This yr on CarExpert, we coated over 50 automobiles that had been revealed however have been both dominated out for Australia or have been in any other case unlikely to come back right here.
I shared this checklist with the remainder of the editorial crew and posed the query: which of those automobiles do you would like would come right here?
That was simply the checklist of automobiles we did cowl – there have been in all probability some small Indian-market SUVs and Chinese language sedans that didn’t grace our pages – however nonetheless it was a various checklist.
I’m speaking all the things from electrical metropolis vehicles (Citroen e-C3) to electrical supercars (Yangwang U9).
There have been LandCruiser-sized Havals (GWM Haval H5), and opulent Toyota SUVs much more costly than LandCruisers (Toyota Century SUV); smaller, extra manoeuvrable Rams (Ram Rampage) and massive Volvo individuals movers (Volvo EM90).
What vehicles did the members of the CarExpert crew choose?
Anthony Crawford: Yangwang U8 and Zeekr 001 FR
There are two vehicles I desperately wish to see arrive in Australia and each are Chinese language.
One is the Yangwang U8, for its unrivalled breadth of functionality within the luxurious SUV stakes. I imply, who doesn’t need an ultra-luxury household SUV that may do tank turns in your native lagoon? Severely, this factor is like nothing we’ve ever seen and would seemingly be priced tens of hundreds beneath its euro rivals.
Then there’s the Zeekr 001 FR.
Wow, simply wow. This might simply be the next-generation Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo such is the design, by no means thoughts the inside or its efficiency stats. The truth that it’s one more model beneath the Geely umbrella warms my coronary heart and evokes confidence.
Paul Maric: Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla Cybertruck. It’s probably the most ridiculous, objectively ineffective car on the street. However I’d like to see them on sale in Australia.
It’s just like the Ranger Raptor – whereby its perform as a load hauling dual-cab ute isn’t actually that good, however all the things else that it does is simply enjoyable and thumbs its nostril to the norms.
MORE: Tesla Cybertruck: First electric utes officially delivered
Scott Collie: Toyota HiLux Champ
I perceive why the Toyota HiLux Champ received’t come to Australia. It’s not designed to satisfy our security requirements, nor does it pack a number of the tools native patrons demand from even probably the most primary automobiles.
Why is it a disgrace we miss it? It’s an affordable, easy instrument designed to get work performed, slightly than a way of life assertion. It’s a throwback to what utes was, and would little doubt fill a niche within the native market if Toyota may value it across the $25,000 mark – which is what you’ll pay for a top-spec mannequin in Thailand.
MORE: Toyota HiLux Champ is a bargain, back-to-basics ute for Asia
Jack Fast: Subaru Levorg Layback
If you happen to’ve learn my earlier responses on quite a few our op-eds you’d already know I’m a HUGE fan of the Subaru Outback.
One among my few gripes concerning the automobile although, moreover its gas financial system, is the Outback is sort of a big car. This could generally make it a bit of arduous to navigate in tight city automobile parks for instance.
For this reason I used to be actually within the Levorg Layback, which to me completely balances having an SUV-like driving place with wagon-like practicality in a right-sized package deal.
I’m actually disenchanted this quirky Subaru isn’t coming to Australia as a result of I can actually see myself driving one.
MORE: Subaru takes WRX Sportswagon off-road with Levorg Layback
Jade Credentino: Lucid Gravity
It must be Lucid, although the corporate does have plans to increase into right-hand drive… finally. Whereas the Air is the right substitute for a Mannequin S in Australia, I hope the Gravity does finally come to Australia.
William Stopford: Lucid Gravity
Lucid, like Rivian, is one electrical car startup I’m actually rooting to succeed.
The Saudi-backed, US-based EV producer revealed this yr its second mannequin, the three-row Gravity SUV. It’s Lucid’s rival to the likes of the Tesla Mannequin X and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, nevertheless it’s vastly higher wanting than each.
It’s nearly as good-looking because the Lucid Air sedan, and is a technological tour de pressure: a 900V electrical structure brings a DC charging price of as much as 300kW, whereas it rides on adaptive air suspension and has a 34-inch OLED show inside plus a separate touchscreen.
Lucid guarantees over 700km of vary plus loads of legroom for all three rows, in addition to a 0-100km/h time of beneath 3.5 seconds. Did I point out it’s vastly higher wanting than a Mannequin X or EQS SUV, too?
MORE: US electric car startup Lucid’s first SUV has 700km of range, seven seats
James Wong: A number of Toyotas
Nearly each new Toyota revealed this yr.
Why does Japan and North America get all of the enjoyable? Toyota has some of the various mannequin ranges and does probably the most quantity in Australia – absolutely there’s room to carry a few of its cooler merchandise to ease demand off key mannequin traces.
The brand new Prius is lastly horny, and as a plug-in hybrid may have been the beginning of a brand new period for a nameplate that pioneered the hybrid tech that has confirmed so profitable for the Japanese auto large.
Even moreso, the Crown household affords a spread of cool, premium-leaning automobiles that might make Toyota fascinating once more (for those who ignore the GR vary). The Crown Sport particularly I can see as a profitable vendor in Australia.
I’d additionally prefer to see Toyota carry within the Alphard and Vellfire as official factory-backed imports. I see heaps of those on the roads as gray imports and folks movers are developing once more – simply take a look at the Kia Carnival!
Additional, the truth that Lexus can justify bringing within the plush LM ought to present the bosses at Toyota Australia that it’s attainable to play within the MPV area and occupy its on a part of the market.
Anyway… rant over.
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