Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Hot Metal: The Most Anticipated New Cars of 2016

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A quick look at the future-product pipeline reveals an undeniable truth: These are the good old days, and they’re about to get even better. From supercars to off-road pickups, and from luxury sedans to blistering all-wheel-drive compacts, the next 12 months will deliver a bounty of new products. Click through and check our list of 2016’s most anticipated models—which are listed alphabetically—and you’ll see why we think it’s going to be a very good year.

Note: Vehicles must be expected to go on sale by the end of the calendar year to qualify for our list.

2017 Acura NSX

If you’ve been dreaming of the next NSX, it’s time to wake up: It’s here in the form of a highly technical and utterly exhilarating supercar. With weight-saving construction combined with a hybrid powertrain that has three electric motors and a mid-mounted twin-turbo V-6 making a combined 573 horsepower, the NSX offers pulse-pounding performance paired with everyday usability. A nine-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive are standard.

Arrives: Early spring

2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Giulia has sensuous and shapely sheetmetal, and—like a good Italian—the curves and creases are in all the right places. First to arrive will be the top-spec Quadrifoglio model, with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 making 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual are standard. A 276-hp 2.0-liter turbo four with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive also will be available; all-wheel drive will be optional.

Arrives: Summer

2017 Audi A4

Quick, sophisticated, and pretty, the 2017 A4 fulfills the promise of Audi’s marketing slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik,” which means “Advancement through Technology.” Available tech includes navigation with Google Earth maps and Audi’s “Virtual Cockpit” electronic instrumentation. The turbocharged 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder now pumps out 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque (the diesel is on indefinite hold); it’s mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. But it’s the inevitable performance versions that have us geeked.

Arrives: Spring

2017 Bentley Bentayga

Bentley boasts that the Bentayga, with a claimed top speed of 187 mph, is the fastest SUV in the world. The claim is made possible by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 engine that makes a mighty 600 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque; an eight-speed automatic directs the power to all four wheels. The interior can be configured to seat four or five; only the finest leather will cosset the lucky posteriors in this $232,000 SUV. Diesel and hybrid powertrains will be offered in the future.

Arrives: Early 2016

2016 BMW M2

As BMW's M range has gotten more expensive, the M2 puts that brand's performance back within reach of mere mortals, with a starting price of $52,695. Under the hood is a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six that makes 365 horsepower and 343 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive are standard; a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is optional. BMW says 60 mph comes in 4.2 seconds with the automatic. Weight is reduced wherever possible, including 19-inch forged wheels shod with specially designed Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

Arrives: April

2017 Bugatti Chiron

How do you top the Bugatti Veyron, the world’s fastest production car? Bugatti’s answer to this question is the Chiron. An expected 8.0-liter W-16 engine utilizes four turbos to make 1500 horsepower for what surely will be heroic acceleration and an estimated top speed of 288 mph. (A hybrid powertrain may come later.) Four-wheel drive puts all that power down through a seven-speed automatic. If you have to ask about pricing, you can’t afford it—expect a price tag over $2.5 million.

Debuts: March

2016 Cadillac CT6

Cadillac hopes the edgy and imposing CT6 will help return the automaker to the realm of full-size luxury cars worth considering. The CT6 features an aluminum-intensive structure as well as high-tech goodies such as LED lighting, massaging seats, and a super-premium audio system. Powertrains include a 272-hp turbo four-cylinder, a 335-hp V-6, and a 400-hp twin-turbo V-6; each is paired with an eight-speed automatic driving the rear wheels. A plug-in hybrid also will be available.

Arrives: February

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

The all-electric Bolt will take on the upcoming Tesla Model 3. Priced at $37,500—or $30,000 after Federal tax credits—the Bolt promises a range of some 200 miles, far better than other popularly priced EVs. The Bolt has the potential to be the people's Tesla, although if gas stays cheap, will anyone care?

Arrives: Late fall

2017 Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler’s all-new minivan brought with it a new name, Pacifica, along with a newfound sense of style, more tech than ever, and an available plug-in-hybrid powertrain. As a family hauler, safety is paramount, and Chrysler has really upped its game here, with features including a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. The standard engine is a 287-hp V-6; the hybrid promises an electric-only range of 30 miles and 80 MPGe in city driving.

Arrives: Spring

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

The new F-150 Raptor was a star of last year's Detroit auto show, and the anticipation has only built since then. It boasts a twin-turbo V-6 making more than 500 horsepower and a new 10-speed automatic. Two wheelbase/cab setups will be offered: a 133-inch SuperCab and a 145-inch four-door SuperCrew. Beefy Fox Racing Shox are on board while a stout skidplate protects the front. Meaty 35-inch tires wrap around 17-inch aluminum wheels. This is what Ferrari would build if it built 4x4 pickups.

Arrives: Fall

2016 Ford Focus RS

Rally-driver aspirants and hot-hatch aficionados, your wait is over: The Focus RS is finally headed for our shores. With a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, the RS will come standard with a six-speed manual and a unique torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Ford says it hits 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Michelin Pilot Super Sports wrap 19-inch wheels. Developed with input from Ken Block, the RS should be stiff competition for the Subaru WRX STI and the Volkswagen Golf R.

Arrives: Early spring

2017 Ford GT

You can’t buy a Ford GT yet, but if you want one, start saving now—prices are expected to begin at as much as $400,000. One look at its stats tells you all you need to know: a mid-engine twin-turbo V-6 good for more than 600 horsepower, full carbon-fiber construction and body panels, and active aerodynamics. Power will be sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Sadly, a manual will not be available. Production is expected to total fewer than 1000 cars.

Arrives: Late fall

Genesis G90

The first new model in Hyundai's freshly christened Genesis luxury brand, the G90 replaces the Equus. The G90’s size mirrors that of the Mercedes-Benz S-class, and the exterior is formal and understated. The interior is redolent with leather and luxury, including a 22-way adjustable driver’s seat, Lexicon audio, and “VIP” 14-way adjustable rear seats. The standard engine will be a 311-hp V-6; a 365-hp V-6 and a 420-hp V-8 will be optional.

Arrives: Summer

2017 Honda Ridgeline

The first generation of Honda's Ridgeline had its fans—us included—and some novel features, such as a two-way tailgate and a lockable trunk/beer cooler recessed in its bed. But it also had critics, traditionalists who insisted that trucks without separate frames are as useless as stockings without garters. The new Ridgeline keeps the innovative tailgate and underbed storage, but features a more traditional upright profile. It also keeps its unibody construction, sharing its architecture with the new Pilot SUV, even while adopting a cutline between the cab and the bed. A decade has now passed since that first Ridgeline launched and, given that unibody crossovers having all but supplanted body-on-frame SUVs, maybe the pickup market will be more accepting of Honda's unconventional offering this time aroud.

Arrives: Late fall

2017 Infiniti Q60

The shapely new Q60 is the third generation of the sports coupe formerly known as "G." Based on the Q50 sedan, the coupe will offer three engine options: a Mercedes-sourced 2.0-liter turbo four and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 in 300-hp and 400-hp strengths. Power is fed to the rear or all four wheels. The cockpit-like cabin showcases the brand's emphasis on interiors. We're eager to see how the Q60 stacks up against its natural rival, the BMW 4-series.

Arrives: Late summer

2017 Jaguar XE

This sexy new cat is preparing to pounce on the BMW 3-series, which currently is the king of the sports-sedan jungle. The XE—an all-new Jag—is full of advanced technology, starting with its aluminum structure to help reduce weight and aid fuel economy. Powertrains will include a turbo four, a supercharged V-6, and a diesel. An eight-speed automatic will be offered, while a manual appears later. Rear-wheel drive will be standard and all-wheel drive optional.

Arrives: Summer

2017 Lincoln Continental

The revival of the legendary Continental name carries the hopes of returning Lincoln to relevance as a true luxury brand. The Continental boasts a sumptuous interior with 30-way adjustable seats and a Revel Ultima audio system. The top engine is a Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 with 400 horsepower; all-wheel drive will be standard here. Other engine choices—a 2.7-liter turbo V-6 and a 3.7-liter naturally aspirated V-6—come with a choice of front-drive or AWD. Underneath is a stretched and tweaked Ford Fusion platform, but the exterior and interior styling go a long way to disguise those roots.

Arrives: Late summer

2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 coupe

The latest two-door, rear-wheel-drive Teutonic barnburner from Affalterbach is the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 coupe. Pin the throttle of its twin-turbocharged 469-hp 4.0-liter V-8, and you’ll be treated to an aural experience nearly as rewarding as the old-school roar of the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 that powered the previous model. A more-potent C63 S version ups the output to 503 horsepower, while a seven-speed automatic swaps ratios in both models. Beyond the extra power, the S version adds the option of carbon-ceramic brake discs on the front axle and replaces the mechanical limited-slip differential with an electronically controlled unit. It also adds a Race setting, which relaxes the stability control, stiffens the dampers, and sharpens the shifts beyond Sport+. Helped by a 100-pound weight advantage and a lower final-drive ratio, the C63 S coupe should accelerate even more quickly than the four-door and reach 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Arrives: Summer

2017 Porsche 911 Carrera / Carrera S

Porsche's iconic 911 Carrera and Carrera S emerge with new, turbocharged versions of their flat-six engines as part of a comprehensive makeover for 2017. The addition of turbos may have rattled the faithful, but the downsized engines make more power (370 horsepower in the Carrera and 420 in the S, each representing a 20-hp increase), and Porsche worked to preserve their signature sound. PASM (electronic damping) is now standard, and other chassis changes include optional rear-wheel steering. As before, body styles include coupe, convertible, and Targa. The base Carrera coupe starts at $90,450 and prices climb quickly from there.

Arrives: March

2017 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S

For decades, the 911 Turbo has been the stuff of legends, and the revised, 2017 version promises to keep adding to that lore. An additional 20 ponies bring engine output to a monstrous 540 horsepower—make that 580 in the Turbo S. With a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, Porsche’s all-wheel-drive supercar can hit 60 mph in less than three seconds. Take your pick of coupe or cabriolet; the exterior styling is timelessly gorgeous, and its luxurious interior makes this precious road rocket a genuine pleasure to drive on any road, at any time. Prices start at $160,250 for the 911 Turbo coupe and $172,550 for the 911 Turbo cabriolet; 911 Turbo S models start at $189,150 for the coupe and $201,450 for the ragtop. Oh, and budget a bit more for speeding tickets.

Arrives: April

2017 Volvo S90

From the icy environs of Sweden springs the svelte S90 sedan, the under-the-skin twin to the XC90 crossover. The base setup is a 240-hp turbo four with front-wheel drive. Optional powertrains include a turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder good for 316 horsepower and a plug-in hybrid with 400 horsepower; both feature all-wheel drive. Tech features include standard Pilot Assist, which steers the car at speeds up to 30 mph, and City Safety, which detects and reacts to animals, pedestrians, cyclists, and other cars.

Arrives: Late summer

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