Hot cars set to make 2012 very exciting

THE 2013 Subaru BRZ is one of the most anticipated cars next year.

So the car market is heating up next year, which means more choices for the car-loving market. We’ve seen certain segments grow this year, particularly high-end, sports and luxury cars. Though this segment might make up for a small percentage of the overall market, it shows just how much more sophisticated the local market is becoming, as high-end cars with high-end features will soon slowly start trickling down to other more affordable mass-market cars. It’s also a segment I’m excited to see prosper, because come on, let’s face it, the most desirable, most fun-to-drive cars are in the upper echelon of the industry.

Perhaps the hottest cars that are highly anticipated next year are the new front-engine, rear-drive coupes from Subaru, the BRZ and its twin, Toyota’s GT-86. Rumors are going around that either of these cars will be in our local shores mid next year, particularly the Subaru version. For someone looking for affordable, tail-out rear-drive fun, these two cars, along with the ever-popular Hyundai Genesis scheduled to receive a face-lift and more powerful gasoline direct injection engines next year, should fulfill everyone’s dreams of owning a realistically priced, true RWD sports coupes. Motor Image Pilipinas’ Nicky Mariano has said that the BRZ might make it to our shores by middle of next year, if not earlier.

For something a little more practical, the big news seems to be that Mitsubishi is finally launching a small hatchback in the form of a new Mirage 3-cylinder, while KIA’s soon to announce the release of the Rio hatchbacks and sedans as well. The hatchback market will definitely be heating up, Toyota also rumored to launch the all-new Yaris/Vitz hatchback. It’s already available in the Japanese market, hopefully it should find its way here soon, promising a bigger cabin with noticeable larger luggage space out back, the Yaris’ biggest problem compared to its key rival, Honda’s Jazz. The H-brand has been going from one challenge to another, as sales of their current Honda Civic have been steady at best, people anticipating an all-new Civic to be launched sometime soon, but with Honda Cars Philippines having its fair share of problems as well as that of its manufacturing operations in Thailand practically coming to a standstill due to the flooding there caused by horrific monsoon rains, it remains to be seen when we will get the all-new 9th Generation Civic. Honda needs the Civic badly to regain some market share from the onslaught of diesel-powered SUV’s and pick-ups that account for an overwhelming percentage of the local car market. The other H-Brand, Hyundai, has confirmed the release of the Accent hatchback, exclusively with diesel power, as well as a diesel-powered sedan. Definitely something to worry the Japanese crowd.

In the luxury segment, Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that a new B-Class is out next year. Another hatchback, Audi’s A1, is also making an appearance finally in our local market, and BMW’s new 1-Series, available in 5-door hatchback or coupe guise, recently broke cover. Small cars seem to be the rage, and with the ever iconic MINI line-up, it should mean that even premium cars need not be big and bulky, but small and stylish too.

SUV’s and pick-ups were the hot items in the past 2-3 years, and it’s no surprise that the luxury segment is also hotly contested by European Marques. The Range Rover Evoque is definitely dapper, and Audi’s announced its Q3 mini cross-over coming over. Mercedes-Benz will be unveiling a new ML SUV as well, to bring the fight to Audi’s Q7 and BMW’s X5/X6 SAV’s. Yes, as much as I don’t want to admit it, these big bruising SUV’s are rather cumbersome to drive, but when mated to the latest CRDi diesel technology, they cover ground like no other, terrifyingly quick and ruthlessly efficient in soaking up all the bumps. Even in my dream garage, I’d have one.

The luxury car segment will also get a good rousing this year as BMW launches the all-new BMW 3-Series, every yuppie’s dream car. With a fine range of engines, and perhaps BMW’s excellent 8-speed automatic fitted onto the X3 SAV, the new 3 has very big shoes to fill indeed. Lexus has also announced two new vehicles coming out, the all-new GS executive sports sedan, which will also pave the way for all future Lexus designs, and the GX SUV, proof that we can’t sell or have enough SUV’s on the road. The GS, aimed squarely at the Audi A6, BMW’s excellent 5-Series and Merc’s stately E-Class, will also offer a hybrid variant.

Then we also have unfinished business getting some closure from KIA as they finally confirmed that they will be getting diesel variants for their excellent and handsome Sportage SUV.

Ford’s slated to release the highly anticipated Focus, another sharp driver’s tool for the masses, and their much vaunted, class-dominating Ranger pick-up, with the Everest probably not far behind.

Next year’s going to be an exciting time indeed for the local car buying market, with more focused, desirable and enjoyable driver’s cars hitting the local scene. Which one is for you?