Hello, avid car enthusiasts! We have compiled a list of new vehicles for 2021 in Australia to look out for. From small cars to supercars— and everything in between, there hasn't been a better time to look for a new vehicle.
It’s been a rather wild year for the global automotive industry, with the pandemic affecting productions, causing cancellations of motor presentations and events and closure of dealerships. The Australian automobile industry, in particular, was dealt a blow when one of the country’s biggest automakers, General Motor's Holden, announced its plan to exit the country come 2021.
2020 will be remembered as one of the years when the going got tougher than tough. As the world slowly transits into a new normal, probably everyone hopes for 2021 to become the year where the tough gets going. Car Manufacturers are certainly on this train as many have announced plans to roll out new cars in 2021. Here are 5 of the most famed vehicles expected to hit Australian roads next year.
1. 2021 Lexus RC350
First on the list is the Lexus RC. Minor changes have been made to the earlier versions to enhance the experience of the driver. However, no significant price increase is expected. Although there are two vehicles in this series, we have chosen to focus solely on the prospects of the “senior sibling”— RC350. What can I say, I’ve got a slight bias for its more extraordinary abilities.
The RC350’s engine and output options remain the same, with the car offering 232kW/380Nm from its 3.5-litre petrol V6. The rear suspension, however, gets a thicker anti-roll bar to assist cornering stability.
Perhaps, its most remarkable new feature is the replacement of the old-fashioned foot-operated parking brake with a modern electronic brake system. Safety has also morphed to a new level, with a new radar active cruise control mechanism now available across the fleet. This feature is in addition to the already existing Lexus Safety System+ available in the 2020 version of the vehicle.
The vehicle also gets a smart key card, adjustable suspension system, custom drive modes, acceleration sound control and variable-ratio steering to top it off. The Australian pricing for the RC350 is $70,736 for the luxury version and $78,736 for the F Sport version.
2. Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 2021
This vehicle is set to touch down in Australia in the first quarter of 2021 with Maserati looking to turn things up a few notches on its sedans. Like the recently revealed Maserati hybrid, the Ghibli joins to become one of the first electrified vehicles in Maser's range.
Under the bonnet is a twin-turbo 3.8-litre petrol V8 engine producing 433kW of power over 730Nm of torque. This engine has a staggering top speed of 326km/h making it the fastest sedan under the brand. It is equipped with an android automotive-based infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display.
The hybrid vehicle has an expanded collection of driver assistance features; one is the high-way pilot adaptive cruise control system. Pricing is yet to be announced, but a reveal is expected later in 2020.
3. 2021 Audi SQ2
This outstanding vehicle is the updated version of the smallest Audi S model presently on sale. The car comes with a reshaped front grille placed a bit lower and surrounded by a matrix LED. Owners of the Audi SQ2 can lock and unlock their vehicles, check car’s fuel level and do so much more from their phone with the MyAudi smartphone app. How’s that for Awe-mazing?
The engine and output options remain the same, with the vehicle offering 221kW and 400Nm from its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The vehicle seats lower to the road than the earlier version, thanks to the incorporated S-sport suspensions. Custom drive modes are also made available to improve the driver's experience. The vehicle is scheduled to be released around mid-2021, and pricing will be announced closer to the launch.
4. 2021 Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery and the Jaguar Land Rover are set to arrive in Australia in 2021 with unique features to rival its SUV counterparts. From the outside, you would notice a completely new signature LED headlights and the taillights getting a slight revision from the earlier version. The engine and output option drops to just two in the latest version with a significant step up; the diesel D300 with 221kW/650Nm and petrol P360 with 265kW/500Nm. Both engines feature a mild hybrid system.
Excellent additions to the vehicle include the air suspension, more room— with seven seats now available— ambient interior lighting, plus the safety and convenience tech. The car boasts a standard keyless entry, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, a rear protection assist and a high-speed emergency braking. The Australian pricing for the 2021 Land Rover Discovery is $106,100 for mid-spec SE and $113,700 for the range-topping Discovery HSE.
5. 2021 Genesis G80
This Genesis sedan comes in two powertrain options. The G80 2.5T is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 224Kw/422Nm which sends power to the rear wheel via an eight-speed auto transmission. In comparison, the G80 3.5T is a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 279kW/530Nm, all-wheel-drive eight-speed automatic transmission.
The new "blind-spot" monitor is one of its most notable features. The system displays a live feed of the vehicle's blind spot on the front deck display when activated. Still, on features, the front seats are 12 ways electrically controlled. The smart cruise control has a machine learning feature to adapt to the drivers preferred driving style. Also, the G80 3.5T comes with Genesis Adaptive Control Suspension with road preview tech. This factor allows the vehicle to understand the road surface and adjust the shocks to suit the road.
The vehicle has the upperhand compared to its rivals in the same category with an impeccable infotainment system and interior. The Australian pricing for the G80 2.5T is $84,900 and $99,900 for the G80 3.5T AWD. Be informed that Genesis offers five years or 50,000km of complimentary servicing and five years unlimited km warranty as an incentive to private buyers.
And there you have it, 5 of many cars to look out for in the New Year.
By Damilare Olasinde