While crossovers and SUVs may be taking over the automotive landscape, that doesn’t mean performance cars of all shapes and sizes will die out. In fact, from 2016 forward, an array of vehicles will hit the market, and they all share one goal: to please the driver. From sedans and convertibles to roadsters and high-end exotics, there will be a performance car for every audience, and all of them aim to please.
2016 BMW M2
As the successor of the now-legendary 1M Coupe, the BMW M2 has big shoes to fill. Powered by a 365-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6 that also produces a healthy 343 lb-ft of torque, the M2 comes with plenty of firepower. Add to that a performance-tuned suspension, rear-wheel drive, near 50/50 balance, and a choice of a slick six-speed manual or seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, and you’ve got the recipe for a real driver’s car.
2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport
When it first launched, the Infiniti Q50 didn’t really set the world on fire due to its numb steering and driving dynamics that weren’t up to par with its predecessor, the excellent G37. Now armed with a new twin-turbo V-6 with up to 400 hp in the Q50 Red Sport and improved suspension tuning, Infiniti’s rear-drive sports sedan has been reworked into a potent competitor to the BMW 3 Series.
2017 Mercedes-AMG SLC43
Along with the name change from SLK to SLC, Mercedes’ little roadster also lost its thundering V-8 engine. In its place is a lighter, twin-turbo V-6 good for 362 hp and 384 lb-ft, and the engine is paired to a new nine-speed automatic gearbox. Don’t expect the car to be much slower than the V-8-powered SLK55, though—Mercedes expects the SLC43 to do the sprint to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Motor Trend’s 2016 Car of the Year, the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, is already an excellent sports car but that doesn’t mean the folks at Chevrolet are done with it. The next step up from the Camaro SS is the Camaro ZL1. Like its lesser siblings, expect world-beating performance and possibly a 650-hp supercharged V-8 lifted from the Corvette Z06 under the hood.
Bugatti Chiron
Succeeding the Veyron is the Bugatti Chiron, which promises to be a groundbreaking hypercar. Under the hood, the Chiron is expected to use an updated version of the quad-turbo 8.0-liter W-16 engine, which reportedly uses direct-injection and trades two of the four conventional turbochargers for electric ones.
Aston Martin DB11
Replacing the Aston Martin BDB9 is the DB11, the first new model from the British brand to ride on an updated VH platform that’s more aluminum-intensive. Under the hood, the DB11 is expected to use a new twin-turbo V-12 that the automaker teased earlier as its range-topping powertrain. Less powerful V-8s from Mercedes-AMG are also rumored to be part of the engine lineup.
Ford GT
Ford’s Ferrari killer has been reborn for the 21st century and is ready to mix it up with the best of the supercar crowd. Powering the Ford GT will be a new twin-turbo, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 that’s been tuned to produce more than 600 hp and is paired to a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. Ford will also race the new GT at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016.
Pagani Huayra BC
Not much is known about the Pagani Huayra BC, but from a recent teaser from the automaker, you can expect this new version of the ultra-rare supercar to be a more capable track car. Look for the twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 sourced from Mercedes-AMG to get massaged for more power in the Huayra BC.
2017/2018 BMW Z5
The first of two sports cars that will emerge from the partnership between BMW and Toyota will be the replacement for the Z4 roadster. Rumored to wear the Z5 name, we recently caught a prototype of the Bavarian brand’s newest roadster, which has ditched the hardtop roof for a lighter softtop. Expect the Z5 to come with an array of engine choices including BMW’s newest turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines.
2017 Porsche 911 Turbo/Turbo S
While nearly the entire Porsche 911 lineup has been turbocharged, the all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo and Turbo S remain the most powerful members. The twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six now makes 540 hp in the 911 Turbo and 580 hp in the 911 Turbo S. Porsche says that the 911 Turbo can hit 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph, while the Turbo S can do the 0-60 sprint in 2.8 seconds and top off at 205 mph.
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Marking the return of the Alfa Romeo brand to North America is the Giulia Quadrifoglio, a rear-drive sports sedan wearing the iconic green cloverleaf, a symbol that has adorned the brand’s race cars and high-performance road cars. Under the hood is a potent twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 producing 505 hp and 443 lb-ft that’s paired to a six-speed manual gearbox.
2017 Infiniti Q60
From concept to production, the 2017 Infiniti Q60 changed little and retains its attractive and curvaceous exterior. A new twin-turbo V-6 in 300-hp and 400-hp flavors will be available for those looking for the most power. Should you need four-season traction in your luxury sports coupe, the Q60 is also available with all-wheel drive to let you conquer tough weather.
2017 Ford Fusion Sport
The midsize sedan class is about to get a much-needed shot of adrenaline thanks to the introduction of the 2017 Ford Fusion Sport. In addition to a 325-hp, twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6, the Fusion Sport comes with a performance-tuned suspension, continuously controlled damping, all-wheel drive, and upsized brakes for better stopping power.
2017 BMW Alpina B7
With the introduction of every new BMW 7 Series, you can always expect a performance-oriented model from Alpina to follow right behind the more pedestrian models. Expect the next Alpina B7 to pack an upgraded version of the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 found in the 750i, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF.
2016 Mini JCW Convertible
Want some wind-in-your-hair action in your Mini as you carve up mountain roads? Look no further than the JCW Convertible, which comes with the same 228-hp, 2.0-liter turbo-four from the JCW Hardtop and a standard six-speed manual gearbox. Mini says that the JCW Convertible should be able to hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds with the stick.
Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman
Porsche will add the 718 moniker on the Boxster and Cayman models when the refreshed models arrive sometime in 2016. The flat-six engines on the base and S models will also be replaced by new turbocharged flat-fours that are expected to make anywhere from 240 to 375 hp. A six-speed manual should remain standard, and Porsche’s excellent seven-speed PDK gearbox is an optional extra.
2017/2018 Mercedes-AMG E63
The AMG treatment comes to every lineup in the Mercedes-Benz range, and in the case of the 10th-generation E-Class, a new E63 model will follow the more pedestrian variants of the sedan. Expect the new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 from the AMG GT S to find its way in the next E63, along with a seven-speed MCT automatic gearbox (a non-AMG E-Class is shown here).
2016 Ford Focus RS
Perhaps one of the most anticipated performance cars for 2016 is the new Ford Focus RS, which is powered by a 345-hp, 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo-four that generates 324 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual that puts the power down through all four wheels is the only gearbox offered, and should you decide you want to drift the car around your neighborhood, there’s a Drift mode for just that occasion.
2018 Lexus LC 500
Essentially a concept car for the road, the 2018 Lexus LC 500 is a new beginning for Toyota’s luxury division. Riding on an all-new rear-drive platform, the LC 500 uses a 468-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 that’s also shared with the RC F and GS F and puts its power through a new 10-speed automatic gearbox. Lexus says that the LC 500 should be able to hit 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds.
2017 Fiat 124 Spider
Mazda’s MX-5 Miata is the only widely affordable roadster today ($26,035 base price for the six-speed manual), but Fiat will change that once the 2017 124 Spider goes on sale in summer 2016. Based on the 2016 Miata, the Fiat 124 Spider will essentially be an Italian-flavored roadster with a 160-hp, 1.4-liter turbo-four under the hood mated to a choice of a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission. While Fiat hasn’t announced it yet, rumors of a hot Abarth variant of the 124 have been swirling even before the Miata’s Italian cousin was unveiled to the public.
The post 20 Performance Cars to Look Forward to in 2016 and Beyond appeared first on Motor Trend.
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