We don’t know what it’ll be called, but it looks like the hottest version of the CT5 will get a stick.
CADILLAC
When Cadillac ditched the 6.2-liter, fire-breathing CTS-V and launched a 3.0-liter, 360-hpCT5-V, the company’s performance sedan lineup suddenly looked a lot less potent. Shortly after that, we learned that there were still “real V” cars coming, with different badges. Now, we know that the CT5-V^2 (or whatever it’ll be called) will offer something the latest CTS-V never did: an honest-to-God manual transmission.
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This was rumored before, but new spy shots from The Drive are pretty damning evidence that a three-pedal option is coming. Spy videos featuring the CT5’s top performance trim have also featured distinctive V-8 exhaust sounds, suggesting that—though the Blackwing engine may not fit—the CT5 will offer eight-cylinder power.RELATED STORY Cadillac Has No Current Plans for the V-8
All of this suggests that a V-8, manual, rear-wheel-drive sports sedan will once again be available soon. Considering our love for the BMW E39 M5, the Chevy SS, and the manual second-generation CTS-V, this is great news. And considering that the CT5-V in its current form is already an impressive-to-drive sports sedan, Cadillac may end up making something truly great.
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It’s also nice to see the return of this combination for Cadillac. For the better part of the last decade, Cadillac made amazing chassis, good manual sports sedans, and fantastic small-block V-8 powertrains. But, the ATS-V always felt a V-8 away from being one of the all-time greats, while the latest CTS-V felt let down by its mid-pack automatic transmission.
No matter what they call it, it seems like the V-8 CT5 will finally nail the combination.
With a new rear-drive architecture and up to 375 horsepower on tap, it sounds like a fun time.
Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand, revealed its all-new mid-size G80 sedan last night. Set to compete against cars like the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Audi A6, it brings some stunning looks, a new rear-wheel-drive design, and two turbo powertrains to the table. We’re interested.
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The G80’s looks are pure Genesis. It uses the same upside-down pentagon grille and quad-rectangle headlight design as the company’s GV80 SUV. It’s no coincidence the two cars also share the same platform. The car is 249 pounds lighter than before thanks to use of aluminum in the chassis, and comes with a choice of two turbocharged engines: a base 2.5-liter inline-four making 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and an optional twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 making 375 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. Overseas, a 2.2-liter turbodiesel inline-four making 210 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque will also be available. Sadly, the 5.0-liter V-8 from the last-gen car is no longer an option. Both engine trims coming to the U.S. will send power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and can be equipped with all-wheel drive.
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The interior is a major step up, with a clean, minimalist design and some upscale materials. The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is paired to a massive 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted on top of the dash. Thankfully, there are still some real buttons underneath for the climate control. There’s also a bunch of safety tech onboard, including smart cruise control with “machine learning,” forward collision assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Genesis says the G80 won’t arrive at dealerships until the second half of this year. It hasn’t released pricing for the new G80, though our colleagues at Car and Driver predict a starting price under $50,000 and a fully optioned price around $70,000.
Unfortunately, the GT350R could be on the chopping block.
The Ford Mustang Bullitt is on its way out. While the McQueen-inspired trim was fantastic, it was always planned to be a two-year special edition. The good news is that, based on Ford’s NHTSA VIN decoder filing, it’ll be replaced by the Mustang Mach 1.RELATED STORY2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt: First Drive
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Like Bullitt, Mach 1 is a name Ford has used in the past to split the difference between the mass-market GT and the high-performance Shelby Mustang. The NHTSA filing lists the Mach 1 as making its official return, plus Ford will be offering two versions of the 5.0-liter V-8 in the 2021 Mustang.
Ford’s VIN Decoder for the 2021 MustangSCREENSHOT: NHTSA.GOV
Considering the Bullitt used the same basic engine but offered 20 extra horsepower over the GT, it’s safe to assume that the second version of the 5.0 will go in the Mach 1. The Bullitt was offered in manual only and came in just two colors: green and black. There’s no word on color or aesthetic details, but expect a wider color palette with a graphics package that mirrors the 1969 version.
Sadly, this leaked order document does not mention a 2021 version of the Shelby GT350 or Shelby GT350R. There’s only one tune of the 5.2-liter V-8 mentioned and, since the 5.2-powered GT500 is listed on the VIN sheet, it’s like the 760-hp, cross-plane crank GT500 motor. The flat-plane Voodoo engine, also a 5.2, might be on its way out.
The GT350R was Road & Track’s 2016 Performance Car of the Year and is still one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. Dropping it from the Mustang lineup would be a hell of a loss.
Bentley’s surprise for the now-cancelled Geneva Motor Show has finally arrived. Meet the Bacalar, an ultra-limited two-seat convertible with tons of bespoke design touches and a 650-horsepower W-12 engine.
The Bacalar takes much of its design inspiration from the EXP 100 GT, Bentley’s 100th-anniversary concept grand tourer from last year. Each headlight has a strip of light that tapers into the front fender, while the grille has been split into two sections. The rear exudes sportiness, with wide taillights and an integrated lip spoiler. Sporting a true open-air barchetta design—there seems to be no folding roof—Bentley says it shares no body panels with any other model in its lineup. The only exterior part shared with the Continental GT is the door handle, simply because it houses the keyless entry module.
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The doors of the Bacalar are made from carbon fiber, while the rear clamshell is aluminum. Bentley says it even used 3D printing to shape some of the exterior pieces. The car’s rear track is 0.79 inches wider than the Continental GT’s, for a more muscular look. Those striking wheels? They’re each 22 inches in diameter.
Inside, occupants will be greeted to a new wrap-around dashboard with a sloped center console. There’s a newly shaped steering wheel, a ton of high-quality materials, and a handful of newly integrated features not seen in any other Bentley. According to the company, the Riverwood on the dash “has been preserved for 5000 years in peat bogs, lakes, and rivers found in the Fenlands of East Anglia, England.”
Under the hood of the Bacalar sits Bentley’s familiar 6.0-liter W-12 engine, which also powers the Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Bentayga. Here, it’s making 650 horsepower and 667 lb-ft of torque. It’s connected to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic driving all four wheels. There’s also a 48-volt mild hybrid system attached to power the adaptive air suspension system.
Bentley is building just 12 Bacalars, and they’ve all already been spoken for. The car is a launching point for the company’s new coach-building division, which will build more ultra-limited bespoke cars like this one, as well as things like the recently-announced Bentley Blower recreation.
Designed specifically to go fast in a straight line, the Jesko Absolut is the ultimate high-speed Koenigsegg.
Swedish hypercar builder Koenigsegg always has something crazy for the Geneva Motor Show. But even though this year’s event was canceled, the company still revealed its latest machine in a video shot on the empty show floor. Meet the Jesko Absolut, the low-drag version of its newest hypercar.
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“This is the fastest Koenigsegg we will ever endeavor to make,” said company founder Christian von Koenigsegg. Last year, Koenigsegg showed off the Jesko in track-ready form. This year’s Jesko is the “high-speed” version, which has a remarkably low drag coefficient of 0.278. Output from the twin-turbo V-8 is the same, at 1600 horsepower and 1106 lb-ft of torque. It gets to the rear wheels via the same wacky seven-clutch, nine-speed gearbox.
KOENIGSEGG
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The big changes here come in the body. Up front, the bumper canards have been deleted, as has the hood vent. That massive wing from the track-focused Jesko has been removed, and the rear bumper has been totally reworked. The wheels are different out back, too. It’s all in the name of straight-line speed.
Koenigsegg says he doesn’t yet know where or how it will test the Jesko Absolut’s top speed, but the company is currently working on a solution. Considering the Agera RS was able to pull off 277 mph on a public roadway, we have big expectations.
If you don’t want to wait for the GT cars to come out, Porsche will sell a more hardcore version of the current top-dog 992.
PORSCHE
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While 992-generation Porsche 911s are now on sale, hardcore enthusiasts are still waiting on the more serious models to arrive. Sure, you can get the fantastic Carrera S and will soon be able to order the fire-breathing, 640-hp 911 Turbo S, but those are wicked quick luxury sports cars. Stripped-out track cars like the GT3 and GT2RS aren’t yet available for this generation, so until they are, you might have to settle for a Turbo S with the new Lightweight and Sport packages.RELATED STORY Why the New 911 Turbo S Got Such a Big Power Boost
The Lightweight Package, announced Tuesday in a press release, shaves 66 pounds from the standard Turbo S, with trimmer acoustic glass, lightweight front bucket seats, reduced sound deadening, and a rear-seat delete. It also includes performance options like the PASM Sport Suspension and Sport Exhaust System—two options I’d spec on every 911. In essence, the Lightweight Package is the enthusiast-oriented, sporty option pack for the Turbo S.
I assumed that the “comprehensive Sport Package” Porsche announced would have filled that role, but it’s not quite as performance-focused as the Lightweight Package. Instead, it focuses on adding additional visual flair on top of the already available Sport Design Package. That means that—in addition to the Sport Design side flairs, front fascia, and rear deployable wing—you also get extra gloss black accents, dark silver wheels, and taillights in what Porsche calls “a special design.” No pictures have been released, so I’ll have to withhold judgment on the taillights, wheels, and black trim.
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Coupe models with the Sport Package also get a carbon fiber roof, though the package (sans carbon roof) is still available for the cabriolet. The Lightweight Package is coupe only, though.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but Porsche’s weight-saving and design options rarely come cheap. Given that the carbon-fiber roof alone costs nearly $4000, assume both packages’ prices will land well north of that figure.
A good luxury car can improve your daily drive dramatically with more comfort, better performance and an overall higher-quality vehicle compared with something from a volume brand. It’s also not a bad way to show off a little if you’ve reached a point in your life where you have some extra money to spend on a car.
A $50,000 budget can go a long way when shopping for a new luxury vehicle. Here are eight great new luxury cars you can find on Autotrader for less than $50,000 for 2020.
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Alfa Romeo Giulia
If you’re looking for something outside the norm of luxury sedans, the Alfa Romeo Giulia has some exotic flair that its competitors don’t. Not only is it a great car to look at, but it has sharp handling, roomy and supportive front seats and a gutsy base engine. The midrange Ti model can be had for less than $50,000 and it includes an upgraded 8.8-in infotainment system over the base trim, plus heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and front parking sensors.
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Audi TT
Audis aren’t known for having low sticker prices, but the Audi TT is one of the more affordable options in luxury sports cars. The TT blends style, performance and luxury in a satisfying way. The interior is one of the best in its competitive class, and so is its infotainment system. The excellent handling and stout turbocharged base engine of the TT make it fun in the corners, but this Audi is also a surprisingly comfortable grand touring car. You can get either the coupe or the convertible in the base trim for less than $50,000.
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BMW M240i
Even the pickiest BMW purists seem to agree that the current generation of the BMW 2 Series is a venerable return to form as a true driver’s car for BMW. It’s not too big, it’s available as a coupe or a convertible, and it has all of the virtues that people love about classic BMW models, like lively engines, outstanding handling and a simple, driver-focused interior. You can’t get an M2 for less than $50,000, but what you can get in this price range is the next best thing: the M240i. It has a lively twin-turbo inline-6 engine, plus upgraded brakes, an upgraded exhaust and an upgraded suspension. And yes, a manual transmission is available at no extra cost.
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Cadillac CT5-V
The Cadillac CT5 is the American luxury brand’s new midsize sedan offering, replacing the outgoing CTS. The CT5 is classy and comfortable, and you can upgrade to the high-performance CT5-V while keeping the price under $50,000. It’s not quite the barn-burner that the CTS-V was, but it’s still a respectable sports sedan with a twin-turbo V6 making 360 horsepower, plus you get GM’s outstanding Magnetic Ride control, a performance suspension and sporty aesthetic upgrades.
Genesis G80
If you’re looking for strong value in midsize luxury sedans, don’t forget to check out the Genesis G80. Formerly known as the Hyundai Genesis, the G80 takes on more established competitors in the luxury car world and impresses with strong performance, a comfortable interior and a generous helping of modern technology. The base model is well equipped with a brawny V6 engine, an excellent infotainment system and a lot of standard safety tech, and you can even upgrade to all-wheel drive while still keeping the price well under $50,000.
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Lexus ES 300h
The Lexus ES Hybrid takes one of the most comfortable and practical midsize luxury cars and boosts its fuel economy numbers to an outstanding rating of 43 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. Upgrading the hybrid won’t cost you too much extra over the nonhybrid model. In fact, you can go all the way up to the Ultra Luxury trim and still keep the price tag under $50,000. The Ultra Luxury model gets you upgraded leather seating, which is heated and ventilated in the front, a hands-free power trunk lid and much more. A generous suite of driver assistance technology comes standard on every Lexus ES Hybrid.
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Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental takes the best parts of Lincoln’s heritage and puts it in a thoroughly modern package. This big, comfy cruiser has a style and a presence that only an American luxury sedan can have. It’s not often that a luxury brand’s flagship sedan starts at less than $50,000, but the Continental is a serious value proposition in this segment. You’ll only be able to get the base trim at this price point, but the Standard trim is well equipped with 10-way power adjustable heated front seats, remote start and the excellent SYNC 3 infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
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Mercedes-Benz C 300
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has long been a benchmark in compact luxury cars, and the current W205 generation of the car is no exception. The C 300 is one of the best new luxury cars for its elegant styling inside and out, its long list of standard and available features and its lineup of outstanding engine choices. You can get the sedan or the coupe for less than $50,000, and if you opt for the base C300 sedan, you’ll have some extra room in your budget to add a few option packages and make it your own.
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