Top 10 Most Anticipated Cars of 2013

The most hotly anticipated cars of 2013 might have you salivating and saving your hard earned greenbacks for what’s to come. The underlying theme for the vehicles on this list is the sportiness and you might notice a trend in that they all have tremendous value; even for those who sell for over a quarter million (hint: there might be an exotic Italian on this list). The list is ordered by semi logical science and extreme personal bias, so as with all good countdown lists the best is saved for last. 

10) 2014 Ford Fiesta ST

While it might be the lower powered little brother to the Ford Focus ST, this Fiesta is no slouch. The ST comes with an output of up to 197 horsepower at 21 psi from a direct injected 1.6 liter turbo. The little engine that could can maintain that wide open throttle boost for 20 seconds until it returns to its more pedestrian 14.5 psi, but can be quickly be opened back up if you let off the throttle ever so quickly. With a weight coming in at around 2700 lbs, the Fiesta will have a solid power to weight ratio of about 14 lbs/hp. What might be the best part of this though, is that you can get all of this for under $23,000.

9) 2014 Mercedes Benz CLA45 AMG

The CLA series is supposed to be the more easily attainable Mercedes due to its very non Benz like price that starts at under $30,000 for the base model CLA250. The AMG version of the CLA class comes with a heftier price tag at $47,500, but you also get a 355 hp motor that comes from two turbocharged liters. THE CLA45 also comes with all-wheel drive, so the power gets put to the pavement quick, fast, and in a hurry. This makes for quite the luxury bargain, with no real competitors at that price point.

8) 2014 Chevrolet SS

The new Chevy SS picks up where the Pontiac G8 left off, it’s an Aussie based General Motors sedan with some nasty V8 power. The base SS model comes with the LS3 engine producing 415 hp and the torque to match…literally (it has 415 lbs/ft). This sedan’s cost is a little higher than the boring beige buyer might like, at $45k, but with all the time you spend driving why not get something that exhilarates your senses.

7) 2013 Jaguar F-Type V8 S

Jaguar’s image and credibility came into question not long ago with reliability issues, steep repair costs, and the X-type. Jaguar has thrown that piece of history into the trash with their recent models and the F-Type is no different. It is potentially the most elegant new Jaguar on sale today with a supercharged 3.0 liter V6 that will make either 340 or 380 hp. You can also choose the top of the line supercharged 5.0 liter V8 that hits 60 in an estimated 4.2 seconds and comes with 495 hp. Pricing starts at just over $90,000 for the high performance V8 S model.

6) 2013 Cadillac ATS-V

With the great invigoration that the CTS brought, Cadillac hopes to continue the rejuvenation with the introduction of what looks much like a smaller CTS. The ATS is a lighter luxury car at 3400 pounds. The non V Caddy has 3 engine options including a 2.0 liter turbo four that delivers 272 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 3.6 liter V6 good for 321 horses and 274 foot pounds of torque. And if that’s not enough for you, there have been rumblings of a 420 horsepower V version of the ATS that will assuredly improve and increase any and all performance characteristics of this Caddy.

5) 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C

Alfa returned to the states with the stunning 8C Competizone, and the next vehicle to get the Alfa badge will be the 4C. It looks very much like a smaller version of the 8C, but maintains the sporty curves in a nice proportion. It comes with a lightweight aluminum engine that will produce 240 horses from its turbocharged four cylinder. The 4C will be vastly more affordable than the quarter million dollar price tag on its big brother, coming in at under $60k.

4) 2013 McLaren P1

Any car coming from McLaren has racing pedigree in its oil and this is no different with McLaren’s P1. Starting with the F1, which is still one of the fastest production cars in the world, and slowly evolving into the marvelous car we now have before us in the P1. It will be powered by both a 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 (just like that in the MP4-12C) tuned to 727 hp and a KERS electric motor that produces 176 hp. This hybrid powertrain has a 7 speed transmission, which will allow for a total power output of 903 horses!

3) 2013 SRT Viper

2013 marks the return of one sweetly insane ride, the Viper (now from SRT instead of Dodge), from a brief 3 year hiatus. The 2013 is the first Viper to come from Fiat ownership. This has meant a substantial restyling and re-imagining of what a sports car from Chrysler & Dodge is. The Viper will have a stability control system for the first time ever thanks in part to necessity and the aforementioned new Fiat management. The Viper has its origins as one of the most insane car ideas ever that came to life. A high powered rear wheel drive sports cars with no electronic assistance is asking for trouble even in the hands of the best drivers. The Viper has come a long way in terms of refinement since production began in 1992. This car is no less insane with a 640-hp V-10, a over 40 hp increase over the 2010 model. Pricing comes in around 100 grand, which means that it has some stiff competition in terms of cost and performance.

2) 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

Ferrari is one of the most prestigious car manufacturers in the world and they have seemingly outdone themselves with the F12 Berlinetta. It comes with all the specs you’d expect from a Ferrari, a blistering 0 to 60 at 3.1 seconds, top speed over 210 mph, and looks to kill. What you won’t get with any other Ferrari is a 730 hp naturally aspirated V12, which makes this the fastest Ferrari in history. Heck, even the mpg isn’t too shabby (for this engine size and power level) at an estimated 15 miles to the gallon. Considering all the jam packed F1 technology and gratuitous styling you could even consider it a bargain with a price tag that starts at $316,000.

1) 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

The Stingray, iconic in car history, made its debut at the North American auto show in Detroit with a 6.2 liter V8 that still uses pushrods. Albeit Chevy gets the most out of those old fashioned V8s courtesy of direct injection and high compression ratios. The new baseline for the Corvette will put out 460 hp. That’s 24 more than the previous year’s Grand Sport model with optional exhaust upgrade. The biggest complaint against the Corvette in years past was the interior; this is something Chevrolet has addressed with a tremendous amount of attention. This American legend has always been a performance bargain and this is still true for the 2014 model with pricing starting at just over $50,000.
These ten cars round out the most anticipated cars of the coming months. Check out the chart below for a quick comparison. Keep in mind that the the price for power goes up exponentially as seen in the power per dollar ratio. What’s your most anticipated car of 2013? Is there a car you’re looking forward to that isn’t listed? Hit up the comments and make it known.

*- The ATS-V numbers have not been officially announced. All numbers are approximate.

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