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From Ferrari’s new SUV and next-gen Mustangs to ultra-luxury EVs and Last Call Dodges, we’ve got all the cars you need to know coming in 2023.
Next-Gen EVs And Last Hurrahs
We are at the beginning of a tectonic transition for cars. The days of internal combustion are numbered and more EVs are debuting every month. But before we are done with petrol, there are a few super exiting vehicles from the likes of Ford, Ferrari, and Dodge that are poised to give gas-power a memorable send off. Meanwhile, Cadillac is making a major move upmarket with their new flagship Celestiq EV, BMW unveils the new XM hybrid SUV, and Rolls-Royce keeps things quiet with the all-electric Specter coupe. All this and more as we explore the cars you need to know coming in 2023.
BMW XM
It has been a while since BMW had a standalone M product, over 40 years, so the upcoming BMW XM marks a serious occasion for the brand. The XM blends high-efficiency with M-worthy high-performance with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor for 644 horsepower, a zero to sixty sprint of 4.1 seconds, and 30 miles of electric-only driving. As an M-badged vehicle, handling is paramount, so the XM gets adaptive suspension, all-wheel drive, and an M Sport differential. The XM’s futuristic styling is one place where those giant kidney grilles finally make sense.
Next-Gen Mustang
The new seventh-generation Ford Mustang is set to arrive on dealership lots this summer. The GT, with a 5.0L V8 and 480 horsepower, and the EcoBoost, 2.3L turbo four-cylinder with 315 horsepower, make their returns with bumps in power. But it is the new Mustang Dark Horse variant that has enthusiasts’ attention. The Dark Horse will run a 5.0L Coyote V8 making 500 horsepower and offer an assortment of track-focused features. A revised “jet-fighter inspired” interior design centers on two large new screens, a 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster and a huge 13.2-infotainment touchscreen. Outside the new seventh-gen Mustang had bulked up, looking ever more the muscle car rather than a pony car.
Polestar 3
The Polestar 3 will be the first SUV from Volvo’s EV spin-off brand Polestar. Since SUVs are typically the money-making segment for most brands (with the likes of Ford and Mercedes phasing out cars in favor of SUVs), the Polestar 3 will be a pivotal vehicle for the company. The Polestar 3 Dual Motor starts with 489 horsepower sent to all four wheels and a standard range of 300 miles on a single charge. A Performance version dips slightly to 270 miles of range. Of course, you can expect the Polestar 3 to have a sophisticated and well-wrought interior that balances comfort with high style.
Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
The Corvette Z06 has gotten a lot of deserved attention of late. And yet, we have seen fast Corvettes before, what we have not yet seen is a hybrid one. That is why we are amped for the upcoming hybrid Corvette E-Ray. The E-Ray will make a combined 655 horsepower from its 6.2L LT2 small-block V8 and its electric all-wheel drive unit. Chevy says this will make the E-Ray the quickest accelerating Corvette zero to sixty ever, at just 2.4 seconds. Hard not to be excited about this one.
Toyota Crown
Toyota’s replacement for the out-going Avalon sedan is the new Crown hybrid. The Crown is a hybrid in more ways than one. In addition to its 2.4L engine and electric motor (producing 340 horsepower), the Crown’s design mixes that of a traditional large sedan and a crossover for a love-it-or-hate-it in between typified by a high belt line and a tall seating position. Styling is sharp without being over done (see much of Toyota’s current lineup) and lends itself nicely to the semi-premium positioning of the Crown.
Fisker Ocean
The long-awaited release of EV-startup Fisker’s first vehicle is upon us. The Fisker Ocean electric SUV is set for delivery early this year. Fisker made sure to distinguish their new EV from the crowd by giving the Ocean unique features like a solar panel roof, a rotating 17.1-inch touchscreen, and a power rear window in the hatch. Most significant of all, however, is the starting price of just under $40,000.
Dodge King Daytona Charger
Dodge, the most die-hard of muscle car marks, has announced their intentions to swap gas for electric power. As part of that transition, they are having internal combustion go out with a bang with their Last Call series of special edition Dodges. Though orders have been delayed, the Last Call Dodges should be available for order later this year. Among the list of intriguing names like the Charger Super Bee and Challenger Black Ghost is the one we are most stoked about, the King Daytona Charger. With its screaming supercharged 6.2L V8, Dodge says this Charger will make 807 horsepower, making it the most powerful factory-built Charger ever.
Rolls-Royce Specter
The new Rolls-Royce Specter replaces the Phantom coupe, with a new all-electric two-door with all the ultra-luxury appointments you have come to expect from most premium of premium car brands. The electric drivetrain’s 577 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque feels par for the Rolls-Royce course. But power has always been ample yet secondary to the “magic carpet” ride quality, or as Rolls-Royce describes it “perfect waft-ability.” Production is slated for late 2023.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Mercedes-Benz began their electrification journey with their flagship S-Class, creating its all-electric analogue the EQS sedan. Now for 2023, Mercedes-Benz is taking those electric motors and applying them to their bread-and-butter SUVs, starting with the new EQS SUV. The ESQ SUV rides on the same platform and shares the same wheelbase as the sedan version but offers a larger interior space, upright SUV seating, and the option of a third row and seating for up to seven. The EQS SUV comes in two flavors, the base 450+ with 355 horsepower and 305 miles of range and the 580 with 536 horsepower and 285 miles of range. Of course, there’s Mercedes new dash-spanning 56-inch Hyperscreen and loads of other tech and luxury conveniences you have come to expect from the German brand.
Porsche Macan EV
Another German premium brand, another new all-electric SUV. In the case of Porsche, it is their smallest crossover, the Macan that is getting a new all-electric powertrain, set to replace internal combustion for the nameplate by 2024. The next-generation Macan will get new styling outside and a revamped interior, aligning with the Taycan and 911, inside. The new EV powertrain will be offered as either a single motor rear-wheel drive version or a dual-motor all-wheel drive version. Porsche has yet to release exact figures, but the Macan will carry the same 800-volt system as the Taycan but offer a greater total range. We will make sure to keep you posted on the new Porsche Macan EV, as details emerge.
Ferrari Purosangue
Before Ferrari can electrify their SUV, they have to have an SUV. Enter the all-new, first ever SUV Ferrari, the Purosangue (yep, Italian for “pure blood”). Forget electric motors for this one, Ferrari is keeping things real with a naturally-aspirated 6.5L V12 under the hood. Output is a staggering 715 horsepower and 528 lb-ft of torque, and a blitz from zero to sixty in 3.3 seconds. Standard adaptive suspension ensures the Purosangue handles as well as it hustles. It’s been a long time in coming for a Ferrari SUV, but the Purosangue looks to have been worth the wait.
Cadillac Celestiq
The upcoming Cadillac Celestiq will be the brands flagship for their push into electrification. Billed as an “ultra-luxury EV,” the Celestiq will eclipse new luxury EVs from Mercedes-Benz and BMW and home squarely in on Rolls-Royce’s and Bentley’s ultra-luxury territory. The four-seat hatchback design looks like a direct translation of a designer’s most fanciful sketches, and a targeted 600 horsepower and 300 miles of range look to keep the Celestiq competitive with the best luxury EVs. A reported $300,000 price tag makes it clear Cadillac is serious about reoccupying the very top of the automotive marketplace.
Dodge Hornet
At the opposite end of the electrification spectrum is the all-new Dodge Hornet. Dodge has gotten the memo on the value play of resurrecting beloved nameplates and so chose the Hornet badge for their new mass-market crossover. A turbocharged four-cylinder (265 horsepower) comes standard as is decent enough, but the real story for the Hornet is the R/T model’s plug-in hybrid powertrain that offers 286 horsepower and 30 miles of electric only range. We are intrigued to see how the Hornet stacks up in the highly competitive crossover segment.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Hyundai/Kia have made bold steps into the electric vehicle market in the past year, with the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, and 2023 looks to continue the trend. The new Ioniq 6 is the big brother sedan to the slighter Ioniq 5 SUV. Like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 has no shortage of style with slippery aerodynamics and futuristic touches that feel better integrated than many of today’s hey-look-I’m-an-EV designs. Great looks and great tech pair with the Ioniq 6’s biggest headline, an impressive 361-mile top range. As Hyundai/Kia begin rolling out performance versions of their new EVs, like the Kia EV6 GT, we cannot wait for the inevitable Ioniq 6 N to blow our socks off.
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