Now that the festive and New Year activities have more or less come to a close, and we are all (kind of) back into the swing of things we can look forward to the year ahead, and in terms of upcoming cars in 2012 there is a lot of reason to smile and get very excited. Especially if you are lucky enough to be genuinely thinking about buying, or already have ordered, one of the cars we are about to mention!
We start with America’s special offers this year. Ford look certain to launch a new Mustang GT500. The name alone evokes a feverish excitement deep within a petrol heads stomach whilst also creating some very sweaty palms. Remember the original GT500 that was showcased in Jerry Bruckheimer’s Gone in Sixty Seconds remake? Well this new, modern version is set to come with over 600bhp and around 600 lb-ft torque. This astonishing performance comes from a 5.8 litre powerhouse.
Ford have also been hard at work designing an aerodynamic body in order to make it as fast as possible in a straight line as they aim to smash the 200mph barrier. Be sure also that it will be fitted with one tasty sounding stainless steel exhaust system that will burble and shake the fillings from your teeth.
Also from America comes the new Dodge Viper which is expected to be fitted with an 8.7 litre V10 that will also produce more than 600bhp. Prototype Vipers have been reportedly blasting round the Nurburgring at some rate and so anticipation is building for the release of what should be a European supercar beater. Watch out Ferrari and Lamborghini!
Speaking of European supercars, there is a new Pagani on its way. The difficult to pronounce Huayra has been delayed since the end of 2010 and this has led to increased expectations and excitement for what should hopefully be the release of Zonda’s replacement.
The Zonda was, and still is, a truly awesome supercar. It had everything, beauty, power, performance, garishness and pizzazz, and so with the Huayra set to replace it, we would hope the new model would be even better! That is certainly a tough task but Pagani have obviously been hard at work and will only release the new car when they are more than happy with the end product, and when, in their eyes, it is a true Zonda vanquisher.
There is also a new Bugatti set to arrive in 2012. The Galibier is expected to have over 1000bhp and is currently looking like a four door Veyron. It is almost certain that it will be the fastest four door saloon the world has ever seen, and in typical Bugatti style will come with a big WOW factor. It will be loud, fast, grand, and fierce whilst also being able to settle down for a long, executive cruise. Perhaps a Bentley defeater? Or a Rolls Royce slayer? Expect the Bugatti to be quite a chunk more expensive however…
There are, of course, many more cars that will get tails wagging throughout 2012, stand by for reviews and previews here on the Longlife blog.
Happy New Year!
