Skip advert
Advertisement
Features

These are the cars you'll want to drive in 2016

We've driven some already, but all make their official debuts in 2016. Here are the cars we're all waiting for

Every year, some type particularly jaded tales of emissions regulations, safety standards and the inexorable creep of infotainment technology will prophecise the death of the performance car.

And every year, we’re presented with a lineup of vehicles even more ludicrously powerful, blisteringly fast and eye-wideningly exciting than the last, somehow hitting goals as disparate as saving fuel and going fast, or doing minimal damage to the earth while finding new ways to shred tyres.

Advertisement - Article continues below

So here are several reasons to be excited by 2016’s automotive landscape. From the return of a rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeo saloon to one of the most focused Lotus cars ever, these will be the cars of 2016.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

The five words on everybody’s lips: ‘Will it be any good?’ The next three: ‘We hope so.’ It’s hard to do anything but hope until we drive the new Giulia, but from the information we have – most of it on the range-topping Quadrifoglio – the signs are promising.

It will develop 503bhp from a turbocharged V6, along with 500lb ft of torque. 0-62mph takes a scant 3.9sec, and Alfa has also hinted at an M3-bashing ‘Ring time of 7min 39sec – not just 13 seconds quicker than a BMW M3, but a second quicker even than a Lamborghini Murcielago.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

We’re cautiously declaring it a looker too. It might not have the impact the 156 did when it launched in the 1990s, nor the crispness of the 159 that followed. But it has the right proportions and a healthy dose of attitude, that’s sure to make it irresistible to those not swayed by German rivals.

BMW M2

Someone, somewhere within BMW knows the M3 and M4 haven’t quite hit the spot for some people. When pressed, BMW told us that dynamics have been a major focus for the new M2, and the company understands the car is closer to the 2002 Turbo, E30 M3 and 1M heritage than any 3-series-based car.

It’s closest to the 1M, naturally. Pumped up and aggressive, we’ve only seen the M2 in the studio so far, but it’s sure to look great out on the road. It’ll go like a 1M too – from 4.3sec to 62mph (the same as a manual M4) thanks to a 365bhp, turbocharged inline-six.

Most importantly of all, BMW isn’t restricting the M2 to a DCT ‘box – up to half of M2 customers are expected to opt for the six-speed manual. If that’s not a clue the performance car world isn’t doomed, we’re not sure what is.

Bugatti Chiron

Little is yet known about Bugatti’s latest hypercar. The name has been confirmed, and the final form has largely been uncovered between spy shots and the official Vision Gran Turismo concept.

Replacing the Veyron, the Chiron – named after one of Bugatti’s best-known racers, Louis Chiron – is expected to develop as much as 1500 horsepower, from an 8-litre, W16-configuration engine.

It’s sure to set new speed records too. All ultimately pointless, of course, but it’s hard not to be impressed by the scale of engineering.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Save £30k on a new Range Rover and buy a Renault 5 with the savings!
Range Rover
News

Save £30k on a new Range Rover and buy a Renault 5 with the savings!

Discounts on new Range Rovers are so big you could buy a new Renault 5 with the money you save…
15 Jul 2025
£2m McLaren W1 makes public debut – 1257bhp P1 successor eyes Ferrari F80
McLaren W1
News

£2m McLaren W1 makes public debut – 1257bhp P1 successor eyes Ferrari F80

First F1, then P1… and now W1. The next chapter in McLaren’s Ultimate Series has arrived to challenge Ferrari’s forthcoming new hypercar, and we've ta…
14 Jul 2025
Maserati MCPura launched as MC20 replacement – McLaren rival makes public debut
Maserati MCPura
News

Maserati MCPura launched as MC20 replacement – McLaren rival makes public debut

Maserati has updated the MC20 (with a light touch) to create the new MCPura, with design influences and features carrying over from the GT2 Stradale. …
14 Jul 2025
The Ford Mustang GTD is America's answer to the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and we've been onboard
Ford Mustang GTD
News

The Ford Mustang GTD is America's answer to the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and we've been onboard

As first customer cars hit the road, we jump onboard the Multimatic-developed Mustang GTD with Le Mans driver Dirk Müller
14 Jul 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
New cars at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed – all the debuts from Aston to Zenvo
Festival of Speed 2025
News

New cars at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed – all the debuts from Aston to Zenvo

The Goodwood Festival of Speed was spectacular yet again. Here are the highlights from the British motoring event of the year
14 Jul 2025
Porsche 963 RSP 2025 review – driving the ultimate one-off Le Mans racer for the road
Porsche 963 RSP review front
Reviews

Porsche 963 RSP 2025 review – driving the ultimate one-off Le Mans racer for the road

That the 963 RSP even exists is absurd. Driving it felt like a fever dream
13 Jul 2025