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JUMP AHEAD
- Abarth 500e Turismo (electric)
- Ford Mustang S650
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (electric)
- Maserati GranTurismo
- Maserati GranCabrio
- Mazda MX-5 update
- Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe
- MG Cyberster (electric)
- Porsche 718 Spyder RS
- Subaru BRZ tS
Abarth 500e Turismo
For a $6400 premium over the regular 500e, Fiat will serve up the 500e Turismo – the first electric creation from its hot-hatch house, Abarth.
Launching with the Scorpionissima version, limited to Acid Green or Poison Blue, the 500e Abarth packs a single 114kW/235Nm electric motor sending power through the front wheels.
Vital stats include 0-100km/h in 7.0 seconds – meaning it can outgun the electric Mini Cooper and match the Cupra Born – and WLTP range of 252km, down on the 500e’s 311km.
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There’s also a sound generator that can be heard inside and via the external pedestrian warning speakers.
Australia is privy to 219 units, with only 1949 – the year Abarth started in Bologna, Italy – being produced globally.
Ford Mustang S650 – Q2
The Ford Mustang S650 has been on Australian race tracks since March – a world first – but the road version brings polish with a massive price jump over its predecessor.
The S650 has fresh exterior look that evolves the classic design, sitting on the existing model’s platform but with more grunt added to the 5.0-litre Coyote V8 – now with six addition kilowatts to 345, but six fewer Newton-metres at 550.
The legal department at Ford surely missed the addition of Line Lock mode, nannied off the previous versions sold here, but finally allowed through the net onto Aussie-spec cars.
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It’s standard on the tyre-shredding, rear-drive six-speed manual GT model combo that now starts at $77K – a $12K price jump, with the entry-level EcoBoost priced at $65K – the cheapest of the 2024 line-up.
A new headline special edition – the Dark Horse fastback – pushes Mustang pricing above $100K for the first time, with 1000 examples for Australia packing wider wheels, Torsen rear diff, and trick MagneRide suspension.
Regardless, Mustang is still one helluva car for the money.
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Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Q1
Is this the performance EV to truly win over petrolheads? That was the goal in the creation of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N says its maker.
Order books have already opened for the $111,000 hot Hyundai – yes, a six-figure Hyundai – the high-performance version of the brand’s retro electric hatchback.
For the outlay, buyers received a 478kW dual-motor electric powertrain that uses E-Shift gears for a Porsche Taycan-like 3.4-second 0-100km/h run.
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Yet in targeting enthusiasts, Hyundai says it has focused on making the Ioniq 5 N handle like a classic hot hatch – a tall order, given its overall size and more than two tonne weight.
We’ll be the judge of that – check out or first drive here.
Maserati GranTurismo – H2
The original Maserati GranTurismo was one of the most seductive blends of visual and aural appeal, with the second-generation follow-up adding tech to a familiar evolutionary design theme.
The name has been on hiatus since 2019, when work kicked off on the returning GranTurismo under the late Sergio Marchionne and before Maserati came under the Stellantis umbrella – meaning the all-new hero model missed out on the latest STLA platform.
Yet there’s a Maserati-developed mid-mounted twin-turbo ‘Nettuno’ V6 – taken form the MC20 – for the Modena and Trofeo versions, but the fastest will be the triple electric motor, 610kW Folgore.
Maserati says its capable of 0-100km/h in 2.7 seconds – potentially fast enough to ignore the digital sound added in an attempt to recreate the creamy richness of its predecessor’s V8 – and distract from a potential $500K asking price.
Maserati GranCabrio – Q2
The convertible version of the GranTurismo is due to arrive first (if not quite with serendipitous timing – just ahead of the Aussie winter).
Developed in tandem with the coupe, the all-new GranCabrio will offer a soft-top – like its predecessor – and the same three-tier model range and powertrain choices already confirmed for the hardtop.
That means all-wheel drive with a choice of mid-mounted V6 petrol or potent tri-motor electric power that should be able to emulate the coupe’s 2.7 second 0-100km/h claim, with the convertible previously asking an additional $10K premium over its coupe twin.
Mazda MX-5 update – Q1
It’s hard to believe the current MX-5 was Wheels COTY way back in 2016, but the highly capable and engaging convertible – since joined by the hardtop RF – receives a minor spec update for 2024.
Manual models score the best bits, with recalibrated steering and new throttle tuning as well as an asymmetric LSD, while a new flagship trim level – the MX-5 GT RS – adds an exclusive Track mode.
The MX-5 will be the first Mazda in local showrooms to offer the new Mazda Connect infotainment system, running on a new 8.8-inch – previously 7.0-inches.
The only exterior changes are a new Aero Blue colour, wheel designs and LED headlights, while prices are up across the range.
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Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe – H2
An old school two-door V8 is a rare sight in new-car showrooms, but Mercedes-AMG delivers with the second-gen GT Coupe in 2024.
It’s not all good news: the new GT, which shares it platform with the SL, is larger and carries 300kg more heft, while some may criticise the all-wheel-drive-only spec. It won’t matter to most that its 295km/h v-max is less than its predecessor’s 310km/h capability.
Yet that hand-built 4.0-litre petrol V8 that the first gen debuted is still under a long hood with a snarling note in a choice of 350kW and 430kW versions, carving six-tenths from the 0-100km/h, now a claimed 3.2 seconds.
Expect to pay $360K-ish when local pricing is confirmed.
MG Cyberster
What’s MG without a sports car? The Chinese-owned MG brand known more recently for cut-price cars and SUVs will tap into its sports car heritage with the soft-top Cyberster in 2024 – which could land with a $100K price tag.
With sleek styling and classic proportions, the Cyberster’s looks lean heavily on the 2017 E-Motion concept.
A footprint larger than the benchmark Mazda MX-5, the Cyberster will be rear- or all-wheel drive, with 231kW and 400kW versions offered, the latter boasting including a sub-4.0 second 0-100km/h claim.
Scissor doors and details such as a yoke steering device seen in spy images suggests the Cyberster will be anything but ‘normal’ as the modern MG brand spreads its wings.
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Porsche 718 Spyder RS – Q2
The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is Stuttgart’s most hardcore drop-top: think of it as a Cayman GT4 RS without the roof.
The lack of a hardtop makes the Spyder weigh in 5kg less than the Cayman in fact, which uses the same 368kW/450Nm 4.0-litre flat-six and sonorous stainless-steel exhaust to post an identical 3.4-second 0-100km/h time.
A 30th-anniversary birthday present to the original Boxster concept, the RS is gifted a carbon-fibre bonnet with NACA air ducts among body changes signed off with a whale-tail.
You’ll need $336,800 plus on-road costs to park one at your place.
Subaru BRZ tS – January 2024
Subaru’s rear-drive sports car sees in the new year with a new ‘Tuned by STI’ hero, abbreviated to the ‘tS’ badge.
The BRZ tS brings unique dampers, larger gold-caliper Brembo brakes, and unique Michelin-shod 18-inch alloys, while its cabin includes STI seats, start-button and ‘Bordeaux’ highlights.
There are no changes to its 174kW/250Nm 2.4-litre flat-four engine, nor the sublime steering and handling, with manual versions available with Subaru EyeSight – the brand’s Driver Assist Technology suite – for the first time.
The tS joins as the most expensive BRZ in the line-up, with a $50K ask in auto form, or $1000 less in six-speed-manual trim.
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