2015 is gearing up to be a big year for the 4X4 market in Australia. There are plenty of rumours and announcements rolling around, so we have put together a short list of what you have to look forward over the next twelve months. That makes 6 New 4X4S in 2015.
Nissan Navara
Nissan’s D40 Navara, which sold 21,758 units in 2013.
Nissan’s popular and successful Navara model will be replaced by a new model in 2015. Details are thin on the ground at the moment, and Nissan is keeping a tight lid on things until a major release later this year. Whether both the D40 and D22 models will be discontinued isn’t known yet, there is the possibility that they will run with two models to cover more price points.
Now that the new Pathfinder has veered away from offroad-ability in favour of family functionality, there is the distinct chance that Nissan will build a true 4X4 wagon based on the new dualcab, à la MU-X and Colorado 7.
In other news, Nissan are currently trialling some new paint technology that is touted as ‘self cleaning’. It uses hydrophobic and olephobic materials in this paint, which literally has the ability to scare away dirt and grime, much like a magnet repelling another. Wouldn’t that be great after a muddy trip!
Mitsubishi Triton
Mitsubishi’s GR-HEV hybrid concept, which was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
Mitsubishi’s current Triton, named after the son of Posiedon and the messenger of the sea in Greek mythology, was first unveiled in 2005. After ten years, the L200 is due for an update, and 2015 should see it landing on the showroom floors (along with an unveiling later this year). Sales have stagnated over the past twelve months, indicating that buyers see it eclipsed by other 4X4s on the market. Details are once again thin on the ground, but you can expect some elements of the GR-HEV design to make their way onto the production model, in a watered-down kind of way.
Land Rover Defender
Land Rover’s latest iteration of the Defender, known in Australia as the ‘Puma’, the engine’s codename during development (which was sourced from Ford).
Running in a similar format since 1948, the Land Rover Defender is easily the most antiquated 4X4 design available on the market. It has been the vehicle of choice for offroad adventure, commerial venture and military application for many countries over many years, and probably has the most loyal (but small) band of followers. It is still handmade in England, and sold ony 629 station wagons in 2013, making it not very cost effective or profitable, especially when compared to its successful la-di-da stablemates. The Defender’s old design has ergonomic, dynamic and NVH characterstics that other 4X4s have long forgotten; loathed by many and loved by a few. Land Rover is under intense scrutiny and pressure to replace the Defender, which will definately fall short of EU6 regulations to which it must comply. To be successful, they will have to do three things: Keep the small core market happy, keep true to the brands heritage, and appeal to a wider market of buyers. That’s job that I am not in the slightest envious of.
Toyota Hilux
Toyota’s Hilux still continues to sell well, despite its age.
If you imagined the dual-cab 4X4 market as a party, the Hilux is definately that old guy that everyone knows, and keeps partying hard. Known as the N70, the current model of the Hilux first appeared in 2005 as well. It wasn’t based on a clean sheet however, much of the N70’s underpinnings are ‘refreshed’ N60 gear. While it might be sporting a little bit more ‘salt and pepper’ than the other 4X4, it still continues to dominate the sales department. In fact, the Hilux was Australia’ best selling car overall for a number of months. It’s due for a replacement, but Toyota are keeping their cards close to the chest as well; aside from some well-disguised mules being spotted, there isn’t much information available.
Holden Colorado
The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, confirmed in the USA.
Whilst it might not be looking to completely replace the current Colorado (as it’s only a few years old), there is a chance that the Australian version could be in for a restyling to bring it into line with the Yankee Chevrolet Colorado that is confirmed for sale in 2015. This is currently more speculation than anything at the moment, but it does seem to make sense.
Ford Everest
You can expect the Ranger-based Everest to be available in 2015.
The elevator pitch for the Ford Everest is that it is to the Ranger, what the Colorado 7 is to the Colorado, and its coming in 2015. Using the well received Ranger base to build a wagon makes plenty of sense for Ford, who don’t really have a good option for those looking for a bona-fide 4X4 wagon at the moment. Images of the Everest indicate it will be stylistically quite different from the Ranger. Control arms of an independant suspension setup in the front isn’t suprising, but there is talk that the Everest will trade in the leaves and drums in the back from coils and discs, bringing it in line with the likes of Isuzu’s, Mitsubishi’s and Holden’s wagon offerings.
