Ringing in the new year with the 10 cars we can't wait to get behind the wheel of in 2013, coming soon to a dealership near you...
As BMW continues to expand its luxury lineup into every conceivable niche, the 3-Series Coupe and Convertible models will be replaced with the all-new 4-Series for the 2014 model year. We've been a bit disappointed with some recent BMW designs, but not so with this gorgeous new coupe. In an effort to move the two-door models up-market, BMW will raise pricing a bit over the current two-door 3-Series cars. While the 4-Series will share the 3's 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged engines, we expect some exclusive performance goodies for your extra dollars. Expect the coupe in dealers near the end of 2013, with the convertible to follow in time for Summer 2014. A high-performance M4 version is confirmed, a car we're already dreaming about driving.
Not too much is known about the upcoming third-generation CTS, but we do know the car will grow in size, luxury and price to better compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 and further differentiate the midsize Caddy from the red-hot new compact ATS. But don't think for a moment that growing up will mean growing soft: the CTS will still be a world-class sport sedan built with the driver in mind. Spy shots showing the Caddy testing at the Nurburgring confirm GM is taking the CTS seriously as a performance car, and the resurgent luxury brand absolutely nailed the ATS, so we have high hopes. Expect the 2014 CTS in dealers near the end of 2013.
Subaru sells around 80,000 Foresters in the U.S. each year, many in the snow belt where drivers rely on Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for sure-footed handling through the even most dire of weather conditions. The redesigned Forester, which will come to dealerships this Spring, grows a bit in length and width, and is now sized at the upper end of the compact crossover/SUV segment. Passenger and cargo space are up, too, all packaged up in a tidy design that should appeal to the brand's legion of yoga lovers. You'll have the choice of a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter Boxer or a new direct-injection turbocharged 2.0-liter Boxer with 250 horsepower, the more-powerful engine closely related to the unit used in the BRZ sports car.
With the death of Pontiac sadly came the end of the line for our favorite General Motors four-door, the rear-wheel-drive Pontiac G8 GXP, a lightning-quick sport sedan based on the Australian-market Holden Commodore. Later this year, Chevy will launch a new halo sedan using the same basic formula: big power, lots of space, refined sport-sedan handling and Cadillac-like luxury touches. The SS will reportedly pack the same 6.2-liter LT1 V8 as the new C7 Corvette, and is the inspiration for Chevy's new NASCAR racer (shown). Expect it in showrooms by year's end or in early 2014.
Subaru has confirmed the wildly acclaimed BRZ coupe will debut in turbocharged form some time in 2013 or early 2014, most likely wearing the Subaru Technica International (STI) badge. If some potential buyers were turned off by the BRZ's relatively modest 200-horsepower output, the STI should be just the ticket. Rumors point to around 280 horsepower and 250 lb-ft. of torque. Perhaps even more exciting, Subaru's performance division should give the rear-drive coupe a full suspension makeover geared toward drivers with the highest expectations. Since the current car is already one of the best-handling vehicles on the market at any price, the sky's the limit for what this platform is capable of.
BMW's most revered model, the mighty M3, will return to inline-six power in its next generation, with an all-new engine rumored to use three turbochargers: a pair of traditional exhaust-gas turbos and a new electric turbo. Power output will be around 450 horsepower, with a significant bump in torque over the current V8 M3's 295 lb-ft. With six-speed manual and seven-speed (or possibly eight-speed) sequential automanual transmissions sending power to the rear wheels, the 2014 M3 is sure to raise the sport sedan bar to untold heights. All set to debut in late 2013, the next M3 (codenamed "F80") will be sedan-only. That's because the two-door coupe and convertible models will now be called M4, and will debut around a year later.
Cadillac's ATS is all the proof we need that GM can build world-class sport sedans, so needless to say a hot rod "V" version is an exciting proposition. Reportedly powered by a twin-turbo V6 making around 420 horsepower (and possibly more), the ATS-V will be a direct challenge to BMW's industry-standard M3 sedan, and will hit dealerships right around the same time. Judging by the athletic, refined and exciting regular ATS, the high-performance version should be something truly special.
The next-generation "C7" Chevrolet Corvette will make its much-anticipated debut on Jan. 13 at the Detroit Auto Show, coming to dealerships by late Summer. Sharing virtually no parts with the current model, the Corvette will receive a thorough modernization, starting with a totally new GM smallblock V8 codenamed "LT1". Displacement will stay at 6.2 liters, though Chevy has added direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation. Preliminary specs ring in at 450 horsepower, 450 lb-ft. of torque and under 4 seconds from 0 to 60 mph for the quickest and fastest base Corvette ever. As for the design, we're just as excited as you are to see GM pull off the curtain; shown here is an artist's rendering reportedly remarkably close to the final production model.
Chrysler has a new entry-level model in the works, a five-door hatchback riding atop the same Fiat-sourced platform that underpins the Dodge Dart sedan. To be called the 100, details on Chrysler's newest are being kept under tight lock and key, but we do know it will also share the Dart/Fiat 500 Abarth's 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir engine, which should bring peppy acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency. While luxury hatchbacks aren't exactly on American buyers' must-have lists, we think going with a five-door is a good move, to differentiate the car from the Dart and an upcoming redesigned Chrysler 200 midsize sedan. Chrysler has already previewed the finished car to its dealer network, meaning an auto show debut is imminent.
Hot on the heels of the CX-5 crossover, Mazda's midsize sedan gets a much needed bumper-to-bumper redesign, bringing Skyactiv engineering to a sleek profile that has to be seen in person to be appreciated. Upon its debut, the 2014 Mazda6 will offer buyers a 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder gasoline engine as the lone choice, matching the Nissan Altima for a best-in-class 38 highway mpg. Mazda will also debut its revolutionary new i-Eloop regenerative braking technology, which captures braking energy using a capacitor then uses it to power auxiliary systems, taking load off the engine for further fuel savings. The Mazda6 will go on sale later this month, with a powerful diesel version will follow in the second half of 2013.
What is the Best Sedan? A Closer Look at the Top Selling Make and Models
Want a Convertible Sedan? Top 5 Models Based on Price and Customer Satisfaction
Infiniti G Sedan: A Buyer / Comparison Guide for the Best Deal
Convertible Cars
Year in Review - Top 10 Cars of 2012
