eCar Brief

A Sneak Peak at the Car and Driver 25 Cars Worth Waiting For

2017 Lamborghini Urus

In May of last year, Car and Driver published a list of 25 cars they deemed worth waiting for which were due to be released between 2014 and 2017.  This list includes such beauties as the 2014 BMW M4 and 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C as well as some staples such as the 2014 Ford Mustang and 2016 Chevrolet Camaro.  It is a very impressive list that needs a quick revisit of each to allow some familiarity and let the public see what they have to look forward to along with what has already been released.

2014 Acura MDX

The third generation of the MDX, the 2014 version is a luxury SUV with seating up to seven comfortably.  Acura designed this beauty with their new “Aero Sculpting” style giving the MDX a softer feel to the previous sharp edges.  Offering a 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection and cylinder deactivation allows for an overall improvement in power, torque and fuel economy.  At the mid-range the 2014 Acura MDX is prices around $45,000.

2014 Alfa Romeo 4C

A name synonymous with style and speed, the Alfa Romeo 4C is a mid-engine rear-drive two-seater sports car ready to charge up the open road and handle any curves the American countryside can throw its way.  Powered by a 1.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine offering 240 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque the 2014 Alfa Rome 4c offers a great deal of power under the hood.  Future plans include increasing the 4C to bring in a 270 horsepower model in the upcoming years.  The only transmission option for this gorgeous sports car is the six-speed dual-clutch automatic.   The estimated price for this high performance classically named sports car will be around $86,000 for the models sent to the U. S.

2017 Audi Q8

As a full-size SUV the 2017 Audi Q8 will offer luxury that is coupled with size and a sporty look the Q8 is truly an SUV that will be worth the wait.  The Q8 will offer a longer wheel base than the current Q7 which provides better comfort.  The 2017 Audi Q8 is planned to be equipped with a variety of V6, V8 and even a W12 offering of engines with the 4.0-liter V8 expected to be the most popular choice in the U.S. In new auto market developments, offering vehicles worldwide, the overpopulated Chinese market drives the train and if the demand for the Q8 is not present this vehicle might be cancelled altogether.  Expected price when released will be between $56,000 and $60,000.

2014 Audi RS7

An impressive and sleek looking sedan the 2014 Audi RS7 offers style, luxury and function in a great family vehicle.  Offering 20-inch wheels, adjustable shocks and a 560 horsepower in a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and an eight-speed automatic transmission this is a family car for the serious car family.  Even with all this power the fuel economy will remain in the mid 20’s, impressive for an eight-cylinder engine.  With the mid-range setup the 2014 Audi RS7 is priced around $90,000.

 

2014 BMW M4

Awesome performance and handling of a sports car coupled with the sensibility and comfort of a coupe meet in the BMW M4 for 2014.  Meant to bring back the once glorious reputation of the M-series of BMW, the M4 offers a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine.  Such a great engine brings in a great 420 horsepower and is offered with either a six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission set up.  The 2014 BMW M4 starts out at a modest for luxury cars price tag of $60,000, keeping it classy but affordable.  One note, the 2015 model of the M4 has already been revealed and offers some nice upgrades from this 2014 model as well.

2016 BMW M8

Another planned installation into the M-class of BMW to keep the name going strong the M8 is once sick super car from BMW.  The first in a while from BMW since the M1 which was last seen in 1981, the M8 is very much overdue and is one to really look forward to for the 2016 model year.  Offering a retro-sports styling on the outside, under the hood and inside the vehicle will all be modern and state of the art accoutrements.  Under the hood the M8 will offer a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo engine, upgrading the M5 engine for speed and power, pairing it with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission the 2016 BMW M8 is targeted to offer between 600 and 650 horsepower.  If the 2016 BMW M8 is allowed to be released the price tag will start around $330,000 for this beast of the blacktop.

2015 Buick Grand National and GNX

Offering a resurrection to bring back the Buick standard that was set in the mid 1980’s which actually competed with and out gunned the Chevrolet Corvette at one time, the 2015 version of the Buick Grand National brings back this power and prestige to the long time overall boring Buick lineup.  The Grand National will offer either a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower or a 3.6-liter V6 bringing in 321 horsepower.  With the other classic Buick name from the 1980’s, the GNX the power plant will be a twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 reaching a huge 400 horsepower.  For the turbo engines a manual transmission is optional but the eight-speed Hydra-Matic transmission is available for all engines.  An awesome pair of Buick sports sedans offer and chance for some serious intramural competition with Chevrolet and Cadillac with only means more power choices for the masses from the engineers at General Motors.

2014 Cadillac ELR

Smooth aerodynamically designed lines all around the 2014 Cadillac ELR with the now signature front Cadillac grill smiling at the pack as it passes by the ELR resembles the Chevy Volt concept car, but with some classic Cadillac style.  A little sluggish to start, the electrically powered ELR has a nice power plant offering 217 horsepower and great fuel efficiency at 35 city/40 hwy mpg.  Even though critics say this car is just an overpriced Chevy Volt starting at $80,000 the ELR is a dynamic design and full of what Cadillac has offered for many years, style, class, comfort, luxury and performance.  As the signature name in luxury and performance vehicles, the ELR is sure to please anyone looking for a great sport-luxury vehicle.

2015 Chevrolet Camaro

How much really needs to be said for this classic beast of the blacktop?  A redesign for the 2016 model year, if Chevrolet pays attention to much needed upgrades inside the car, will drastically improve the already superior muscle car.  With narrower headlight cavities, a front grill that appears to be growling as it tears down the road, and some smoother lines, the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is inspired by the Euro-styled RS models of the 1970’s.  Offering four, six, and eight-cylinder options under the hood simply to compete across the board, the Camaro will continue to be a sports car to be reckoned with.  The projected asking price for a base model with be in the mid-$20,000 range, but with options and engine upgrades can end up much higher.

2014 Chevrolet SS

In the wake of the Pontiac G8, which had short term success, but eventually did not last, Chevrolet introduces the new 2014 Chevrolet SS.  Once again, this is a use of a very familiar name, and the car is a gorgeous model to carry on such a great Chevy name as SS.  Basically the SS is an upgraded version of the Pontiac G8, which was also a fantastic performance car.  Under the hood the 2014 Chevrolet SS offers an LS3 6.2-liter V8 with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters offering up 415 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque.  The 2014 Chevrolet SS is offered with a bevy of unique and technologically advanced equipment such as the infotainment system, collision-warning equipment, and automatic parking assist.  A 2014 Chevrolet SS can be had for a great price of around $40,000.

2014 Ferrari LaFerrari

What is a Ferrari; low profile, fast lines, aerodynamics, huge power, and a sports car that makes every crowd turn and pay attention, the 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari is no different, in fact its better.  The LaFerrari is amazingly a gas/electric hybrid that screams down the street.  Originally designed to be much lighter with a V8 engine, Ferrari opted for a much larger power plant offering a 6.3-liter V12 bringing down the house with 789 horsepower under the hood.  Add in the electric motor, and the horsepower skyrockets to 950, an amazing feat almost not allowed on the street.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST

The 2014 Ford Fiesta ST is the smallest fast car Ford has to offer.  With quick responsive steering, and great pick up, the lightweight Fiesta is fun to drive and easy to handle.  The 2014 Ford Fiesta is built to compete with the Fiat 500 Abarth and does so with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission that can bring as much as 197 horsepower and 214 lb.-ft. of torque, not astronomical numbers, but on a small car this is great to see.  Starting out around $22,000 the Fiesta wins over a crowd that wants a small car at a great price that is also fun to drive.

2015 Ford Mustang

Shorter in height and length than its predecessor, the 2015 Ford Mustang offers the classic name on a muscle bound body.  Offering either a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 305 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, a 3.7-liter V6 bringing 300 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, or the 5.0-liter V8 having 420-horsepower and 396 lb.-ft. of torque, there is a Mustang setup that will please just about anyone.  No matter which engine is chose, both manual and automatic transmissions will be available to the owner.

2017 Lamborghini Urus

The 2017 Lamborghini Urus is planned to be the second off-road vehicle offered by Lamborghini, but not nearly as bulky as the LM0002 of the 1980’s.  Pairing an angry looking front end with sharp lines, a sloping windshield, and a smooth roof-line curve to the rear, the Urus promises to be a chic design to attract the many younger entrepreneurs who desire a hugely upscale SUV.  Offering a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, and possible a hybrid and diesel variation under the hood, Lamborghini is still working to see which engines will be best suited to put the 2017 Urus at the head of the pack.  This SUV will not be for the budget conscious, instead the asking price will be somewhere between $150,000 and $200,000.

2017 Lexus LF-LC

Offering a chain metal inspired grill, sleek lines, huge wheels, and a gorgeous low profile, the 2017 Lexus LF-LC is planned to push around 500 horsepower on a hybrid powertrain.  If all goes as planned, the 2017 Lexus LF-LC will show up at a price tag that is about half what the outgoing LFA cost and come in around $200,000.  Bringing the heat with a gas/electric hybrid V8, the 2017 Lexus LF-LC is a car to really watch out for.

2014 Maserati Ghibli

A new entry from an old name that screams quality in design and engineering the new 2014 Maserati Ghibli brings awesome design and performance into a four-door sedan.  Slightly evolved from the Quattroporte by adding rear-wheel drive standard on the Ghibli and sportier dynamics, the powertrain offered starts with a turbocharged V6 bringing in 404 horsepower, great power from a nice sedan.  The transmission is a unique ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic and the car can be set up with all-wheel drive if desired.  Starting around $65,000 and meant to compete with the Mercedes-Benz E-class, the 2014 Maserati Ghibli is a great car at a reasonable price.

2016 McLaren P13

A stylish two-seater with a quick look and feel, the 2016 McLaren P13 is being designed to compete with the Porsche 911 series sports cars, a huge aspiration to say the least.  Building on the McLaren 12C, the engine offered will be a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 bringing an estimated 450 horsepower, great power from a great name.  Expected pricing for the 2016 McLaren P13 is targeted to come in around $120,000, but may increase by the time the car launches for the 2016 model year.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA is a smaller, shorter version of the CLS which debuted in 2005.  Still offering nice rear seat headroom, which was what made the CLS so popular in the first place the CLA is a surprise with its front-wheel drive set up.  Offering three different engine setups, the CLA offers a turbocharged four-cylinder with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission on all three.  One of the 2.0-liter engines brings in 208 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque and another which offers an AMG with a higher boost turns in 355 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque.  Bringing a modest price tag of $48,375 to start, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA is a baffling and powerful car.

2016 Mercedes-Benz S-class Convertible

A beautiful and big convertible car, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Convertible will offer the long feel of luxury and power with a name that has become synonymous with class, style, and comfort.  Providing comfort with the style with its air powered suspension, the S-class Convertible will have power from either a V8 or V12 engine.  Starting prices for this magnificent convertible Mercedes-Benz will start around $150,000 when released.

2016 Nissan Z

Short, sleek, fast, angular, low profile and great lines are all encompassed in the next version of the classic name of Nissan Z set to debut in 2016.  Even without a rebirth of the 240Z, Nissan still offers the2016 Nissan Z as an impressive and quick sports car.  The VQ V6 engine with direct injection offers a huge 350 horsepower for this lightweight speedster.  Offered with a six-speed manual, or a seven-speed automatic transmission, the 2016 Nissan Z steams along performing great for the Nissan brand. Pricing for the 2016 Nissan Z is expected to start just under $35,000, not bad for a quick and sharp performance sports car.

2017 Porsche 960

Another supercar from Porsche, what else could be expected of the long time maker of some of the world’s most recognized sports cars?  The planned 2017 Porsche 960 is set to impress and quiet the critics that say Porsche is either turned into a lawyer car or can’t make a supercar under $250,000.  The planned power plant for this new super speeder is a horizontally opposed eight-cylinder engine that should shoot out more than 600 horsepower.  A flat-six cylinder engine is also being discussed to power this speedster.  Expected pricing is around $200,000 but may rise slightly by the release for the 2017 model year.

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith

Just the side profile is enough to make anyone swoon, great lines, sloped roof line, and the Rolls-Royce name bring a great looking car together that many will want to own, but so many will just have to stand and stare as it drives by.  The 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith looks like the name sounds, angry and sporty at the same time.  Powered by a twin-turbocharged V12 engine this is a Rolls-Royce for the younger crowd, not the throwbacks of yesteryear.  The price tag is also not for the faint of heart at $300,000, but for that huge price the quality of design and engineering cannot be questioned or beaten.

 

 

2016 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ Roadster

Hearing the name Roadster then looking at the proposed car matches up perfectly.  With a short wheelbase, easy to use convertible roof, swooping lines and big wheels this roaster is going to shock the world when released for the 2016 model year.  This will be Subarus’s first step into the convertible class but should open new possibilities down the road.  While designers and engineers are still working out the engine details the 2016 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ Roaster promises to have power coupled with quickness for a fun and easy driving experience.  Expected opening prices are between $25,000 and $30,000 which is a great deal if the power plant is right.

2015 SRT Barracuda

Resembling some of the American Muscle Car models in the front, and the Italian designs toward the rear, the 2015 SRT Barracuda is beautiful with sleek and sharp lines, great curves, awesome aerodynamics and a low profile to please any sports car enthusiast.  Plans are this awesome car will replace the Challenger lineup for Chrysler and should offer stiff competing with the upgrade Camaros and Mustangs.  Engine setups span the spectrum offering four six and eight-cylinder options from a 2.0 liter four to a 6.2 liter eight with direct injection on many of the engines.  Even a Hemi V8 will be in the lineup and the Hemi is being tinkered with to offer supercharging capabilities as well.  Transmissions offered also vary from a dual-clutch automatic to six or seven-speed manuals.  Expected to start in the mid $20,000 range the price could reach $40,000 easily with the larger engines and optional equipment.

2014 Subaru WRX

An interesting rally-car inspired model, the 2014 Subaru WRX is just that, a four-wheel-drive rally-car.  Bringing back the WRX model that was popular in 2001 Subaru has redesigned and launched the WRX to be a fun to drive on and off road smaller car.  Offering a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter flat-four cylinder engine the WRX shows up with 275 horsepower under the hood.  With a starting price tag around #30,000 the WRX should attract a great crowd tired of the wagon looking Subarus but still wanting the four-wheel drive option Subaru has become known for.

With twenty-five very different, but very worthy cars in the lineup, these excellent vehicles are all well worth the wait.  Thankfully some have already been released, at least the 2014 models and the 2015’s will be quickly on their heels, but if one of the 2016 or 2017 models caught some attention it will have to wait just a bit longer to see how the model is truly going to be released as engineers and designers perfect their cars.  All in all, this group of cars is definitely well worth the wait.

Source:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/25-cars-worth-waiting-for-20142017-feature

 

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