Most anticipated new cars for 2016 – mid-range hatchbacks

Which new mid-range hatchbacks are the most anticipated new cars to arrive in SA in 2016?

Infiniti Q30

With Infiniti now established in South Africa as a premium brand with a selection of cars including the well-received Q50 compact exec sedan and large QX70 SUV, the company will launch its first ever hatchback, the Infiniti Q30 is claimed to be “a new type of premium compact car”.

Infiniti Q30 will be offered in sizes from 1.5 to 2.1 litre engines in petrol or diesel, and is built in Sunderland, UK.

It will be up against the likes of other premium hatchbacks like Mercedes A-Class, BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 Sportback.

Opel Astra

The all-new Opel Astra was redesigned to becomes leaner and more innovative.  It sheds 200kg, partly thanks to a new lightweight bodyshell.  The new Astra is slightly smaller outside, but offers more space inside. 

Full matrix LED headlights feature on the new Astra, and it also caters for today’s in-car connectivity through apps.

The powertrain portfolio ranges from 70 to 147kW, using from a 1.6 CDTI diesel (Opel does not currently sell an Astra diesel locally, losing sales to rivals) and 1.0 EcoTec 3-cylinder turbo petrol, to a 1.4 turbo.

Renault Mégane

Renault Mégane number 4 will also aim to take the car more upmarket, as they did through styling with Clio 4 and Captur.  The new Mégane uses 3D-effect LED lights to create C-shaped front lights ((LED headlights are included) and taillights are stretched across nearly the full width of the tailgate.

The new Mégane hatch claims to have unique-in-class features like colour head-up display, a configurable 7-inch TFT instrument cluster, connectivity systems via a tablet, and Multi-Sense technology to personalise the driving experience.

It will be more dynamic and efficient, with TCe (Turbo Control efficiency) engines like the 1.2 TCe.  Renault SA stopped selling dCi diesel engines in Mégane, so will make it be back in the SA line-up?

The sporty GT version gets 4Control 4-wheel steering, and a 205hp (151kW) 1.6 turbo engine and 7-speed EDC gearing.

Toyota Prius

While limited overseas markets get the Toyota Minari fuel-cell vehicle that runs on hydrogen, the new Toyota Prius hybrid could arrive in SA in 2016, considering the positive uptake of the BMW i3 here.

This is now the 4th generation Prius.  A comprehensive program of size and weight reductions for major hybrid components was achieved.