Future Car reviews

The Model S is far and away Tesla’s most popular vehicle, known for singlehandedly shifting public opinion of EVs from dowdy, boring people-movers, to sexy, high-tech performance machines. This is the model that set the stage for all of Tesla’s other offerings, including the top-shelf Model X SUV, and more recently, the affordable Model 3 compact four-door. However, the Model S was first introduced in 2012, which means it’s starting to get a little long in the tooth, and a second-gen for the full-/mid-size luxury sedan should be headed down the line in the next few years. As such, we put on our speculation hats and got down to reasoning out what the next Model S might bring to the table.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2022 Tesla Model S.

The Audi A3 was spotted testing on public roads with what appears to be a production-ready exterior. The hatchback is wrapped in camo from front to rear, but the headlamps, the grille, and other details hint at the company’s recent corporate look. The A3 was joined by the higher performance S3 model. While the regular A3 will break cover in 2019 and go on sale for the 2020 model year, the S3 will probably arrive later, most likely for the 2021 model year.

Although it’s just a few years old, ARES Design is already creating a bit of a name for itself. Founded back in 2014 by Dany Bahar, former CEO at Lotus, the firm started out as a customization shop for high-end automobiles. Now, however, ARES Design is looking to break into the world of boutique supercar production, and Project Panther is its first effort to step up to the big leagues.

Continue reading to learn more about the ARES Project Panther.

A fresh batch of spy photos of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 has come to light. As expected, the new photos show very little of the model’s prototype. The sedan’s entire surface area is covered in wraps, though, so expect plenty of aesthetic changes to happen to the updated model. Mercedes-AMG has yet to pinpoint a specific debut for the for the upcoming CLA model, but all signs seem to indicate a 2019 launch timetable. As for the AMG CLA 45, that should happen a little later in the same year. Either way, the fact that the test mule has already made a few appearances indicates that development of the model is now in full swing.

Rumors about an SUV larger than the X7 have been flying around for several years now. In 2014, BMW confirmed the X7 and the big hauler is set to break cover by the end of 2018. Naturally, we can’t help but wonder whether an M version is underway. Does it makes it sense, should BMW build one?

The large SUV market is pretty big in the U.S., where BMW is building the X7, but neither the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator are powerful enough to create demand for an M version. However, Mercedes-Benz is making an AMG version of the GLS, which is taking all market share in the performance department. The AMG-prepped GLS alone is a reason good enough for BMW to roll out an X7 M, but it should also be part of the company’s plans to expand the nameplate now that all crossovers are set to gain M versions. Let’s find out what it may bring to the table in the speculative review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming BMW X7 M.

The fourth-generation Cadillac Escalade went into production in early 2014, and while it’s not exactly old, it’s a bit dated compared to the more modern Lincoln Navigator. But Cadillac is looking to fix that with a new-generation model that’s rumored to arrive in 2019.

The new Escalade was initially scheduled to arrive early next year, but development was slowed down by a late decision to ditch the solid rear axle in favor of an independent suspension. It seems that Cadillac finally decided to give the Escalade, its most profitable model, a proper makeover.

Unfortunately, the SUV will continue to share underpinnings with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, meaning that it will still use a truck platform. The good news is that GM is also preparing massive upgrades for its next-gen pickups, so the Escalade will be less of truck and more of an SUV. Most details are still under wraps, but let’s discuss what we already know about it, the latest rumors, as well as the rendering that our very own artist created.

A post on McLaren’s official Instagram account caused quite the stir on social media after an image of a raw version of the team’s Formula One race car unintentionally showed a couple of mysterious-looking cars in the background. The immediate reaction from Internet sleuths identified either one of the two models as the upcoming Speedtail, but that speculation has since been debunked by McLaren. Neither of those two models is the Speedtail, or at least that’s what the British automaker is saying.

It’s been four years since the Lexus RC has had any significant changes, but recent spy shots of an RC test mule suggests that updates are on the way for the Japanese automaker’s resident sports coupe. The spy photos don’t reveal much in the way of significant changes, but certain sections of the prototype are wrapped in camouflage, an indication that the expected updates are being concealed for the time being. Still, it looks like the Lexus RC is about to get a much-needed facelift, something that should’ve happened a long time ago.

Having revived the 8 Series after two decades, BMW is also planning to build a Gran Coupe version of the two-door. A concept car was shown at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, where it was confirmed that the 8 Series Gran Coupe "will take over as the new flagship model" for the brand. Come July 2018, and the production model was spotted on the road.

Much like the coupe, the production car will share many features with the concept. However, this test vehicle has a milder appearance, as it appears to be a standard model and not the M version we saw in Geneva. Our paparazzi actually spotted two cars. There’s a regular 8 Series on a trailer and a sportier version with the M Sport package stretching its wheels on the road. The final product could break cover by the end of 2018 and join a niche that already includes the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A7.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

Aston Martin has yet to bring the Valkyrie hypercar into showrooms, but the Brits are already pondering a second supercar for their lineup. According to company CEO, Andy Palmer, the mid-engined supercar is also co-developed with Red Bull Racing, and 130 engineers and designers are already working on the project. The new vehicle will be aimed at the Ferrari 488 GTB.

The unnamed supercar will ride on a bespoke platform developed specifically for this model. Instead of the Valkyrie’s race-spec chassis or the Vantage’s bonded-aluminum platform, it will get its very own underpinnings that will feature a new carbon-fiber monocoque with aluminum sub-frames. There’s no specific word as to when it might arrive, but rumor has it sales will commence around 2020.

Continue reading to learn more about Aston Martin’s upcoming supercar.

Lexus is working on a hotter RC F! It’s a sentence we’ve been dying to hear ever since the RC F was introduced for the 2015 model. Three years later, and it’s finally happening. With the RC coupe set to receive a facelift soon, Lexus is also testing a more hardcore version of the F model. Although it’s not yet confirmed for production, it will probably wear the RC F GT name first showcased on a concept car in 2016.

Aimed at the BMW M4 GTS and other beefed-up compact coupes that may follow soon, the RC F GT borrows heavily from the concept car. It features similar aerodynamics, as well as carbon-fiber body panels that reduce curb weight. An engine upgrade will add the extra oomph the RC F needs to compete with its turbocharged rivals, but the interior should get a few unique features as well. The coupe could debut by the end of 2018, but until that happens, let’s have a closer look at what we already know about it.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming Lexus RC F GT.

Lynk & Co may still be a foreign name to some people, but those who have followed the Geely-owned startup can attest that the company has made impressive strides since it launched its maiden model, the 01, back in 2016. Two years later, Lynk & Co have four models in development, including a sedan that goes by the name “03.” The four-door vehicle is still in the development stages, but recent spy shots of the model show a car that carries the same design imprint as the 01 and 02, wrapped up in a body of a sedan.

After more than two years of constant teasing and two concept cars, Lexus unveiled a new 2+2 coupe at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. Dubbed LC500, the new coupe is stunning to look at, has a luxurious interior, and comes with a stout, naturally aspirated V-8 powerplant. Come 2018 and the Japanese firm is working on a beefed-up version with an "F" badge.

Despite having two extra seats and missing a V-10 powerplant, the LC500 is already being considered a successor to the mighty LFA. Granted, the two have very little in common as far as underpinnings go, but I can totally understand why Lexus enthusiasts are comparing it to the LFA. The LC500 has a strong presence, a low-slung stance, and it blends luxury and sportiness under the same roof. It’s nowhere near as powerful as the LFA, but what if Lexus is planning to release a more potent version later on? These new spy shots suggest that we may soon be able to buy an LC F model with more power and a more aggressive exterior.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Lexus LC F.

The Ford Mondeo is spending a lot of time in front of the cameras these days. After being spotted frolicking in the snow in Sweden a few months ago, the Mondeo is back doing test runs, this time in the friendlier climate of Southern Europe. It’s also a different body type — it’s a wagon! — than the Mondeo prototype a few months ago, but the location of the camouflage remains the same, so the front and rear sections are still matters of speculation. Still, we get a good look at the Mondeo wagon’s entire body, giving us an indication of what to expect when it comes out.

Lynk & Co started out as a curious novelty, but since launching the intriguing 01 SUV in 2017, the Geely-owned start-up is now turning more than a few curious heads. In a span of a year, Lynk & Co has gone from launching the 01 to doing succeeding unveilings of the 02 and 03. Now, the brand’s fourth model — a hatchback — takes center stage, thanks in large part to a new batch of spy photos showing the car in proper prototype form, complete with thick black wraps and lots of camouflage. The model is tentatively called the "04," and it has the makings of being a serious challenger in a market dominated by heavyweights like the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, and Chevrolet Cruze.

Mercedes previewed the CLA-Class with the Concept Style Coupe, then a year later showed up at the Detroit Auto Show with the very first CLA-Class – a new entry-level model and the true baby of the Mercedes lineup. It’s essentially as CLS sized down a bit but features that trending four-door coupe body style that we’ve had to get used to. With that said, the CLA has been around for a while now, and 2020 will be the mark for the second-gen model to hit the market. That means it will debut in 2019, but that doesn’t matter because we’re already getting a good look at it now, and it looks very much like its bigger brother, the CLS. It will ride on the same platform as the new Mercedes A-Class and will even get the same engine lineup – including a pair of over-powered and brawny-for-their-size AMG models.

Update 07/25/2018: The Mercedes CLA has finally dropped some of its camo and was found playing on the Nurburgring. There’s still some time before it makes its debut but check out the spy shots section below to see the latest developments.

The second-generation Audi R8 is about to receive its mid-cycle facelift. We’ve already seen prototypes on public roads, and it seems that the Germans have prepared big changes for the facelift. It also seems that Audi is working on a higher performance version of the R8, possibly a successor to the GT model.

Although it has yet to confirm such a model, a new R8 GT makes sense given the fact that the second-gen supercar has yet to spawn any special editions yet. The original GT was discontinued back in 2013, while the LMX was produced in 2014 only. It’s been four years since Audi offered anything above the R8 Plus, so it’s about time the German brand gave the supercar a performance bump. A beefed-up R8 could arrive in 2019, but until we find out more about that, let’s take a closer look at what upgrades it may get.

Continue reading to learn more about the Audi R8 GT.