Holden http://www.holden.com.au
Astra RS Aug 17 $26,240 (6m) $27,240 (6a) I4/1.6T 147/5500 (300)/1650 front 1325 111 7.37 15.29 5.8 3.5^ Muscular performance and capable dynamics for the price. Not super-sporty, despite the RS badge
Commodore RS $40,790 (9a) V6/3.6 235/6800 381/5200 all 1672 141 –––4.0^ Base V6 Commodore is the lightest and therefore quickest. It makes a fine SV6 replacement
Commodore RS-V $46,990 (9a) V6/3.6 235/6800 381/5200 all 1672 141 –––4.0^ Extra kit makes RS-V the sweet spot of the ZB Commodore range
Commodore RS-V Sportwagon $49,190 (9a) V6/3.6 235/6800 381/5200 all 1737 135 –––4.0^ Stylish family hauler is an impressive package despite the high $49K entry point
Calais-V $51,990 (9a) V6/3.6 235/6800 381/5200 all –––––3.5 Cheaper and better equipped than a Stinger GT, but then it’s nowhere near as quick
Commodore VXR Mar 18 $55,990(9a) V6/3.6 235/6800 381/5200 all 1737 138 –––3.5^ Has everything it needs except a proper engine. More performance expected at this price pointHonda http://www.honda.com.au
Civic Type R Aug 19 $51,990 (6m) I4/2.0T 228/6500 400/2500 front 1393 164 5.68 13.66 7.7 4.5 Get past the challenging looks and you’ll experience possibly the best front-driver there’s ever been
NSX Sep 18 $420,000(9dc) V6/3.5TT 427/6500 646/2000 all 1698 251 ––9.7 4.5 Amazing speed and technology, but fighting in a fiercely competitive supercar segmentHyundai http://www.hyundai.com.au
i30 N Line $26,490 (6m) $29,490 (7dc) I4/1.6T 150/6000 265/1500 front 1315 114 ––7.5 3.5^ SR-replacing N Line is still a terrific warm hatch with a punchy engine and good dynamics
i30 N Feb 19 $40,490 (6m) I4/2.0T 202/6000 378/1750 front 1429 141 6.24 14.26 8.0 4.5 Finessed, flavoursome, but not wickedly fast. A sweet blend of virtues for the price
i30 Fastback N Jul 19 $41,990 (6m) I4/2.0T 202/6000 378/1750 front 1441 141 6.1 – 8.0 4.0 Broadens the i30 N tasting, which is great, but adds weight to a hot hatch that needs to lose some
ElantraSport $28,990(6m)$31,490(7dc) I4/1.6T 150/6000 265/1500 front 1360 110 7.7 – – 3.5^ Polishedchassis,useablegruntanddecentvalue,butit’snota trueperformancecarInfiniti http://www.infiniticars.com.au
Q50 Pure $58,900 (7a) V6/3.0TT 224/6400 400/5200 rear 1784 126 – – 9.2 3.0^ 400Nm twin-turbo V6 is a clear de-tune of a great engine, but it’s priced like Stinger GT
Q50 Sport $64,900 (7a) V6/3.0TT 224/6400 400/5200 rear 1784 126 – – 9.2 3.0^ Now loaded with all the gear, but Q50 should get the Red Sport tune at this price point
Q50 Red Sport $74,900 (7a) V6/3.0TT 298/6400 475/5200 rear 1784 167 4.89 13.0 9.3 3.0^ Considerable mumbo for the money, just needs a chassis to harness it
Q60 Red Sport Jul 17 $84,900 (7a) V6/3.0TT 298/6400 475/5200 rear 1784 167 – – 8.9 3.5^ Sexier than the sedan, with fun dynamics in certain conditions, but it’s costly and cramped
Q70 GT $68,900 (7a) V6/3.7 235/7000 360/5200 rear 1702 138 6.2 – 10.2 2.5 A value proposition with unique styling tied to a chassis that feels old and dynamically unresolved
Q70 Hybrid Premium Aug 12 $82,900 (7a) V6/3.5E 268/6800 520/5000 rear 1785 150 5.5 – 6.9 2.5 Strong petrol-electric performance and economy let down by steering that feels artificial
QX70 S Premium $104,900(7a) V8/5.0 297/6500 500/4400 all 1992 149 5.8 – 13.1 3.0^ Cracking V8 means this SUV shifts, but it likes a drink, and the styling is love or hateJaguar http://www.jaguar.com.au
XE R-Dynamic $71,490(8a) I4/2.0T 221/5500 400/1500 rear 1558 142 5.9 – 6.9 3.5^ Pairs lovely ride and handling with smooth steering, just don’t look at the options list
XF30tR-Sport $96,700(8a) I4/2.0T 221/5500 400/1500 rear 1663 133 5.9 – 7.5 3.5^ Scores 221kW four-pot with lovely steering and ride quality, but it’s not as fast as the figures suggest
XF35tS Apr 16 $130,700(8a) V6/3.0S 280/6500 450/4500 rear 1704 164 5.3 – 8.3 3.5 F-Type S engine tune and sharper styling. Look to the smaller, lighter XE for a more sporting steer
XF30dS Apr 16 $123,600(8a) V6/3.0TD 221/4000 700/2000 rear 1803 122 6.4 – 5.5 3.5 Massive torque makes it brisk in the real world, but prefers life at a more relaxed pace
XF30dS Sportbrake $130,100(8a) V6/3.0TD 221/4000 700/2000 rear 1855 119 6.6 – 5.9 3.5^ Drive one of these before you buy that premium SUV. Stunning looks
XJAutobiographyLWB $307,483(8a) V8/5.0S 375/6500 625/2500 rear 1880 199 4.9 – 11.6 3.5^ The barge from Blighty astounds with its ability. Well, anywhere that’s not a car park. Ride is firmBMW – JAGUARResearch your next new car at whichcar.com.auSports cars more than 20 per centdown
BIG COOL CONTINUES
SPORTS CAR SALES slowed during July 2019, with each of thethreepricing
categories defined by the FCAI showing a decrease of at least 20 percent.
In the sub-$80,000 bracket, sales have dropped by 27 per cent,withonly
510 sports cars under that price having sold.
The Ford Mustang represents the majority share in this category,andits
sales reflect the whole. In June, 369 Mustangs were sold, downtojust 262
in July. That’s a drop of 29 per cent.
Moving up the pricing ladder, and sports cars between $80Kand$200K
haven’t been hit quite as hard. A drop of 21 per cent betweenJuneandJuly
means only 375 cars from this category were moved.
The dominant Mercedes C-Class (defined only as coupes andcabriolets
by the FCAI) surpassed the average drop to lose 30 per centofsales
month-to-month, from 238 down to 167.
Finally, in the $200K-plus category, there was a 31 per centlossofsales.
For the record, Lamborghini recorded 15 sports car sales in June,butnone
in July. The Urus SUV did manage five sales, however that’s downfrom 10
during June when the brand also shifted 15 other cars.
FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says the ‘sensitive’ natureofthe
economy means July has been another rough month for newcarsales
overall. “Tight financial lending, drought, increasing Luxury CarTaximposts
and the Federal election have all contributed to make the Australiancar
market one of the toughest in the world,” says Weber.
“But it is great news for the consumer who is spoiled for choicewith
attractive new car offers as automotive brands provide excellent deals to
stimulate sales growth.” – Chris Thompson
CHART AT TACK
PER CENT
PER CENT
PIPING HOT
FERRARI
Bucking the trend at the top
end is Ferrari, which recorded
26 sales, up from 18 in June.
It sits alone as the only
significant increase in the
category by numbers.TOO COOL
PORSCHE 911
In the $200K-plus category,
the Porsche 911 slumped to 23
sales from a strong 58 in June,
representing a drop of 60 per cent.
That’s almost twice as much as the
category’s average loss of 31 per
cent of sales.LAST MONTH IN PERFORMANCE CAR SALES- 44
- 60
MODELTESTED PRICE ENGINE KW/RPM NM/RPMDRIVEKERB KGKW/TONNE0-100 KM/H0-400MFUELCONS RATING