Top 10 Cars Coming in 2010

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Top 10 Cars Coming in 2010.
Neil Dowling

January 15, 2010 11:00pm

ALMOST 100 new car models are due in 2010 including products from at least two rival Chinese carmakers, a new wave of full-electric and hybrids, the cute, curious and the sporty.

Here's our list of the top 10, in alphabetical order, heading to showrooms in 2010.

Fiat 500C Convertible: The baby Fiat gets its electric two-stage roof down for an early start to 2010. Heavily based on the hardtop version, the Fiat 500C gets a 74kW 1.4-litre petrol engine with a claimed fuel figure of 6.3 litres/100km. Prices start at $28,990 (manual) and $30,990 (DuaLogic automatic) before on-road costs. The fabric roof can be partially open at up to 60km/h.

Ford Kuga: Britain reckons the Kuga (pronounced cougar) is one of the best SUVs in its class. The Focus-based wagon will get a 2-litre turbo-diesel but may later add the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine also seen in the Focus ST. The all-wheel drive has received accolades for its fine handling and taut body. (but we keep being told its not ?)

Gallery: Check out what's on the road in 2010 here

Geely MK: The Chinese will use 2010 as the springboard for a major assault on the world car market. Geely MK hatch and sedan models expect to go on sale next month with Australian distribution through the John Hughes Group in Perth. Prices are expected to be about $13,000 for the Corolla-sized 1.5-litre engined cars. Geely, which owns NSW transmission maker DSI and is close to buying Volvo from Ford, will follow up the MK with the smaller Panda hatch. More Chinese models are coming, with Great Wall Motors passenger cars coming in the first quarter and Chery cars and commercial vans expected a bit later during the year.

Holden Commodore E85: Holden has for some time made its engines capable of running on ethanol to suit its export market. In 2010 the ethanol-compatible engines will debut in the Australian cars. The engines are a first for an Australian carmaker and operate on anything from E10 (10 per cent ethanol, 90 per cent petrol) to E85 (85 per cent ethanol). They bring fewer emissions, a sustainable fuel source and lower running costs.

Honda Insight Hybrid: Honda's Prius look-alike arrives in 2010 with a budget sub-$30,000 price and the ability to sip only 4.4 litres/100km. The five-door Insight joins the Civic Hybrid and CR-Z hybrid coupe. The Insight uses a 1.3-litre engine and IMA drivetrain. Unlike Prius, the Honda doesn't separate the powertrains as they work together. Drive goes to the front wheels through a CVT automatic. Honda claims the Insight has family-sized accommodation with the fuel efficiency of a light car.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Mitsubishi's bold i-MiEV electric plug-in five-door hatch may beat Nissan to become Australia's first full electric production car. Based on the ``i'' mini-car, it has a large-capacity lithium-ion drive battery under the floor and the 47kW power unit under the luggage compartment. It has a single-charge range of 160km with a seven-hour charge, or 30-minute quick charge to 80 per cent, from dedicated charge stations.

Peugeot RCZ: This is Peugeot's answer to the Audi TT. Though the double-bubble roof was expected to disappear from the concept RCZ shown two years ago, Peugeot now says it's going to stay. The 2+2 coupe, which may also later come as a convertible, is based on the 308. Despite being smaller than the TT, it has a bigger cargo area because it forgoes all-wheel drive. Engines include the GTI's 147kW turbo 1.6-litre shared with the Mini Cooper JCW.

Suzuki Kizashi: Suzuki's first big car, the Camry-sized Kizashi, becomes the company flagship. The initial engine is a 2.4-litre four driving the front wheels. A V6 all-wheel drive model and a hybrid may come later.

Toyota Camry Hybrid: The Australian-built hybrid, which goes on sale next month, gets styling enhancement to move it up and away from the petrol Camry on which it's based. The 2.4-litre petrol engine and electric motor combine for 140kW yet produce less than 150 grams of CO2 per kilometre. Toyota claims it uses 35 per cent less fuel than Australian-made six-cylinder competitors.

Volvo S60: Volvo's mid-sized saloon has been sorely missed in its lineup. Now the S60 is back and adopts most of the styling features shown in the concept version debuted at this year's Detroit motor show. Australia gets a range of petrol and diesel engines which may include the 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol with a dual-clutch transmission. Safety equipment also rates highly.