2014 was a great year for cars, including a new Ford Mustang, Subaru WRX/STi, and Dodge’s sedan with more horsepower than a Lamborghini Aventador for a quarter of the price, the Charger Hellcat. How could 2015 be just as exciting? The new car manufacturers have plenty in store for 2015.
At the Los Angeles Auto Show last month, Audi showed off the R8 Competition, a lightweight, striped down version of the R8 Supercar. Audi also said that this version would be the last version of this generation of R8 hinting that the replacement can’t be far behind. More information will come in Fall on the R8 Replacement.Audi has also hinted at revealing new versions of the Q7 SUV, A4/S4 sedan, and A5/S5 coupe/convertible.
Fresh off the launch of their 4C Sports Car last year, Alfa Romeo is ready to start building an all new lineup in the U.S. for their return. This starts with a new sport sedan rumored to be called the Gulia, targeting the BMW 5-series, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-class. It is set for an unveiling in the Summer, but details are still up in the air.
Cadillac is preparing for a big year starting with the New ATS-V, their answer to the BMW M3. Also expected to show its face in Detroit in January is its bigger brother, the CTS-V. It is expected to be a sedan with a V8 engine from the Corvette-like previous versions. There is no word yet on whether the wagon is coming back. Also, in April at the New York show, Cadillac is also set to unveil their new CT6. Their answer to BMW 7-series, Audi A8, Mercedes S-class, and Jaguar XJ.
Nobody is set to start 2015 on the right foot better than Ford, who is set for four huge unveilings at the Detroit show in January. Ford has confirmed a Mustang GT350R, a more track focused version of GT350 Mustang seen in L.A. last month. They have also rumored to bring a new version of the F-150 Raptor Pickup. Also rumored is a successor to the GT supercar along with an reintroduction to LeMans in 2016 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the GT40’s domination at the 24 hours at LeMans from 1966-68. Also rumored to join this group is the new Focus RS. It is said to have the 2.3 liter ecoboost four from the Mustang. It will be the first RS in America and will compete directly with the Subaru WRX STi and Volkswagen’s Golf R.
Jaguar’s new compact sport sedan, the XE, will make it’s U.S. debut later next year. We already reported on the XE back in September. That article also talks about the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe which will come stateside this spring.
Mazda is preparing for a busy year with an all new Miata roadster. Mazda has yet to announce a release date, but it will most likely be in either the spring or summer. Mazda has also announced the American Spec Miata will have the 2 liter engine out of the Mazda3 compact. Expect more about the new miata in the coming months.
Mercedes-Benz is set to have a big year with the new AMG GT and C63 AMG. Mercedes-Maybach, which made it’s reintroduction back at the L.A. show, introduced their version of the S600. They are set to expand the brand in 2015 with a longer and even more luxurious S600 Maybach and a base S550 Maybach. Mercedes has already confirmed there will be no such thing as a Maybach AMG.
Mini just showed of it’s latest “pocket rocket” that will make it’s full debut at Detroit next month. The Mini Hardtop John Cooper Works is the most powerful hatchback that Mini has ever made, with a 2 liter turbo four producing 228 horsepower getting it to 60 mph in the low six second range. The JCW will see a new chassis to handle that power as well as a new design to keep it in line with the latest hardtop that was updated last year.
Porsche is preparing an even more track focused 911 GT3, named the GT3 RS. Porsche has been very scant on details on the new GT3 RS but it is rumored to show its face at the Geneva show in March.
As Part of Fiat-Chrysler’s future plans, SRT is rejoining the Dodge brand after being separated from them for the past couple years. As a result, the Viper can now be called a Dodge again and the Chrysler 300 SRT has been killed for the 2015 model year. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is also set to have it’s name changed to the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk in the near future, but won’t be changed mechanically.
SRT have also planned to get their hands on The Dart Sedan, which is rumoured to have a turbocharged 2.4 liter four banger and All-Wheel Drive to compete with the Subaru WRX. SRT has also said that they will have their own version of Dodge’s replacement to the Journey Crossover that will be based on Jeep’s Cherokee.
After badly losing to the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon twins in midsized truck sales this year, Toyota is ready to start fighting back with a new Tacoma pickup truck, which they teased last Thursday. This new Tacoma will show its face at the Detroit show next month. The new Tacoma will sport a new design inside and out, as well as new features to keep up with the GM mid-sizers. The Tacoma will see very few changes made to the powertrain and chassis.
Volkswagen is starting off 2015 with the the unleash of the Mark 7 Golf R to U.S. streets this Spring. At the L.A. Auto show they showed off a Wagon version of the Golf R called the Variant. No word yet on whether the Wagon is coming to the U.S.
This is only a taste of what we can see in 2015 There is a lot more coming that are expected to cause some stir in the automotive industry. If I have missed anything please let me know in the comments below. We will see you in 2015 to keep you updated on all of these new wheels coming soon.
