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GoAuto's new car diary

What is new car diary?

Can't wait to drive away in that new model you have seen recently?

Be in the know and look up when your next new car is being launched with GoAuto's New Car Diary, a comprehensive listing of all future model release dates in Australia.

New car diary for 2003

Make: Renault

Model: Megane - hatch

Released: Dec 2003

Renault's curvy Megane hatch hits Aussie roads in December, opening with the $25,990 five-door 1.6 Authentique, which misses the alloys and climate in the $31,990 Dynamique, which in turn skips the 17-inch alloys and leather in the $34,990 Dynamique LX. The three-door Sport is $33,990. Autos add $2200.
read more about the Renault Megane

Make: Volvo

Model: S60 - R

Released: Dec 2003

Volvo's hottest ever model, the S60R, does on sale Down Under in December 2003. Released alongside its V70R wagon sibling (priced at $102,950), the S60R sedan costs $98,950. Volvo’s first attempt at a genuine sports sedan, the S60R features a 220kW turbo engine, active suspension and better brakes.
read more about the Volvo S60

Make: Nissan

Model: Maxima

Released: Dec 2003

On sale in Australia from December, Nissan's all-new Maxima luxury sedan features a new, more stylish bodyshell on an all-new platform, plus more safety, more equipment, better suspension, new interior and more grunt from a detuned 170kW version of the 350Z's 3.5 V6. Pricing from $40,000.
read more about the Nissan Maxima

Make: Peugeot

Model: 206 - GTi 180

Released: Nov 2003

The hottest 206 to date, the GTi 180, is priced at $34,990 and goes on sale here following the October Sydney motor show. The 130kW three-door 206 will be pitched at Holden's Astra Turbo and the Ford Focus ST170, and is expected to sell at the rate of about 30 cars per month.
read more about the Peugeot 206

Make: Alfa Romeo

Model: GTV

Released: Nov 2003

Like the facelifted Spider, the 2003 GTV was first revealed at the 2002 Geneva motor show and will go on sale in Australia on November 15. Like Spider, the revised GTV coupe will gain a new JTS four-cylinder engine plus an upgraded 3.2-litre V6 and 147-style shield grille.
read more about the Alfa Romeo GTV

Make: Saab

Model: 9-3 - convertible

Released: Nov 2003

Saab's most important vehicle since the 9-3 sedan, the all-new 9-3 Convertible, will offer buyers the wide range of engineering advances that came with the new 9-3 sedan, plus additional enhancements to improve the four-seater rag-top's exclusivity. Expect it on sale in Australia by early October.
read more about the Saab 9-3

Make: Porsche

Model: 911 - C4S Cabriolet

Released: Nov 2003

Porsche will release its latest derivative of the 911 range, the Carrera 4S Cabriolet, in Australia by November - not long after the car's official European launch. Pricing has been set at $251,600 while, as with all Tiptronic S-equipped 911 models, the auto version will cost an extra $8000.
read more about the Porsche 911

Make: Audi

Model: A6 - RS6

Released: Nov 2003

The first examples of the ballistic RS6 sedans and wagons landed in Australia just before the 2003 Sydney motor show, complete with twin turbocharged 4.2-litre V8 producing 331kW. The first shipment of 33 cars has been sold, at a cool $219,570 for the sedan and $225,100 for the wagon.
read more about the Audi A6

Make: Daihatsu

Model: Copen

Released: Nov 2003

Launched at the 2003 Sydney motor show, the tiny 659cc metal-topped roadster's base price is $29,990, while the upper-spec version with leather is $31,240. Daihatsu has compensated with standard twin airbags, ABS, air-con, alloys, foglights, power windows and CD/MP3 player.
read more about the Daihatsu Copen

Make: Alfa Romeo

Model: 147 - Ti

Released: Nov 2003

Alfa launched a new version of the 147 called the Ti - short for “Turismo Internazionale” - at the 2003 Sydney motor show. The 110kW 2.0-litre Ti adds 17-inch alloys, a GTA rear wing, sports seats and some leather trimming. It's priced at $39,990, while the Selespeed version is pitched at $42,990.
read more about the Alfa Romeo 147

Make: Mercedes-Benz

Model: SL-class - SL350

Released: Nov 2003

Bringing six-cylinder power to the top-end SL roadster, the 180kW 3.7-litre SL350 goes on sale in November and retails for $209,900 - almost $90,000 cheaper than the SL500. It retains much of the V8's spec, including Sensotronic Brake Control, but misses out on the Active Body Control system as standard.
read more about the Mercedes-Benz SL-class

Make: Peugeot

Model: 307 - Touring

Released: Nov 2003

To be launched here as the 307 Touring and due on sale following the Sydney motor show, the uniquely styled, five-seat 307 wagon is available with 2.0-litre petrol or turbo-diesel power. Pricing has already been announced for the 2.0-litre petrol XSE Touring at $33,490, while the XS HDi will be $31,690.
read more about the Peugeot 307

Make: Honda

Model: Civic - hatch

Released: Nov 2003

Honda's facelifted Civic hatch debuted at the 2003 Sydney motor show and goes on sale immediately. Sporting new bumpers, 15-inch alloys, different lighting, new front seats and an interior colour change – from grey to black – the five-door’s pricing remains the same at $25,950 ($27,950 auto).
read more about the Honda Civic

Make: Nissan

Model: 350Z - convertible

Released: Oct 2003

Nissan Australia released the 350Z Roadster in mid-October, when it became available at a $10,000 price premium over the popular coupe. The Roadster is available in one model only, with the six-speed manual Roadster costing $69,990 and the five-speed auto priced at $72,790.
read more about the Nissan 350Z

Make: Toyota

Model: Kluger

Released: Oct 2003

The Japan-built, Kluger medium SUV goes on sale here on October 8. Powered by the 172kW 3.3-litre V6 and five-speed auto that is also found in the Lexus RX330, Kluger will be sold in three grades – CV, CVX and Grande – starting at just over $40,000, with seven seats standard on the top two grades.
read more about the Toyota Kluger

Make: Alfa Romeo

Model: 156

Released: Oct 2003

Alfa Romeo launched a facelifted version of its 156 mid-size prestige sedan and wagon at the 2003 Frankfurt motor show. To go on sale in Australia in early October, the revised 156 features an updated 2.5-litre V6 and the first substantial change to the widely praised 156 exterior since its 1997 launch.
read more about the Alfa Romeo 156

Make: Toyota

Model: Avalon

Released: Oct 2003

Toyota's locally-built Avalon large sedan comes in for its first full facelift to keep Avalon sales ticking over until an all-new model in 2006. Launched in October 2003, the improved Avalon gets new front and rear styling, interior updates and revised suspension and steering, but no engine changes.
read more about the Toyota Avalon

Make: Mercedes-Benz

Model: E-class - Estate

Released: Oct 2003

Launched in October, the all-new S211 E-class Estate range comprises five models: from the $96,900 E240 Classic with 130kW 2.6-litre V6, to the $128,900 E320 Avantgarde featuring a 165kW 3.2-litre V6. A longer rear overhangs than the new E-class sedan brings cargo capacity to 1950 litres.
read more about the Mercedes-Benz E-class

Make: Holden

Model: Adventra

Released: Oct 2003

Due on sale following the Sydney motor show in October, Holden's Commodore-based Adventra crossover wagon will beat Ford’s Territory SUV to market by as much as nine months. Initially, the permanent all-wheel drive, auto-only Adventra will be powered exclusively by the Gen III 5.7-litre V8.
read more about the Holden Adventra

Make: Porsche

Model: 911 - Turbo Cabriolet

Released: Oct 2003

Porsche will release the first 911 Turbo Cabriolet in 14 years Down Under following its debut at the Sydney motor show in October. Powered by the same 309kW twin-turbo boxer as the coupe, the soft-top Turbo is differentiated from the 911 Cabriolet by wider wheel arches, intake scoops and a pop-up wing.
read more about the Porsche 911

Make: Ford

Model: Falcon

Released: Oct 2003

Available in six-cylinder, LPG or V8 guise and developed at a cost of $2.5 million, Ford's Rugged Terrain Vehicle comes at a premium of between $4500 and $5000 in either styleside or cab-chassis form. It features 80mm more ride height, 30mm wider wheel tracks, underbody protection and a rear diff lock.
read more about the Ford Falcon

Make: Citroen

Model: Xsara

Released: Oct 2003

Citroen's volume selling small car will come in for a facelift, to go on sale here in October. Expect new front and rear styling (pictured) - including a new front bumper with integrated fog lamps (depending on the level of trim), wider lower air intake and chromed grille - plus a revised interior.
read more about the Citroen Xsara

Make: Mitsubishi

Model: Lancer

Released: Oct 2003

Lancer CG may have only been launched here in July 2002, replacing the CE that had been around since 1996, but a facelifted CH model is already available following its September launch. In a largely cosmetic facelift, Mitsu’s popular small-medium sedan is inducted into the brand's world styling policy.
read more about the Mitsubishi Lancer

Make: BMW

Model: 5 Series

Released: Oct 2003

BMW launched the first of its all-new, E60-codenamed 5 Series sedans in October, 2003, with the 170kW 3.0-litre straight six-powered 530i - priced at $103,400 - starring at this year's Sydney motor show. Joining 530i in November 2003 will be the base 525i, while the 545i and M5 will follow in 2004.
read more about the BMW 5 Series

Make: Holden

Model: Crewman

Released: Sep 2003

Officially on sale from late September, Holden's rear-drive dual-cab Crewman ute is available in V6 auto and V8 auto/manual guise, with pricing stretching from $32,500 to $46,000. The longest Holden ever, Crewman cost about $60 million to develop and is expected to attract 6000 sales per annum.
read more about the Holden Crewman

Make: Daewoo

Model: Lacetti - sedan

Released: Sep 2003

This is the replacement for the Daewoo Nubira, the small-medium car that will play a key role in the South Korean company's resurgence here. Launching at the 2002 Seoul motor show and going on sale in Australia in September 2003, the Lacetti sedan is the first Daewoo to appear from GM Daewoo.
read more about the Daewoo Lacetti

Make: HSV

Model: Y Series II

Released: Sep 2003

Due on sale in September, HSV's Y Series II range features a 285kW 5.7-litre V8 as standard, plus a number of suspension, interior and options updates. There are price rises across the board and the range-topping GTS won't go on sale - in limited numbers - until February 2004.
read more about the HSV Y Series II

Make: Volkswagen

Model: Touareg

Released: Sep 2003

Touareg arrives Down Under in September, with the entry level V6 bowing in at $67,900 – undercutting RX330, MDX and XC90. Further up scale are the V6 Luxury at $75,800, the V8 at $99,900 to rival ML500 and the V10 TDI at $138,900 to vie with Cayenne S, X5 4.6is and ML55 AMG.
read more about the Volkswagen Touareg

Make: HSV

Model: Grange

Released: Sep 2003

HSV releases its WK Grange long-wheelbase sports limousine, based on the latest Caprice, in early September prior to the launch of its YII short-wheelbase Commodore-derived range and the Monaro-based Coupe III. Just 100 Granges will be built in 2003, with 60 sales already accounted for.
read more about the HSV Grange

Make: Mitsubishi

Model: Magna - AWD

Released: Sep 2003

Mitsubishi launches an updated Magna all-wheel drive family in late September, just months after it first went on sale. Mitsu's second take on AWD inherits the wide-eyed looks and equipment upgrades the TL Magna/KL Verada revealed in July, but there are few other changes to the three-model AWD range.
read more about the Mitsubishi Magna

Make: HSV

Model: Coupe - III

Released: Sep 2003

On sale from September, HSV's revised Series III Coupe comes with all of Holden's Monaro III updates, like revised suspension including strut tower brace, plus new interiors, features and a 285kW version of HSV's 5.7-litre Chev V8. As such, 0-100km/h acceleration drops by 0.3 seconds to 5.3.
read more about the HSV Coupe

Make: Subaru

Model: Outback

Released: Sep 2003

The all-new Subaru Outback crossover will be unveiled at Frankfurt, with its Australian launch – along with the new generation Liberty – later in September. Initially available with a 2.5-litre boxer opposed engine, Outback will feature the 3.0-litre H6 late this year.
read more about the Subaru Outback

Make: Alfa Romeo

Model: Spider

Released: Sep 2003

Due on sale locally on September 15, Alfa Romeo's sexy Spider convertible comes in for its first facelift since launching here in 1998. The 2003 model heralds the arrival of the 156's new JTS petrol engine with ASR traction control, plus - like GTV - mild internal and external updates by Pininfarina.
read more about the Alfa Romeo Spider

Make: Subaru

Model: Liberty

Released: Sep 2003

Subaru's all-new Liberty, unveiled to the international motoring press in Japan in May, 2003, will go on sale here in September. Australian-spec cars will be offered with a choice of three engines - a 2.0-litre SOHC four-cylinder, a 2.5-litre SOHC unit and a turbocharged 2.0-litre powerplant for the Liberty GT.
read more about the Subaru Liberty

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