2013 saw some major new car reveals, like the Corvette Stingray, Ford Mustang, Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. The list goes on. While 2014 may not be quite as extravagant, there's still going to be some big debuts that will have wide-ranging effects across the industry. For now these cars can only be seen as either concepts or in spy shots, but we know they'll debut sometime in the next 12 months. And when that happens, we'll of course have complete coverage and photos.
The next-generation of Ford's best-selling full-size pickup will be revealed at Detroit in just a few weeks. Its debut comes exactly a year after the Atlas concept (pictured here) debuted at the same venue in an attempt to upstage GM's reveal of the new Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. We already know the new F-150 will feature an abundance of aluminum in an effort to reduce weight and emissions. More important is that it'll remain the tough truck it's always been.
The Mercedes SLS AMG GT gullwing coupe and roadster will soon be discontinued. Fortunately, Mercedes is currently putting the final touches on the successor, rumored to be named the GT. It'll be smaller and lighter than the SLS thanks to a new aluminum spaceframe that'll help keep weight below 3,300 lbs. AMG has once again been charged with providing power, which is set to come from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that'll surpass 500 horsepower. Both a coupe (minus the gullwing doors) and a roadster are planned.
The Mazda MX-5 debuted way back in late 1989 and has been a fan favorite ever since. Thing is, it's gained weight and grown bigger for each generation, and Mazda has decided it's had enough of that. The all-new fourth-gen MX-5, which will also serve as the platform basis for a new Alfa Romeo Spider, will continue its short deck, long hood proportions but will also shed some 220 lbs. and gain more power. No word yet on the engine, but rumors persist of a new 1.3-liter turbo four. Smaller, lighter and faster. Yeah, we're digging this.
Mercedes revealed its S-Class Coupe concept last September at Frankfurt, and it was an immediate hit. In fact, it was downright gorgeous from every angle. Now that the new S-Class sedan has been launched, 2014 will see the reveal of the coupe. All we want is for it to look as much like that concept as possible. We'll have our answer hopefully this March at Geneva.
Jaguar tried to build a BMW 3 Series fighter called the X-Type way back when. It didn't even come close to hitting its target. Fortunately Jaguar is a very different company today, and we're hopeful that this time around its entry-level sports sedan will be a runaway hit. The still unnamed model will be built on a stretched version of the F-Type's rear-wheel-drive platform made from lightweight aluminum. The two-door sports car's supercharged V6 will also be on offer along with a turbo four. Expect to see a near production ready concept debut at Paris in September.