The 2018 model year has been good to us so far. And it’s only just started showering us with gifts. And, while there’s bound to be a few more illustrious arrivals by the time all is said and done, it’s now time to focus on the most badass new cars 2018 has given us already. After all, 2017 is now practically behind us. And who can wait for the mid-year models anyway?! This isn’t a list of the best new cars, though. This is a list of the most exciting new vehicles that will star the early 2018 car shows. And those that have already done that during the late 2017. Sports cars, supercars, grand tourers, luxury vehicles, track-focused cars… You name them, they’re likely here. But don’t take my word for it. See for yourselves.
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Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Mopar‘s latest quarter-mile drag beast aims to become one of the most iconic American cars ever to have seen the light of day. With 840 horsepower at tap thanks to a special 6.2L supercharged Dodge SRT Demon V8 engine, the Dodge Challenger Demon already is one of the most powerful American cars ever produced. But can this Mopar actually utilize its full potential? Well, according to disclosed figures, it most certainly can. Thanks to its grippy, fat tires that grab on to asphalt like a drunkard holds on to his bottle, the Challenger Demon eats quarter-miles in mid nines and hits 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds. If that doesn’t earn it a badass status, then I don’t know what does?!
Lamborghini Urus
Urus might not be the first ever Lambo’s SUV, but Italians are certainly hoping it’ll fare much better than the infamous LM002. Exotic, 641-horsepower V8-powered SUV crossover hasn’t yet been released to the general population, but it’s due for 2018 regardless. Priced at around $200,000, the Urus should easily earn the badass status we’re trying to promote here. After all, the 4,850 pounder already claims the top speed of 190 mph and 0 to 60 mph acceleration of around 3.5 seconds.
Porsche 911 GT2 RS
How can a 690-horsepower Porsche not be one of the most exciting new arrivals for 2018? The 911 GT2 RS achieves that total thanks to a 3.8L twin-turbo flat-six. And not only that. Dedicated track car also reaches 60 mph from standstill in just 2.7 seconds, while maxing out at 210 mph. Knowing how good Porsches handle corners, the GT2 RS looks like a no brainer when listing potentially the quickest sports cars out there. After all, it is the most powerful and most brutal 911 ever produced. At least for now. It also costs around $300,000, on the other hand, but that’s a small price to pay for one of the most exciting cars of the year…right?
Jeep Wrangler (JL)
The Jeep Wrangler is rightfully among the most iconic American nameplates. 2018 is being kind to the Willys Jeep successor as all-new model lurks just around the corner. The JL generation of arguably the best dedicated off-road SUV on the market plays on a nostalgia card. The JL Wrangler will reminisce the TJ generation which ran between 1997 and 2006. At least its raked grille and round headlights will. Otherwise, it’s the same good old Wrangler. Similar to its predecessor or not, it’s still one of the most anticipated vehicles of the model year 2018.
Ford Mustang
The sixth gen Mustang has been around since 2015 and it was high time for an update. The 2018 Ford Mustang finally brings the first substantial refresh to what seems like an ageless design. Apart from rejuvenating cosmetic changes, the new Mustang also brings a few technical changes. Most notable of which is dropping of the V6. Other than that, new models boast an increase in power, new optional 10-speed auto transmission, retuned dampers, new anti-roll bars, and revised rear suspension bushings. The 2018 Mustang is arguable one of the most badass cars ever made. Now, all we have to do is to sit back and await the Camaro’s response.
BMW Z4
The new Z4 is still in the works. Alongside its mechanical twin that’s supposed to become the next-gen Toyota Supra. While Japanese version of the car certainly garners more attention, it’s the BMW that’ll come first. The new Z4 prototype has already debuted during the summer 2017 and production model is supposed to feature as much as 80% of its concept’s parts. A lineup of turbocharged 4 and 6 cylinders is also in the works, but old school manual transmission is nowhere to be found, it would seem.
Lotus Evora GT430 Sport
British sports car already came in too many iterations to count prior to late 2017, but Lotus still decided to expand Evora’s lineup for the 2018 model year. The new Lotus Evora GT430 has thus received an even sportier sibling. As if 430 horsepower in a car weighing only 2,773 pounds wasn’t sporty enough. The Evora GT430 Sport drops conventional GT430’s rear wing and front splitter. That really messes up Evora’s downforce figures, but allows the top speed to rise to 196 mph. That, in turn, makes it the fastest and most powerful Lotus ever produced, and easily one of the most exciting cars of the era.
Ferrari Portofino
Say goodbye to the Ferrari California T and say hello to the all-new Ferrari Portofino. The latest supercar from Maranello has some large shoes to fill, but it shouldn’t have too much trouble doing it. After all, it carries over the same 3.9L twin-turbo V8 setup from its predecessor, albeit with a remapped ECU, a new intake system, redesigned pistons, revamped connecting rods, and an improved exhaust system. The new entry-level Ferrari grand tourer will reportedly be able to reach 60 mph from standstill in 3.5 seconds and max out at 199 mph. Not surprising considering it’ll have as much as 591 hp and 561 lb-ft of twist.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Recently revealed Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful ‘Vette ever produced. What will surely be in contention for the best new car of 2018, packs a whole of 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque thanks to something GM likes to call the LT5. The LT5 is actually nothing other than the 6.2L LT4 V8 with a 52% larger blower sitting atop of it. Chevy’s pride and joy will be available come springtime 2018, and it’ll start from $123,995. Quite a hefty price tag for a GM car, but the Corvette ZR1 is not your average GM car – it’s one of the most badass cars ever. It can potentially reach 212 mph, after all.
Kia Stinger
Koreans look out of place among all these Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, but you gotta hand it to them. They’ve earned their entry fair and square. Or rather the Stinger has. Kia’s luxury sports sedan offers incredible value for money, starting from $41,450 and all. It comes with two choices of engines – one for efficiency and one for power. Efficient one develops 255 horsepower, while more powerful option yields 365 ponies. If you’re into specifics, former one is a turbocharged 2.0L inline four, while latter unit is a 3.3L twin-turbo V6.
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT C
Like any Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, the GT C also offers unparalleled performance and extremely good handling capability. The GT C comes in both the coupe and roadster forms with former starting from $146,000 and latter costing at least $159,000. Both pack 550 ponies via a 4.0L twin turbo AMG V8 mill. It’s still less than what the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R delivers, but only by 27 horsepower. Enough to make it one of the best and most exciting new cars 2018 has to offer in my book.
Alpine A110
It’s not every day that an icon such as the Alpine A110 gets resurrected. Despite missing out on the U.S. market, we felt it was imperative to include the new Alpine A110 among the best new cars 2018 has in store for us. It’s been exactly 40 years since the old car had bid us farewell but this new version looks to continue exactly where its predecessor had left off. If that’s possible. In any case, the new Alpine A110 should be able to develop 249 horsepower thanks to a 1.8L turbocharged inline four engine built by Nissan-Renault Alliance and revised by Alpine. It should also be able to hit 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and max out at 155 mph. With the limiter installed, of course.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk might have been announced a while ago, but it’s only become official as a 2018 year model. Dedicated performance SUV delivers the entire palette of 707 horses the SRT Hellcat engine has to offer. This makes it the most powerful production SUV in the world. A feat that earns it a spot among the best new cars for 2018 alone. But the Trackhawk is more than that. As a Grand Cherokee, it delivers a well established combination of refinement, reliability and practicality as well – it might not sound as sexy as some of the other entries on the list, but it’s still one of the most exciting cars of 2018.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
Dubbed the greatest track car GM has ever made, the Camaro ZL1 1LE builds upon the “conventional” 580-horsepower Camaro ZL1. Inconspicuous as it might be, that 1LE extention doesn’t only add additional 70 ponies into the mix. It also adds Z-28’s track-focused running gear consisting of Goodyear racing rubber and special aluminum spool-valve dampers among other things. The ZL1 1LE will propel you to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds while reaching 190 mph if pushed to the limit. And all that for “only” $71,295.
Rolls Royce Phantom VIII
The Rolls Royce Phantom VIII was first unveiled in late July, 2017. First copies should reach their lucky owners during January, 2018, so we’ll consider it a new vehicle. After all, that’s exactly what it is. Dubbed the best luxury car in existence, the new Phantom boasts unparalleled luxury coupled with dreamy ride and cabin that’s quiet beyond belief. Quite a feat considering that the car is powered by a 6.75L twin-turbo V12 powerplant capable of raising as much as 563 ponies. The 2018 Rolls Royce Phantom also sports unparalleled price tag of $450,000 for regular and $500,000 for extended wheelbase models.
Porsche 911 Carrera T
The Carrera T is the latest of seamlessly countless Porsche 911 iterations. Second stepping on the 911 ladder starts from around $102,000 which is $11,000 more than the price of base models. While they share the same 370-horsepower engine, Carrera T saves on weight by discarding sound deadeners, thick windows and a stereo. At least in Europe. U.S. models where a rearview camera is mandatory piece of equipment, aren’t that bare-boned. What Carrera T adds are a sport suspension, a sport exhaust, a mechanically locking rear differential, and and optional rear-wheel steering.
Audi S5 Sportback
The latest addition to the Audi S line family is the gorgeous S5 Sportback. Combining coupe’s gracious lines and hatchback’s practicality, the S5 Sportback manages to offer what very few of its competitors can. It also offers a performance to match. 354 horsepower out of turbocharged 3.0L V6 doesn’t sound like much, but don’t forget that the S5 is still on the lower end of Audi’s performance lineup. That’s reflected within its price tag of “only” $55,375. Despite sporting a very good 8-speed auto, the S5 Sportback still suffers from not having a 6-speed manual. At least in our book, it does.
Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster
Roadster is the natural step in Aventador S’ evolution. Just like its coupe sibling, roadster too generates 730 horsepower via a 6.5L V12 mill. Unlike the coupe, the roadster comes with sort of a soft/hard top made out of two carbon fiber panels. Despite that, it still weighs around 110 pounds more than the coupe. It should still be able to top 217 mph and hit 60 mph in 3 seconds flat. Limited production as always, the supercar will start at around $460,000 and it’s due to arrive in February, 2018.
Ferrari 812 Superfast
Boasting 789 horsepower, the 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast wears its name with pride. Italian supercar powered by a 6.5L V12 engine accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. At the same time, it’s able to hit the top speed of 211 mph. Having the most powerful naturally aspirated production car engine ever made, it’s no wonder why the Ferrari 812 Superfast populates countless best new cars 2018 lists these days. It probably won;t be the best car Ferrari’s ever produced, but the 812 Superfast certainly doesn’t suffer from any lack of personality.
Audi TT RS
Audi TT alone commands a lot of respect. If not for being one of the best sport compacts out there, then for being one of the precious few remaining ones. And then there’s the RS version of the coupe and roadster. Pushing 400 horsepower, the 2018 Audi TT RS certainly doesn’t lack any power. It probably wouldn’t mind having a bit more grip in order to properly utilize all that firepower, though. Then again, by accelerating to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, small Audi has proven it doesn’t even need to be perfectly balanced in order to leave its opponents in a trail of dust.
