Future Cars

What’s coming down the pike? That’s a question auto journalists ask carmakers every day. And they tease and taunt us with tidbits of information — just enough to whet our appetites — about the latest mechanized works of art their engineers and designers have in development. In turn, we pass the highlights of these new cars, trucks and SUVs on to you. If we are lucky, the automaker provides us with a glossy high-quality photo of the yet-to-released vehicle that shows off its shapely sheet metal and futuristic design. Some of these machines are meant to show up in dealer showrooms within months. Others are more conceptual and, thus, take years to develop. Here’s a quick look at what cool new sheet metal is scheduled to come down the pike. Enjoy the show.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

agon

Acura’s TSX stable is about to get bigger, as the automaker is planning to add a Sport Wagon to the mix. Why? Because the folks at Honda’s luxury brand believe there are people out there who love the performance and sporty styling of the TSX, but want more space for, say, their golf clubs and mountain bikes. The increased rear cargo space will include integrated under-floor storage bins and a removable side panel to allow transport of “wide” items.
On sale date    Early 2011
Drivetrain    Front-wheel drive
Body style    Wagon
Engine    2.4-liter 201-hp 4-cyl engine
Estimated price    $32,500

2012 Audi A6

While the new A6 can’t be called a radical departure from the Audi design philosophy, the fact that it’s a logical progression of it is no bad thing. It looks like the offspring of a mating between the A4 and A8; it proffers obvious cues from both. The headlights are slightly more aggressive, and feature optional LED lighting. In addition to being much better looking than its predecessor, the new A6 is lighter, too. The A6 is also expected to be available with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain.
On sale date    Spring 2011
Drivetrain    Front-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
Body style    Sedan
Engine    3.0-liter 300-hp V6
3.0-liter TDI Diesel
Estimated price    $45,000 – $60,000

2012 Audi A7

Sportbacks tend to be polarizing, but if you’re going to love the idea of an elongated front and a short rear deck, the all-wheel-drive Audi is easy to covet. The flowing lines are made up of super high-strength steel and a high percentage of aluminum, which keeps the weight down and makes the supercharged 300-horsepower V6 engine even more potent. And Audi does its usual impeccable job of poshing up the interior. That is especially welcome in the roomy back seats, which are even more spacious than in the sporty A6, on which the A7 is based.
On sale date    2011
Drivetrain    All-wheel drive
Body style    Sportback
Engine    3.0-liter 300-hp V6
Estimated price    $60,000

Ferrari 599 GTO

This ultrasexy land rocket is billed as the fastest road-going Ferrari ever built. It can reportedly sprint from zero to 62 miles per hour in a scant 3.35 seconds, and has a top speed in excess of 208 mph. Only 599 copies will be produced, and each will cost around a half-million bucks. The 599 GTO also features Ferrari’s high-tech Magnetorheological Suspension Control system and carbon ceramic-disc brakes.
On sale date    Fall 2010
Drivetrain    Rear-wheel drive
Body style    Coupe
Engine    6.0-liter 670-hp V12
Estimated price    $500,000

2011 Fiat 500

The initial 500 lineup will include Pop, Sport and Lounge trims, all with Fiat’s 1.4-liter 101-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. The Pop is a well-equipped base trim; the Sport gets a sport-tuned suspension and sporty visual cues; and the Lounge adds luxury amenities. All get seven airbags standard. Differences between the European and the upgraded American version include a larger fuel tank, an available 6-speed automatic transmission, changes to the rear axle and suspension, a more comfortable interior, and improved heating and ventilation.
On sale date    Spring 2011
Drivetrain    Front-wheel drive
Body style    2-door hatchback
Engine    1.4-liter 101-hp 4-cyl engine
Estimated price    Starts at $15,500

2012 Ford Focus

The 2012 Focus will be offered as a 4-door sedan or 4-door hatchback. Both body styles will feature Ford’s Kinetic Design styling language, which the company says communicates energy, vitality and a dynamic spirit. On the Focus, that translates to an attractive car with highly sculpted flanks. Compared with the current model, Ford says the new Focus will have improved comfort, agility, stability and steering precision.
On sale date    Fall 2011
Drivetrain    Front-wheel drive
Body style    Sedan, hatchback
Engine    2.0-liter 150-hp 4-cyl engine
Estimated price    $16,000 – $18,000

2012 Honda Civic

While the new Civic will have more flair than ever before, it won’t lose any of the maturity that made previous versions such a hit. At first glance, the new design might seem like only a mild update because it has the steeply raked windshield and overall shape of the existing model — what Honda calls the “one-motion mono-form.” The front-end styling isn’t a huge departure, either. But the car is indeed all new. It’s more compact on the outside but no less roomy on the inside.
On sale date    Spring 2011
Drivetrain    Front-wheel drive
Body style    4-door sedan
2-door coupe
Engine    1.8-liter 140-hp 4-cyl engine
2.0-liter 197-hp 4-cyl engine
Estimated price    $16,000 – $25,000

2011 MINI Countryman

The Countryman combines the capabilities of a small crossover with the classic go-kart feel and footprint of a MINI. It offers more room inside than any other car in the automaker’s stable — in fact, it is the largest car to ever wear the MINI nameplate, measuring more than 13 feet in length. Available in base or Cooper S guise, the Countryman will be well equipped, with stability control as well as a limited-slip differential. Four-wheel drive will be optional.
On sale date    Early 2011
Drivetrain    Front-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Body style    4-door hatchback
Engine    1.6-liter 118-hp 4-cyl
1.6-liter 184-hp turbo 4-cyl
Estimated price    $28,000 – $30,000

2012 Hyundai Veloster

The Veloster features an odd, 2-plus-1 door layout — a regular, long, coupe-style door on the driver’s side of the car, and a 2-door, conventional-hinge layout on the passenger side — and best-in-class seating and cargo capacity. Its design also incorporates several motorcycle motifs, including wraparound windows reminiscent of a helmet visor and a center console shaped like a sport bike’s fuel tank. Propulsion is provided by an all-new 1.6-liter 138-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, which acts like an automatic but shifts quicker and helps to improve gas mileage. The automaker estimates highway fuel economy in the 40-mpg range.
On sale date    Summer 2011
Drivetrain    Front-wheel drive
Body style    3-door hatchback
Engine    1.6-liter 138-hp 4-cyl engine
Estimated price    Starting at $17,000

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