Welcome to PerformanceDrive‘s New Cars Calendar for 2013. Here you can take a peek and see what new vehicles are coming out in Australia throughout the year. The calendar will be updated on an ongoing basis so be sure to check back.
First quarter/Early 2013
-2013 Audi S8
4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with around 380kW/650Nm. All-wheel drive large luxury/performance sedan.
-2013 Mitsubishi Outlander
All-new model. Hybrid version likely.
–2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Various turbo petrol and diesel engines. Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series hatch rival. Five-door hatch.
-Renault Fluence Z.E
Fully electric car with swappable batteries. 70kW/226Nm, range 185km. Priced from around $40,000.
–2013 Subaru Liberty/GT
Potentially new 2.0-litre turbo for GT producing around 221kW/400Nm. All-wheel drive sedan and wagon.
January
–2013 Range Rover
New model update with fresh styling. Sheds 420kg. Similar engine lineup to the current model. Prices will start at $168,900 for the 3.0-litre TDV6 HSE (190kW) .
February
–BMW 3 Series Touring wagon
The wagon version of the new 3 Series. ’20i’, ’18d’ variants initially. Prices start from $58,900 for the 318d Touring, and $62,600 for the 320i petrol. 328i coming later in 2013.
–2013 Lexus LS
The most luxurious, most powerful, and most expensive Lexus money can buy. Fresh looks for the 2013 model. Hybrid economy with V8 performance for the LS 600 brings 327kW. LS 460 offers 4.6-litre V8 with 285kW. Prices for the base model ‘LS 460 F Sport’ start at $189,900.
–2013 Nissan GT-R
New model, new tweaks, now even quicker; 0-100km/h in 2.7 seconds. Quite possibly the quickest production car available in Australia. Prices are yet to be announced – 2012 model starts at $170,800.
–Opel Astra OPC
High-performance version of the Astra GTC two-door hatch. New 2.0-litre turbo engine (up from 1.6) producing 206kW and 400Nm; loads more than the GTC Sport that offers 132kW and 230Nm. Already receive rave reviews overseas. Should be a good one. Prices start at $42,990.
–Volvo V40
All-new hatch targeted at the Volkswagen Golf and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Loads of new technologies, excellent looks, and, according to Volvo, great driving dynamics.
March
–Opel Corsa OPC
High-performance version of the humble entry-level Corsa. Upsized 1.6-litre turbo (from 1.4) producing 141kW and 260nm. Other Opel Performance Centre components, including brakes, suspension, interior, and body styling. Prices start at $28,990.
–Opel Insignia OPC
A refined, good handling, German mid-size sedan given a dose of steroids. All-wheel drive with 2.8-litre turbo V6 packing serious grunt; 239kW and 435Nm. Uprated everything – pretty much – including brakes, suspension, interior, body and wheels. Prices start at $59,990.
April
–BMW M6 Gran Coupe
A four-door version of the M6. Same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, same M underpinnings. Sexy four-door coupe styling. Priced from $299,500.
–2013 Porsche Cayman
Fresh styling, in tune with the 991 911 and latest Boxster. Two engines; 2.7-litre flat six with 202kW, Cayman S gets 3.4-litre six with 239kW. Prices will start at $115,500 for the Cayman, and $150,400 for the Cayman S.
May
–2013 Audi A3
The first to use Volkswagen Group’s new MQB platform,which will also underpin the Mk7 Golf. Range of turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol versions coming, all in five-door form only.
–2013 Nissan Pulsar SSS
The SSS nameplate returns after 1o years absence. Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged and direct injected four-cylinder producing 140kW and 240Nm.
Mid-year
–2014 Holden VF Commodore
Based on the same platform but with refreshed chassis components. New front and rear end styling, and a completely redesigned interior. Lots more technology, reverse park camera standard on all models, MyLink standard on all models.
–Volvo S60 Polestar
First ever dedicated Polestar sports car. Based on the S60 T6 only with a heavily revised auto transmission, boosted engine performance, uprated brakes and suspension, and a neat clubsport-inspired interior.
August
–Jaguar F-Type
Wicked new sports car from Jag, set to take on the Porsche 911. Awesome performance from either the supercharged V6 with 280kW, and 364kW V8.
September
–2013 Ford Fiesta ST
Hot hatch version of Australia’s smallest Ford. Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbo EcoBoost unit with 132kW and 240Nm.
–Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG
The first junior hatch-based AMG, and the most powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder production car ever. 265kW and 450Nm sees 0-100km/h done and dusted in 4.6 seconds. Prices will start at $74,900
October
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Third quarter
–Lamborghini Aventador Roadster
Stunning drop-top version of the flagship Lambo. The same monstrous 6.5-litre V12 engine with 515kW in the back.
–New Lexus IS
IS 250, IS 350, and new IS 300h hybrid confirmed for Australia. New styling, improved dynamics, and more technology than ever.
–Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series
High performance version of the high performance and sexy SLS AMG. Weight reduction of 70kg, more grip, and more power; 464kW from 420kW. Australian market introduction yet to be confirmed. Will hit international markets in June.
–Range Rover Evoque Sicilian Yellow Edition
The already-glamourous Evoque made more special thanks to a unique Sicilian Yellow and black colour scheme, carried throughout the exterior and interior.
–2014 Range Rover Sport
The fastest, most responsive, and most agile SUV Land Rover has made. Up to 375kW from the supercharged V8, and 420kg weight saving over the predecessor.
November
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December
–2013 Audi S3 Sportback
More powerful and lighter in weight compared with the old model. With 221kW (206kW in Australia), 0-100km/h is possible in just 5.0 seconds.
Fourth quarter/late 2013
–2013 Audi RS 6 Avant
All-wheel drive performance wagon with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 412kW/700Nm. A sedan version may also be on the cards.
–Infiniti Q50
All-new model set to take on the premium mid-size sedan market; BMW 3 Series, Merc C-Class and Lexus IS. Two powerful V6 trim levels – 245kW and 264kW – including a hybrid.
–Jaguar XFR-S
High performance, stripped down version of the XFR. Supercharged V8 with 405kW, tightened up suspension, more serious brakes, and an aggressive bodykit.
–2014 Maserati Quattroporte
High performance grand sedan with two twin-turbo engine offerings; a 301kW 3.0-litre V6, and a 390kW 3.8-litre V8.
–Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
All-new model set to take on the mid-size four-door coupe market segment. Mainly front-wheel drive powertrain offerings, similar to the B-Class, however, a CLA 45 AMG with all-wheel drive and at least 250kW of turbocharged power is on the way in 2014.
-2013 Range Rover SC V6
New 3.0-litre supercharged V6 model, replacing the 5.0-litre V8. 250kW and 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds.