A preview of 2014 and 2015 models

We are only several months from 2014, but many automakers are already thinking about 2015. The latest crop of new cars is tailored to do two things, be better than the competition and meet the latest CAFE fuel economy regulations. Cars are packaged with all the latest in-car tech and being fitted with advanced powertrains designed to squeeze every last bit of fuel efficiency out of a gallon of gas. From hybrid supercars to lighter, smarter full-size SUVs, this crop of 2014 and 2015 vehicles are sure to change the way you look at the automobile. Herewith, a selection of new cars coming down the runway.

2015 Acura NSX

The return of Acura’s supercar has been rumored for several years, with recent concept debuts further stoking the fires. Within the last two months, prototypes have been shown running around the track at Mid-Ohio, in the same state where Acura says the NSX will be built in 2015. When it reaches dealerships, the car will be fitted with a twin-turbocharged V6, mated to a hybrid powertrain setup, and delivering power to the wheels through Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive.

2015 Audi A8

It seems like we just witnessed the debut of a new A8, but in international markets full-size luxury sedans are a hotly contested segment. For 2015, the A8 receives a more refined take on Audi’s aggressive front end, but the headlights, which include sequential corner signals and an advanced new type of high beam, have not been cleared by the NHTSA. Audi may have to offer special headlights for the US without that technology. A 310-horsepower supercharged V6, 430-hp twin-turbo V8, and a 6.3-liter W12 engine should make up for that.

Bentley SUV (official name TBA):

If the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover, and BMW X5 are any indicators, the luxury SUV market is a thriving one and capable of hosting more entrants. Bentley has plans to compete with these luxury utility vehicles with an SUV based closely on the EXP 9 F concept. Bentley also claims it will be powered by a V12 engine and will be just as capable as the Range Rover. Big talk from a brand that’s only ever produced one SUV—built for the Sultan of Brunei in 1994 and based on the Range Rover.

BMW 2 Series

BMW is breaking up the 1 and 3 Series lines, going up a number for the coupe variants. This allows those coupe and convertible models to evolve in their own unique way and more directly battle with other luxury coupes. The 2 Series is the 2-door variant of the compact 1 Series (pictured here). This new coupe is longer and wider than the 1 Series coupe, with a 2-inch longer wheelbase. The base 220i should feature a 180-horsepower inline-4 and a sub-3,000-pound curb weight. Rumors also suggest that an M-version could carry a turbocharged inline-6, making 320 horsepower, and a 0-60 time of just 4.6-seconds.

2014 BMW 4 Series

Based on the same logic as the 2 Series, the 4 Series replaces the 3 Series Coupe and Convertible. While the 2 Series is in development stages, the 4 Series has been officially announced. It features the styling of the 3 Series but with unique cues like vents behind the front wheels. Starting at $41,425, the base 428i will feature a 240-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, while the turbo inline-6 in the 435i will make in excess of 300 horsepower. Drivers can select from either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.

2014 BMW i3

The i3 city car is a revolutionary new take on driving for BMW. The construction of a fully carbon-fiber passenger shell is the first of its kind. Starting at $41,350, the 170-horsepower electric motor receives power from a 22-kW battery pack that has an 80-100 mile range and can be refilled in three hours—or 30 minutes with a quick charge station. The i3 can also be fitted with an optional 650cc two-cylinder generator, making it the first automobile to offer such drivetrain options to the buyer.

2014 BMW i8

If you want to drive green, but have the need for speed, BMW also has you covered in the form of the i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. A turbocharged three-cylinder engine sends 231 horsepower to the rear wheels, while a 96-kW motor sends 131 horsepower to the front wheels for a combined total system output of 362 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. The result is a $135,700 hybrid supercar that can get from 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds and return an amazing 94 miles per gallon.

2014 Cadillac ELR

Not to be left out of the green-thumbed luxury game, Cadillac has unveiled the ELR, which is effectively a more stylish, more luxurious Chevrolet Volt with two fewer doors. The coupe layout actually benefits the extended-range electric-vehicle’s profile. GM says the $75,000 price tag comes down to $68,495 with EPA tax breaks, which gets you 35-miles of all-electric driving and 84 MPGe. The price competes closely with that of the Tesla Model S, but only time will tell if the ELR is worthy of being named in the same sentence as the media-darling Tesla sedan.

2014 Cadillac CTS

The mid-size CTS luxury sedan can be counted as the single vehicle that resurrected the Cadillac brand. From both a styling and performance perspective, it brought Cadillac into the 21st century. Now entering its third generation, it continues to be a leader in American luxury style. The 2014 CTS is larger, lighter, and more expensive than the model it replaces. At $46,025, it’s a full $7,000 more than the 2013 model but is more apt to compete with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Power comes from either a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4, or a 3.6-liter V6. A Vsport variant has us excited and features a 420-horsepower twin-turbo V6.