The most anticipated cars of 2017 promise a lot. With trees shedding their leaves and the nighttime drawing in, 2016 is quickly coming to a close and, as is tradition, that means that it’s time to evaluate 2017’s crop of upcoming automobile offerings. Here we’ll discuss the incoming class from the evolutionary to the revolutionary, from the updated classics to the new kids on the block.
Naturally, what we see in the 2017 schedule is the result of a herculean effort and substantial lead time to push a vehicle to production. Development costs can run well into the billions for even an unsuccessful release, with the first specifications being mapped out sometimes up to five years before we peek at the first leaked photos of a prototype. In fact, many never even make it out of the concept phase, as some had feared for the long-awaited new Acura NSX, finally debuting this coming year.
Also in the mix in 2017 are around sixty other redesigned or refreshed vehicles, with around two-thirds being conventional autos. Let’s take a look at what will be gracing the dealerships for the first time in 2017.
2017 Ford GT
Source: Wikimedia Commons by Latvian98 / CC BY-SA 4.0.
With a run limited to fifty and a starting price of a cool $400,000, the Ford GT, which made its initial debut at the Detroit Auto Show in 2015, may not be the most common sight on the streets, but it’s nonetheless one of the most hotly anticipated cars of the year. Boasting a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 with an output of over 600 hp, you can expect top-notch performance from the updated American classic. For many, though, the story is the styling, as it features spectacular bodywork, including head-turning carbon-fiber body panels that embellish its unique profile. The wide front end evokes the classic GT40, while the rest pulls from the archetypal supercar, a sharp contrast with the unpretentious, businesslike cabin. The GT sets the high-water mark for exotic vehicles, and will send other producers back to the drawing board for their upcoming models.
2017 BMW 5-Series/M5
While potentially not hitting the market until the very end of the year or perhaps even early 2018, the new 5-Series/M5 is nonetheless an intriguing property. BMW has redesigned their headline sports sedan to be both lighter and more powerful, pushing the car past the 600 hp mark with a twin-turbo 4.4L V8 in its limited-edition “30 Jahre” edition, and a respectable 560 hp in the standard. Rumor has it that the 2017 model will come with an all-wheel-drive option to accommodate the increased power, though it’s unclear whether or not we can expect a manual transmission.
2017 Acura NSX
Photo by Latvian98 on Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0.
Acura has kept us on the edge of our seats for long enough with their 2017 NSX, and it appears as if that delay will have been worth it. Indeed, Road and Track have named it their Performance Car of the Year, which they elegantly described as having “hybrid tech [and an] analog feel,” bestowing high praise on the 573 hp beast capable of hitting an estimated top speed of 191 mph. Adopting a futuristic design language deferential to what Acura is calling “airflow management”, the NSX is both visually dynamic and structurally aerodynamic, perfectly marrying form and function.
2017 Jaguar F-Pace
Photo by Jaguar MENA on Flickr / CC BY 2.0.
The F-Pace will hit the road in 2017 as one of the top SUV offerings in years, offering practicality at a reasonable price while also handling off-road action with ease. Jaguar’s first foray into SUV production appears to have been met with success as the F-Pace, a functional vehicle available in four trim levels (base, Premium, Prestige, and R-Sport), comes with electronically adaptive shocks and customizable steering, engine, suspension and transmission settings.
2017 Lexus LC 500
Photo by IQRemix on Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0.
While at first glimpse the Lexus LC 500 may appear to be a sports car, what you actually find on closer inspection is more a grand touring or luxury sports coupe that does, admittedly, boast many of the more delightful features of a typical sports car. Directly inspired by 2012’s dramatic Lexus LF-LC concept, the LC 500 was an attempt to extinguish the perception of Lexus as a bland brand, and in that respect it has done exactly as planned. With styling surprisingly close to the concept, we find in the LC 500 a 5.0L V8 and a fluid body atop a rear-wheel-drive platform Lexus is calling the GA-L.
2017 Volvo S90
Source: Wikimedia Commons by ComradeUranium / CC BY-SA 4.0.
Volvo continues to advance deeper into the luxury space without compromising the company’s spirit of safety and efficiency. The S90’s clean lines and typically Swedish style will be pleasing to longtime Volvo devotees and converts alike, adding a dash of flair with their distinctive taillights. With a ride as quiet as you’d expect, and a smooth eight-speed automatic, this luxury sedan is fetching from every viewing angle, and equally so from the driver’s seat.
2017 Lincoln Continental
Source: Wikimedia Commons by Ryan Hildebrand / CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Lincoln Continental pays homage to the line of sixties luxury vehicles that helped cement the Lincoln reputation while folding in modern luxury. Arriving a full fifteen years after the Continental nameplate was last used, this all-wheel-drive appears worthy of resurrecting the vaunted title and, with a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds in the 3.0L version, will please performance enthusiasts, too.
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia
Source: Wikimedia Commons by El monty / CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia oozes flair, and we’d expect nothing less from the beloved Italian manufacturer. Held up in development for years, the Giulia will finally reach consumers in 2017, with the top-of-the-range Quadrifoglio (“Cloverleaf”) starting at $70,000, with a 505hp, 2.9L twin-turbo V6 under the hood.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt
Photo by William Oliver on Flickr / CC BY 2.0.
Last but not least, the Chevrolet Bolt – a 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year finalist – is a nifty fully electric vehicle with an impressive range of 238 miles on a full charge, raising the bar for EV manufacturers. With a roomy interior and fun handling, the feisty hatchback will start at $29,995 after a handy $7,500 federal tax rebate that acknowledges its eco-friendly credentials.
Final Thoughts
The most anticipated cars of 2017 look promising: 2017 seems to be a bumper year for new vehicles, with the coming crop replete with new technology that will make your time behind the wheel safer, more comfortable, and more joyous. To learn more about cars that never made it out of the concept phase, or to discover why the NSX remained in development for so long, click here for our comprehensive article.
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