31 hottest new cars of 2021
01 VOLVO XC40 RECHARGE EV
Arriving: Q2
Price: $75,000*
ALREADY KNOWN FOR safety and building practical wagons, Volvo is set to bring electricity into its modern repertoire via the XC40 Recharge EV. Sitting above the XC40 Recharge PHEV, the EV version drives all four wheels via two electric motors making a combined 300kW/600Nm. The dash to 100km/h takes just 4.9sec and the claimed range from its 78kWh battery is north of 400km. Considering the XC40 is already one of the market’s topselling PHEVs, it bodes well for the all-electric version due mid-year. (*denotes an estimated price)
02 BMW iX
Arriving: Q4
Price: $135,000*
SHAPING UP AS the most convincing of all the electric BMWs, even if it arrives shortly after the smaller iX3 that will kick the all-electric SUV story off earlier in the year. Closer in size to an X5 (the iX3 is based on the X3), the iX makes a big electric statement, right down to its buck-toothed grille. Dual motors combine to send 367kW to all four wheels, and range from the 100kWh battery is more than 600km, suggesting excellent energy efficiency. Early adopters will have to head to the BMW website because the iX is online order only.
03 VW GOLF
Arriving: Q2
Price: $29,350
PRICES JUMP the manual gearbox option remains. Those choosing an auto will do without the fuel-saving DSGs, Australia instead receiving regular torque converters with eight ratios for smoother take-offs. Golf remains at the core of Volkswagen, now picking up a more advanced IQ driver assistance system. Even better is that the 180kW front-drive GTI will arrive within weeks of the mainstream range, providing the first taste of the hot hatch range that in 2022 will include the 235kW all-paw Golf R.
