Top 10 Most Anticipated New Cars
1. BMW M5
Let’s start with cars that are starting to hit a niche. The first M5 defined the fast sedan market. And the latest one is a further improvement on the same basic principles and formulas.
Unlike the regular 5 series, the 2018 M5 is more revolutionary than sheet metal. It is the first M5 to have all-wheel drive and no manual shift options.
BMW’s M xDrive cuts off torque via an electronically controlled slip differential, similar to the X5 M and X6 M SUVs. On the M5, the system can separate the front axle. 600 horsepower (same as the final special edition of the F10 M5) and up to 553 lb-ft (37 lb-ft) of torque, from 1800 rpm to 5700 rpm (which revs faster than the 550 30’s Jahre M5).
That assessment may have been a shock 10 years ago. But now, the minimum requirements for the M5 are for the 605 hp Audi RS7, 603 hp Mercedes AMG E63, 550 hp Porsche Panamera Turbo, and 640 hp Cadillac CTS-V.
The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission shared with the M3, M4 and M6 is gone, and in its place is the traditional 8-speed automatic that locks the torque converter right after launch.
2. Toyota Supra
Rumors of a new Supra successor have been circulating the internet for a while, but official information only appeared a few months ago. Originally based on Celica, the Supra was released in 1978 and achieved cult status by appearing in popular games such as Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport, Need For Speed, and Midnight until the fourth generation went out of production in 2002.
I did. Over the past 15 years, I’ve heard endless rumors of Supra’s rebirth. We’ve heard more after Toyota and BMW announced a collaboration in 2013. This information, destined to be unveiled at the racing prep at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6, is beginning to inform information about the new strategic launch.
Sadly, it probably won’t feature an inline six-cylinder like the previous Supra. But it will compensate for it in other parts. Toyota says the new Supra aims to be an affordable sports car for men. That would mean mounting a cylinder engine as standard.
3. TVR Griffith
This British manufacturer had been producing sports and supercars in the early 2000s, but was shut down due to stability and financial issues. But now they are back in a big way. The Griffith is a hopeful car for them that they have built themselves. That sounds glamorous.
The Cosworth V8 delivers power to the rear wheels with a six-speed manual while pushing 500 horsepower north. Given how the TVR manages to weigh under 2,756 pounds (1,250 kg) as intended, it’s likely to turn out to be a serious GT3RS rival.
4. Ferrari Portofino
The Portofino is a California T replacement and probably one of the best Ferrari has ever made. It’s not a crazy 800 horsepower plane, but it’s by far the most usable and friendly car in this Ferrari.
Like the California T, the Portofino runs on a 591 horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8 twin-turbocharged engine, but with a new intake system, piston redesign, connecting rod modifications, exhaust system improvements, new engine management software and more.
Ferrari says the Portofino will get from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Its top speed will likely be over 199 mph (about 320.25 km), but he didn’t say how far it would reach. The Portofino features luxury like a folding hard-top roof and a 10.2-inch infotainment touch screen. A launch date is unknown, but a price tag in excess of $200,000 is expected.
5. Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
If you want a sporty SUV, but don’t particularly like the Macan or Cayenne, this is the only viable alternative. In fact, it is not a particularly suitable alternative because the difference from the aforementioned cars is very good. Think of it as the Giulia Quadrifoglio. But it’s a little bigger.
This car has the same 6.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and has 500 horsepower, but power is sent to all four wheels rather than just the rear. According to official figures, the car can go 62 miles in 4 seconds, which is impressive for any car as well as an SUV.
6. Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Months after Lamborghini broke the carvering track record with its Huracan performance, Porsche broke their hopes and dreams. We all knew the GT2RS was going to be fast, but we weren’t ready for how quickly it would show up.
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS combines the strengths of the 911 Turbo S and GT3RS. The back packs a 3.8-liter turbine flat six with 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, and power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a seven-speed PDK, which can reach 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds.
I know it’s cliché, but the phrase “it’s a road racing car” has never been more appropriate. Big wings and wide body aren’t just for show, because everything you see is functional.
7. Lamborghini Urus
SUVs are all the rage these days. They are so popular that even foreign car makers have had to rely on making one just to stay viable and not go bankrupt.
Take Bentley and Porsche as examples. Also Lamborghini may be following in terms of claiming to be profitable, but going back to Lamborghini’s old days, Lamborghini established the exotic SUV segment in the distant past in the mid-1980s with the powerful LM0002 model of the Count Tach V12.
Now Lamborghini has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in front of the Urus, producing a whopping 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. It will be priced around $200,000 and ultimately a hybrid version will be released.
8. Jeep Wrangler
The history of the Wrangler dates back to the original display Willis Jeep. The Jeep car still keeps most of the details secret, but early spy photos show it’s more of an evolution than a revolution when it comes to looks.
But don’t even think for a moment that it’s going to be a simple cosmetic job. Jeep claims it will be more capable than the generation it replaces in many ways. From the start, we can expect the usual arrangement of diesel and gasoline engines, but hybrid powertrains are not out of the question for the future.
9. Alpine A110
Alpine is now owned by Renault, but in the past it has produced amazing rally cars that have often won stages and championships. After a complete hiatus after decades, it’s back. The A110 model has everything we love about sports cars.
It is not overpowering and the price is not too high. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder placed in the middle is small at 250 horsepower, but it’s still quite fast as it weighs only 2,205 pounds.
With a car like the A110, speed isn’t everything. Driving dynamics and driver intervention play a bigger role for fun than full speed. The only downside to the A110 is that it doesn’t come with a manual transmission.
10. BMW 8 Series
The 8 Series came after nearly 20 years of hiatus. Last year, a surprising design study was unveiled at the Concorso d-Eleganza Villa d’Este featuring the 8-Series. It may have been just a concept, but it appears to be almost production-ready.
Think of it as a rival to the sports-oriented S-Class coupe. Six- and eight-cylinder diesel engines and gasoline engines are used in this family, followed by hybrid engines. It’s unlikely we’ll ever see a stunning 6.6-liter V12 model appearing here, but I’m hoping for good luck.
