Marques line up new big guns
THE New Year may be only just upon us, but 2014’s new car launches are about to hit the headlines.
The Detroit Motor Show 2014 will open its doors to the world’s press on Monday morning, before the public get to experience the latest automotive offerings a few days later.
The American event will offer an appealing blend of out-there concept cars through to production models soon to arrive in our showrooms.
Picking through the numerous highlights, Mercedes will introduce its all new C-Class compact executive sedan for the first time, hoping to munch into BMW’s 3 Series sales figures.
On the BMW front, it will give world debuts to the eagerly-awaited new M3 sedan and its M4 coupe stablemate, each powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder good for 316kW.
The Bavarian brand will also introduce its facelifted X1 SUV and Z4 models, plus featuring the new 2 Series models which take over from the outgoing 1 Series Coupes.
Staying premium, Audi will show its baby Q1 Concept – ensuring it offers absolutely every possible size of SUV – and also a three-door Crossover concept.
Infiniti – new kid on the block in Australia – will show off its BMW M3-rivalling Eau Rouge concept.
The BMW M4 better watch out too, as Lexus will bring its new RC F Coupe, most likely with thundering 5.0-litre V8 under its bonnet.
Australian Ford fans will pay close attention to the new Mustang offering – this one the first in the model’s 50-year history to be offered in right-hand drive.
Another Aussie favourite to be unleashed at Detroit is Subaru’s new Impreza WRX STi, while Japanese performance fans will also pay close attention to a possible Toyota Supra replacement in concept form.
Other concepts that will highlight the future design direction of companies include Volvo’s XC Concept – which should show how the replacement XC90 SUV will look – and Kia’s GT4 Stinger sports car concept.
We can expect the odd surprise as well, and we hope to bring you the best of Detroit’s offerings in future Motoring editions.