JANUARY 2012: 2013 Ford Focus ST
The new Focus is at last debuting in the U.S., with a
2.0-liter, direct-injected, 160-hp motor and variable valve timing, as well as a
five-speed manual. But, the car to wait for is the 2013 Focus ST, which debuts
in early 2012. It gets a six-speed manual with the same EcoBoost (turbocharged)
2.0-liter as the much larger Edge and Explorer and will be good for somewhere in
the neighborhood of 250 hp, which puts it in league with hot hatches like the
MazdaSpeed3 and beyond the output of the VW GTI. Ford is also promising a tauter
suspension and meatier tires as well as bigger brakes to go with all that
horsepower. Expect to pay at least $25,000.
MARCH 2012: 2013 Toyota Prius C
At this year's North American International Auto Show in
Detroit, Toyota debuted an entire line of Prius models, including the intriguing
Prius C Concept. They still stress that this is a concept, but a small, sporty
hybrid hatchback is surely on its way. We can merely hope Toyota is smart enough
to retain these design cues, especially as this is meant to be a "fun to drive"
hybrid with taut handling and a sub-$20K price. Toyota is promising the highest
mileage of any hybrid on the road that isn't a plug-in.
APRIL 2012: 2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1
The best reason to herald the arrival of this ZL1 isn’t
the Cadillac CTS-V-derived supercharged V-8 with 580 hp (up from 556 hp in the
Caddy), nor is it the top speed of around 180 mph. It’s that Chevy engineers
finally listened to those of us who howled about how great the Camaro
could be.
Not only does the new ZL1 get a ridiculous amount of muscle good for 0 to 60 runs in the low 4-second range, but it also benefits from revised front and rear dampers as well as antiroll bars. Finally, then, the $54,995 Camaro ZL1 is starting to fulfill its potential to offer supercar driving at a price that more than the 1 percent can afford. Even better: These same revisions will trickle down to the more affordable $31,930 Camaro SS.
Not only does the new ZL1 get a ridiculous amount of muscle good for 0 to 60 runs in the low 4-second range, but it also benefits from revised front and rear dampers as well as antiroll bars. Finally, then, the $54,995 Camaro ZL1 is starting to fulfill its potential to offer supercar driving at a price that more than the 1 percent can afford. Even better: These same revisions will trickle down to the more affordable $31,930 Camaro SS.
APRIL 2012: 2013 Mini Paceman
JULY 2012: 2013 Dodge Dart
JULY 2012: 2013 Cadillac ATS
To say that Cadillac is chasing the BMW 3 series with
this car would be an immense understatement. The ATS’s footprint is such a
spot-on copy of the BMW that the Caddy could proverbially step right into the
BMW’s shoes. Even the EPA interior space is close, which is no accident at all.
With the all-new ATS, Cadillac didn’t want to fit somewhere between Bimmer’s 3
and 5 series, which is what happened to the CTS, as well as Infiniti G sedans
and more than one Acura. Nor did Caddy want to make the great mistake Lexus did
with its IS—copying the BMW look, but falling down on the job of making a real
driver’s car.
Nope, Cadillac says it wanted to beat the BMW 3 series in every part of the game. The ATS is a lighter car, at 3400 pounds, with more engine options that pack more punch. The Caddy’s 2.0-liter four delivers 270 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, topping the 240 hp and 260 lb-ft you’d get from the new 2.0-liter four in the 2012 328i. The ATS also offers a V-6 good for 320 hp, besting the BMW 335i by 20 hp. (Note, however, that the 335i can put down 300 lb-ft to just 267 for the V-6 Cadillac.)
Given what Cadillac has achieved with the CTS, which is a heavy platform, it’s going to be exciting to see what the carmaker can do with its sights set squarely on the lighter and nimbler 3 series. MSRP is still a ways off, but figure the ATS will have very similar pricing to the 3 series, perhaps minus the expensive markups.
Nope, Cadillac says it wanted to beat the BMW 3 series in every part of the game. The ATS is a lighter car, at 3400 pounds, with more engine options that pack more punch. The Caddy’s 2.0-liter four delivers 270 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, topping the 240 hp and 260 lb-ft you’d get from the new 2.0-liter four in the 2012 328i. The ATS also offers a V-6 good for 320 hp, besting the BMW 335i by 20 hp. (Note, however, that the 335i can put down 300 lb-ft to just 267 for the V-6 Cadillac.)
Given what Cadillac has achieved with the CTS, which is a heavy platform, it’s going to be exciting to see what the carmaker can do with its sights set squarely on the lighter and nimbler 3 series. MSRP is still a ways off, but figure the ATS will have very similar pricing to the 3 series, perhaps minus the expensive markups.
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