The question I always ask myself. What will I be driving next? I found a list of the top 12 cars that you should consider for 2012. Personally, I like the Jeep!
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
While we’ve heard reports that the SRT (or SRT8, depending on whom you trust) will get as much as 500 hp from its new 6.4-liter Hemi V8, we’re at least certain that the SRT is actually coming, and likely to arrive late this summer. If it’s anything like the already deeply impressive Grand, the SRT8 is going to be both refined and scary fast, with a predicted eight-speed transmission and at a price (roughly $45,000) that deeply undercuts the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and other performance crossovers.
2012 Hyundai Veloster
Hyundai is pulling a very neat trick with its Veloster. It’s a slightly larger car inside than the Scion tC (and Mini Clubman or Honda CR-Z hybrid). Yet thanks to a very low 2,600-pound curb weight—400 pounds less than the tC— it’s said to get up to 40 mpg from its directly injected, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. That would best Honda’s CR-Z numbers without necessity of hybrid technology, and with the benefit of a bigger cabin. One oddity: Access to the interior is a bit quirky, with one door on the driver’s side, but both front and rear doors on the passenger side. Remember that weight? Fewer doors allow a carmaker to reduce structural reinforcements, and that keeps down bulk. And a low weight allows an increase in fun factor—indeed, Hyundai is promising greater sportiness than its rivals. Can the Veloster “out-fun” a Mini? Hmm, we’re not sure, but Hyundai is promising a tighter turning circle than even a base Mini Cooper and a sophisticated, buttoned-down-sounding suspension. Transmissions include Hyundai’s first dual-clutch six speed (hopefully with paddles) or a six-speed manual. Pricing should be in the $20,000 range.
2012 Toyota/Subaru FT-86 Sports Car
The joint-project sports car from Toyota and Subaru is now getting far enough along to report at least the following, even though we’re certain much will change. The car is said to be very light, and to use at least two versions of Subaru’s flat, 2.0-liter four, with output purported to be around 200 hp in the RWD Toyota model and 250 hp in the Subaru version. Toyota’s edition bows first, reportedly late this year, and not as a Toyota, but as a Scion, with the name FR-S. The Subie, if it comes to these shores, won’t arrive until mid-2012 at the soonest. Pricing for the SubaScion is expected to be in the mid-$20K range.
2012 ZL1 Camaro
A hot Camaro is coming and will be powered by the Cadillac CTS-V’s 6.2-liter V8 with roughly 550 hp. Given how the Camaro SS with a 6.2-liter V8 that puts out a mere 426 hp can already clock a 0-to-60-mph sprint in less than 5 seconds, the ZL1 is going to be scary fast. This Camaro will go toe-to-toe with Ford’s Shelby GT500—and BMW M3 and Porsche 911 owners should watch their rearviews too. Price? We’d guess between $42,000 and $48,000.
2013 Ford Focus ST
The new Focus is at last debuting in the U.S., with a 2.0-liter, direct-injected, 160-hp motor and variable valve timing, as well as a five-speed manual. But, the car to wait for is the 2013 Focus ST, which debuts in early 2012. It gets a six-speed manual with the same EcoBoost (turbocharged) 2.0-liter as the much larger Edge and Explorer and will be good for somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 hp, which puts it in league with hot hatches like the MazdaSpeed3 and beyond the output of the VW GTI. Ford is also promising a tauter suspension and meatier tires as well as bigger brakes to go with all that horsepower. Expect to pay at least $25,000.
Read more: Best New Cars for 2012 – 12 Cool Cars Worth Waiting For – Popular Mechanics
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