The best new cars due to arrive in the next month
It has been a slow start to the year for new car arrivals but that is all about to change as a collection of fresh metal is due to land in showrooms in the next month. And there will be something for everyone.
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The automotive year has been quiet to date but that is about to change, with exciting new metal poised to land in showrooms. There will be a pair of fresh hybrids for the eco-conscious, a budget-friendly family SUV and, for performance fans, a supercharged American.
MG HS
The Chinese brand is on the ascendant with sales up 180 per cent (from a modest base) in 2019. The emerging maker. MG is preparing the launch of the HS, its rival for the Mazda CX-5, to be priced at 30,990 drive-away, or about $5000 less than the cheapest auto CX-5. The higher-spec HS Excite version will cost $33,990 drive-away. Both grades are powered by a 1.5-litre turbo engine with 124kW/250Nm, paired with a seven-speed transmission driving the front wheels. Common features are autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control, blind spot, lane departure and cross traffic warning, along with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. There will be test drives of the new HS in the coming weeks.
SUBARU HYBRIDS
Subaru is about to launch hybrid versions of its popular XV and Forester SUVs. On sale next month, the XV version will be priced from $35,580 before on-roads and will come in a single high-spec trim. There will be two Forester versions with prices starting at $39,990 for the Hybrid L and $45,990 for the Hybrid S. In all three, there is a comprehensive safety suite. They share the same hybrid drive set-up, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (110kW/196Nm) combined with an electric motor (12.3kW/66Nm) and lithium-ion battery, which drives all four wheels. Subaru hasn’t revealed fuel consumption figures but city drivers should be big winners with urban fuel economy improving by between 14 and 19 per cent.
FORD MUSTANG R-SPEC
The potent supercharged Mustang R-Spec will land in showrooms shortly. The Blue Oval is building just 500 examples and, despite the $99,980 price-tag, the brand expects them to sell out very quickly. Ford has yet to reveal full specification but a similar performance package in the US turns the Mustang’s V8 into a tyre-shredding weapon, producing 522kW/827Nm. Old-schoolers will celebrate the fact the R-Spec will be sold exclusively with a six-speed manual. Numerous cosmetic touches enhance the R-Spec’s image. Two new colours — Grabber Lime and Twisted Orange — will combine with Boss Mustang stripes, bonnet vents and glossy black rear spoiler. There are also suspension upgrades and an active muffler, the latter with four modes for throatier exhaust notes and easier breathing.
Originally published as The best new cars due to arrive in the next month
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