Unlike my colleagues and friends (cute – editorial.)Scott Collie, I have not only jump off the plane from the green overseas with the envy of the other market region’s car ban fruit.
However, I briefly visited Europe and the UK last year and saw many vehicles in the flesh for the first time, and I’ve followed the industry long enough to have an entire catalog the “not for Australia” stories I have written over the years.
Australia may be one of the most competitive new car markets available, with more than 60 brands jostling for less than 1 million annual output, but there is still room for improvement. much the good things we miss.
In the spirit of looking beyond our borders and making a wish list, here are five cars (or lines) that Europe and the UK have that we want to see here in Australia – with a focus on more attainable things that people will actually buy.
Any Volkswagen ID. EV or eHybrid PHEV
Yes, I know this is more than just a cool car but a big gap in the Australian market is a range of electrified vehicles from Europe’s largest vehicle maker (and second largest globally).
The ID.3, ID.4 And ID.5 confirmed delays in arrival in Australia from next year; in the case of ID.3 it will be about five years Later its first rollout in Europe – although we are getting face tightening.
The same goes for the range of plug-in and mild-hybrid hybrids, formerly bearing the eHybrid moniker. Plug-ins can now be purchased Golf, Passat, tiger And Touareg in Europe and the UK.
Then there’s a bunch of 48V eTSI mild hybrids. Although not available on local VW product lines, I have sampled the latest 1.5 eTSI in the new version audi a3 and it’s a superb powertrain that can almost match the efficiency of a Toyota Corolla Hybrid – and it’s the entry-level powertrain in Audi’s Golf-based siblings.
It’s crazy that in an age where hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles are slowly gaining traction in the Australian market, one of the biggest players in the industry – in general and in the electrification sector. specific goods – currently uncompetitive in other markets. a leader.
Global sourcing issues aside and our lack of fuel quality and emissions standards, it’s a shame that a brand that prides itself on being a technology leader hasn’t been able to participate. local action.
Hopefully when these products start hitting Australian showrooms within the next 18 months or so, they’ll be worth the long wait.
THAN: Volkswagen EVs coming to Australia in 2023-24 from around $60k
THAN: VW Golf GTE, Tiguan eHybrid PHEV still 18 months left
Peugeot 208 and e-208
The cutest little lion you’ve ever seen, newest peugeot 208 It was never offered for sale in Australia, although its predecessors were for a long time sold Down Under.
It tops Europe’s sales charts in 2022, replacing the region’s longtime sales king – the Volkswagen Golf – after 17 years on the podium.
In 2019, then-CEO of Peugeot Citroen Australia, Ben Farlow, said the new 208 was on track to launch in Australia in 2020 and should “set the scene for what we want to do with the younger generation.” with Peugeot”.
Fast-forward to 2023 and the little Pug isn’t here yet, although current management says they’re seriously looking into it bring all electricity e-208 later this year or early next year, when the French brand begins to push all-electric operations in Australia.
While sales of small and light passenger cars continue to decline, as does the wide range of vehicles on offer, there is room for smaller, slightly ‘low-end’, more city-friendly and affordable cars. Price matching.
Especially now, when Australian consumers are happy to buy an unknown Chinese brand (think BYD) based on price, especially in the electric space, there is certainly a case for an electric hatchback. City size and smart styling. stickers that start with the number ‘4’ or ‘5’.
On a trip to France last year with Mercedes-AMG, I saw these little things EVERYWHERE. Cute looks and eye-catching colors will be a welcome stop from gray SUVs in Melbourne – so Peugeot, help!
THAN: Peugeot e-208, e-2008 may arrive in Australia in 2023
Kia ProCeed and XCeed
I can’t consider myself a Korean car guru without including some of Kia’s sweet European offerings that are sadly not available to us Down Under.
While motorbike And Seltos To make a good dual attack on the Australian compact car segments, some of their European relatives would, in my humble opinion, make great additions to the local lineup.
First up is Kia Proceed.
Sound familiar? Kia has rebranded the old pro_cee’d to something that looks less like it belongs in a line of code or MSN Messenger status, while also turning the stuck car into a sporty Shooting Brake.
Based on the Ceed hatchback, Europe takes us Blooming Cerato as hyundai i30ProCeed conceived as a more affordable alternative to the old version Mercedes-Benz CLA capture brake that stuff isn’t for sale here anymore – boo it twice to you, Mercedes.
With an available 150kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre engine shared with the popular Cerato GT and i30 N Line, the ProCeed GT shapes an affordable warm wagon. These days, only Mini Cooper S Clubman And Skoda Octavia RS play in this space — and both are now positioned as more premium offerings around the $60,000 mark.
Then Kia Xceed – yes, I know these are two cars but technically they belong to the same family.
Again, I’ll start by saying that the Seltos is a great small crossover and I don’t necessarily want to replace it, but the XCeed is a sexy little hatchback-crossover that would make a great alternative to things like Subaru Crosstrek or Volkswagen T-Roc.
With a sharp design, cool colors (YES for the green pictured here) and a wide range of powertrains including the same 150 kW 1.6-litre turbocharger as well as a plug-in hybrid 1.6-liter power is available, the XCeed will likely be a pity. It was never sold in Australian showrooms due to a European-specific production schedule – even if it was made in RHD for the UK.
Going through the posts in the Kia owner groups on Facebook, I’m sure both models will find a loyal following here.
THAN: Kia XCeed 2023 revealed, not for Australia
SATHER Arona
After spending a week in my mother’s hometown in Catalonia for the first time in my life, the interesting thing about cars is that it’s a shame the VW Group doesn’t import its SEAT products to Australia.
Positioned as a sporty and youthful alternative to the more utilitarian Skoda brand, Spain’s SEAT has its own range of hatchbacks and SUVs based on popular Volkswagen models and I think Arona says will be very suitable for the Australian market.
I find the small SUV segment a bit boring locally. There are some ‘good’ offerings, but very few that really excite the senses unless you’re spending on a high-performance variant (i.e. Kona WOMEN or CHEAP T-Roc) can get you into luxury car valuation territory.
Under all accounts, the SATHER Arona Support this trend by providing a strong momentum from the fundamental level. It has the capable background of VW Letter T And Skoda Kamiq and inject a little diversity – as they say in Catalan for ‘fun’.
With the familiar 81kW 1.0 TSI and 110kW 1.5 TSI engines, turbochargers are available; and while some compact SUVs can look a bit low and heavy on the top, the Arona in higher versions has a rather squat and sporty look.
Honorable mention goes to the related Ibiza and the larger Tarraco, SEAT taking on the Polo and Tiguan Allspace respectively.
Ford Puma ST
Happier and greener – as if Ford Performance read my mind.
With the fall of ST festival (or FiST) and focus ST in Australia; Blue Oval has no entry-level performance option to sit underneath Mustang And Ranger Raptor. I think Ford Puma ST can serve as a good replacement in this age of SUV hunger.
With the standard Puma already being one of the best compact SUVs to drive, I can imagine the ST would be super fun in a pocket-size package – referring to the car, obviously.
The powerful 1.5-litre three-pot turbocharged engine, featuring 147 kW of power, is enough to accelerate the Puma ST from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, en route to a top speed of 220 km/h. .
For now, it’s only manual mode, which is a win for enthusiasts who might need a higher hip point and larger trunk but still want an affordable three-pedal performance car.
Alas, there are currently no plans to bring the brand’s high-performance compact SUV to Australia, possibly because a manual transmission is the only option – which will hamper the sales appeal of the brand. it’s here. Shame.
THAN: Ford Puma ST revealed, not for Australia
Want to see what cars are available in the EU and UK in Australia? Comment below!
