This yr, quite a lot of compelling automobiles exited the Australian market.
You possibly can learn a full checklist of each car discontinued throughout 2023 right here, however there’s actually not a dud amongst them.
From reasonably priced hatchbacks and household crossovers by means of to sports activities sedans and even a Ferrari, quite a lot of compelling automobiles confronted the chopping block this yr.
Some discontinuations had been extra poignant than others. These are the automobiles we’re saddest to see go.
Anthony Crawford: Audi TT
When Alborz and I made up the complete employees at CarAdvice in 2006 (the yr we kicked off), earlier than Paul Maric joined as one other stakeholder and companion, Audi was one of many first producers to supply us automobiles to overview.
I believed it was actually Christmas when the PR workforce handed me the keys to an orange TT 3.2L V6 Coupe. To me, on the time, it was simply nearly as good as a base mannequin 911. And let’s not overlook the design of the TT by Peter Schreyer is an auto icon.
It was additionally my spouse’s favorite automobile.
Paul Maric: Kia Stinger
Kia Stinger. Because it was first launched, it has all the time been my go to SS Commodore alternative. Rear-wheel drive, turbo V6. It had the correct components for being a hoot to drive and a stack of enjoyable.
Sadly it wasn’t successful with shoppers, however it’ll be missed!
Scott Collie: Audi TT
The Audi TT has been criticised since its conception for being a hairdresser’s automobile, however that doesn’t imply I received’t miss it.
It’s a method icon that also seems nice at the moment, and loads of the issues we take with no consideration in fashionable interiors may be traced again to the present TT’s debut in 2013.
Excessive-resolution digital devices? The TT launched the Digital Cockpit we take with no consideration in 2023. It was additionally early to the minimalist development spreading throughout new automobiles in 2023, however managed to chop visible muddle with out sacrificing usability due to some very intelligent engineering. Look no additional than the air vents, which managed to combine a temperature show and local weather management dials into one unit.
The loss of life of the TT comes as Audi ramps up its spending on electrical automobiles, making it even sadder that we received’t get to listen to the five-cylinder TT RS sing any longer.
Jade Credentino: Volkswagen Arteon
Unpopular opinion however I’ll miss the Volkswagen Arteon probably the most. This was one of many first automobiles I take a look at drove and it simply ticked so many containers for me.
I perceive why it left and gross sales had been a big cause why however it’s so unhappy to see Volkswagen discontinue a automobile which was so area of interest and distinctive.
VW Australia additionally eliminated the wagon variations of the Golf and Passat which implies VW’s clients want to maneuver to Skoda or Audi if they need a Volkswagen Group wagon.
Jack Fast: Mercedes-Benz CLS
I’ve been enamoured with the Mercedes-Benz CLS ever because the first-generation mannequin launched in 2004. I do know it’s a glorified E-Class however I’ve all the time thought it was tremendous cool.
I additionally by no means received to drive a brand-new one, which I’m very disillusioned at. I suppose I might drive a secondhand one however it doesn’t fairly have the identical ring to me.
If I needed to choose a CLS that I would love to expertise specifically, I’d should go for the late mannequin AMG CLS 53 with the three.0-litre inline-six mild-hybrid petrol engine.
Hit me up for those who’ve received one that you simply’d let me have a poke round in!
William Stopford: Kia Stinger
I really like rear-wheel drive passenger automobiles which are sensible and supply glorious efficiency. I’m additionally not a badge snob, and I really like a great discount.
The Kia Stinger, subsequently, ticked so many containers for me. It appeared like Kia had designed a car only for me. And that’s why it’s so unhappy to see it go.
The Stinger gave the impression to be a car aimed proper at Australia, and whereas it by no means offered in addition to the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore for which it was a non secular successor of kinds, its gross sales continued to develop over its run right here. Alas, whereas the US gave the impression to be one other market that will have been receptive to it, it was by no means successful there, whereas a car like this was by no means going to earn something greater than area of interest standing in markets like China, Korea and Europe.
Skip the two.0-litre turbo – most individuals did. The two.5-litre turbo that changed it elsewhere would have been good, however it nonetheless wouldn’t have deterred most Australian Stinger patrons from ponying up for that gutsy twin-turbo 3.3-litre V6.
This automobile was a efficiency automobile discount, but it was sensible too with that huge hatchback physique. The inside naturally wasn’t as luxurious as its Genesis G70 cousin, however it was extra spacious and nonetheless attractively offered, and in GT-Line and GT guise the Stinger had an exceptionally lengthy options checklist.
After I was shopping for my used 2015 Hyundai Genesis, what I actually needed was a Kia Stinger GT however my finances couldn’t prolong that far. Now I’m relationship somebody who needs one, so hopefully I’ll get some common seat time in a Stinger quickly… however it’ll should be a used one.
James Wong: Volkswagen’s wagons
Why VolksWAGEN?! Why would you kill the wagons?!
The Golf and Passat Wagons had been a number of the final remaining reasonably priced estates within the Australian market, providing a load-lugging various to the SUV pandemic but additionally some area of interest fanatic cool issue.
As 2023 attracts to an in depth, the wagon-bodied variations of VW’s iconic nameplates will probably be carried out, additionally spelling the top of the Passat within the Australian market. A crying disgrace.
VW Group Australia is compromising considerably by providing the Octavia Wagon and Very good shifting ahead, that are nice choices in themselves, however they’ll’t totally substitute the Golf and the Passat.
