant. Hot Hondas were once amazing, and this one has all the early hallmarks of a return to form.

After a long delay, I’m counting down to its August launch, though I hope the price is under $50k. Ford Focus RS, watch out.


Paul Maric
Senior Road Tester

I'm most looking forward to two cars — the Land Rover Discovery and the three limited edition Holden Commodores. Can't wait to drive the Discovery because the Discovery 4 is such an iconic vehicle that still does everything it needs to do quite well. While the new one looks a little awkward, I think it'll have the goods to continue leading the segment.

And the Commodores? Well it's the final year of production and I don't think I could have been more impressed with what the Australian engineering team has come up with. We've driven the cars and while you'll have to wait for the verdict, it's fair to say it's a fitting, tyre destroying send off.


David Zalstein
Journalist

This is a tough one. I’d sincerely love a drive/slide in the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 because it looks amazing and will likely make me split my own face in half once I start it up. The 2017 Mercedes-AMG E63 S too, is another one I’m keen to (hopefully) get some seat time in, as I still have a massive man-crush on its predecessor. That plus, you know, 450kW and 850Nm.

Lastly, the 2017 Renault Megane RS is a car I’m keen to see (properly) and find out more about. Will it be as good as the last Megane RS – a bloody damn good thing – or will Renault choose sales figures and a broader appeal over genuine vehicular brilliance? We shall see…

But the car I’m most looking forward to seeing and, again, hopefully driving, next year is the 2017 Hyundai i30 N. Hyundai has been talking the talk with, and drumming up plenty of expectation about, its first ‘real’ hot hatch. For the South Korean brand, I hope they nail it – I really do. But, I will say this, it better be good, because its competitors are only going to keep getting better and faster. Good luck Hyundai.


James Wong
Journalist

The new Volkswagen Golf 7.5 looks the business and makes a good thing even better (hopefully)! Really like the new Active Info display in a small car along with that new infotainment system. Something I would actually consider buying!

But I'm really keen to seen and drive the Kia GT sedan. A lot of our readers still scoff at the thought of driving Kias. After having two in the family the last few years, I'm hoping that having a rear-wheel drive performance sedan will finally give the Korean brand the attention it deserves, and adding something a little more exciting to brand's relatively placid line-up.


Tegan Lawson
Lifestyle Editor

Raw power and presence is what this is all about. The Nissan GT-R Nismo is due to arrive in February 2017 packing a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 with 441kW and 652Nm.

With its 0-100km/h time tipped to be less than 2.7-seconds, this will be awesome. Also need to mention the Skoda Kodiaq that will land here sometime next year.

Skoda has turned out some impressive cars in 2016, practical and feature packed, and there is a groundswell of brand recognition and appreciation happening.


Benn Sykes
National Sales Director

Audi RS3 Sedan. The hatch was such an angry beast but personally I find the Hatch body shape a tad too large and not as attractive as the models of old.

The sedan, on the other hand, looks great. Combine that noise from the RS motor, the AWD handling and that body shape – it’ll be the challenger to the M2 I want to see (even if it has an extra two doors).


Marika Zhu: Victorian Sales ManagerAudi RS3 and Honda Civic Type R

Mat McNayNSW & Queensland Sales Manager – Alfa Romeo Giulia QV and Ford Fiesta RS (hopefully!)


What are you looking forward to most in 2017? Let us know in the comments below.

James Ward

With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.

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