The Most Exciting Cars Coming To Australia in 2018

With another summer comes another wave of new cars making their way to Australia. While on the surface, the list is filled with a slightly predictable mix of practical SUVs, energy efficient small cars, and work-oriented utes, there͛s more to this list than meets the eye.

Along with the rather predictable releases, there are some truly exciting automobiles that will be arriving on the Australian shores over the next year. On this list will be several cars within the variety of the safe and smart choice, but others will include cars that are closer to the four-wheeled cruiser of your dreams.

Continue reading to get a look at the best and most exciting cars coming your way in 2018.

Hyundai i30 N

Let͛s start with a quick look at the newest addition to the Hyundai fleet. The i30 is already one of the most beloved models throughout Australia, and this new car is sure to turn quite a few heads.

This is the first ever Hyundai hot hatch, but it͛s such a great car that it feels like this is just the latest model of a long-lived model. This car is quick, stylish, and has tons of utility as well.

Under the bonnet, the Hyundai i30 N features a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. Thanks to that, you͛ll be turning heads in this car that will take you from 0-100km/h in just 6.1 seconds.

The great characteristics of this car go well beyond the numbers, though. It͛s great fun to drive and will definitely put all the other popular hot hatches on the market on notice.

Chevrolet HSV Camaro

For Australians who are looking for their very own slice of classic American muscle, the HSV Camaro could very well be the answer to all of your prayers. This latest iteration of the iconic muscle car will be hitting the shores in 2018.

Unfortunately for Aussie buyers, they won͛t get the same options on their Camaro as their counterparts across the Pacific. There will just be one V8 variant to the factory production, but the HSV hasn͛t ruled out the potential for adding the powerful ZL1 Camaro to the Aussie market at some point in the future.

This left-hand drive version of the Camaro was converted at HSV͛s Melbourne factor and will feature a 6.2-litre V8 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. With all that under the hood, the Camaro will be blowing your hair back at an impressive 0-100km/h in approximately 4.0 seconds.

While the Camaro is expected to sell far below one of its primary competitors, the Ford Mustang, it will surely be a sight to behold on the streets throughout Australia.

Ford Ranger Raptor

This is already one of the most popular cars in Australia and is looking to take another step forward in the ute category. While the Ford Ranger can be seen on nearly every street corner of Australia, the high-powered Ford Range Raptor brings quite a few new things to the fold.

The super ute will be powere by Ford͛s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, twin-turbocharged diesel engine. With a 10-speed auto transmission, tough suspension, and extra under-body protection, this car is going to be even more unstoppable than its predecessors.

It isn͛t expected to hit the market until late in 2018, but considering the technology involved, and its undeniably aggressive look, this one is sure to be worth the wait.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q

While there͛s quite a few top-notch cars from the United States on this list, let͛s not forget about that European powerhouse that is Italian engineering. Speaking of power, the continuation of Alfa Romeo͛s resurgence has reached Australia with what is being called the Ferrari of SUVs, the Stelvio Q.

This family-oriented automobile will leave you excited to drive the kids to school day after day thanks to its beautiful interior, exterior, and top-notch machinery under the bonnet. This high-powered SUV sports a 2.9-litre twin turbo V6 engine, and with thanks to its eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive system, you will always feel the utmost control as you hug the twists and turns on your way from point A to point B.

While there are sure to be quite a few customizations that you can make to this Italian beauty, it comes with some pretty nifty gadgets and infotainment features inside. On top of that, it will already have won awards by the time it makes its way to Australia, thanks to it winning the title of the World͛s Fastest Production SUV after it broke the record at the track atNurburgring with a 7:51.7 lap.

Hyundai Genesis G70

If you want to drive in style, but don͛t quite have the budget for a true luxury brand car, the Genesis G70 may very well be the car of your dreams. The former budget brand Hyundai is taking one of its first real jabs at the luxury mainstays with this car that is designed to take on cars such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C Class both inside and out.

With the Genesis G70, Hyundai is looking to make good on its commitment to providing the same comfort and performance of those most established luxury brands without the hefty price tag.

While it͛ll still run you somewhere around $50K, it͛s still close to half the price of some of its luxury brand competitors.

VW Polo

If getting a luxury feel into a very small package is what you͛re looking for, the VW Polo could be the perfect remedy. The small city car is deceptively roomy on the inside and is actually a bigger model than its previous iterations.

Beyond that, the new Polo features a standard top of the line emergency braking system, as well as nifty infotainment that is compatible with both Apply Car Play and Android Auto.

Mercedes X-Class

Mercedes has done it once again when it comes to proving that they are both the kings of luxury and performance with their first take on a brand new ute vehicle. While there were concerns initially, especially when it was reported that they would be basing their X-Class on the Nissan Navara, they have quelled those fears thanks to what the X-Class brings to the table.

This undeniably attractive automobile is available with three diesel engine options. Two four-cylinder units that are actually borrowed from Nissan, and then one massive V6 that comes from the engineers at Mercedes.

The X-Class comes in three dual-cab-only grades, Pure, Progressive, and Power, but has the option of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission. With all the glitz and glamour that comes with Mercedes, the price tag is actually fairly reasonable at $45K. Perhaps Mercedes is trying to lure consumers to get their first ute before they dig in for another model next year.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

This car may not be as versatile as many of the other automobiles on this list, but it is definitely the fastest. Car-lovers don͛t often use hyperbolic terms like ͚fastest ever,͛ but they might be forced to when it comes to this German speedster.

The new GT2 RS features a 3.8-litre, twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine powered through a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission that leads to truly astounding accerllation ofr 100km/h in just 2.8 seconds.

Those numbers are truly incredible. Another thing that is truly incredible is the price that comes with it. Don͛t expect to get your hands on a set of keys for one of these beauties without the willingness to part ways with nearly $650K.

Toyota Camry Ascent Hybrid

The eight generation of Camry is bringing in a new era for the Japanese giant in Australia as it is the first time that Toyota have offered a fully imported Camry range to the Australian market.

This car is making its bid for the best medium car on the Australian market for under $50K and that fact is thanks to quite a few changes. First off, the new Camry features a more athletic profile and a lower roof and bonnet that leads to a more dynamic driving position and a lower centre of gravity. The new 2.5-litre four cylinder engine provides an additional 11 percent torque compared to last year͛s model and the changes to the front and rear suspension of the vehicle make it a handling wiz.

Beyond that, this car is the perfect machine for young families who want to feel safe. The latest safety technology is standard across the Camry range and features a pre-collision system, autonomous emergency braking and lane departure alert with steering assist. It also has seven airbags throughout the front and rear of the vehicle as well as an all-speed active cruise control, auto high beam, and reversing camera.

Audi A8

If you don͛t only want to drive in style, but you also want to drive...in the future, the Audi A8 is a definite car to consider. The latest edition of the Audi fleet features a host of new technological advances, bringing about the latest improvements to autonomous driving across the car manufacturing world.

The most significant move is the innovation of ͚Level 3͛ autonomous technology that uses a laser scanner to read miniscule contours and details in the object on the road ahead. It is also the first Audi to feature predictive suspension that is able to analyze the roads surface and then adjust accordingly to create a smoother and more controlled ride.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that because of the driving regulations in Australia, most of the A8͛s technological advances will actually not be able to be utilized on Aussie roads just yet. While it is a definite downside, it also does speak volumes about just how advanced this automobile really is.

Kia Cerato

While the current Cerato is already considered amongst one of the best value cars on the Australian market, the new model will quite possibly make it an even better value. The next generation of the popular sedan features a hatch option that will offer more rear and boot space and feature even more standard equipment.

While the price of this new Cerato has yet to be announced, it͛s hard to imagine that it will top out at much more than last year͛s drive-away price of $19,900.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Another fantastic bargain on this list, the Santa Fe is a tried and true unsung hero amongst the SUV class in Australia. While family-oriented cars such as these can be a bit boring both from the inside and out, this daring new redesign will be both more fun and safer to drive. The 2018 model features top of the line standard safety tech.

On top of that, the new Santa Fe also features an improved infotainment system including larger digital instrument displays and optional DVD screens to make sure the kids keep from fighting during the drive home from school.

While the latest model is expected to include a bit an of an uptick in price, from last year͛s $40K run-out price to this year͛s $45K, it seems as though that extra bit of cash will render quite a bit of added benefit.

Lamorghini Urus

In a move that will forever change the course of the supercar worldwide, Italian supercar icon Lamborghini will be making its first ever Lambo SUV available in Australia this year.

While the cost is fairly insane, at $390K, but it will come with everything that you would expect from the Urus͛ sprint-car companions. While you͛ll have the space to fit the entire family for a week-end trip, you͛ll be doing it with an insane amount of power under the bonnet. A 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine translate to a jaw-dropping 3.6-second blitz from 0-100km/h. It also features a similarly eyebrow-singeing top speed of 305km/h.

This SUV isn͛t only geared towards speed either. Weighing 2.2 tonnes, this car has quite a bit of weight to toss around, and its all-wheel-drive will help keep it in control whether you͛re taking turns on a motor speedway or taking it off-road to hit your favorite camping site.