In a push to sell more vehicles than it can by simply offering sports cars and the high-end Quattroporte sedan, the 2014 Maserati Ghibli ($TBA) aims to eat up some market share by going after the 5 Series BMW and E-Class Mercedes. Not a lot is currently known about this stylish four-door, other than it will be sportier than its larger sibling, will come with either a gas or diesel 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and either rear-wheel or the company's new Q4 all-wheel drive.
Beware, 5-Series and E-Class. The all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS ($TBA) is Caddy's third-generation mid-sized sedan, and it brings the venerable US brand even closer to its German competition with aggressive front styling, a trio of engine options — a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder good for 272 hp, a 3.6-liter V6 cranking out 321 hp, or an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 that blasts out 420 hp — and either a six- or new eight-speed automatic transmission. Other highlights include a body that's 4.2-inches longer front-to-back yet nearly an inch shorter top-to-bottom, Caddy's Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping system — the first time it's popped up on a non V version — available all-wheel drive, the CUE infotainment system, and an interior that's among the best the GM has ever produced. Coming later this year.
Some Bentleys are meant for driving, and some are well suited to serving as small limousines. The 2014 Bentley Flying Spur ($TBA) lies somewhere inbetween. Based on the Continental GT, the Flying Spur offers driver-focused features like a twin-turbocharged 6.0L W12 engine pumping out 616hp, a ZF eight-speed transimssion, a rear-biased all-wheel drive system, a computer-controlled air suspension, a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds, and a top speed of 200 mph. For those who choose to let someone else take the wheel, rear seat occupants are treated to niceties like electrically-operated rear side blinds, a bottle cooler, an available 1,100 Watt Naim audio system, a touch screen remote for controlling climate and entertainment options, heated seats, an optional built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, dual 10" screens, each with its own multimedia player, USB charging ports, and wireless headphones.
It does look quite a bit like any other C-class Benz — but a closer look at the hood should tell you that you're not dealing with any run-of-the-mill C250. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Edition 507 ($TBA) is even more powerful than the standard C63, milking 507 hp from the naturally-aspirated, 6.3L V8. All that power is good for a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph. Other features include that heat-expelling hood, taken from the Coupe Black Series, as well as light-alloy forged wheels, a sports stripe above the rocker panels, and exclusive interior and exterior liveries.
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The Rapide was already one of the fastest four-doors around, but if the standard model didn't quite do it for you under the hood, meet the Aston Martin Rapide S ($TBA). Still powered by a 6.0L V12 engine, the S offers 550 hp — 80 more than the prior version — and boasts a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph. The car also sits 19 mm lower than before, and thanks to a new Adaptive Damping System, can ensure you've got the right suspension setup for the a typical drive, a sporty drive, or the track. Thankfully, however, the sleek body has barely been touched, with a larger single grille and tweaked decklid rounding out the changes.
Is it a coupe? A sedan? A sportback? We're not really sure, because Audi uses at least two of the three to describe the 2014 Audi RS 7 ($TBA). This new sporty model features five doors, a low-slung body, quattro all-wheel drive, 20-inch wheels, and a suitably elegant interior. The real star, though, is the 4.0 TFSI engine cranking out 560hp, a number that — when combined with the standard eight-speed tiptronic transmission — enables a 0-62 time of just 3.9 seconds and a top speed of nearly 190 mph, all while offering an average fuel economy of 24 mpg.
Who said you had to give up speed to gain interior space? Available in both sedan and wagon models, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 4Matic ($TBA) has everything it needs to keep up with the fastest of sports cars. Powered by a 5.5-liter AMG V8 Biturbo, it boasts 550 hp — 577 on the S-Model — and an AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission to hurtle it from 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186 mph. Permanent all-wheel-drive ensures that power gets to the pavement, and, of course, it's still an E-class, with all the interior refinement you'd expect. Arriving this summer.
Enticed by the XKR-S, but decide that the coupe was just a little too impractical? Say hello to the 2014 Jaguar XFR-S ($99,000). The fastest, most powerful sedan Jaguar has ever produced, the XFR-S is powered by the same 5.0L supercharged V8 as its two-doored stablemate, giving it 550hp and a 0-60 mph time of just 4.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186 mph. Despite the speed, it still manages to eek out 23 mpg highway, and also features a ZF eight-speed transmission, wide 20-inch Varuna forged alloy wheels, and plenty of carbon fiber components to help reduce weight and lift. Limited to just 100 units in the U.S., it'll go on sale next summer.
When it comes to car shopping, bells and whistles sometimes drive the decision, but choosing your ultimate vehicle should come down to finding an exhilarating driving experience. The all-new Cadillac ATS offers an advanced engine lineup that's impressive for a luxury sedan and that makes driving, well, fun. Car buyers get to choose from three engines depending on their driving style and power preference: a powerful 2.0L turbo that delivers an impressive 272 HP, an award-winning 3.6L V6 engine that boasts 321 HP, or a 2.5L engine that offers an EPA-estimated 22 city/32 highway MPG. No matter which engine you choose, you can expect jaw-dropping driving dynamics that extend beyond exceptional acceleration and handling. Responsive technology like the available Adaptive Forward Lighting system that swivels the HID headlamps to illuminate your path as you turn, help the all-new Cadillac ATS bring a holistic approach to the highway — equal parts response and responsibility.
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Speed obsessed sedan lovers have another new option. Although not substantially revised from the prior model, the new Maserati Quattroporte ($TBA) does offer a sleeker roofline, frameless doors, three side windows, and a more stylish interior, with a large touchscreen display in the dash and rear entertainment monitors for backseat riders. And, if the images are any indication, a 530hp V8 engine, which would be a healthy bump over the current 425.
Who said compact cars have to come with a compact list of amenities? The 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class ($TBA) brings the build quality and interior refinement MB's known for to the compact segment, with a 1.6L or 2.0L engine offering between 115 and 211hp, hooked up to either a six-speed manual or 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission, an optional iPhone hookup that uses a special app to give you full functionality, and plenty of safety features like adaptive Brake Assist and Collision Prevention Assist. It doesn't look to shabby, either, but unfortunately for us Yankees there's been no word of a stateside release.
You've seen the video. Now drive the car. The infamous Otis Maybach ($TBA) driven by Kanye and Jay-Z in their video for the Grammy award-winning "Otis" is coming up for auction. This 2004 Maybach 57 was customized to the max, with the doors removed and mounted as wings, the front grille stuck to the back, an oversized, fire-spewing exhaust, and a crude sheet metal body kit placed over the wheels — and with all the proceeds going to benefit East African drought sufferers, you can feel a little better about spending your dough on what's now essentially a glorified golf cart.