The immediate future holds a wealth of automotive masterpieces with many unique models about to enter showrooms from the automobile industry’s biggest names.
The 2013 and 2014 model years will see a plethora of new cars coming in from all the big names, and more importantly, there are exciting new cars across several segments within everyone’s reach. While some car makers have found new ways of going green, many have decided that blue is the new green, and have adopted their unique badges indicating that their cars are doing their bit for the environment. Let’s look at some of the cars which are amongst the most sought after.
1 - Ford Ecosport
The compact crossover segment is flourishing globally and automakers are scurrying to grab a share of this burgeoning segment. One of the most unique designs is the Ecosport from Ford. It’s rather compact dimensions and off road intentions will make it a worthy and capable all rounder. It also looks fantastic, with the kinetic design language giving the little car quite the aggressive stance, sort of like a pug with a flame job! The Ecosport will be launched globally under a different name for each market. Ford have chalked out several variants of the Ecosport, including front or all wheel drive models, manual and automatic transmissions and a good choice of engines. The new turbocharged direct injection 1.0L 3-cylinder inline Ecoboost engine is a revelation, and will be available in either 100 hp or 125 hp states of tune, with a 180 hp version doing the rumor rounds. With a torque rating of 170 Nm, it makes the little 1.0L, on paper, a replacement for their 1.8L four! There will also be a new diesel engine, with a tuned version of existing 1.4-1.6L TDCi motors finding their way under the hood.
2 - Ford B Max
Ford has really got the ball rolling, and the Ecosport is just one of many new models slated for launch. With the demand for hybrid minivans on the way up, Ford has stated that an all-new B-Max and revised C-Max will be available soon. The line up is expected to be filled mostly by hybrid variants, with the new range of Ecoboost 1.0L, 1.6L and 2.0L versions also doing duty where more grunt is needed. The compact B-Max is expected to offer fantastic utility with optional seating for up to 7 passengers and incredible economy and range. The cars are styled rather conservatively, but take a longer look and you notice the retention of the essential Ford styling cues.
3 - Volvo V40
Volvo have been busy reworking their engine and car lines and now it seems they have their new engine architecture and shared platform procedures in place. With every model in their line due to receive new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines as well as plug-in hybrid drivelines, they are on their way to a greener and safer tomorrow. The V40 is the new 4-door hatchback that will be positioned above the C30. The V40 proudly showcases all that Volvo has learned over the years, from their dynamic new approach to design, safety and engineering. What makes this model rather important though, is that the new S40 sedan and all-new XC40 compact crossover will be based around this design.
4 - Dodge Dart
If there ever was an exciting new compact sedan, the Dart is it! Resurrecting the Dart name three dozen years later, Dodge have been busy at work to ensure that the Dart is proof of that in every way. It is styled rather brilliantly, in the sense that the design is rather conservative, but manages to exude ample Dodge-ness even though it’s quite compact. The low blacked-out front end with the signature Dodge cross incorporated in the slim dimensions of the front grille, the sleek lines rising up the sides with anxiety together with the sloping roof lines, and the gorgeous rear; all come together perfectly to make this one desirable sedan! Bringing the power will be a choice of three engines – a 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged engine making 160 hp and a 184 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0L Tigershark naturally aspirated motor making 160 hp and 145 lb-ft, while the top of the line R/T variant gets a 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir2 engine making 184 hp and 171 lb-ft, and a rather rip-snorting exhaust note to accompany those horses.
5 - BMW 6 Gran Coupé
While BMW showcased this concept a few years ago, the Gran Coupé finally got the nod only recently. While Mercedes and Audi have grabbed their shares of the 4-door Coupé market with their CLS-class and A7 models respectively, BMW had a brief stint with the 5-series GT, but then turned around and began to work on other things like improving the flavor in their coffee and the new 1 and 3-series. So then, the 6-series Gran Coupé; without a doubt, it’s brilliant whichever way you look at it. Looks, power, performance, equipment and comfort, it’s got them all! The new F12 6-series was a good departure from the old one, but while it looks much different from the old car, it doesn’t look too different from the rest of the range. Well, that’s what most people say. But to the true connoisseurs, the Gran Coupé is art. Using a stretched 6-series as a base and adding two more doors at the rear may not seem like much, but BMW have pulled it off unbelievably well. The powertrains too are nothing short of astounding, with a more powerful 40i 3.0L straight-six variant and a 450 hp version of the 4.4L turbocharged V8 50i on the cards, there is no shortages of the finest thoroughbreds here. The 40d straight six diesel will also be a part of the lineup, bringing with it all 465 lb-ft of torque. And the list goes on, with the M versions of both, the petrol and diesel, expected as well.
6 - Mercedes S-class Coupé and Cabriolet
The all-new S-class is close to being revealed and Mercedes have already announced their intentions to consider having the new S replace the now defunct Maybach brand as well as the CL-class. That means that the new S-class will have at least 5 models – the traditional luxury saloon, a long wheel base version, an extra long version measuring 240-odd inches long, as well as a Coupé and a Cabriolet version to take on some of the bigger, even more up market names.
The S Coupé will replace the CL class altogether and will feature some of Mercedes’ and AMG’ finest power plants. There will almost surely be a turbocharged 4.7L V8 S500 Coupé and a larger, more exclusive 5.5L twin-turbo V8 S63 AMG Coupé. The S Cabriolet will be based on the much anticipated Ocean Drive concept and will have the Bentley Continental GTC and Rolls-Royce Drop Head in its crosshairs. Expect a lot more technology to make its presence felt, with the new S-class aiming to regain its “best car” crown.
7 - Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Ferrari has unveiled the replacement for the 599. The new F12 Berlinetta will replace the 6 year old 599 GTB Fiorano and aims to take Ferrari’s performance levels to a new high. The thrust will come from the 6.3L V12 motor from the FXX/FF stable, which now put out 740 hp at a screaming 8500 rpm and 690 Nm (509 lb-ft) of torque! The styling is rather aggressive by Ferrari standards, and this looks more of a nightmarish fire-breathing stallion, rather than a regular Italian prancing horse. With the F12, Ferrari is aiming at nothing less than the established hypercars, and Aston Martin, Koenigsegg and Pagani have been fired a warning shot!