Skip advert
Advertisement

These are the cars you'll want to drive in 2016 - Cars of 2016 - page 3

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

Should SUVs and crossovers excite us? Some would argue we shouldn’t, but for Jaguar to produce such a thing is indicative of just how important manufacturers consider the genre.

Revealed in full at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show, the F-Pace comes with the expected four- and six-cylinder diesel powerplants, but also adds a 375bhp, supercharged V6 petrol unit.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While it’s styling isn’t stand-out – SUVs aren’t the most elegant vehicles – it’s easier on the eye than most rivals and has a typically cosseting cabin. Starting at 1655kg, it’s also relatively lightweight, thanks to aluminium architecture.

Lotus 3-Eleven

Ultra-lightweight Lotus specials don’t come around very often, but they’re remarkable when they do. The 3-Eleven is the latest in a chain that includes the old 2-Eleven and the striking 340R, but it now offers true supercar performance.

The figure you want to know is the weight: 925kg. If that’s higher than you’d hoped for (the race version does dip below 900kg), 450bhp goes a long way to delivering the all-important power-to-weight ratio of around 508bhp/ton.

And it looks fantastic – modern, but referencing cars like the Lotus Eleven in its classic-racer proportions. It could prove one of the most exciting cars of 2016 to drive.

Porsche Boxster/Cayman 718

Porsche has now confirmed something we suspected for quite a while – the Cayman and Boxster will become four-cylinder cars. What we didn’t expect was a change in nomenclature, as both will now be known under the 718 moniker.

Few details have been revealed beyond the name and cylinder count, but those bemoaning the loss of the old six-pot engines may be satiated by the extra power and lighter weight the engines are sure to deliver.

The former will make both cars even more throttle-adjustable (and quicker in everyday driving); the latter should improve each car’s inherently excellent balance even further.

Porsche 911 Turbo

In a range where almost all models are now turbocharged, the Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S risk losing their USP – surging, endless acceleration.

To counter this, Porsche has given each car an extra 20bhp – the Turbo now makes 532bhp, the Turbo S 573bhp – and a dynamic boost system to improve throttle response.

Various electric systems have been revised and to cope with the increased urge, the regular Turbo gets wider wheels, matching those of the Turbo S. The revised models will make their debut at the 2016 Detroit motor show.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Honda Civic Type R (FK8, 2017 - 2022): a sure-fire future icon
Honda Civic Type R FK8
Features

Honda Civic Type R (FK8, 2017 - 2022): a sure-fire future icon

The FK8 Civic Type R is a hot hatch with engineering obsession on a different level, making it one of our top 25 cars of the last 25 years
28 Mar 2024
Renault Sport Megane R26.R (2009): the most significant hot hatch of the last 25 years
Renaultsport Megane R26.R
Features

Renault Sport Megane R26.R (2009): the most significant hot hatch of the last 25 years

For much of the last 25 years, Renault ruled the hot hatch world. The ultimate expression of its brilliance, the R26.R
27 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 2024 review – first drive of the production ready hot hatch
Toyota GR Yaris – front
Reviews

Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 2024 review – first drive of the production ready hot hatch

The GR Yaris now carries a punchy £44,250 asking price, but the early signs are that it moves the goal posts for small hot hatches once again
26 Mar 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024