Future Cars

Subaru’s BRZ sports car skips the 2021 model year as it gears up for a redesign. Before you go out and snap up one of the remaining 2020 models left on dealer lots, take a look with us at its upcoming replacement. Marking the model’s second generation, the 2022 BRZ will build on the bones of its predecessor by welcoming significant dynamic and styling improvements. In other words, the 2022 Subaru BRZ promises to fix the foibles of its forebear while continuing to affordably deliver rear-drive sports car athleticism.

2022 Subaru BRZ: Turbo Power?

Despite sharing its basic rear-drive architecture with the prior BRZ, the new model ought to benefit from a number of dynamic alterations, including additional chassis bracing and reworked suspension pieces. Nevertheless, we expect the 2022 BRZ to remain just as playful as the first-gen model. 

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In fact, it may even offer more enjoyment from the driver’s seat. Credit the arrival of a new 2.4-liter flat-four engine. Like the smaller 2.0-liter unit it replaces, the new BRZ powerplant once again forgoes forced induction. That said, the bigger four-cylinder ought to improve upon the 2.0-liter’s 205-hp peak output figure while also—hopefully—leaving behind the outgoing engine’s more agricultural qualities.

The 2022 BRZ will surely continue to offer buyers the option to row their own gears courtesy of a standard six-speed manual gearbox. An automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters will almost certainly find its way to the options menu. Similarly, we expect Subaru to bring back the BRZ’s optional Performance package, which adds items such as stickier rubber, better brakes, and suspension upgrades to the 2020 BRZ.

2022 Subaru BRZ: 2 + 2 = Fun

Unlike its closest competitor, the two-seat Mazda MX-5 Miata, the 2022 BRZ will return with seating for four courtesy of a small rear bench seat with room for two. We expect it will retain the ability to swallow four sets of wheels (with tires mounted) inside the trunk and cabin with the rear seats folded, as can today’s BRZ; the unusual feature allows owners to drive to the track with a separate, harder-core set of wheels of tires and swap them on for lapping so as to avoid wearing out their street rubber.

Although its interior space will remain largely the same as before, the BRZ’s insides should look and feel more welcoming. Credit a new dashboard design that uses higher-end materials and brings Subaru’s latest infotainment setup into the small sports car’s cabin. Look for an available touchscreen infotainment system that’s notably larger than the outgoing car’s 7.0-inch unit.

2022 Subaru BRZ: Rear-Drive Style

Images of 2022 BRZ test vehicles reveal an evolutionary design that appears to carry over the same essential greenhouse and proportions (including a relatively long hood and stubby rear end) from the previous model. Look closely at the details, though, and you’ll spot a number of noteworthy changes, such as a more pronounced trunk lip and larger taillights that appear to blend with the trunk’s cutlines.

Larger and vertically oriented—and seemingly functional—side vents now reside aft of the front wheels, as opposed to the slim, horizontal units that lived fore of the old car’s windshield base. Likewise, expect the new BRZ to feature a front end with a wider grille and more upright headlights—likely featuring standard LED illumination.

2022 Subaru BRZ: Price and On-Sale Date

Look for Subaru to reveal the 2022 BRZ before the end of the year with sales kicking off before the middle of 2021. Pricing ought to remain close to that of the 2020 model, which starts at $29,745. More

After more than a decade on the market, the Nissan 370Z is finally retiring. In its place comes the 400Z. Or at least that’s what we expect Nissan to christen the new Z. Unlike today’s sports car, the upcoming 2023 Z’s digits are not expected to represent the displacement of its engine but instead its outright horsepower. 

Don’t worry purists, the new Z won’t abandon its history of packing six cylinders under its hood. Nor will it lose its third pedal option. 

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2023 Nissan Z: Powertrain and Performance

Anticipated to pack a stable of 400 horses, the upcoming 400Z is sure to have the power needed to properly compete with the likes of the Toyota Supra and the Porsche 718 Cayman sports coupes. Look for the new Z to rely on a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 for motivation. 

2023 Nissan Z: Looks and Styling

Look for the new Z’s styling to ride the coattails of its predecessors. As such, buyers can anticipate retro cues that evoke the original Datsun 240Z’s round headlights, long hood, and stubby rear end. Even the car’s badging will embrace an old-school font. 

Similarly, we expect the new Z’s insides to combine modern technology with design elements that give a nod toward the past. Nissan is sure to fit the car with a trio auxiliary gauges atop its dashboard.

2023 Nissan Z: On-Sale Date and Price

We anticipate the 2023 Nissan Z will reach dealerships in the United States before the end of 2022. Although Nissan will initially sell the new Z exclusively as a coupe (with a hatch to access the cargo area), it may resurrect the model’s convertible body style a year or two down the line.

Regardless, the new Z’s price will rise dramatically from that of the 2020 model, which starts at $31,015. In fact, we’d guess the new Z will skirt the pricing line between the four- and six-cylinder Supra models, which start at $43,985 and $51,985, respectively. In other words, plan to cut a check for north of $45,000 to get behind the wheel of an entry-level 2023 Nissan Z. More

The aging, slow-selling current-generation Mercedes-Benz SL is not long for this world. Waiting in the wings is a new take on the venerable formula—after all, the SL is Mercedes’ longest-running nameplate with a wealth of history. And serious performance roots, as well—something that hasn’t been at the forefront of the SL conversation for a long time. Let’s take a closer look at what plans Mercedes—and specifically, and notably, Mercedes-AMG—has for the model.

2022 Mercedes-AMG SL: Engines From Mild to Wild Hybrid

Globally, the new SL will have a host of engines that should roughly mirror the related AMG GT family of vehicles (more on that in a second). That means AMG power levels of “43” all the way up to “73e.” As you’re probably aware, those two-digit powertrain indicators are no longer directly related to engine displacement, but rather indicate a certain performance level. The SL 43 will likely feature a high-output turbocharged inline-four, the SL 53 a turbocharged I-6 with a “mild-hybrid” system, and the 73e will top the range with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain that features AMG’s powerful and ubiquitous twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. An SL 63 and an SL 55 will fill out the range, although we’re not completely clear on what engines those will feature. All-wheel drive with Drift Mode (4Matic+ in Mercedes-speak) should be available on everything north of the SL 43.

Translation: the AMG SL will be awfully quick. We’re pegging the SL 73e to produce more than 800 horses at its peak. Figure on a dual-clutch transaxle, likely the same seven-cog unit offered in the current AMG GT.

2022 Mercedes-AMG SL: Part of the GT Family

While the current SL is offered as both a Mercedes-Benz (SL 450, SL 550) and (until recently) a Mercedes-AMG (SL 63), the new SL will almost certainly only be sold as an AMG model. That’s because AMG has taken the lead in the development of the new sports car, which will ride on the next-generation version of the AMG GT chassis.

That’s probably good for vehicle dynamics, given the division’s unrelenting focus on sportiness. But it’ll mean that the SL will be more of a 2+2 convertible than a roadster. Even though previous models could be had with vestigial rear seats, the last couple of generations have been pure two-seaters. At least there’s precedent for a 2+2 SL, however useless the rear seats may have been. That said, we expect the 2022’s rear seats to be at least minimally functional. Why? We think it’s intended to take the role in the model range left by the departure of the four-passenger S-Class convertible.

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Vorserienfahrzeuge des neuen SL Roadster starten zu ausführlichen Straßentests

2022 Mercedes-AMG SL: Coming Soon?

It sure looks like development is advancing rapidly. Affalterbach released these images of the new SL testing on public roads. If past tailpipe shape is any clue, we’re looking at both an SL 53 and an SL 63 variant. It seems the SL will adopt a canvass roof, and the overall shape and stance of the new car is seriously evocative of the AMG GT two-doors—no surprise there. There’s clearly a lither, sportier demeanor than the blunt, brawny R231-generation SL that’s on sale now. We expect the new SL to be on sale by the second half of next year. More

If the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray’s nearly 500-hp V-8 engine fails to entice you, then the forthcoming Corvette Z06’s more than 600-hp V-8 ought to do the trick. And it’s not just the horsepower output that’s changed. The Z06’s engine will be an entirely different animal from its lesser sibling, increasing performance and bringing an entirely different character to the car. Read on to find out why.

2022 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Twin-Cam, Flat-Plane

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While we originally believed the Z06 would embrace forced induction by way of two turbochargers, a source within Chevy recently informed us such a setup will be reserved for the more powerful C8 ZR1 and Zora models, the latter of which is due to embrace a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. Instead, the Z06 will pack a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 aft of its cabin. Thanks to its race-car-like construction, the more than 600-hp engine is due to spin its crankshaft to an insane 9,000 rpm. How Chevy will quell the powerplant’s vibration (an inherent issue of V-8s with flat-plane cranks) remains a mystery. Nevertheless, we’re sure the bow-tie brand’s learned a few tricks from the C8.R’s 5.5-liter engine. 

Like the Stingray, look for the Z06 to rely on an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox to send all those horses to its rear wheels. Revisions to the car’s suspension and a set of sticky summer tires—that are properly wide at the rear—are sure to keep the Z06’s power from overwhelming its drive wheels and chassis.

2022 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Carbon Fiber Fever

In addition to the added power, the 2022 Corvette Z06 will welcome a number of weight-saving measures. Don’t worry, creature comforts will still abound, and there’s no indication the Z06 will ditch the likes of the Stingray’s large digital gauge cluster or touchscreen infotainment system.

Nevertheless, look for the model to feature a number of lightweight materials for items such as the exhaust, rear wing, front splitter, and even its wheels. Specifically, the 2022 Corvette Z06 will offer buyers the option to equip it with a set of carbon-fiber wheels. While such a setup is not new (vehicles from Porsche and Ford offer carbon fiber wheels), it’s still a relatively rare—and surely expensive—way for road-going cars to go about shedding mass. 

2022 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Shut Up and Take Our Money!

Although we hear the current pandemic is forcing Chevy to push back the Corvette Z06’s debut, we’re still hopeful the brand manages to take the wraps off the car in early 2021 and ship it to dealers before the end of the year as a 2022 model. That said, it’s possible the Z06 won’t arrive until sometime in 2022 as a 2023 model. 

Regardless, prepare to spend a good chunk more change to get into the car. Frankly, we’ll be surprised if the Z06 stickers for anything south of $80,000. That’s pricey for a Corvette (consider the Stingray starts at $59,995). Still, compared to the 572-hp Porsche 911 Turbo, which starts at more than $170,000, the 2022 Corvette Z06 promises to be a relative steal given its performance capabilities.

Update: This post has been updated to reflect new information that indicates the 2022 Z06 will feature a naturally aspirated engine. More

An All-New Toyota Tundra for 2022

The 2022 Toyota Tundra is due to ride on the company’s latest truck chassis. Reportedly coined Toyota New Global Architecture-F (or TNGA-F), the Tundra’s body-on-frame underpinnings ought to benefit from greater use of high-strength steel and other weight-saving materials. Like the Ram 1500, we anticipate the next-gen Tundra will adopt coil springs—in place of the current truck’s leaf springs—to go with its live rear axle. Such a setup will surely improve the truck’s ride quality. Likewise, we expect the lither 2022 Tundra to notably improve upon the outgoing model’s maximum 1,730-pound payload and 10,200-pound towing figures. Of course, it will have to, with more-modern light-duty competitors offering capacities that far outstrip those dated numbers.

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Twin-Turbo 2022 Tundra

Say goodbye to the Tundra’s V-8 engines, because Toyota’s big pickup will reportedly enter the world with a V-6-only powertrain lineup. Look for higher-end Tundra variants to utilize a variant of the 416-hp 3.5-liter unit found under the hood of the Lexus LS500. Lesser Tundras will likely employ the naturally aspirated 278-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine of the Tacoma (possibly massaged to produce more than 300 horses). 

Given Toyota’s hybrid history, the brand may offer the 2022 Tundra with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain option, putting it on the vanguard in a segment that is just now warming up to electrification. Such a setup will allow the Toyota truck to properly compete with the 2021 Ford F-150 and its available hybrid powertrain.

2022 Toyota Tundra’s Truck-Like Looks

Despite its relatively radical mechanical changes, the 2022 Toyota Tundra is anticipated to evolve upon the styling of today’s truck. That’s no bad thing, as the current Tundra has finally grown into its skin—the original version looked like a four-wheeled fish of some sort—and comes across as innocuous enough, if not fully handsome. Still, look for the big Toyota truck to sport a brasher front-end design incorporating a large grille and tall hood, providing the new Tundra with a flashier mug.

Inside, the new Tundra will welcome Toyota’s latest Entune infotainment technology. This includes an available 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a large head-up display unit. Toyota’s full Safety Sense suite of goodies are sure to be available, too, including automatic braking, advanced radar cruise control, automatic lane centering and lane-keep assist, and much more. 

2022 Toyota Tundra On-Sale Date and Price

Although we expect Toyota to unveil the 2022 Tundra before the middle of next year, we don’t anticipate the model rolling forth from Toyota’s San Antonio, Texas, factory and reaching dealerships until the end of 2021. When it arrives, the 2022 Tundra may sport a base price close to that of the current truck’s approximately $35,000 figure, or the brand might reintroduce lower, less-equipment-rich trim levels to the lineup in an attempt to capture fleet or entry-level buyers. No matter what, opting for four-wheel drive, more technology, a larger cab or bed, and more powerful or advanced powertrain options will raise the truck’s cost. Plan to spend north of $55,000 to get into the 2022 Tundra’s pricier trims. More