Skip to main content

What do BMW, Lambo, and Tesla have in common? They’re 10 cars we want to drive in 2014

2013 was a great year for cars. Enthusiasts got to drool over three awe-inspiring hybrid supercars – the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Porsche 918 Spyder – plus the all-new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

It’s a performance-car party that happens, at best, once a decade.

The year may be over, but there’s plenty of excitement still to come. Turning to 2014, there’s plenty of great metal (and carbon fiber) set to hit showrooms. Here are 10 new cars that should make 2014 an automotive year to remember.

BMW M3/M4

The BMW M3 is the gold standard of sports sedans, and a redesigned model – along with the newly-renamed M4 coupe – is set to debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show in January.

The latest M3 will ditch the previous car’s V8 for a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 3.0-liter inline-six. While the new motor is smaller it also produces more power: 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, compared to 414 hp and 295 lb-ft for the old car.

Equipped with the seven-speed M DCT automated transmission (a six-speed manual will also be offered) the new M3 and M4 will do 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Thanks to lightened chassis, they should also be plenty of fun in the corners.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Every Corvette fan knows that a new base model is just the beginning.

The Corvette Stingray may have been the subject of countless plaudits and forum wars over the past year, but now all eyes will turn to the Z06 performance model.

Also set to be unveiled in Detroit, the new Z06 will push the Corvette performance envelope, just like the last one.

The Z06 will most likely be powered by a 6.2-liter small-block V8, just like the base car, but with as much as 650 hp.

That should make the Z06 into an Internet sensation, until the next ZR1 comes along, that is.

2015 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang turns 50 in 2014, and what better way to celebrate than with a redesigned model?

The 2015 Mustang was unveiled earlier this month, and should make it to showrooms in time for the car’s official 50th anniversary in April 2014.

The new model features updated styling that references Mustangs of old while still looking modern, along with a full lineup of four, six, and eight-cylinder engines.

Other notable features include a new independent-rear suspension system and a secret automated burnout control device.

Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4

It wouldn’t be a party without Lamborghini, which will replace its best-selling Gallardo with a new model next year. 

The Huracán LP610-4 takes the Gallardo’s place as the “entry-level” model in Lamborghini’s lineup. Following Lamborghini tradition, it’s named after a fighting bull, in this case one named after a Mayan god.

The Huracán’s LP610-4 designation refers to its mid-engine layout, its 5.2-liter V10’s 610 hp, and its all-wheel drive.

Encased in a lightweight carbon fiber-aluminum body, and hooked to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, that powertrain will propel the Huracán to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds, and on to a top speed of over 200 mph.

The Huracan will make its public debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March, and go on sale shortly after that.

Lexus RC F

Lexus will unveil its first F new performance model since the IS F sedan at the Detroit Auto Show. After that, it will take the fight to BMW M and Mercedes-Benz AMG.

The new model will probably be the RC F, a souped-up version of the RC coupe, which was unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.

The RC will hopefully get the performance its extroverted looks. Lexus is keeping the details under wraps, but a similar program of improvement to the RC’s German rivals seems likely.

That means a larger, more powerful engine – possibly a 450-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 – to get those back tires spinning, and possibly some carbon-fiber bits that would put knowledge gained building the LFA supercar to good use.

McLaren P13

McLaren has proven that it can take on Ferrari. Now it’s turning its attention to selling more cars.

Well, a few more cars, at least. The P13 will still be a supercar, but it will be less expensive than the existing MP4-12C, and compete with cars like the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 Turbo.

Styling is expected to take more than a few cues from the P1. While under the skin, the P13 will essentially be a shrunken 12C. It will use a shortened version of the 12C’s carbon fiber chassis and a de-tuned version of its 3.8-liter V8.

The P13 is expected to go on sale next year, so look for it at an upcoming auto show.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

Mercedes’ flagship two-door will no longer be known as a CL-Class. Instead, it will wear the same S-Class badge as the sedan it’s based on.

Previewed by the Concept S-Class Coupe from the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the production car will be based on the recently-redesigned 2014 S-Class sedan.

That means unparalleled levels of refinement and technology, but in a more stylish package.

Expect the S-Class Coupe to share the sedan’s range of V8 engines, as well as tech goodies like Magic Body Control intelligent suspension. We’ll have to see if the hot-stone massage seats and perfume atomizer make it onboard as well.

MINI Cooper John Cooper Works

The MINI Cooper Hardtop is all new for 2014, which means it’s time to start building out the lineup.

The inevitable parade of convertibles, Clubmans, and Countrymans is sure to follow. But gearheads will be most interested in the John Cooper Works (JCW).

MINI will show this hot-rod Cooper in concept form at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Expect a more powerful engine and upgraded suspension to match its racy exterior. 

It’ll be interesting to see how the latest Cooper’s extra girth affects the brand’s signature “go-kart” handling, but a juiced version of the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger should be able to handle it.

Porsche Boxster/Cayman GTS

Porsche’s past GTS models have found a pretty good sweet spot between civility and performance, so the Boxster and Cayman GTS models should be sublime.

Rumor has it that both versions will be unveiled at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, and each will get a little extra dollop of sportiness.

Enhancements will reportedly include a power bump of 15 hp, Porsche’s PASM stability control system, and some subtle exterior and interior changes.

Unlike the more intense 911 GT3 and Turbo, these pint-sized performance models will also be offered with manual transmissions when they go on sale, reportedly by mid-2014.

Tesla Model X

Tesla Motors had such a hit with the Model S electric sedan, that it postponed the launch of the follow-up Model X crossover.

However, 2014 will reportedly be the year the Model X spreads its gullwings.

Other than those unusual doors, the Model X should be familiar to fans of the Model S. It will ride on the same platform, and use the same electrical components.

That should make for a crossover that’s not just efficient, but also fairly sporty. It’s the perfect ride for environmentally-conscious soccer moms.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
The week in EV tech: From sky-high dreams to ground-level drama
tesla robotaxi feud alef in transition flight

Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles. 
Buckle up, folks — this week we’re taking off with a look at the futuristic dream of flying electric cars possibly gliding above U.S. roads sooner than you think. But before we get carried away, let’s bring it back down to the bumpy road of present-day realities.
Even if you’re mostly interested about the tech powering the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, it’s become increasingly hard to avoid the politics around it: You guessed it, we’re talking about this week’s public feud between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump.
What does this have to do with EV tech? Well, quite a lot actually. For starters, the technology behind Tesla’s Autopilot and Full-Self Driving (FSD) modes may return in the crosshairs of regulators: Despite the names, these are still driver-assist features that require active driver supervision, and until Trump’s election, they had been under heavy scrutiny by safety regulators for several years.
Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  (NHTSA) launched an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD. Big questions remain about the driver-assist system's performance under adverse, yet naturally-occurring conditions such as fog, sun glare, rain, and snow.
When Musk, who spent about $275 million to help elect Trump, was appointed to head a newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), it raised more than a few eyebrows about his power and influence over the regulators who are supposed to oversee traffic safety, and therefore Tesla.
It didn’t help that the Trump administration followed Musk’s recommendations and relaxed crash-reporting requirements put in place since 2021, while also relaxing rules to accelerate the deployment of fully-automated robotaxis.
The Trump/Musk clash takes place just as Tesla is due to launch its robotaxi pilot progam in Texas later this month. While Trump is now threatening to pull billions of dollars in government subsidies and contracts from Musk’s companies, it’s unclear whether he might pressure the Department of Transportation to again tighten the regulatory screws on Tesla. What is clear is that Trump has never been a fan of electric vehicles and is already trying to end federal subsidies on EV purchases and leases. And while he had made a big deal about buying a bright red Tesla Model S back in March, Trump now says he wants to sell it.
Back to the tech
Meanwhile, Tesla is still required to respond to information and data requests from NHTSA regarding the safety of its robotaxis by July 1. And ultimately, it should come down to the performance of the technology.
For Autopilot and FSD, Tesla has opted for less expensive navigational tech relying on multiple onboard cameras that feed AI machine-learning models. But especially for so-called adverse driving conditions, it’s the more expensive technology relying on a blend of pre-mapped roads, sensors, cameras, radar, and lidar (a laser-light radar) which has received the nod of regulators.
Waymo, the sole robotaxi service currently operating in the U.S., and Zoox, Amazon’s upcoming robotaxi service, both use that blend of navigational tech.
For its robotaxis, Tesla is said to have upped its game in terms of autonomous driving with its Hardware 4 (HW4) technology, which does include radar sensors and promises enhanced environmental perception.
Will that be enough for Tesla to convince regulators, catch up with Waymo, or compete effectively with Zoox?
We’ll have to wait and see.
Flying cars
In a recent edition, we noted that while consumer confidence about robotaxi technology is on the rise, most people also want more data before they hop into a self-driving vehicle.
What about flying taxis? According to a recent survey by Honeywell, nearly all U.S. airline fliers, or 98%, said they would consider using a so-called electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, or eVTOL, as part of their travel journey.
But while the buzz around flying electric vehicles has mostly focused on air taxis— like Archer Aviation’s Midnight, expected to fly athletes around the 2028 LA Olympics, or Joby’s slick air taxi, backed by Toyota — one California startup is shooting for something a little more... driveable.
Meet Alef Aeronautics, a Bay Area company that wants to put the “car” back in “flying car.” This week, Alef announced it has received over 3,400 pre-orders for its electric flying vehicle, the Model A — and get this: it’s not a futuristic prototype gathering dust in a lab. Alef says production could begin by the end of 2025, or early next year.
On the ground, the Model A operates like a low-speed electric car, complete with hub motors in the wheels and—wait for it—a real steering wheel. You can legally drive it at up to 25 mph on public roads, parking it in a normal garage like any other EV. It’s refreshingly manual in an increasingly hands-free world.
But when it's time for lift off, the steering wheel takes a backseat. For vertical takeoff and flight, the Model A transforms into a drone-like aircraft. Its cabin rotates sideways to create lift, and eight electric rotors—controlled by a flight system and joysticks—take over. No pedals, no yoke, just a bit of joystick magic (or autopilot, if you prefer).
The Model A has already received the nod from regulators for test flights.
While the $300,000 price tag won’t fit everyone’s budget, the company is clearly betting on a future where you don’t have to choose between a car and a flying machine—you can have both.

Read more
8 key things you need to know from Apple’s WWDC 2025 event
From a fresh look and updated names, to new features, more intelligence and live translation
iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.

The WWDC 2025 keynote ran for just over an hour and a half. For those of you who don't fancy sitting through the whole presentation, we've pulled out the key things you need to know from the latest Apple event.

1. Welcome to the 26 club

Read more
Tesla’s robotaxi service is almost here, but it’s not the car you want to see
Silver Tesla Model Y Juniper side

Tesla chief Elon Musk has said that the automaker is aiming to launch its robotaxi service on June 22, in Austin, Texas.

“Tentatively, June 22,” Musk said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding: “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.”

Read more