Perfect Cars Awaiting

1. Acura NSX
Now expected to appear as an early 2010 model displaying only a hint of the style seen in Acura’s 2007 Advanced Sports Car Concept, the next NSX will have a 5.0-5.5L/500-550-hp V-10 up front, a six-speed dual-clutch manual gearbox, and all of it feeding power to the ground through a new version of Acura’s SH-AWD. Expect a six-figure sticker price.
2. Aston Martin Rapide
The new owners of this storied brand – besides having just won the GT1 class at Le Mans – have announced they’re pressing ahead with the Rapide, a hyper-elegant sedan version of the DB9. The V-12 powertrain will remain juiced to around 470 horses. It’s beautiful and rare, but will it be worth nearly double the cost of Porsche’s upcoming Panamera?
3. Chevrolet Camaro
We’ve been watching for this one a long time now, but it should be worth the wait. The Global RWD architecture that underpins Chevy’s reborn muscle machine is solid stuff, as will be a variety of V-8 and V-6 powertrains. The coupe arrives in early 2009, the convertible as a 2010 model, and a high-horse SS is expected, too.
4. Chevrolet Corvette “Blue Devil”
A hundred grand for a Vette? With 625-650 horsepower, alloy chassis, and lightweight bodywork, it may well be worth it. GM has kept a good lid on the “Blue Devil” Corvette (which may be called the SS when it finally arrives), but info is beginning to leak out. Don’t expect it before late 2008 or early 2009.
5. Hyundai Genesis
On sale this fall, the production version of Hyundai’s Concept Genesis (shown) promises to shake up the entry-lux sedan ranks big time. Based on a new RWD premium platform architecture, it’ll offer a 3.8L/270-hp V-6 and 4.6-L/300-325-hp V-8, ZF six-speed automatic, and a full array of luxury and safety kit, but start “well-below US$30,000.”
6. Jaguar XF
This edgy new sedan can’t arrive soon enough, as the S-Type goes back to the dawn of the New Millennium. The C-XF concept version (shown), and the production variant will be revealed soon. We’re hearing it may be all V-8-powered, with base, supercharged, and high-performance supercharged powerplants. The XF comes to market this fall.
7. Lexus LF-A
Envisioned as a true Ferrari fighter, the sleek LF-A (prototype pictured) is expected to bow for model year 2010. This front-mid-engine/rear-drive ultracoupe is likely to carry a high-tech V-10 with 500-600 horsepower, have a six-speed rear-mounted transaxle, be able to top 200 mph, and ultimately offer a V-8-based hybrid variant. Expect plenty of lux along with supercar performance.
8. Lincoln MKS
This one won’t be as “worth waiting for” as it could’ve been, because Ford has dumped the Yamaha V-8 version. We don’t understand why: Midsize sport sedans from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and crosstown rival Cadillac have V-8s. But a turbocharged V-6 should come close performance-wise, and the Volvo S80-based, AWD platform is a good one.
9. Nissan GT-R
This marque’s much-anticipated supercoupe will pack a 450-horse twin-turbo V-6 of around 3.7 liters, AWD, a six- (or seven) speed dual clutch/auto-clutch gearbox with paddle shifters, and 20-inch wheels. Its performance sights will be set squarely on the Porsche 911 Turbo. The wait is nearly over, as its public reveal takes place at the Tokyo show in October.
10. Ford Shelby GT Convertible
We’ll be drowning in cool Mustangs this year and next. The Shelby GT will be offered in ragtop form for 2008, and Ford will launch another round of Bullitt-edition Mustangs for next year, too. Development continues on the Shelby GT500KR, and Ford will give the Mustang lineup a midlife update for 2009.