Liz Dobson - What’s hot on our roads this year

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle this year, or just want to daydream, then check out my list of the hottest new cars to be seen on roads this year.

Alfa Romeo 4C
You either love or hate the front headlights of this Italian two-seater coupe, but either way the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C is a head turner.

The lightweight sporty coupe showcases the Italian company’s design turn around and improved reliability thanks to new bosses Fiat Chrysler.

The New Zealand distributor can’t confirm when it will land here this year – especially as international demand is so high.


Citroen C4 Cactus
This French hatchback has already made a bump, literally, in the New Zealand market thanks to its world-first design feature that is set to stop any dents or dings on the car.

Called Airbumps, the panels sits on the four doors on the Citroen Cactus and not only have a practical appeal but design-wise they add a fun and head-turning aspect to the hatchback that is based on the C4.

Already Citroen New Zealand has been blown away by the demand for the car and has sold out its first shipment.


Ford Mustang
This iconic American sports car has already had such high demand from Kiwi customers that the first few shipments have sold out – and the car’s not expected here until late 2015.

The all-new right-hand-drive Mustang will be here as a rumbling V8 or with Ford’s economical EcoBoost four-cylinder version.


Jaguar XE
This British brand has been revolutionized under its new owner, Tata, with high praise around the world for the Jaguar F-Type. And now the company enters the compact luxury sedan market with launch this year of the XE.

It’s set to take on the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and with a lightweight body and diesel engine available it will also be economical.


Mazda CX-3
The SUV market is the biggest growing in New Zealand and every manufacturer is adding a compact crossover to its line-up.

Mazda New Zealand already has a mid-sized crossover, the CX-5, and in April it will be joined by a smaller version, the CX-3.

I was at the international reveal last year at the Los Angeles motor show and was impressed with the styling and standard feature of the CX-3.

Size-wise it sits between the Mazda2 and Mazda3 hatchbacks and will take on the Holden Trax and Ford Kuga in our market.


Mazda MX-5:
It’s one of our most beloved roadsters and the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 is due in New Zealand later this year.

While Mazda New Zealand isn’t expecting to sell the little car in great numbers, it is still one of the most exciting roadsters to drive.

I spotted the car at the Paris motor show last year and the little two-seater gains design features from Mazda’s kodo (meaning, “soul of motion”) ethos. The “kodo” design is seen in the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-5 and CX-3.


Volvo XC90
It’s been 12 years since the last XC90 large crossover from the iconic Swedish brand was launched – that’s two lifetimes in vehicle terms with a new model released on average every six years.

The only problem Volvo New Zealand will have is getting their hands on the vehicle as international demand for the seven-seater XC90 is bound to be high.

Volvo was saved by Chinese car manufacturer Geely, and the money pumped into the Swedish brand shows. First launched at the Paris motor show last year, the vehicle not only looks impressive but also will come as a plug-in hybrid.