The last hurrah
Everything’s going EV? Not quite. We’re getting hot under the collar about these future fuel-burners.
Chevrolet Corvette ZO6
While Chevrolet’s been tweaking the standard Corvette ahead of its European launch, the powermongers back at base have been squeezing more out of the mid-engined platform to create a new ZO6. The engine is completely different, with Chevrolet opting for a high-revving flatplane-crank V8. We’ve heard it shrieking around the ’Ring like a McLaren, and we’ll see it uncamouflaged this autumn American-market only? Maybe not this time.
Chevy’s hardcore ’Vette Tech specs Flatplane-crank V8, IMSA-spec racing aero Aimed at? Taking full advantage of that midengined configuration When can I own one? To be confirmed – be patient
Honda Civic Type R
While most of the normal range goes hybrid or bust, Honda’s still pushing on with performance cars. Even so, CAR understands electrification won’t make it to the Civic Type R just yet – the FK8 Civic Type R’s recipe was so tasty, Honda won’t be changing it all that much. That means a 300+bhp turbocharged four-cylinder, a snickety six-speed manual and power sent to the fronts. And this one’ll look a little less unhinged; probably for the best.
NEED TO KNOW
What is it? An angry eleventh-gen Civic with a wing Tech specs Sweet manual shift, limited-slip di , red bucket seats Aimed at? Being another BTCC racer for the road When can I own one? Reveal is expected in
2022; on sale the following year
BMW M2
It’ll be 50 years of M in 2022 and, while Munich works furiously on its 1000kW ‘Project Katharina’ electric iM2 project, let’s not forget the next M2 will still be tasty, too. It uses a chopped version of the 3- and 4-series CLAR platform for rear-wheel drive, rather than the front-driven Mini-derived UKL2 underpinnings. A version of the S58 straight-six making more than 400bhp will light up those rears good and proper. You’re gonna need some spare tyres.
What is it? One of the last rear-driven engine-powered M cars Tech specs Tweaked S58 turbo straight-six, fat quad tailpipes, likely M’s wacky ‘Drift analyser’ Aimed at? Racking up tyre replacement bills When can I own one? Debuts end of 2022, on sale the year after
Porsche 911 Hybrid
This just looks like a blacked-out 911, right? The stickers in the window tell a different, electrified story. Porsche has been open about developing a hybrid 911, and we’ll see it when the 992.2 midlife refresh arrives in a couple of years. It’ll likely wear Turbo S E-Hybrid badging and lime green accents, and we expect it to be the most powerful and quickest-accelerating version of the 911 yet – just like the Cayenne, before the racy Turbo GT arrived anyway.
NEED TO KNOW
What is it? The first electrified 911 Tech specs A punchy e-motor bolted to the gearbox, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, hyperdrive power Aimed at? Keeping Porsche’s icon alive When can I own one? Whenever the 992.2 arrives, which is likely to be 2024 onwards