Whether you are a youngster about to take your license test, a young professional looking to make a good impression at work, or a soon-to-be retiree thinking about cruising around in your golden years, you’re no doubt wondering what your future car may be. The automotive industry is an ever-evolving beast, and the newest cars are always pushing the boundaries with their technology and design philosophies. New cars coming out offer more variety in configuration than ever before, not to mention modern features in the areas of comfort, infotainment, and safety. It is difficult to speculate on the future of cars, with each manufacturer following its own roadmap to success, but smarter tech and more efficient power plants are definitely in the cards.
We cannot help but speculate on cool future cars. Many of us grew up on 80s sci-fi films where writers and directors had some pretty crazy ideas. And while a time-traveling Delorian is probably out of the question, many of us still have our fingers crossed for a flying car. But back in the real world, it is electric powertrains that are the focus for most engineers. And, of course, do not forget about advanced tech like autonomous driving. We already have fully automated parking and semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control, but there are probably more than a few lawmakers in the US that are dreading the inevitable coming of truly driverless systems. And while this is still something to wait for, there are already plenty of exciting ideas on the whiteboards in the secret rooms of automakers around the world.
Many brands have already shown concepts for upcoming vehicles, like the BMW i4, Tesla Roadster, and Lexus LF-FC. But what exactly do we expect from these models, and what are the engineers working on? With the success of larger vehicles like crossovers in the states, upcoming cars in the USA should have more spacious interiors and some pretty impressive tech. The new Cadillac Escalade boasts absolutely enormous infotainment screens, and it would not be unreasonable for this to become a trend on luxury options before trickling down to cheaper options. Tesla has already pioneered the spartan cabin with large touchscreen displays for a tangible futuristic vibe. But it is not just the interiors that are undergoing serious changes. EVs are the perfect example for hyper-modern exteriors, with completely different grilles than we are used to.
It was only relatively recently that rearview cameras became standard equipment on all the latest cars manufactured in America, and it is not unreasonable to hope that rear view camera mirrors or surround-view cameras follow suit. The trend towards enormous displays around the cabin is a factor here, too. Almost all modern autos come standard with, or offer, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of their infotainment systems, but future vehicles should accommodate a variety of different platforms as they become mainstream applications. Safety shall also take a more prominent role in design. Autonomous driving only ever truly works in conjunction with top-of-the-line detection systems, advanced braking assist, and interconnected communication functions.
While we do not have all the details, some automakers have disseminated spec sheets and some pricing information on their projects. Of course, there is plenty of speculation based on similar past offerings. Here is a list of some of the prices that have been confirmed for upcoming cars in the US.
Model | Power | Engine | Base Price |
---|---|---|---|
2023 Maserati Grecale | 296 hp | 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas | $63,500 |
2023 Lotus Eletre | TBC | TBC | TBC |
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV | TBC | TBC | TBC |
2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
2023 Audi Q6 e-tron | TBC | TBC | TBC |
2023 Cadillac Escalade IQ | TBC | Electric | TBC |
2023 BMW i7 | 536 hp | Electric | TBC |
2023 BMW X8 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale | 256 hp | 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas | TBC |
Regardless of fuel type, the newest automobiles will have all the gadgets we’ve been salivating over for the past few years. Power and better fuel economy are both likely to see improvements, too, but this will impact price. Still, there is definitely going to be something to suit just about every buyer.
Model | Power | Engine | Base Price |
---|---|---|---|
2023 Nissan Z | 400 hp | 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 Gas | $39,990 |
2023 Toyota bZ4X | 201 hp | Electric | $42,000 |
2022 Rimac Nevera | 1,914 hp | Electric | $2,400,000 |
2023 Kia Carnival | 290 hp | 3.5L V6 Gas | $32,600 |
2023 Cadillac Lyriq | TBC | Electric | $59,990 |
2022 Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron | 295 hp | Electric | $52,700 |
2023 Mazda CX-50 | 187 hp | 2.5L Inline-4 Gas | $26,800 |
2023 BMW i4 | 335 hp | Electric | $55,900 |
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport | 1,600 hp | 8.0L Quad-Turbo W16 | $3,900,000 |