Hottest new cars due in Australia soon

It has been a slow start to the financial year for new arrivals but there are some exciting new models on the way, including a long awaited Tesla.

2019 Tesla Model 3.

Tesla Model 3

From about $70,000 driveaway

The long wait is over for electric car dreamers who put down a deposit on the Tesla Model 3 more than three years ago. Tesla is launching its three tier range in Australia. A Standard Range Plus version starts at $66,000 before on-road costs. It has a claimed range of 460km and a top speed of 225km, sprinting from rest to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds. A Long Range version costs an extra $21,000 and has a range of 620km, a top speed of 233km/h and reduces the sprint time to 4.6 seconds.

The Telsa Model 3 promises to be excellent.

The top-flight Performance model starts at $91,200 has a supercar-rivalling 0-100km/h time of 3.4 seconds but range is reduced to 560km. The two more expensive versions get a premium interior including heated front and rear seats, premium stereo and increased connectivity. All versions get a 15-inch central touchscreen. There are next to no options, except for the misleadingly named Full Self-Driving Capability which costs $8500. The first examples will pull into driveways from August with orders placed now due in September.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

From about $109,000 driveaway

The GLE now comes with an optional seven-seat layout.

The new big family SUV has just hit local showrooms. A trio of updated versions bring fresh engine options, greater cabin space and the option for a third row of seats. Prices start at $99,900 before on-road costs for the diesel-powered GLE 300d and increase to $111,700 for the petrol-powered 450, extending further to $118,500 for the diesel 440d. All models are four-wheel drive. The petrol version has mild hybrid 48-volt tech which powers electronic features and can recuperate braking energy and give short sessions of overboost. Passengers are protected by nine airbags and oodles of active safety kit including a 360 degree camera, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist and lane changing assist. A five-star crash test also showed the GLE is the world’s safest car for child occupants.

Jaguar F-Pace SVR and XE

From about $150,000 and $70,000 driveaway

Jaguar has slashed its XE range dramatically.

Jaguar is adding some more spice to the luxury SUV market with the long-awaited addition of the F-Pace SVR performance model. The fire-breathing high-rider sits atop the leaping cat’s mid-size SUV totem pole priced from $140,000 before on-road costs. That’s a sizeable jump of more than $30,000 over the next model down. Power comes from a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 (404kW/680Nm) connected to an eight-speed auto driving all four wheels. This is enough to propel the two tonne machine from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 283km/h. The SVR will be joined by the BMW 3 Series rivalling XE sedan in August. Jaguar has dramatically slashed its range from 11 to only two. Both will have a sporty bias thanks to a 221kW petrol engine. Prices will start at about $65,000 before on-road costs. Both models come with ample safety kit and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen.