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The herd of sports cars available to those on a budget continues to thin, as does the number of options for fast cars with petrol engines, but a couple of cars set to debut in 2024 keep things grounded.
Electrification looks like, for a while at least, it might make performance cars exclusively six-figure options - even Hyundai's top dog tops the $100K mark.
While half our list below might be electric, the other is made up of familiar classics that, at varying levels, remain attainable fun for the masses.
The model previously known as the Audi e-tron will make its new-name debut as the Q8 e-tron in 2024, bringing with it a new top-spec SQ8 version.
The SQ8 e-tron costs $173,600 plus on-road costs in SUV form, while the Sportback coupe version charges a $7000 premium.
Its three-motor electric drivetrain makes more power, a total 370kW and 973Nm, resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.5 seconds.
After multiple delays (including a bridge collapse), the new Ford Mustang will finally arrive in Australia in 2024, well after its late 2022 reveal.
The standard GT spec will make 362kW and 563Nm from its venerable 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8, but a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder will power the Mustang EcoBoost with 235kW and 475Nm.
A top-spec variant called the Dark Horse will join the ranks, boasting a 373kW and 567Nm version of the V8. All variants will have the option of a six-speed manual and 10-speed automatic transmission.
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Step aside, Kia EV6 GT - the Ioniq's N-tuned version is here with 448kW and 740Nm, making it 18kW more powerful than its cousin.
On top of that, the Hyundai electric sports car boasts an 'N Grin Boost' mode with 478kW and 770Nm outputs, temporarily allowing it to hit 100km/h in 3.4 seconds.
Chassis reinforcement, rally-inspired drive axles, a different steering column and rack, lightweight brakes and even N Active Sound+ (with a fighter jet inspired noise) are all unique to this wild electric car.
Not the next-gen roadster we've all been waiting for, but an updated version of Mazda's sports car darling set to arrive here in May.
With new features and capabilities comes upped pricing, now $41,370 before on-roads for the base manual.
Changes include a new asymmetric limited-slip differential (LSD) with a cam mechanism to improve deceleration stability, steering tweaks and Mazda's Connected Services that can contact emergency services in the event of a crash.
Mercedes-Benz's two performance big hitters of the brand's most popular model range are due in coming months in the form of the GLC AMG 43 and 63.
The GLC 43 arrived in April and the red-hot GLC 63 will arrive in the middle of the year.
Both are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 310kW of power and 500Nm of torque in the AMG 43, while the top-dog 63 makes 500kW and 1020Nm with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
If the latter sounds familiar, it's because it's the same drivetrain as that of the AMG C63 E Performance - ooh la la!
The BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 have a new rival from Merc in the CLE Coupe, a blend of C-Class and E-Class set to arrive in April 2024.
The range will initially consist of the CLE200 and CLE300 that both use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that makes 150kW/320Nm in the 200 and 190kW/400Nm in the 400.
A potent CLE450 4Matic, with a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and total outputs of 280kW/500Nm, could arrive at a later date.
Still somewhat mysterious is the first sports car from the modern MG as we know it, dipping back to its pre-SAIC-ownership days and bringing us a drop-top.
But this ain't your grandad's MG B, this is a 231kW, rear-drive, 1.85-tonne electric luxury item, and that's just the 'base' model. An all-wheel-drive version with a 150kW front motor and a 250kW rear motor is also on the cards.
Pricing? Not yet, but expect it to be fairly steep given the performance on offer and the general theme of electric cars costing a fair heft more than a petrol version would.
The Cyberster has been spotted undergoing evaluation testing in Sydney.
The twin to the Toyota GR86, Subaru's rear-driver (rare!) gains the brand's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology in manual for the first time, allowing for adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning.
A tS version with STI suspension, Brembo brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, a set of 18-inch aluminium wheels and a Torsen LSD has also arrived and costs about $5,000 more than the base version's $43,790 before on-roads asking price.
The BRZ's 2.4-litre naturally aspirated flat four-cylinder petrol engine still makes an unchanged 174kW/250Nm
20:24 vision! 2024 Subaru BRZ manual sports car gains EyeSight safety systems
More power, more torque, but one pedal less. Apparently the Nismo version of the Nissan Z sports car is too powerful for the manual gearbox, so this $94,000 (before on-road costs) coupe is going auto-only.
Just 100 cars will be available in the first delivery batch, with reservations offered first to existing Z customers.
The Z's twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 makes 309kW/520Nm in the Nismo version, 11kW and 45Nm more than the standard, powering the rear wheels via a nine-speed automatic.
Its 19-inch Rays wheels which are half an inch wider and lighter than the base Z, while upgraded engine cooling, bigger front brakes, chassis and suspension adjustments, and launch control join the fray.
Priciest Z ever: 2024 Nissan Z Nismo price and specs confirm rivalry with Toyota GR Supra GTS
A family SUV with 340kW and 700Nm, a 0-100km/h sprint of 5.1 seconds and the ability to tow 3.5-tonnes. Do you need it? No, but we're glad it exists.
Volkswagen's plug-in hybrid large SUV is the big dog of the R brand, literally, with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged engine and electric motor.
It'll top the Volkswagen range here, and its price will reflect that - it starts from $129,990 before on-road costs.
An $1800 price rise brings the 2024 model of i30 Sedan N to a new starting price of $52,000 before on-roads, but updated styling, new 19-inch forged alloys and the addition of Hyundai's new light bar – as per its new design language – are the reasons behind the extra cost.
Alongside the style tweaks, Hyundai has altered the chassis and ESC software slightly with "motorsport-derived" changes, though the same 206kW/492Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine remains.
Also new are intelligent speed assist, additional USB-C outlets, a revised wireless charging bay for larger phones, and Hyundai's new Bluelink connected services suite.
Want to know what other new models are due in 2024? Check out our rolling coverage by clicking on the links below.
- Best 4x4, off-roaders and light-commercial vehicles arriving in 2024
- Best electric cars arriving in 2024
- Best small SUVs and crossover arriving in 2024
-Â The best new cars coming in 2024
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