We’ve pushed loads of thrilling metallic in 2022, however the 12 months is nearly over – and the automotive business by no means stops transferring.
From futuristic electrical flagships to screaming tributes to internal-combustion heroes previous, with a couple of household SUVs thrown in for good measure, right here’s what the CarExpert workforce is most excited to drive in 2023.
Tony Crawford
BMW M2, M3 Touring, XM
I simply can’t nail it down to 1 automotive. In actual fact, it’s a BMW triple for me.
The upcoming M2, new M3 Touring, and the primary full-strength electrified M automotive ever within the XM.
The M2 is a new-generation automotive from the bottom up that borrows from the most recent M3/M4, with a clean-sheet exterior design I’m liking extra each time I see one other pic, whereas the M3 Touring is the primary such M3 wagon ever to enter collection manufacturing.
I noticed the XM in a static show in Italy earlier this 12 months, and was totally gobsmacked by how large it’s – and simply how totally different it’s from every other BMW to date in and out. The very fact it’s the fully-fledged electrified M automobile, and subsequently monitor succesful, is one thing I have to expertise first hand. Can’t wait.
Alborz Fallah
Ferrari Purosangue
I’m actually eager on the brand new Ferrari Purosangue SUV, which I’ll hopefully get to drive someday late February.
This SUV that isn’t an SUV has a three-year wait checklist for new orders, and Ferrari took ceaselessly to get it proper. By all accounts, it acquired it proper.
However why am I eager to drive an SUV? Whereas the world of massive engines is coming to an finish with everybody (together with Ferrari) going to hybrids and EVs, some loopy Italians determined – un ultimo volta – one final time, why not put an enormous V12 in an SUV whereas we nonetheless can.
Genuinely, one final time that superb engine will get used and what a strategy to do it… to hold the entire household round.
The final and undoubtedly the best SUV to ever be constructed is coming in 2023 with a naturally aspirated V12, and I’m merely begging to drive it and hoping to make it my subsequent household automotive.
William Stopford
Kia EV6 GT, Hyundai Ioniq 5
I’ve pushed the common Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 and totally loved each – the Ioniq 5 has the funkier inside, the EV6 is best to drive, and neither is accessible in anyplace close to the numbers they need to be in Australia as provide is prioritised for different markets.
The N-fettled Ioniq 5 ought to tackle among the dynamic points we’ve raised with the Hyundai whereas additionally dialling in additional driving pleasure, and we all know what the workforce at N is able to attaining.
The EV6 GT isn’t being designed fairly as explicitly as a monitor weapon, however its efficiency numbers are nothing to sneeze at.
Evidently, I’m very excited to drive each. Particular mentions go to the long-awaited Touring model of the BMW M3 for the mix of driving pleasure and connectedness and practicality it’ll provide, in addition to the GWM Tank 300 and 500.
Neither of those body-on-frame SUVs are going to be anyplace close to as thrilling to drive because the aforementioned autos, however GWM is likely one of the Chinese language firms I watch with the best curiosity.
The concept it’ll beat Toyota to market with hybrid and plug-in hybrid off-roaders is fascinating, and I’ll be curious to see if they’ll provide the identical stage of basic competence and sharp worth as GWM’s smaller merchandise at a better worth level.
Mike Costello
BYD Seal
This isn’t the identical query as asking what automotive I believe would be the greatest.
The BYD Seal is destined to be the Chinese language powerhouse’s subsequent EV to launch right here, to deal with the Tesla Mannequin 3, and subsequently will get my nod.
I used to be impressed by the Atto 3, and the Seal seems to take issues up one other notch. BYD is an actual model to look at, but when the Seal isn’t any good, it’ll lose momentum.
But when it does resonate as I believe it’s going to, then BYD will develop into a staple of the reasonably priced EV market.
Jack Fast
Volkswagen Amarok
I’m actually trying ahead to driving the Volkswagen Amarok subsequent 12 months.
I’ve pushed nearly each flavour of the Ford Ranger up to now and I’m eager to expertise how a lot the Amarok differs first hand.
The inside seems nice with the piano key shortcut buttons, and a Volkswagen steering wheel that truly has bodily buttons.
I also needs to point out the cabin ought to symbolize an unlimited enchancment over the previous-generation Amarok with its microscopic 6.33-inch touchscreen.
I’m a sucker for the torquey 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel within the Ranger and Everest, and I believe it’ll be excellent within the Amarok. The two.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol sounds fascinating too!
Paul Maric
Toyota HiLux GR Sport
Toyota urgently wants a correct competitor to not solely the Ford Ranger, however extra importantly the Ranger Raptor.
The HiLux Rogue was a promising effort, however I need to see what Toyota can drum up as a viable different to the Raptor.
I’m hoping it includes a petroleum Lexus engine of some description and the power to clear jumps just like the Ranger Raptor does. Toyota has been conservative with the HiLux lengthy sufficient and it’s now time to throw the kitchen sink at it and get severe on a efficiency variant.
Scott Collie
Ford Mustang Darkish Horse
For all its flaws, the outdated Mustang was a type of vehicles I’d all the time sit up for driving.
From the V8 burble to the chunky, optimistic handbook shift, it was greater than only a fairly face. Nevertheless it wasn’t good.
The inside was all the time a bit low cost, and the very fact Australia missed out on the right Mach 1 we had been promised was all the time disappointing. Certain, all some homeowners need to do is pose on Chapel Avenue, however the previous-generation automotive was additionally succesful sufficient to function a monitor automotive… it simply lacked a couple of particulars to get it correctly dialled in.
The brand new automotive doubtlessly fixes each these issues. I’m not bought on the brand new screen-heavy dashboard in photos, however I’m hoping the supplies and basic end are a step in the precise route.
The brand new Darkish Horse solves the monitor Mach 1 downside, too. It’s locked and loaded for Australia, with a variety of tasty upgrades to make it extra succesful for severe drivers. Signal me up.
James Wong
Mazda CX-60
I do know I’m not sufficiently old to be eager for the wafty trip of a premium SUV simply but, however for some cause I’m obsessive about the concept of a Mazda CX-60.
Since its reveal I haven’t been capable of cease speaking about it within the workplace – ask my colleagues for verification.
The primary plug-in hybrid from the Mazda model may very well be the expertise’s greatest shot but at turning into extra mainstream within the Australian market, and the inline-six choices additionally stick out as potential gems.
I’ll take an Azami PHEV in Soul Pink Crystal with the Takumi Bundle for a very prolonged mortgage please. Mmm… white leather-based…
