Who says new year says new models in preparation. Still mired in its supply problems that make waiting times interminable, the industry continues its quest for novelty, despite everything. Here are the most anticipated unveilings so far for this new year under the sign of hope for an upturn and electrification.
Acura ZDX
For its foray into the electric arena, Acura turned to General Motors to lower its development costs. The ZDX, a hybrid crossover close cousin of the electric Chevrolet Blazer, will be unveiled later this year with a view to marketing in 2024. A Type S version is in the pipeline with power that should be around 500 hp.
Cadillac Celestial
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GENERAL MOTORS
The 2024 Cadillac Celestiq will be hand-assembled and customizable as desired.
A new flagship for Cadillac, or even General Motors, the Celestiq was unveiled earlier in 2022, but production will begin in December. Attempting to restore the brilliance of yesteryear to a brand that was defined by the slogan “Standard of the World”, the large 600 hp electric sedan will be assembled by hand and customizable at will. Its starting price of US$300,000 (about CAN$406,000) and its low production volume will make it extremely rare on our roads.
Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GENERAL MOTORS
The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
After the return of the Z06 livery directly derived from motor racing, Chevrolet should probably present this year a new version called E-Ray of its Corvette C8. Very little is known at present. It would be entitled to a hybrid engine probably based on the Stingray’s 6.2L LT2 V8. It should also be equipped with an all-wheel drive that could use an electric motor at the front, a bit like the Acura NSX. To be continued.
Honda Civic hybrid
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HONDA
The Honda Civic in hybrid version will lower the thirst of its production model (photo).
In a short statement sent to the media in April 2022, Honda said it would offer a hybrid version of its popular Civic compact. No timeline or technical details have been given yet. The recently refreshed Accord’s hybrid engine – a 204-hp 2.0L four-cylinder – would be a logical choice and it wouldn’t be surprising if it were introduced this year with a 2024 market launch.
Hyundai Ioniq 7
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HYUNDAI
Hyundai’s Seven style study will serve as the basis for the Ioniq 7.
World premiered in Los Angeles a little over a year ago, the Seven style study which is on display at the Montreal Auto Show foreshadows the arrival of the Ioniq 7 likely later this year. This new addition to Hyundai’s electric sub-brand targets larger families with its midsize SUV format based on the E-GMP modular chassis.
Lucid Gravity
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCID
The Lucid Gravity will increase the footprint of the Californian electric vehicle manufacturer’s lineup.
The first SUV from the Californian electric brand Lucid, the Gravity will see the light of day this year with the hope of increasing sales for the young manufacturer. Judging by the extraordinary execution of the large Air sedan, both in terms of performance and opulence, this Gravity could well hurt Tesla. The company is also headed by a certain Peter Rawlinson, the former chief engineer of the Tesla Model S.
Successor to the Lamborghini Aventador
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LAMBORGHINI
The Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4, the latest version of the model born in 2011
Some of these works are among the untouchables of the automotive world. Lamborghini’s flagship, the Aventador, bowed out without passing the torch directly to its successor. The latter will be unveiled this year and will use a hybrid V12 to reduce its gluttony and increase its performance.
Mazda CX-90
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MAZDA
The Mazda CX-90 midsize SUV will be entitled to a plug-in hybrid mechanism.
Much more than a flat alphanumeric name, the CX-90 will launch Mazda’s new direction, targeting luxury brands head-on. Based on an in-house rear-wheel-drive platform, this midsize SUV will feature a turbocharged inline-six and a plug-in hybrid powertrain to attract a different clientele to its showrooms. Its unveiling is scheduled for January.
Toyota Grand Highlander
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TOYOTA
We will have to wait until February to see the veil lifted on this elongated version of the Highlander mid-size SUV.
The fashion is for SUVs and Toyota is obviously trying to take advantage of this to increase its profits. The Japanese manufacturer will present in February at the Chicago show a stretched version of its Highlander, simply called Grand Highlander. A Hybrid Max version is on the menu, suggesting the use of the recently launched Crown sedan’s 340hp hybrid package, based on a 2.4L turbo four-cylinder.
Tesla Cybertruck
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TESLA
The Tesla Cybertruck is long overdue.
Its release has been postponed so often since the highly publicized presentation of its style study in November 2019 that it is not really known when we will see the Cybertruck in its final form. From precursor, the Tesla Cybertruck is now behind a growing line of electric pickup trucks. Elon Musk recently suggested that it will go into production at the end of 2023, presumably after the unveiling of its production version.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz
PHOTO PROVIDED BY VOLKSWAGEN
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz in European configuration
Presented as a world premiere in March 2022 in European configuration, the ID.Buzz will arrive in Canada in 2024. Directly inspired by the legendary Microbus, this electric minivan is based on the ID.4 platform. The North American variant will be entitled to an extended wheelbase and will be offered in rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations. It should logically be unveiled this year in order to prepare for its arrival on this side of the Atlantic.