By Michael Frank
When: Just about now
How Much: $20,745 to $24,395
The Gist: Mini sales are mighty, but building these cars on their own platform with unique engines is costly, so the gen-three new Mini will share a structure and some engines with BMW.
Why You Want One: The Hardtop and S grow a little in length (4.7 inches) and get 1.7 inches wider. If you're lamenting this as middle-age spread, know that the new chassis is stiffer, and steering, while still playful, is no longer so darty that the Mini grows tiresome on long highway jaunts.
Technical Details: About a year ago we test-drove a 1 Series with BMW's new 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder, which BMW said could be configured to deliver nearly 200 hp. However, here it's making only 134 hp. The new 2.0-liter is a lot more potent, at 189 hp. Which motor you want may have a lot to do with the depth of your wallet.
How Much: $20,745 to $24,395
The Gist: Mini sales are mighty, but building these cars on their own platform with unique engines is costly, so the gen-three new Mini will share a structure and some engines with BMW.
Why You Want One: The Hardtop and S grow a little in length (4.7 inches) and get 1.7 inches wider. If you're lamenting this as middle-age spread, know that the new chassis is stiffer, and steering, while still playful, is no longer so darty that the Mini grows tiresome on long highway jaunts.
Technical Details: About a year ago we test-drove a 1 Series with BMW's new 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder, which BMW said could be configured to deliver nearly 200 hp. However, here it's making only 134 hp. The new 2.0-liter is a lot more potent, at 189 hp. Which motor you want may have a lot to do with the depth of your wallet.
When: April 2014
How Much: $55,000
The Gist: Let's call this the cheapest Maserati on the market. After all, it's built at Maserati's Modena, Italy, plant rather than in Turin, where Fiat cousins spawn.
Why You Want One: No other nonsupercar gets a custom-fabricated carbon-fiber tub, which alone makes the 4C unique. The real payoff is a car that tips the scales at barely 2650 pounds. One bummer is that only a dual-clutch automatic will be sold in the States, at least at first.
Technical Details: The 1.7-liter four comes from the front of an Alfa Giulietta, where it's plenty entertaining (rent one if you find yourself in Italy, and giggle yourself silly knowing that this same chassis is shared by the Dodge Dart and Jeep Cherokee). Here, however, the engine has been boosted to 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. And it's located right behind the driver's ears, a la a Ferrari.
How Much: $55,000
The Gist: Let's call this the cheapest Maserati on the market. After all, it's built at Maserati's Modena, Italy, plant rather than in Turin, where Fiat cousins spawn.
Why You Want One: No other nonsupercar gets a custom-fabricated carbon-fiber tub, which alone makes the 4C unique. The real payoff is a car that tips the scales at barely 2650 pounds. One bummer is that only a dual-clutch automatic will be sold in the States, at least at first.
Technical Details: The 1.7-liter four comes from the front of an Alfa Giulietta, where it's plenty entertaining (rent one if you find yourself in Italy, and giggle yourself silly knowing that this same chassis is shared by the Dodge Dart and Jeep Cherokee). Here, however, the engine has been boosted to 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. And it's located right behind the driver's ears, a la a Ferrari.
When: April
How Much: $35,290
The Gist: If you love rally racing you know that this latest WRX STI has one major fudge factor: Its 2.5-liter engine. The STI is soldiering on with the larger and older mill. It's putting out 305 hp (versus 268 hp in the WRX), but there's no direct injection.
Why You Want One: In the past WRX STIs were roided-out versions of the cheaper WRXs, which were closer to their Impreza cousins. Here, the equation is flipped. The STI becomes a more livable daily driver, à la Porsche Boxster, but with enough special parts and track-ready tuning to make it feel special. Plus the STI has conventional hydraulic (rather than electric) steering assist for better feel at the limit, but the suspension tuning is a bit more forgiving.
Technical Details: The STI gets a worlds-better six-speed gearbox (rod-, rather than cable-actuated, as it is in the WRX), and three limited-slip diffs. The standard WRX is stuck with open diffs. The STI could be even better with a worked-over FA-Series four, but it's not surprising that perpetually frugal Subaru didn't spend more to get that job done.
How Much: $35,290
The Gist: If you love rally racing you know that this latest WRX STI has one major fudge factor: Its 2.5-liter engine. The STI is soldiering on with the larger and older mill. It's putting out 305 hp (versus 268 hp in the WRX), but there's no direct injection.
Why You Want One: In the past WRX STIs were roided-out versions of the cheaper WRXs, which were closer to their Impreza cousins. Here, the equation is flipped. The STI becomes a more livable daily driver, à la Porsche Boxster, but with enough special parts and track-ready tuning to make it feel special. Plus the STI has conventional hydraulic (rather than electric) steering assist for better feel at the limit, but the suspension tuning is a bit more forgiving.
Technical Details: The STI gets a worlds-better six-speed gearbox (rod-, rather than cable-actuated, as it is in the WRX), and three limited-slip diffs. The standard WRX is stuck with open diffs. The STI could be even better with a worked-over FA-Series four, but it's not surprising that perpetually frugal Subaru didn't spend more to get that job done.
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
When: April 2014
How Much: $75,000
The Gist: The most expensive Camaro in GM history is $18,000 more expensive than the ZL1 coupe and gets merely 505 horses from its Corvette-gifted 7.0-liter V-8. (We say merely because the ZL1's V-8 produces 580 hp.)
Why You Want One: The point of the Z/28 isn't straight-line speed, but usable speed. Chevy promises the ultimate track car not named Corvette, and the numbers suggest they're right.
Technical Details: If you love track days, the following list will have you salivating: Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes; an ultra-stiff, track-focused suspension; plus the subtraction of all sorts of heavy items, from speakers to thicker window glass. The less-is-more formula accounts for 300 pounds less in curb weight than the porky ZL1.
How Much: $75,000
The Gist: The most expensive Camaro in GM history is $18,000 more expensive than the ZL1 coupe and gets merely 505 horses from its Corvette-gifted 7.0-liter V-8. (We say merely because the ZL1's V-8 produces 580 hp.)
Why You Want One: The point of the Z/28 isn't straight-line speed, but usable speed. Chevy promises the ultimate track car not named Corvette, and the numbers suggest they're right.
Technical Details: If you love track days, the following list will have you salivating: Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes; an ultra-stiff, track-focused suspension; plus the subtraction of all sorts of heavy items, from speakers to thicker window glass. The less-is-more formula accounts for 300 pounds less in curb weight than the porky ZL1.
When: May 2014
How Much: $26,120 to $28,120
The Gist: The hottest Juke will be good for 215 hp from its turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6-liter mill. The bad news is that the manual six-speed can only be had on the FWD version, and the AWD version is saddled with a CVT.
Why You Want One: Because for the cheaper front-driver, you're getting way more horsepower than a comparably priced Mini Cooper S. Still, buyers of the manual-shift car should know that the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine will have to be flogged hard to achieve maximum output, as peak horses don't show until 6000 rpm and peak torque (210 lb-ft) require 3600 rpm.
Technical Details: The front-strut/torsion-beam rear suspension design remains for FWD RS cars while the more sophisticated multilink rear suspension is reserved for AWD models.
How Much: $26,120 to $28,120
The Gist: The hottest Juke will be good for 215 hp from its turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6-liter mill. The bad news is that the manual six-speed can only be had on the FWD version, and the AWD version is saddled with a CVT.
Why You Want One: Because for the cheaper front-driver, you're getting way more horsepower than a comparably priced Mini Cooper S. Still, buyers of the manual-shift car should know that the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine will have to be flogged hard to achieve maximum output, as peak horses don't show until 6000 rpm and peak torque (210 lb-ft) require 3600 rpm.
Technical Details: The front-strut/torsion-beam rear suspension design remains for FWD RS cars while the more sophisticated multilink rear suspension is reserved for AWD models.
When: July 2014
How Much: $34,000 (est.)
The Gist: The Cadillac ATS has become a darling among car scribes for doing the unthinkable: outshining the mighty 3 Series BMW in athleticism and steering feel. Count this writer among the smitten, although the BMW still wins on engine refinement and a slicker-feeling six-speed.
Why You Want One: If you're not a fan of the Audi A5, this may be the two-door that wins you over. Cadillac has given its 2.0-liter turbo more torque (295 lb-ft) available closer to idle, and also flattened the engine's torque curve. Cadillac is planning to offer AWD with either the four-cylinder or the 3.6-liter V-6.
Technical Details: The ATS Coupe's stance is going to be a shade wider than the sedan's. It also rides an inch lower, and magnetic ride control along with a limited-slip rear differential should enable controlled acceleration and strong cornering.
How Much: $34,000 (est.)
The Gist: The Cadillac ATS has become a darling among car scribes for doing the unthinkable: outshining the mighty 3 Series BMW in athleticism and steering feel. Count this writer among the smitten, although the BMW still wins on engine refinement and a slicker-feeling six-speed.
Why You Want One: If you're not a fan of the Audi A5, this may be the two-door that wins you over. Cadillac has given its 2.0-liter turbo more torque (295 lb-ft) available closer to idle, and also flattened the engine's torque curve. Cadillac is planning to offer AWD with either the four-cylinder or the 3.6-liter V-6.
Technical Details: The ATS Coupe's stance is going to be a shade wider than the sedan's. It also rides an inch lower, and magnetic ride control along with a limited-slip rear differential should enable controlled acceleration and strong cornering.
When: September 2014 and January 2015, respectively
How Much: $34,000
The Gist: Because they share the same MQB architecture and a nearly identical wheelbase, it seems logical to double-tease the future goodness of Audi and VW's hottest rides, which should cost at or below $40,000.
Why You Want One: The engines. We've already driven the 2015 GTI so we know that the new EA888 engines, available as a 290-horsepower 1.8-liter in the VW and a 2.0-liter in the Audi, will offer both a lot of punch and tremendous daily liveability. Just 1800 rpm brings up the 280 lb-ft torque peak in both versions. A lower torque peak also saves gas, which separates the VW/Audi go-fast machines and the Subaru WRX STI we covered previously.
Technical Details: If you're still wondering about the roughly (and still estimated) $6000 price difference between these cars, so are we. The S3 has a slightly more complex suspension and uses more aluminum in the body. Audi claims a 3200-pound curb weight, which would make the car at least 100 pounds lighter than the VW.
How Much: $34,000
The Gist: Because they share the same MQB architecture and a nearly identical wheelbase, it seems logical to double-tease the future goodness of Audi and VW's hottest rides, which should cost at or below $40,000.
Why You Want One: The engines. We've already driven the 2015 GTI so we know that the new EA888 engines, available as a 290-horsepower 1.8-liter in the VW and a 2.0-liter in the Audi, will offer both a lot of punch and tremendous daily liveability. Just 1800 rpm brings up the 280 lb-ft torque peak in both versions. A lower torque peak also saves gas, which separates the VW/Audi go-fast machines and the Subaru WRX STI we covered previously.
Technical Details: If you're still wondering about the roughly (and still estimated) $6000 price difference between these cars, so are we. The S3 has a slightly more complex suspension and uses more aluminum in the body. Audi claims a 3200-pound curb weight, which would make the car at least 100 pounds lighter than the VW.
When: September 2014
How Much: $31,000 (est.)
The Gist: Smaller luxury crossovers have underwhelmed. BMW's X1, for instance, didn't catch fire because it's not substantially more playful than the X3 and looks like neither a car nor a crossover. Mercedes' entry, the GLA250, aims to preserve the handling zing of the CLA.
Why You Want One: Because the CLA has proven that Benz can build a fun-to-drive corner ripper, and beneath the GLA250 you're getting the identical 2.0-liter turbocharged four (208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque) mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and AWD. In early 2015, a front-drive version of the GLA250 will arrive. The hottest version, the GLA45 AMG, will also debut next year.
Technical Details: Although the GLA has the same 106.3-inch wheelbase as the CLA, it's actually about 8 inches shorter. It's also taller, and an available off-road edition will boost ride height from 6.1 to 8 inches.
How Much: $31,000 (est.)
The Gist: Smaller luxury crossovers have underwhelmed. BMW's X1, for instance, didn't catch fire because it's not substantially more playful than the X3 and looks like neither a car nor a crossover. Mercedes' entry, the GLA250, aims to preserve the handling zing of the CLA.
Why You Want One: Because the CLA has proven that Benz can build a fun-to-drive corner ripper, and beneath the GLA250 you're getting the identical 2.0-liter turbocharged four (208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque) mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and AWD. In early 2015, a front-drive version of the GLA250 will arrive. The hottest version, the GLA45 AMG, will also debut next year.
Technical Details: Although the GLA has the same 106.3-inch wheelbase as the CLA, it's actually about 8 inches shorter. It's also taller, and an available off-road edition will boost ride height from 6.1 to 8 inches.
When: October
How Much: $65,000 (est.)
The Gist: This is the high-performance coupe version of the RC350, but the fire-breathing RC-F ditches the V-6 (or hybrid) for a 460-hp, 5.0-liter V-8.
Why You Want One: The IS350 F Sport has proven an eye-opening ride, with superb steering and a suspension that's taut when you want it to be, but not painful for the commute. And despite the handicap of an auto-only transmission, it remains a crisp shifter. We figure the RC-F is going to take Lexus further toward the fast lane.
Technical Details: The V-8 gets a unique arrangement: Atkinson cycle (à la the Prius) at part throttle, for maximum efficiency and the cleanest possible burn, and Otto cycle at higher rpm/full throttle to maximize power. Lexus also says its Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) transmission has been recalibrated with an ultra-fast track mode.
How Much: $65,000 (est.)
The Gist: This is the high-performance coupe version of the RC350, but the fire-breathing RC-F ditches the V-6 (or hybrid) for a 460-hp, 5.0-liter V-8.
Why You Want One: The IS350 F Sport has proven an eye-opening ride, with superb steering and a suspension that's taut when you want it to be, but not painful for the commute. And despite the handicap of an auto-only transmission, it remains a crisp shifter. We figure the RC-F is going to take Lexus further toward the fast lane.
Technical Details: The V-8 gets a unique arrangement: Atkinson cycle (à la the Prius) at part throttle, for maximum efficiency and the cleanest possible burn, and Otto cycle at higher rpm/full throttle to maximize power. Lexus also says its Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) transmission has been recalibrated with an ultra-fast track mode.
When: December 2014
How Much: $23,000 (est.)
The Gist: Ford is rolling the dice on aluminum, claiming that the 2015 F-150 will shed a substantial 700 pounds by switching the entire body to the lighter metal. That means the beds of future F-150s will never rust, even in the Rust Belt!
Why You Want One: If Ford follows through on the weight-loss regimen, you can expect a more refined ride, better fuel economy, and substantial gains in durability.
Technical Details: The V-6 will shrink from 3.7 to 3.5 liters. V-8 buyers will get only the 5.0-liter, and there will be two EcoBoost motors: the 3.5-liter twin turbo (a carryover) and a new smaller 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 that will come with a start/stop function.
How Much: $23,000 (est.)
The Gist: Ford is rolling the dice on aluminum, claiming that the 2015 F-150 will shed a substantial 700 pounds by switching the entire body to the lighter metal. That means the beds of future F-150s will never rust, even in the Rust Belt!
Why You Want One: If Ford follows through on the weight-loss regimen, you can expect a more refined ride, better fuel economy, and substantial gains in durability.
Technical Details: The V-6 will shrink from 3.7 to 3.5 liters. V-8 buyers will get only the 5.0-liter, and there will be two EcoBoost motors: the 3.5-liter twin turbo (a carryover) and a new smaller 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 that will come with a start/stop function.
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