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10 cars worth waiting for: 2014 edition
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With the Detroit and Geneva auto shows behind us, we take a look at the most promising rides for 2014--which include the track-lover's Chevy Camaro, the crossover based on Mercedes' excellent small car, and a lightweight version of the best-selling truck in the world.
Click images to view a gallery of the cars.
Mini Hardtop/Cooper S
When: Just about now
How Much: $20,745 to $24,395
The Gist: Mini sales are mighty, but building these cars on their own platform with unique engines is costly, so the gen-three new Mini will share a structure and some engines with BMW.
Why You Want One: The Hardtop and S grow a little in length (4.7 inches) and get 1.7 inches wider. If you're lamenting this as middle-age spread, know that the new chassis is stiffer, and steering, while still playful, is no longer so darty that the Mini grows tiresome on long highway jaunts.
Technical Details: About a year ago we test-drove a 1 Series with BMW's new 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder, which BMW said could be configured to deliver nearly 200 hp. However, here it's making only 134 hp. The new 2.0-liter is a lot more potent, at 189 hp. Which motor you want may have a lot to do with the depth of your wallet.
2014 Alfa Romeo 4C
When: April 2014
How Much: $55,000
The Gist: Let's call this the cheapest Maserati on the market. After all, it's built at Maserati's Modena, Italy, plant rather than in Turin, where Fiat cousins spawn.
Why You Want One: No other nonsupercar gets a custom-fabricated carbon-fiber tub, which alone makes the 4C unique. The real payoff is a car that tips the scales at barely 2650 pounds. One bummer is that only a dual-clutch automatic will be sold in the States, at least at first.
Technical Details: The 1.7-liter four comes from the front of an Alfa Giulietta, where it's plenty entertaining (rent one if you find yourself in Italy, and giggle yourself silly knowing that this same chassis is shared by the Dodge Dart and Jeep Cherokee). Here, however, the engine has been boosted to 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. And it's located right behind the driver's ears, a la a Ferrari.
2015 Subaru WRX STi
When: April
How Much: $35,290
The Gist: If you love rally racing you know that this latest WRX STI has one major fudge factor: Its 2.5-liter engine. The STI is soldiering on with the larger and older mill. It's putting out 305 hp (versus 268 hp in the WRX), but there's no direct injection.
Why You Want One: In the past WRX STIs were roided-out versions of the cheaper WRXs, which were closer to their Impreza cousins. Here, the equation is flipped. The STI becomes a more livable daily driver, à la Porsche Boxster, but with enough special parts and track-ready tuning to make it feel special. Plus the STI has conventional hydraulic (rather than electric) steering assist for better feel at the limit, but the suspension tuning is a bit more forgiving.
Technical Details: The STI gets a worlds-better six-speed gearbox (rod-, rather than cable-actuated, as it is in the WRX), and three limited-slip diffs. The standard WRX is stuck with open diffs. The STI could be even better with a worked-over FA-Series four, but it's not surprising that perpetually frugal Subaru didn't spend more to get that job done.
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
When: April 2014
How Much: $75,000
The Gist: The most expensive Camaro in GM history is $18,000 more expensive than the ZL1 coupe and gets merely 505 horses from its Corvette-gifted 7.0-liter V-8. (We say merely because the ZL1's V-8 produces 580 hp.)
Why You Want One: The point of the Z/28 isn't straight-line speed, but usable speed. Chevy promises the ultimate track car not named Corvette, and the numbers suggest they're right.
Technical Details: If you love track days, the following list will have you salivating: Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes; an ultra-stiff, track-focused suspension; plus the subtraction of all sorts of heavy items, from speakers to thicker window glass. The less-is-more formula accounts for 300 pounds less in curb weight than the porky ZL1.
