Future Car reviews

Smart is one of the automotive names you don’t hear often. While most of their models are rather unremarkable, the brand marks new beginnings with an all-new EV model. We first talked about the Smart #1 compact SUV in September 2021, when it made a debut at the IAA Munich Auto Show, and now, we have more details on it.

The current generation X1 was launched back in 2015 and there’s no secret that it was never a very successful car. No wonder BMW is preparing big updates for the next model set to arrive in 2022. In a recent press release, the company confirmed that the next X1 will be offered with "both a combustion engine and a fully-electric drivetrain."

The model will also receive the same treatment as the recently launched 1-Series and 2-Series: An X1 M35i version that will pretty much replace the usual M version you get with cars like the X3 and the X4.

Updated 02/28/2022: The upcoming BMW X1 M35i was caught testing once again in cold winter conditions in Northern Sweden. The prototype is still wearing lots of camouflage, so it is still very difficult to see what it will look like, but we all know it will not be an actual M car; so you should only expect a sportier X1.

It looks like 2022 will bring a facelift version for pretty much every model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, and the A-Class is no exception. The facelift A-Class was caught testing for the first time back in December 2021 and it was shortly followed by the facelift version of the AMG A35.

Now, it is the AMG A45’s turn to go out for a testing session in the snow of Scandinavia.

The second generation G-Class was launched in 2018. If we were to look back at the first generation which was produced between 1990 and 2018, we do not expect the current G-Class to be retired anytime soon. It is, however, on the point to receive a facelift version.

Back in January, our spy photographers caught the first prototype of the standard G-Class out for some testing, and earlier this month, we even caught the G4×4². Today, it is time for the AMG version to shine under the spotlight.

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is nothing but a declaration of high-tech war aimed at its two main rivals, the Audi A8 and the 7 Series. BMW’s flagship received a hefty facelift in 2019 for the 2020 model year and other than the enlarged grille, it got a tech upgrade, including BMW’s then-new iDrive 7.0 setup. However, you can only stay relevant for a short time in the current luxury car climate and with the S-Class making no rebates on the technology front, BMW is already working on the next-generation 7er. Here’s everything we know so far.

Update 2-3-2022: The 2023 BMW 7 Series has been caught testing again, this time looking a little more production ready.

It is clear Porsche, like many other carmakers, is working towards electrification. Although the Porsche Taycan, with all its versions, makes it apparent, the upcoming all-electric Porsche Macan is the next in line to go electric. New spy footage captures the Macan EV doing cold-weather testing, accompanied by two Cayenne pilot cars. It also seems like the test prototype is experiencing difficulties in the cold, snowy climate – something Porsche is currently addressing as the vehicle nears production.

Update 1-31-2022 the Porsche Macan EV was caught testing in cold weather yet again))

The 2022 Porsche 911 Safari is a rumored, upcoming variant of the company’s iconic sports car. Far from confirmed for production, the 911 Safari has been spotted testing on public roads a few times since late 2020, a sign that Porsche is considering some sort of 911 with a raised suspension. The Safari name isn’t official either, it’s just based on a nickname given to a handful of rally-spec cars that Porsche built in the past. The German company also created a 911 Vision Safari concept in 2012, but it kept it hidden from us until November 2020, when it unveiled numerous never-before-seen show cars and designs. Is Porsche actually working on a production 911 Safari. If so, what will it bring to the table? Let’s try and answer these questions in the speculative review below.

Updated 01/25/2022: The future Porsche 911 Safari was caught testing once again, this time in its production shape. You can spot the different front bumper, new air intakes in the engine hood and wider side sills. The rear also gets a new bumper and new exhaust pipes.

Ford forayed into the off-roading scene with the Bronco in 2020 as a challenger to the Wrangler. Now, it’s not like this was the first off-roader from the company, but it sure was one without the Raptor badge. A few hardcore enthusiasts would’ve already predicted a Bronco Raptor back then itself, and they must be grinning today to see their prediction come true.

The Blue Oval has made the inevitable happen 18 months after the Bronco was launched by including it in the Raptor family. It was officially announced a few months back, and it is now finally here. The Bronco Raptor debuts with a 3.0-liter V-6 that will put out around 400 horses, an upgraded suspension setup and off-road gear, and a price tag of around $70,000.

Rumors of a BMW M5 hybrid have finally been confirmed thanks to the latest M5 prototype that has been spotted doing some public road testing. We know this isn’t a basic 5 Series due to the extra-large brakes, but the “Hybrid Test Vehicle” sticker on the driver’s door exposes BMW’s desire to take the M5 electric. There’s also a new flap on the front fender, which is likely for a charging port indicating that this is a plug-in hybrid M5 and will likely offer some kind of usable electric-only range. It should be noted that this charging door is in the same place and is the same shape and size as that on the 545e xDrive.

With all of this in mind, will BMW manage to keep the V-8 under the hood? We’re going to say that it’s quite likely. Part of the reason the M5 is going the hybrid route is to help it not only cut fuel consumption but meet the stricter emissions regulations. As of now, there’s not much more to say about this prototype, but this is its first outing, so if it will be revealed anytime in 2022, it’ll come much later in the year, with 2023 being more likely. It should go on sale as a 2024 model.

The ever-increasing influx of start-up EV manufacturers is apparent and while most of them seem to be coming from China, the Mullen Five comes from the sunny state of California. With Tesla now being accompanied by plenty of other EV manufacturers, it will be interesting to see how each of them will set itself apart from the pack. It seems Mullen Five wants to be the more sophisticated and luxurious EV, Tesla never managed to be. But will it succeed?

Having a plethora of pixel artists that showcase their visions of future cars is tremendous. This is especially true for classic cars that need to have a modern-day successor. The 1970-1977 Alfa Romeo Montreal is one of those cars and recently, the YouTube channel, NewCarDesign has given us a rendering of what a new model could look like.

In recent years, Fiat started resurrecting model names from the past. They started with the Fiat 124 Spider, which shares the underpinnings of the Mazda MX-5. More recently, the company brought back the Tipo name, as a more affordable alternative to the likes of Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf that comes in three body types – hatchback, sedan, and station wagon. For 2023, the Italian model is station wagon is getting a more rugged, high-riding version called the Tipo Cross Station Wagon.

Rumors of a new full-size Audi SUV have been circulating for a long time and now there’s actual proof that Audi is indeed cooking a new flagship SUV model. Recently, a fully-camouflaged Audi SUV has been spotted testing at Volkswagen’s test facility in Sweden, doing cold-weather testing. With BMW’s introduction of the X7 and Mercedes’s GLS already on sale for some years, it only made sense for Audi to bring out a competitor. Here’s what we know so far.

Update 10-27-2021: The Audi Q9 has been spotted once again, this time doing some on-road testing in warmer weather.

Genesis may have only been around for only five years, but it has already proved it can give “the old dogs” a run for their money. Not only are they not stopping but they are, once again, taunting the German trio in a very bold move. The Korean luxury brand was caught doing cold-weather testing in Sweden with a new Genesis G90 executive sedan. Mercedes recently brought out the new S-Class, while Audi is preparing an updated A8. We also know that BMW is about to give us a new 7-Series very soon, so it will be interesting to see how the all-new Genesis G90 will fare.