Ten New Cars We Can’t Wait to Drive in 2020
Electric Porsches, mid-engined Corvettes, and Aston Martin SUVs sum up the range of experiences available in 2020.
Before you know it, 2019 is going to be receding in the rearview mirror faster than you can say “electric Porsche.” Big changes are coming to the automotive landscape. Manufacturers are transitioning to more and more electric vehicles and ever more companies are jumping on the SUV bandwagon. Here are ten 2020 model year cars we can’t wait to drive!
1. Porsche Taycan
After years of speculation the first fully electric Porsche is finally here in the form of the 2020 Porsche Taycan. The base version pumps out impressive numbers, its 800-volt electric engine putting out 523-hp, which allows it to scorch to 60-mph in a scant 3.5-seconds. The range-topping Turbo S starts at $187,000 but going on past experience, Porsche’s available options will easy push the price past $200K. The Turbo S has the kind of performance we’ve come to expect from Porsches wearing the “Turbo S” badge. Its electric motor puts out a nutty 751-horsepower and gallops to 60-mph in under three seconds. It’s about time Tesla had a worthy competitor and the Taycan looks more than ready to take on the American electric car maker. The Taycan should be on the streets in early 2020.
2. Corvette C8
Zora Arkus Duntov, who is largely credited with the existence of the Corvette, envisioned a mid-engine Corvette decades ago. It may be years after he passed away, but GM is finally making good on the concept. A dwindling customer base that was aging out of the market prompted Corvette engineers to do something dramatic to bring in younger customers. The C8 Corvette has been one of the most hyped-up car reveals, well, ever. And for good reason. America’s longest-running sports car will have the chassis layout to take on the best of European and Japanese sports cars.
Power comes from a 6.2-lite V8 that pumps out 490-bhp and 470 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed auto is tasked with getting the power to the ground. The $5,000 Z51 package brings the power up to 495-hp and also gives you an electric LSD, bigger brakes and stickier tires. Reviews so far are promising. And perhaps most impressively of all, GM has priced the new Corvette with an extremely reasonable $60,000 starting price.
3. Audi RS6 Avant
American Quattro enthusiasts are finally getting the Euro-wagon of their dreams with the Audi RS6 Avant. It’s not a secret that wagons are a hard sell in the U.S. compare to Europe, where buyers love fast Audis that they can also cram a ton of stuff into. Thankfully Audi decided to grace the U.S. with the latest version of their RS6 Avant uber-wagon.
Under the spacious German rocket’s hood is a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that pumps out a healthy 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. There is also a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Backing up the RS-tuned chassis is the legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system that is controlled via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Performance? Audi says the RS6 will rocket to 60 mph in a scant 3.6-seconds and go to a terminal velocity of 189 mph. Just the thing you need when you’re running late getting the kids to soccer practice. Pricing for the RS6 Avant will likely be north of $100,000.
4. Aston Martin DBX
Ten years ago, the thought of an Aston Martin SUV would have made most car enthusiasts thinking no way, no how is there going to be such a creation. But such is the evolution of the automotive market place that the SUV segment accounts for nearly half of vehicles sold in the U.S. Even Lamborghini is in the game with their Urus SUV. This is new territory for storied British brand Aston Martin though, a company associated with sleek and powerful sports cars driven by the likes of none other than James Bond. Enter the Aston Martin DBX SUV.
Given Aston’s history of producing stunning vehicles, it’s no surprise that the DBX is a looker. Starting at about $192,000 the Aston SUV will rely on a 542-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 from Mercedes-AMG, the same power plant used in the DB11 and Vantage. Aston is claiming the DBX will sprint to 60 in 4.3-seconds and rock on to a 181-mph terminal velocity. Designed to take on products from Bentley, Lamborghini, and other high-line manufacturers, the DBX will no doubt be just as opulent and luxurious as everything else from the British carmaker. No word yet on whether the DBX will be available with smoke screens or oil slicks to slow down the bad guys on your run to pick up the kids, but one can always hope. Look for the high-riding Aston sometime in early 2020 with a starting price of $189,900.
5. Tesla Model Y
Unveiled in March of this year, the Model Y represents Tesla’s first stab at a compact crossover, with styling similar to the Model 3 but having the option of a third-row seat. Tesla CEO Elon Musk claims that the Model Y will accelerate from zero-to-60-mph in an impressive 3.5 seconds.
A glass roof should ensure that the Model Y feels airy and spacious. The interior should be in the style of current models as well, which means a clean design devoid of buttons with a large infotainment screen affixed to the dash. The Long Range model costs $49,200 with the Performance variant costing $62,200. The Model Y is available on Tesla’s website for pre-order with the company promising mid-2020 delivery times.
6. Tesla Roadster
Most Tesla Model X and S drivers probably don’t remember the first 2008-12 Tesla Roadster. It was significant in large part because it was Tesla’s first production car. In 2017 Elon Musk unveiled a new Tesla Roadster concept to a jaw-dropping public. And finally, the car is (probably) going to be here in 2020 and available for sale to the general, electric car-buying public.
We’re definitely most excited about its claimed sub-two-second run to 60-mph and top speed of 250-mph, though that latter number is will probably be pretty irrelevant to most drivers. And Tesla claims this rocketship will have an estimated range of around 621 miles, as long as the driver can avoids using the accelerator pedal too aggressively. However, based on previous experience waiting (and waiting) for Tesla concepts to become a reality, we hope this isn’t a case of smoke and mirrors.
7. Shelby GT500
The most powerful production Mustang, and Ford, ever made. With 760 horsepower from its supercharged 5.2-liter V8, the GT500 is sure to impress when it makes its way into buyers’ hands. The supercharger is a clever new inverted design allows it to sit between the engine’s vee, thereby lowering the car’s center of gravity. All that awesome power is controlled through a 7-speed Tremec TR-9090 transmission backed up by a Torsen LSD, beefed-up suspension and even launch control.
Ford is aware that the GT500 offers performance on a level that few driver’s have experience with and are offering a GT500 Track Attack driving school for free to all owners of the new GT500. Held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina the school will teach owners the ins and outs of harnessing the GT500s performance and handling. That’s probably a good idea.
8. McLaren Elva
On the extreme end of new cars we’re excited to drive next year is the new McLaren Elva, a stunning new supercar Inspired in part by the McLaren Elva racer from the 1960s. It’s the fifth model in the McLaren Ultimate Series, which includes the F1, P1, Speedtail, and the Senna. The Elva looks to be even more extreme than the other models in the series thanks to its roofless design. The lines are absolutely stunning looking. It’s also far cleaner looking than the Senna thanks to the lack of large spoilers to, ahem, spoil the lines.
According to McLaren the Elva should be their lightest car ever, though they haven’t released official figures. Under that stunning design is the same V8 used in the Senna. The engine produces 803 horsepower and an equally impressive 590 ft/lbs of torque, which ensures that the Elva should offer pretty stunning performance. McLaren is a claiming a sub-three-second 0-60 time, which is definitely believable. Top speed should be suitably impressive, though without a roof or windshield, high speed runs will no doubt be exhilarating if not downright terrifying.
9. Polestar 1
Volvo subsidiary Polestar is a fascinating company. The performance-oriented Polestar 1 coupe uses a Volvo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric engine upfront for a combined output of 375 horsepower. At the rear are two more electric motors that each produce 111 horsepower. This adds up to an impressive total of 591 horsepower and 738 ft/lbs of torque.
The Polestar 1 relies on largely carbon-fiber bodywork to keep weight down. The handsome styling of the coupe should make it appealing to buyers who appreciate a subtle sophistication from their hybrid vehicles. The Polestar 1 starts at around $155,000 and should be available in early 2020.
10. Audi e-tron GT
Last year Audi brought its first fully electric SUV to the states in the form of the e-tron SUV. A pair of electric motors provide 402 horsepower and 490 ft/lbs of torque that push the heavy vehicle to 60-mph in the mid-five-second range. The e-tron Sportback version takes the same basic ingredients and packages them in a much more sleek and attractive package called the e-tron Sportback.
Though there is less rear headroom than in the SUV version, there is still seating for five passengers. And thanks to the improved aerodynamics of the sleeker styling, Audi is claiming a longer range over the SUV, which should minimize range anxiety. The Sportback should be around $2,500 more than the SUV. It’s a terrific and stylish alternative to competitors such as the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace. The e-tron Sportback should be available by summer of 2020.