Future Car reviews

Introduced in 2014, the Mercedes-AMG GT is no longer the company’s flagship sports car, but a full lineup of vehicles. In three years, AMG not only developed a Roadster but also launched a higher performance coupe and a beefed-up convertible too. Oh, and it also created two different race cars based on the GT. In all, the AMG GT includes seven members, which is darn impressive. But Mercedes-AMG won’t stop here. Although rumors of a Black Series model have yet to be confirmed, recent spy shots suggest that such a version is indeed underway. And we might just see it in the metal in early 2019.

With the GT R in showrooms, a Black Series model might not make much sense, but Mercedes has plenty of room to either slot it between the GT S and GT R or place it above everything else as a range-topping model. The latter scenario is more likely, so we could get an AMG GT with close to 600 horsepower and built in a very limited run. We should find out more later this year, so make sure you stick around for updates. Meanwhile, have a look at my speculative review below.

Update 3/24/2020: The Mercedes-AMG Black Series is about ready for production and we just got a fresh look. Check out the Spy Shots section below to see the latest pictures and learn what has changed!

The 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is an upcoming high-performance variant of the 982-generation Cayman that’s rumored to debut in 2020. Essentially a more aggressive and powerful version of the existing 718 Cayman GT4, the 2021 will be the first of its kind and the first modern 718 to feature the "RS" badge. This car has been in the rumor mill ever since the first Cayman GT4 was introduced in 2015, but it took Porsche around four years to turn it into reality. Better late than never, I guess.

The 2021 718 Cayman GT4 RS is more than just a rumor now. The car has already been spotted on public roads with some camouflage on its body, but also with a beefed-up exterior. It features bigger vents in the front, a big rear wing, and many small details that set it apart from the already familiar GT4. Just like the latter, the 2021 718 Cayman GT4 RS will feature the 911’s 4.0-liter flat-six under the hood, but in a more powerful setup. Let’s find out more about it in the review below.

Update 3/18/2020: The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS has been spotted doing some cold-weather testing and there are a few subtle changes that you need to know about. Check it out in our “Spy Shots” section below!

It’s no secret that Jaguar has eyes on launching an all-electric version of the XJ sedan, and just as we started lamenting the lack of tangible evidence of an all-electric XJ, a batch of spy photos fell on our laps and, lo and behold, we get our first look and what looks to be the all-electric XJ.

Granted, the spy photos don’t show the heavily wrapped sedan doing blitzing test runs, but, rather, they show the sedan getting transported to an undisclosed location where it could potentially do those blitzing test runs. We’ll take our victories where we can get them, though, and this batch of spy photos is validation — to a certain extent, at least — that the Jaguar XJ EV is actually a real thing. Expect more spy photos to come in the near future. Hopefully, those photos will show the sedan with its wheels touching the ground.

Update 3/9/2020: The Jaguar XJ EV Prototype has finally be spotted. Check out the first set of prototype spy shots in our special “Spy Shot” section below!

Mercedes’ lineup of electric crossovers and SUVs continues to take shape with a fresh batch of spy photos of a model that looks a lot like the Mercedes GLB-Class. Except this isn’t the GLB; this is the GLB’s all-electric alter ego, the EQ B. The spy photos were taken in Sweden where the EQ B is undergoing winter testing. Mercedes hasn’t divulged the juicy details of the EQ B, but it is believed that, among other things, it will largely take the form of the GLB, albeit with a few minor tweaks to reflect is all-electric stature. No timetable has been given on when the Mercedes EQ B will launch, but we do know that the all-electric crossover will not hit the U.S. market until 2021.

Update 2/28/2020: The Mercedes EQB has started to take on its official electrified look in our latest batch of spy shots. Is a debut imminent? Find out what we know in our special “Spy Shots” section below!

The 2020 Polestar Precept is a concept car developed and built by Volvo’s high-performance division. Unveiled ahead of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, the 2020 Precept is Polestar’s first concept car since it became more than a sub-brand that tuned performance-oriented Volvos.

The 2020 Precept is also the first Polestar concept that’s based on a Volvo. Created to preview the brand’s future direction and "a clear expression of intent," the 2020 Precept takes a new approach design-wise when compared to production models like the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2. The Swedish company says that the name Precept was chosen "to emphasize the vehicle’s role in setting out Polestar’s intent as the contemporary electric performance brand." Let’s find out more about that in the review below.

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is an upcoming version of the Cayenne Coupe, a sleek SUV that Porsche originally introduced for the 2020 model year. Spotted testing in the wild with a different exhaust layout, the 2021 Cayenne Turbo GT is rumored to become the company’s range-topping model. It could also be a hybrid that generates more oomph than the already impressive Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid model. The fact that it was also spotted at the Nurburgring in the past suggests it will be more dynamic than any other Cayenne on the market. The equivalent of the 911 GT3 for SUVs if you will. The name is not yet official, but it could be called the Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT5, a badge that Porsche trademarked back in 2015.

Update 2/27/2020: Our spy photographers caught some new Porsche Cayenne prototype that could be a new range-topping model. Learn more about it in our “Spy Shots” section below!

Back in 2014, BMW took a very confident step into the world of the EV, officially launching its “Project i” sub-brand with the i3. Following hot on its heels was the remarkable i8 hybrid coupe, which garnered the German brand oodles of green cred for its futuristic aesthetic and advanced powertrain. These days, BMW says it has big plans for its electrified lineup, with a total of 12 battery-electrics planned by 2025, plus 13 hybrids as well. One of the most exciting prospects is dubbed to i4, which promises four-door practicality, high-end luxury, extraterrestrial styling, and next-generation technology.

Update 2/27/2020: The BMW i4 Prototype with a RWD configuration was caught playing in the snow just a week before the i4 Concept is set to make its debut.

The Volkswagen Arteon came to our attention back in 2017, during its unveil at the Geneva Motor Show. Three years into the fastback-shaped sedan’s career, Volkswagen is planning to give the Arteon a well-deserved nip and tuck which would keep customer interest fresh and address the areas that needed further improvements.

With the refreshed Arteon, however, we’re expecting Volkswagen to introduce a spicier, more performance oriented version under its notorious R badge. Our suspicions are backed up by a recent set of spy shots that show a virtually undisguised test mule that wears a lot of R-specific features. Allow us to detail, then.

The BMW 5 Series is in line for a mid-cycle refresh and it won’t be long before it comes to full effect. What’s more, the revamp will also affect the M5 performance sedan, as our spy photographers have spotted a heavy-camo’ed facelifted BMW M5 mule out on the open road.

BMW is tight-lipped about the revised M5 (as it is about the 5 Series as a whole) but the test prototype displays a couple of interesting changes that touch on the front and rear light clusters and bumpers. There’s no word on power upgrades yet, but let’s take a better look at what the revamped M5 might have in store for us.

Update 2/21/20200: The 2021 BMW M5 was just spotted doing some cold-weather testing and it’s starting to come together nicely. Check out the new spy shots and what we’ve learned in our “Spy Shots” section below!

We spied the upcoming Volkswagen Golf GTI once again and this time it was the hotter TCR version.

The TCR will of course have more power than a normal GTI and it will also be more driver focused. Where the regular GTI will have 180 kW / 245 horsepower, the TCR will have a mighty 221 kW / 300 horsepower. And like the old GTI TCR, the power goes via a DSG dual clutch gearbox and a locking differential to the front wheels. No manual option is planned as for now.

The brake discs are drilled and the suspension is lower and more firm compared to a standard GTI. The intercooler hidden behind the front bumper looks slightly bigger than on the standard GTI but we are not really sure.

There will of course also be some optical changes like special wheels and oval exhaust pipes. The rear spoiler on the production ready car will be bigger than on this prototype and the interior will also be special for the TCR.

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen! It’s been a long road to get to this point, but now we’re finally getting our first look at the next-generation Volkswagen Golf R. A test mule of the big daddy Golf R was recently spotted doing some test runs in the snow, and yes, this particular prototype is wearing nothing but fresh paint.

There’s no camouflage in sight, allowing us to see the next-generation Golf R in all its glory. Specific details in the prototype present clear markings of the Golf R’s DNA so unless Volkswagen has a surprise for us with a different Golf-based hot hatch, what we’re looking at here is the next-generation Golf R.

There’s no set timetable on when the Golf R is expected to arrive, but with the just-as-new Golf GTI expected to debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen could hold off the Golf R’s debut for later in the year. Or it could join the Golf GTI in Geneva. Either way, the all-new Golf R is here.

With sedans dying down and people changing their preferences to more practical vehicles, wagons seem to be making a comeback. Although wagons are a hit in Europe, the same can’t be said for the U.S. market. The sales of wagons in the U.S. dropped so low in the last decade that automakers pulled the plug on them and decided to focus on SUVs of different sizes.

However, things seem to be changing for good and many carmakers have started putting in effort to make these haulers look a lot more desirable. Volvo is on the cusp of refreshing its complete 90 series, and the latest vehicle to get an overhaul is the V90 Cross Country. The changes are limited and it is just a mid-cycle refresh to boost the sales until the next-gen wagon hits the floors. Will it make an impact, though?

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has long been one of the most underrated compact crossovers in the market. It’s not going to win any "best-of" awards anytime soon, but the crossover can hold its own, as long as people notice it. Perhaps the arrival of the new Eclipse Cross will help the crossover earn more credibility than it has received.

This latest batch of spy photos of the model heavily wrapped in camouflage gives us an idea of what to expect visually from the Eclipse Cross. But that’s the extent of it, at least for now. More details should arrive as we get closer to the updated Eclipse Cross’ launch sometime at the end of the year. The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will be badged as a 2021 model.

Mere days after we saw a prototype version of the all-new BMW M4 prancing around in test mule form comes its hardtop sibling, which, not surprisingly, is also decked in full camo regalia. To be fair, this isn’t the first time that the BMW M4 Coupe was spotted in the wild.

Back in December, we caught a glimpse of the sports coupé being unloaded from a car transporter. That sighting didn’t amount to much, but this fresh batch of spy photos shows the M4 Coupe — still wrapped in heavy camouflage — in its more natural state, engaged in test runs in and around the streets of Germany.

Just like its roofless sibling, the all-new BMW M4 Coupe is set to debut sometime this summer ahead of its market launch at the end of the year. But before any of that happens, BMW will continue doing test runs of the M4, hopefully with fewer camo wraps in the succeeding sessions.

The 2021 DS 8 is an upcoming midsize sedan from DS Automobile, the premium division of Citroen. The 2021 DS 8 is the company’s first venture into the midsize sedan market and it will be DS’ largest four-door yet, slotting above the DS 5LS.

Aimed at sedans like the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the 2021 DS 8 will share underpinnings with the Citroen C4 Picasso and the Peugeot 508. Spotted testing since 2019, the DS 8 will probably break cover in 2020. Like most DS products, it will be unveiled in China initially, but will be sold in Europe as well.

The 2021 BMW M4 Convertible is the upcoming, next-generation version of the company’s beefed-up compact drop-top. Set to be unveiled alongside the Coupe, the 2021 M4 Convertible will share almost all exterior features with the hard-top model, save for changes necessary to accommodate a folding roof.

Likely based on the BMW Concept 4, the 2021 M4 Convertible will probably feature the massive front grille seen on the show car. Like most recent M-badged models, the 2021 M4 Convertible will most likely arrive with two engine options, with the more powerful version called M4 Competition. Let’s find out more about the upcoming convertible in the speculative review below.

The 2021 Fiat Mobi Pickup is an upcoming utility vehicle based on the Mobi, a city car that the Italian firm produces exclusively for the South American market. Just like the Mobi, this small pickup truck will be produced in Brasil and sold in South America only. Heavily related to the Fiat Fiorino, it will replace the Strada, a small pickup related to the Fiat Palio. The Strada is sold in Mexico as the Ram 700. The Mobi Pickup, which might have a different name when it arrives, will be Fiat’s second truck in showrooms after the Toro. Spotted testing in early 2020, the Mobi Pickup will probably break cover later in 2020, most likely at the Sao Paulo Motor Show in November.

The 2021 Fiat 500 is the second-generation version of the modern 500. The 2021 model will replace a car that has been around since 2007, so it’s already 13 years old as of 2020. With the 500 discontinued in the United States and on its way out in Europe, a new-generation models will arrive in 2020.

Fiat has already confirmed that a new 500 is underway, but details remain scarce. We also know that on top of the usual hatchback and convertible models, Fiat will launch a five-door wagon that will revive the Giardiniera name. Let’s find out more about the upcoming 2021 Fiat 500 in the speculative review below.