Over the next two years, automakers will be introducing a number of exciting new sports cars. These vehicles push the limits of automotive performance, and everyone can find something that will please them, from aggressive drifters to overpowered behemoths. We’ve gathered some of the most anticipated vehicles together in this article, so let’s take a look at what awaits us in the next two years. Although the Acura NSX definitely falls into this category, we have covered it extensively in an earlier article, so take a look here for more information.
2016 McLaren P14
McLaren P14, artist’s rendering. Image courtesy of caranddriver.com.
McLaren has been gearing up for its next generation of vehicles, and the successor to their current 650S model has been dubbed the P14, but this is most likely only a code name. Not many details are known about it yet, but company insiders consider the new P14 to be a junior P1. The vehicle will feature a new engine, a twin-turbo V8 that delivers around 660 horsepower to the powertrain.
2015 McLaren 650S Spider. Image courtesy of caranddriver.com.
The automaker is targeting a 0-60 mph time of under three seconds and a top speed of over 205 mph. The exterior will be constructed on McLaren’s carbon fiber tub and will feature several iconic McLaren design elements, including side intakes and an aggressive front bumper. The P14 is due to hit dealerships in early 2018 with a starting price of $265,500.
2016 Ford Focus RS
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The Ford Focus RS takes Ford’s demure compact hatchback and turns it into a bona fide rally-racing, drift-turning machine. Unlike previous versions of the car, the newest RS is equipped with an all-wheel drive transmission with an electronically controlled dual-clutch for the rear wheels. That clutch, in combination with a few other engineering tweaks, will give the Focus RS an unprecedented ability to drift through corners. The engine is also the most powerful Focus engine yet.
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Ford promises the Focus RS will have over 315 horsepower, but insider information rumors that the vehicle will have up to 340 horsepower. Pair that with a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and you’ve got yourself a powerhouse. The Focus RS is equipped with muscular, compact stylings, as is appropriate for Ford’s joyful driving force. The Focus RS is expected to arrive to dealerships in the spring of 2016, with a base price of around $35,000.
2016 Ferrari 488GTB
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The Ferrari 488GTB will be the successor to Ferrari’s veteran 458 model. As one of the oldest cars in its segment, the 458 was sorely in need of an update to take advantage of the latest technologies and align its design sensitivities with current market trends.
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The 488GTB adds a turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8 engine to the mix, giving the vehicle 661 horsepower; the 488GTB can go from 0-60 mph in three seconds, and it can reach 120 mph in 8.3 seconds. Ferrari has added electric spooling to its turbos, thereby drastically reducing the lag time and giving the 488 a driving character of a naturally aspirated engine. The 488GTB is due out in early 2016, and it will likely start at around $250,000.
2017 Ford GT
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In honor of the 50th anniversary of Ford’s 1966 GT40, Ford is developing a new version of its iconic supercar. The car is aerodynamic and sleek, with an aggressively wide stance to hug the road. Several movable elements, including a rear wing, provide downforce and funnel air into the GT’s hungry engine. The 3.5-liter twin turbo V6 engine provides more than 650 horsepower to the seven-speed automatic transmission.
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The GT’s carbon fiber body will weigh in at around 2,800 pounds, giving the vehicle one of the best power-to-weight ratios. Gullwing doors provide entrance to the two-seat cabin, which features fixed seats for maximum safety; the pedals and steering wheel adjust to accommodate the driver, instead of the other way around. The 2017 GT is expected to cost around $400,000.
2017 BMW 5-Series M5
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For the 2017 model year, BMW will be presenting a newly redesigned 5-series line of vehicles. The flagship model, the M5, will feature a 4.4-liter V8 engine with more than 600 horsepower, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch four-wheel drive transmission. Other notable changes in the M5 include a new chassis constructed from a mix of steel, aluminum and carbon fiber.
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The M5 will include a full range of creature comforts, including BMW’s latest version of its iDrive infotainment system. The vehicle will also include a host of driver-assistance technologies, including hands-free driver-assistance packages. BMW fans are also expecting a crisper handling profile to offer a more engaging driving experience. The M5 is expected to debut in late 2016 with a price tag of more than $100,000.
2017 Lexus SC
The 2017 Lexus SC will be based on the LF-LC concept. Image courtesy of caranddriver.com.
The 2017 Lexus SC, with its aerodynamic bullet shape and glass-heavy cabin that mimics the feel of a convertible, is thought to be the end result of Lexus’ well-received LF-LC concept featured at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. This flagship luxury sports coupe and convertible pairs a 5.0-liter V8 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission to put between 467 and 475 horsepower onto the road, according to sources.
Lexus LF-LC concept. Image courtesy of caranddriver.com.
Exact speed and acceleration details aren’t known yet, but the body will be built from a mix of carbon fiber and aluminum, so expect aggressive performance. The full range of Lexus creature comforts will be offered for the interior. Expect the SC in late 2016, with a starting price of around $80,000. It will launch as a rear-wheel drive, with the four-wheel drive coming a bit later.
2017 Maserati Alfieri
Image courtesy of Thesupermat on Wikipedia.org, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Maserati is entrusting its future to its next generation of cars, which the company’s CEO has described as handcrafted, lovable and imperfect. Maserati’s idea of imperfection, however, lies in delivering cars with a bold vision and a solidly identifiable driving profile. The Alfieri, with its low profile and elongated curves, fits its sporting profile perfectly.
Image courtesy of Thesupermat on Wikipedia.org, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
The car’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine is designed to deliver 410 horsepower to the car’s rear wheels, with a four-wheel drive transmission available to pair with a 450-horsepower engine. The first version of the Alfieri, due out in 2016, will be a 2+2 coupe; a cabriolet body style is slated to follow next year. With its aggressive styling and impressive performance, the Alfieri is set to compete against the likes of the Porsche 911 and the Jaguar F-Type, with a starting price around $100,000.
2017 Chevrolet Corvette Zora ZR1
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The 2017 Corvette Zora, named after the automotive engineer who designed the original Corvette, is rumored to be the long-promised mid-engine Corvette that gearheads have been dreaming of for more than 50 years. Rumors and expectations say the ZR1 should be coupled with Chevy’s supercharged small-block V8. With an engine that is capable of delivering more than 700 horsepower, Zora’s mid-engine design should make this the most powerful Corvette in recent history, if not of all time.
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The exact details and pricing haven’t been released yet, but many of the existing features of the current Corvette, including Brembo brakes and other safety features, are likely to be included in the Zora. If the dream comes true, the Zora should arrive in late 2016, with a price tag of around $150,000.
2017 Bugatti Chiron
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For those who crave speed above all else, the 2017 Bugatti Chiron should provide the ultimate dream. With 1,500 horsepower in its 8.0-liter W-16 engine, the Chiron is a machine precisely engineered to go fast. As the successor to the record-setting Veyron, the Chiron is targeting a top speed of 288 mph, which would make it the fastest production car in existence. A four-wheel drive powertrain with torque-shifting technology helps to keep the Chiron pinned to the road, with a seven-speed automatic transmission delivering power from the engine to the wheels.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport and Grand Sport Vitesse La Finale. Can it really get better than this? Image courtesy of caranddriver.com.
Although the Chiron is an absolute beast, its interior is expected to be fully civilized, though exact details aren’t yet known. Those who wish to own the king of beasts when it makes its debut in 2017 can expect to pay the princely sum of $2.5 million.
Over the course of the next year and beyond, many of these machines will become available on the open market.
Which of them do you dream of owning?
Do you know of any worthy additions to this list?