As the world celebrates the arrival of 2020, we here at Torquecafe.com are already looking forward to what the motoring world has to offer.
Sales were down in 2019 but that doesn’t mean car companies will slow down bringing out new models, because nothing excites buyers more than new metal. But we’re not interested in every new hatchback and SUV headed our way, no, we’re excited about the fun, fast and fabulous new wheels that are coming down under in 2020.
Here are our highlights.
Aston Martin DBX
The British brand is the latest sports car maker to join the SUV crowd. But what a stunner Aston Martin has produced in the DBX.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but to our eyes the DBX will be one of the best-looking SUVs on the road when it arrives in the middle of the year. It won’t just look good though, it will be fast, as an Aston Martin should be, thanks to a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 slotted underneath its muscular bonnet.
Audi RS6 Avant
Who doesn’t love a fast wagon?! Audi are the kings of rapid load luggers and the RS6 Avant is its crowning glory. Seating for five and their luggage but also capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds – what’s not to love?
For 2020 the latest iteration gets a mild-hybrid upgrade to its powertrain, adding a 48-volt electrical system that helps save fuel by allowing the car to coast when it’s cruising along. It’s still potent, thanks to a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 making 441kW of power and 800Nm of torque.
The RS6 Avant is due to arrive in the second quarter of the year.
Audi TT RS
The four-ring brand’s glorious five-cylinder engine will return in 2020. Dropped from local showrooms due to delays caused by new fuel consumption testing in Europe, Audi will finally get the TT RS (as well as the RS3) back in the second quarter of the year.
Audi RSQ8
In a busy year for performance for Audi, the German brand will also add a new flagship high-performance SUV – the RSQ8. Instead of upgrading the impressive turbo diesel powertrain from the closely-related SQ7, Audi opted instead to instal the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol from the RS6 to create a monster that can get the kids to school in record time.
It will arrive mid-year to give lucky, cash-up families the choice between the low-riding Avant or this coupe-style, high-riding beast.
Audi e-tron quattro & e-tron Sportback
After much delay Audi will finally enter the electric vehicle race with not one, but two all-new battery-powered models late in 2020. The e-tron quattro was meant to arrive in 2019 but was unfortunately pushed back almost 12 months.
But that means it will arrive with back up, in the form of coupe-style SUV sibling, the e-tron Sportback. Both models feature a bespoke EV platform and powertrain – the most powerful of which produces 265kW/561Nm and a range of 447km.
BMW M8 Competition
The Bavarian brand is ready to take on its rival from Stuttgart – and I’m not talking about Mercedes-Benz. BMW is taking aim at the Porsche 911 with the hardcore version of its latest generation 8-Series – the M8 Competition.
Arriving in the first quarter of the year it will boast a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 making 460kW and 750Nm sent to the road via an all-wheel drive system. Given how impressive the M850i was when we drove it in 2019, the M8 Competition has the potential to be something special.
BMW M2 CS
BMW’s M Division has been a bit ‘hit ‘n’ miss’ in recent years but one of the undisputed ‘hits’ as been the M2. The pint-sized member of the family has won praise for its agile handling and engaging personality.
Now BMW has turned everything up to 11, installing the same twin-turbo 3.0-litre six-cylinder used in the M3/M4 twins. It has even turned up the wick, extracting 331kW and 550Nm from it to create the most powerful version of the M2. And for purists, they’ve even added the option of a six-speed manual transmission alongside a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. That should make everyone happy.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
A full-size pick-up with a V8 engine? That’s something we can get excited about here at Torquecafe.com. And that’s exactly what HSV will be offering in 2020 when it adds the Silverado 1500 to its local range alongside its heavy-duty Silverado 2500 and 3500.
It will make for an alternative choice to the likes of the Ford Ranger Raptor and Ram 1500 when it arrives in the middle of the year.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
The Prancing Horse is expected to begin deliveries of its first plug-in hybrid model in late 2020, with plenty of local buyers already putting down their deposits despite the $846,888 asking price.
That’s a lot of money but the SF90 is a lot of car. It will do 0-100km/h in just 2.5 seconds and run to a top speed of 340km/h thanks to its 3.9-litre turbo V8 petrol engine and three electric motors that make 722kW combined.
Ferrari F8 Tributo
There’s double the reason to celebrate at Ferrari in 2020, with first customer cars for the new F8 Tributo also hitting our shores. The replacement for the 488 GTB features an upgraded 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 (but no hybrid system unlike the SF90) that makes a punch 530kW and 770Nm.
Like all Ferrari models demand is expected to outstrip supply so you’ll need to hurry if you want to secure one of these Italian beauties.
Ford Fiesta ST
The blue oval has trimmed its new Fiesta range to a single model – the best one. Hot hatch fans will rejoice that the Fiesta ST is headed our way in the first quarter of the year. The previous generation was a highly-praised pocket rocket so there are big expectations for this new model.
However, it’s a very different beast, Ford has opted for a five-door model (instead of the old model’s three-door layout) and opted for a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine (replacing the previous 1.6-litre four-pot). But performance is up, to 147kW and 290Nm, and there’s a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Unfortunately, the extra space and performance does mean the price has increased too, now starting at $31,990 (plus on-road costs), well above the predessor’s $25,990 ask.
Ford Focus ST
If the Fiesta ST doesn’t do it for you, then Ford Performance will also introduce its bigger brother, the Focus ST, around the same time to give you another hot hatch option. It too has had a significant upgrade over its previous generation model, now powered by the same 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo found in the Focus RS and Mustang EcoBoost.
It delivers a major power upgrade, 206kW and 420Nm compared to 184kW/340Nm for the old 2.0-litre model. It will be priced from $44,690 (plus on-roads).
Ford Mustang R-Spec
This homegrown Mustang muscle car will hit the streets in 2020. Production of the joint-venture between Ford Performance and Herrod Performance begins in January with 500 examples of this upgraded pony car set to be built at the old Broadmeadows factory.
Official details are still under wraps but we’re expecting 500+kW from this supercharged 5.0-litre V8, as well as upgrades to the exhaust and suspension.
That’s just some of the cas we’re already excited about, check back tomorrow for the Part 2 of our list.
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