The six cars we’re most excited to drive in 2024: The BMW i7 in Australia, the Ineos Grenadier in Scotland, and the manual Toyota GR Supra, Honda Civic Type R, and Nissan Z were all introduced in 2023, making it a year of new vehicles but not peace. That is all in advance of Easter.
McLaren introduced its first plug-in hybrid and Lotus introduced its first electric vehicle to the United States. Hyundai revolutionized EV design with the swooping Ioniq 6, while Toyota maintained its position with the dazzling GR Corolla. BMW unveiled the M2, its final combustion-only new M car.
Although I am admittedly selecting, there were numerous other exceptional new automobiles introduced in 2023; however, that is not the essence of the matter at hand.
The upcoming year is already promising, so here are the six vehicles we most anticipate seeing in New Zealand.
BMW Introduces the iX2 Electric Coupe with an Impressive 272-Mile Range
BMW M3 Touring
BMW has finally constructed an M3 wagon. It is on its way. The M3 Touring Competition, which is anticipated to arrive in early 2024, is powered by the identical engine as the M3 Competition sedan: a 375kW/650Nm twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six that is mated to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The M3 Touring is positioned between the Audi RS 4 and RS 6 in terms of price ($195,600) and performance (0–100 kph in 3.6 seconds), and everyone adores a fast wagon.
Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac will debut its first vehicle, the Lyriq SUV, the following year. While the last-minute details are being ironed out, it is confirmed that New Zealand will receive only all-wheel-drive Lyriqs. During the launch event, the prototype was designated 600, which accurately reflects its 610 Nm of torque. A quick Google search reveals that the prototype’s twin electric motors produce a combined output of 375 kW. 494 kilometers is the EPA-rated range of a 102 kWh battery.
Stuff was quite impressed with the performance and comfort levels of a rear-wheel-only single-motor Lyriq it tested last year at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds. However, the vehicle’s driving quality is still up for debate. Theoretically, the commercially available AWD model should be even superior.
Mitsubishi Triton
It is the first in twelve years to be renewed, and it promises positive changes. The vehicle features an upgraded interior, a ladder chassis with a torsional rigidity that is 60% more robust, and an assortment of engine options that have been upgraded, including a 150kW/470Nm twin-turbo 2.4-liter diesel four-cylinder.
Extremely competitive pricing is evident, as the entire lineup is priced below $60,000 pre-on-road expenses. The pricing structure ranges from $38,690 for the 2WD single-cab chassis to $59,990 for the 4WD VRX double-cab. There is capacity at the top for a truly guns-blazing flagship…
New Ford Mustang
The seventh-generation Mustang from Ford is currently available in the United States and is anticipated to make its way to the United Kingdom in the first quarter of 2024. It is already proving to be a disaster. There will be three models, the entry-level of which is now the GT with V8 power. It is exclusively offered with an automatic transmission due to its high sales volume (141 units to 12 until November), but manual gearbox enthusiasts need not be concerned.
The Dark Horse will also be available in this region, available in both manual and automatic transmissions. Both transmissions produce 373 kW/567 Nm, but the automatic is priced at $114,990, which is slightly less than the manual’s asking price of $116,990. The GT now costs $92,990, representing an increase of $8000 compared to its predecessor.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Software and traction control ingenuity have been incorporated into the Ioniq 5 N to facilitate appropriate drifting capability.
Combining two electric motors, all-wheel drive, and a drift mode yields the following: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N model. It may sound like a pipe dream, but Hyundai’s N division engineers have constructed a 448kW SUV with drifting capability and the ability to simulate a conventional transmission.
The ‘Torque Kick Drift’ function simulates manual internal combustion, rear-wheel-drive vehicle’s ‘clutch kick’ to start or prolong a drift. The ‘N e-shift’ and ‘N Active Sound+’ simulate Hyundai’s 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine noise and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, respectively.
Tesla Cybertruck
This one may not reach New Zealand, but we’re holding it. The Cybertruck was the most meme-worthy vehicle a decade ago, yet it looks like a high-performance car. Modern technology, including 48-volt native electronics and improved battery architecture, makes it fast in a straight line.
These peculiar, angular appearances will unfortunately present a formidable obstacle for crucial pedestrian safety evaluations. As opposed to EuroNCAP and ANCAP, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not assess the safety of individuals outside a vehicle during a collision at this time. This is the primary reason why the Cybertruck’s viability in the New Zealand market is uncertain.
