It’s going to be another good year
We’re ending 2017 on a high note having driven countless outstanding new cars. From the Bugatti Chiron to the Tesla Model 3 and the Ford F-150, we drove a diverse range of new vehicles that prove the auto industry is as vibrant and competitive as ever despite the looming threat of autonomous cars and ridesharing. Now, it’s time to look forward to all the cars we can’t wait to explore in 2018.
Pretty high on our list is the mid-engine Corvette. Chevrolet has tortured us long enough with camouflaged prototypes, and we can’t wait for this new model that could make 850 hp through a 5.5-liter engine. It’s expected to go on sale in 2019, so a reveal will likely happen sometime this coming year. The successor to the Toyota Supra, another car we’ve been waiting on forever, should appear in 2018 riding on a platform co-developed with BMW.
Given how much we like the Ford GT350, we’re excited for the reveal of the GT500, which will debut very soon–likely in time for the nameplate’s 50th anniversary–if these leaked engine drawings are any indication. The Ford Mustang Bullitt will also likely return to the stage to keep the memory of the 1968 Steve McQueen film alive and well. We’ve already driven the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, but we can’t wait to put it through our battery of tests and see if the manufacturer’s claimed 2.3-second 0-60 time holds up. And the new year wouldn’t be complete without the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which goes on sale in the spring, or the Aston Martin Vantage, which will take on the Porsche 911 when it arrives in the U.S. in the third quarter.
Of course, we aren’t just lusting after sports cars. We’re also keeping our eyes out for the Ford Ranger, which should debut next year before it arrives in North America in 2019. A Jeep Wrangler pickup will also likely show itself in 2018, with a suspension inspired by the Ram 1500. Jaguar’s electric I-Pace has also piqued our interest after we went for a ride-along in one and enjoyed its composed ride and quick reflexes. We’re curious about the Subaru Ascent, which promises to correct the errors of the Tribeca with its spacious cabin and three full rows of seating. Other SUVs we can’t wait to explore include the Lamborghini Urus and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which just set a record on the Nürburgring.
There are plenty of other vehicles that have caught our attention, but completing the list would take us well into the new year. What vehicles are you looking forward to in 2018?