Future Car reviews

The 2021 Wiesmann MF 6 is an upcoming sports car built by the German company. A spiritual successor to the GT MF 5, the MF 6 is Wiesmann’s first production model since it went bankrupt in 2014. Reopened in 2016, Wiesmann confirmed a new sports car for 2020. The vehicle is known as Project Gecko and the MF 6 name has yet to be confirmed, but it’s a natural choice given that the new sports car is supposed to be an evolution of previous models. Wiesmann confirmed that the MF 6 will feature a BMW engine, just like its predecessors. A teaser video and sketches posted on the company’s website reveal a familiar design that reminds of the MF 5.

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the new GLA, the A-Class-based crossover whose first-generation was a popular choice among buyers. The new Mercedes-Benz GLA, however, takes a lot after its bigger brothers design- and tech-wise, and that’s a very good thing.

The new GLA is 4.1 inches higher (now 63.4 inches) and 0.6 inches shorter (now 173.6 inches) than the model it replaces. This means you get more headroom, but Mercedes-Benz highlights that now there’s even more legroom in the rear (38.4 inches, compared to 33.9 inches in the previous model). The U.S.-bound 2021 GLA has an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.30, which will contribute to low levels of wind noise inside the cabin as well as a reduction in fuel consumption at higher speeds. What’s more, Mercedes is so confident that the GLA can pull its own weight off the beaten path that it offers the Off-Road Engineering Package as standard on the GLA 4Matic.

On the inside, the GLA receives the highly-acclaimed MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment setup. Rear headroom, however, takes a 0.3-inch plunge (now 38.1 inches instead of 38.4), but shoulder room is more generous (now 54.8 inches instead of 53.1 inches, a 1.7-inch increase). Trunk capacity is also better in the new GLA, measuring 15.4 cubic feet, a 0.5 cubic feet increase from the previous model’s 14.9 cubic feet rating.

The safety bundle is a hefty one, especially if you opt for the optional Driver Assistance Package. Here’s what you get:

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC Active Steering Assist Active Speed Limit Assist with Traffic Sign Assist Evasive Steering Assist Active Lane Keeping Assist Active Brake Assist Pre-Safe PLUS

In the U.S., the non-AMG 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA can be had with a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter, turbocharged gasoline engine bolted to an eight-speed 8G-DCT automatic transmission. The powerplant makes 221 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque between 1,620 rpm and 4,000 rpm. You can pick between the GLA 250 or the AWD GLA 250 4Matic. Performance-wise, Mercedes-Benz estimates that the 2021 GLA needs 8.6 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour from a standstill en route to a top speed of 130 miles per hour.

No words on pricing yet, but the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA launches in the U.S. in the summer of 2020, so we’ll know more as its market debut closes in.

With electrification gaining a strong foothold in the car industry, we’re bound to see an increase in the number of supercars that harness the power generated by a battery pack and a pair of e-motors.

Drako’s GTE ups the ante with a quad-motor setup and the complete lack of differentials. Instead, the supercar uses a smart algorithm that sends just the right amount of torque and power to each wheel, for what Drako calls the ultimate driving experience. Let’s see what that means, shall we?

Pininfarina, once Ferrari’s preferred coachbuilder, is now busy establishing itself as a standalone automaker. It put its best foot forward by unveiling the radical Battista hypercar that promises to be one of the fastest four-wheeled things on the planet and now it’s doubling it down by announcing a whole range of models, the first of which will be an SUV. Fear not, however, as the Pura Vision isn’t your average sporty SUV as Pininfarina aims to deliver supercar-level performance under a skin that both resembles a four-door GT and the existing Battista. It sounds like a match made in heaven.

Coming with an outlandishly appointed cabin and a class-bending profile, the Pininfarina Pura Vision could seriously reduce the market share of Lamborghini’s Urus and Ferrari’s upcoming Purosangue. While we’re yet to feast our eyes with the pre-production prototype showcased to prospective customers during a series of VIP events held by Pininfarina in August during the Monterey Car Week, those that have are talking about a sleek and not overly complicated design so typical of Pininfarina, one that’ll only be matched by its impressive performance. At this stage of the game, the Pura Vision might become Pininfarina’s most important product so they have to get it right.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is an upcoming all-electric car based on the Vision EQS concept that the German firm unveiled in 2019. Part of the EQ division that handles Mercedes’ electric vehicle operations, the EQS will join the existing EQC, EQV, and Smart EQ city cars. Based on the name alone, the EQS will act as the range-topping model in the company’s electric car range. But it probably won’t be an electric version of the S-Class. Instead, it could have a size similar to the CLS, so it will fit in the midsize market. Either way, it will be Mercedes-Benz answer to EVs like the Tesla Model S, the Porsche Taycan, and the upcoming Audi e-tron GT.

Update 12-4-2019: The Mercedes EQS was spotted doing some cold weather and snow testing – here’s the latest round of spy shots and what we’ve learned.

The 2021 Bentley Flying Spur Speed is an upcoming, higher performance version of the third-generation, 2020 Flying Spur sedan. The beefed-up four-door marks the return of the Speed-badged Flying Spur after eight years. Although the first-generation Flying Spur featured a Speed version, Bentley skipped the nameplate for the second-generation, opting for the "S" designation instead.

With the Flying Spur redesigned in 2019, the Speed will probably make a comeback in time for the 2021 model year. The badge will add sportier features on the outside, a few bespoke items on the inside, and a more powerful W-12 engine. Find out what we already know about this sedan in the speculative review below.

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.

The Jaguar F-Type is, arguably, one of the best-looking sports cars on the market today and one could even go so far as to say it’s one of the best lookers of the decade. While this might be true, it has also been on the market since 2013, and we all know that it’s due to be replaced in 2020. We’ve finally seen the first prototype of the 2021 Jaguar F-Type being tested, and we have to admit that there’s going to be some serious changes taking place. Expect a similar silhouette with an all-new face and rear end. There’s also a certain rumor about the V-8 engine that you don’t want to miss out on, so be sure to check out our drivetrain section to learn more about that.

Update 12/2/2019: Fresh on the heals of its debut, the Jaguar F-Type Coupe has been leaked on social media. We’ve updated this speculative review with those leaked images and what we know about it so far. Check it out in our special “updates” section below.

The 2021 Cybertruck is the first pickup truck built by Tesla and is the oddest-looking pickup truck to ever hit the market. Unveiled at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2022 Cybertruck will go into production in 2021. As one of the first production electric trucks, the Cybertruck is also one of the most advanced utility vehicles ever built. Much like it did with the Model X and Model 3, Tesla didn’t unveil a lot of details during the launch event, so the 2021 Cybertruck still hides mysteries. But let’s have a closer look at what we already know about it in the review below.

If you like the Targa top in your Corvette, you must know that Porsche did it first, in 1967. Now, the 992-generation of the ageless Porsche 911 continues the tradition and the latest Porsche 911 Targa will be introduced as a 2020 model year car and will feature the 444 horsepower 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged flat-six seen on both the Carrera S and the Carrera 4S. Expect it to cost at least $135,000, some $22,000 more expensive than a Carrera S. Blame it on that roll hoop that’s drenched in history.

Once upon a time, there was a road race through Sicily’s narrow, winding roads that awarded those that proved to be unphased by angry locals, that sometimes drew guns on the competitors, and the perilous condition of the tarmac in many areas of the Circuito delle Madonie. That race was the Targa Florio, launched in 1907 by rich entrepreneur Vincenzo Florio, that became a sort of a favorite for Porsche and its drivers, the brand from Stuttgart winning the race 11 times in less than two decades. How is this relevant to a 2020 Porsche? Read on to find out.

Update 11/27/2019: The Porsche 911 Targa was spotted doing some cold weather testing in Sweden. Check out the new images and a bit of new information below.

After Lamborghini’s chief technical officer Maurizio Reggiani was adamant in suggesting that the Huracan has already matured and reached its peak - “that badge is finished” were his words, by the way, we were expecting rumors about the replacing model. However, a mysterious set of spyshots is bringing us back on the topic of a lighter, more powerful version of the Huracan slated to make a debut in the following months.

We know Lamborghini likes to pull off anniversary editions as well as farewell editions for its cars, but if the recent rumors are true, this could be, in fact, a high-powered Huracan to rule them all, one that would sit above both the Evo and the Performante. In fact, it could be called Huracan Evo Performante, although we’re taking that with a pinch of salt for the time being. That said, did Sant’Agata Bolognese change its mind? Is a Superleggera-style Huracan back in the cards?

The Volvo S90 is scheduled to receive a mid-cycle revamp that’s expected to debut in 2020 for the 2021 model year. Once Volvo finally applies the finishing touches on the facelifted model, the S90 will feature mainly visual changes on the outside, but the Swedish firm might also tweak the sedan’s infotainment system to keep up with its rivals, and it may even introduce the mild-hybrid powertrain brought by the freshly-revised XC90.

A big question mark for now is how (and if) the S90’s interior will change. Volvo’s prowess for nicely laid out cabins that are also comfortable and high-quality suggests the carmaker won’t fiddle too much with an already perfect recipe.

The BMW M3 has been around for a while now, first entering production in 1985 as a high-powered go-faster variant of the ever-popular BMW 3 Series. The latest F80 generation dropped in 2014, essentially setting the benchmark for all other fast four-doors to match, and now, there’s a new generation in the making. Dubbed internally as the G80, the next M3 is shaping up to be quite the ultimate driving machine, so we gathered up all the rumors we could find and put ‘em right here in the following speculative review.

Update 11/14/2019: The BMW M3 was caught out on a fall drive with new headlights and a revised decklid.

The internet has been buzzing with rumours about a racy Porsche Panamera “Lion” that packs between 760 and 800+ horsepower taking the Nurburgring by storm. It has been reported that the test prototype packed a boosted version of the S-E Hybrid powertrain found in the regular Panamera, while some said it relied on an ICE-only powertrain. All this chatter was immediately followed by rumors about a hotter Porsche Cayenne Turbo S-E Hybrid said to wear the “RS” badge; in fact, some outlets out there are forwarding the “GT” lettering instead, but that’s not the most relevant aspect for the moment.

What got us really interested has to do with the set of pictures sent in by our spy photographers. The photos show a camouflage-free Porsche Cayenne Coupe test prototype of sorts that wears a flashy body colour and contrasting brake calipers. What made us interest pique even more is the rear bumper/exhaust setup configuration, which sports a dual-pipe arrangement in the center unseen so far on a road-going Cayenne. Oh, and those rectangular side-positioned exhausts? They’re fake.

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.

The new Ford Puma will, most likely, come in several different guises. The one we are most interested in is an alleged performance ST version that, lately, hooned its ST skills over the hard tarmac and bends of the Nurburgring race track in Germany. Spy shots that come from Europe clearly showcased the small Ford SUV tackling the ’Ring with large exhausts and rather large wheels and tires. That is basically the only differentiating factor between this Nurburgring-caught Ford Puma, and other units previously spotted on the roads.

Update 10/31/2019: The Ford Puma ST has been caught testing in the wild once again, this time feature a lot of production parts and no padding. Check out our special “spy shots” section below to learn more about it and see the latest images.

Whenever a company announces plans to build a supercar, be it Dyson, Hennessey Performance, Rimac, Zenvo, or in this case, Gemballa, eyebrows are bound to be raised. Embarking on the journey of building a supercar from scratch, regardless of how much experience one such company may possess is, if you will, the ultimate marathon in the car industry. At the same time, running a marathon can have three possible outcomes: you either finish it, you don’t, or best-case scenario, you end up winning it, of course. Wanting to build, or better said, create a supercar from a blank sheet of paper is pretty much the same. But Gemballa thinks it has what it takes.

The Genesis GV80 is the luxury brand’s first-ever SUV. The hauler is scheduled to break cover in 2019 and we’ve already seen it being tested on public roads. The crossover will share design cues with the G80 sedan and borrow much of its underpinnings from existing Genesis products.

Envisioned in the early 2000s while Hyundai was developing the first-generation Genesis sedan, the Genesis brand was officially established as a standalone marque in November 2015. And since then, things progressed incredibly fast. The flagship G90 was launched in late 2015, followed by the slightly smaller G80 in early 2016. In 2017, Genesis launched its third vehicle, the G70, which is smaller than the G80 and aimed at the compact premium market. 2017 also brought the GV80, a concept that previews the company’s first SUV. What’s particularly interesting here is that unlike other brands, Genesis jumps on the SUV bandwagon with a full-size vehicle. Specifically, the GV80 will go against the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the BMW X7. Obviously, the big question is whether Genesis will be able to give its competitors a run for the money. I won’t be able to provide an accurate answer until it hits showrooms, but let’s take a closer look at what we already know about this SUV.

Updated 10/27/2019: Genesis is preparing to launch the GV80 next month at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. Before that the car has been taken to one final testing session around Nurburgring.

The Aston Martin Vantage just moved in its second generation for the 2018 model year and there are solid signs that the new coupe is a big hit with sports car enthusiasts. Following rave reviews about its looks and performance, customers rushed into dealerships and purchased the entire production run for 2018 in just a few days. The Vantage hasn’t been this popular since it was first introduced in 2005! With both the road-going coupe and the race-spec GTE model out in the open, it’s time to look at another version that Aston Martin may launch soon. The Volante is at the top of our list, with an introduction likely to take place in late 2018 or early 2019.

The convertible model has been part of the Vantage heritage since 2006. It was actually launched as the Roadster, but the Volante name (Aston Martin talk for cabriolet) could be used on the new model. Just like its predecessor, the new convertible will have the same features inside, out, and under the hood, but will provide customers with infinite headroom for those hot summer days. The Volante will enable the Vantage to better compete in its niche, offering a proposition to the highly popular Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet and the gorgeous looking Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster.

Updated 10/23/2019: After Aston Martin released the first official "spy shots" of the Vantage Volante, the sports car was also spotted testing around the Nürburgring.

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.

Updated 10/21/2019: The BMW i4 has been spotted testing again, this time with more production-ready parts than before. Check out our latest batch of images in the “Spy Shots” section below.

Porsche is currently gearing up for the release of the next generation 992-era 911, offered as a follow-up to the current 991-era 911. Per usual, Porsche will offer a variety of body styles and equipment levels, including high-end speed and unlimited headroom with the up-and-coming 911 Turbo Convertible.

Updated 10/21/2019: The 992-gen Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible was caught testing on public roads again and, while it doesn’t sport that cool red top we saw last time, there are some small changes that tell us this baby is ready to debut. Check out the new pictures and the details in our Spy Shots section below!

The 2020 Toyota Mirai Sedan Concept is a show car that previews the second-generation Mirai. Introduced in 2015, the Toyota Mirai was the first hydrogen production model offered in North America. The 2020 Mirai Sedan Concept shows a completely redesigned model on the outside, now featuring a sportier body with a four-door sedan layout. The production model will arrive in late 2020.

Although it’s labeled as a concept car, this vehicle gives us serious hints as to what to expect from the production-ready second-gen Mirai. That’s because the car you’ll find in dealerships will be almost identical. The big news besides the new exterior design and the more refined interior is the Premium RWD Platform that replaces the old architecture. And yes, this means that the second-gen Mirai will drop the FWD layout in favor of a sportier RWD setup. Toyota also promises a 30 percent increase in driving range and increased hydrogen capacity.