There are more than 80 new cars launching for the 2016 model year, some have already launched a some are eagerly anticipated. Here at Road test Reviews we like performance and luxury so cars like the Scion iM, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Hyundai Tucson are not really raising our heart rate. Instead we choose, in  no particular order our hottest new cars for 2016. They range in price from $26K to $200K+. Start saving.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro

 

The 2016 Camaro SS was introduced on May 16, 2015. It’s the most powerful Camaro SS in the car’s history, with a new 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine producing an estimated 440 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. It is offered with an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as a six-speed manual. There is an all-new, fourth-generation 3.6L V-6 rated at an estimated 330 hp. It incorporates fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology, along with direct injection, to balance performance with efficiency. The most intriguing engine will be a 2.0-liter turbo with direct fuel injection, which should deliver 0-to-60 mph performance in under six seconds. It is rated at 275 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque.

Ford Focus RS

 

Back in June we revealed that the new Ford Focus RS will make a staggering 345 horsepower from its 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. Along with RS’s torque number figure, which is  325 lb-ft between 2000 and 4500 rpm, an over-boost function allows for a maximum of 347 lb-ft for up to 15 seconds when the driver’s right foot is buried into the carpet. Every Ford Focus RS will use a a six-speed manual transmission (with a shorter lever than that of the ST) and the clutch and transmission have been uprated to cope with the higher levels of torque. An excitingly named ‘drift mode’ function allows up to 70 per cent of power to be sent to the rear wheels, with as much as 100 per cent of that sent to one individual wheel. We can’t wait.

Mercedes AMG GT

 

AMG characterizes the GT S as a full on competitor to the Porsche 911.  It’s a pretty wild car. Powered by a  In the top level GT S, the V8 produces 503 horsepower at 6250 rpm, and maximum torque for the GT S is 479 lb-ft, ’s available from 1750 to 4750 rpm. Mercedes claims the standard GT reaches 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 189 mph; the GT S shaves off a further 0.2 second from the sprint to 60 and is capable of 193 mph. The GT S is on sale now. A cheaper GT variant, making 456 hp, goes on sale for about $110,000 next spring.

Viper ACR

 

The Viper ACR is basically a street legal race car. Dodge didn’t alter the Viper’s 8.4-liter V-10 beyond reducing the exhaust’s backpressure slightly by using different exhaust tips; the V-10 routes 645 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque through the Viper’s robust Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission to the rear axle. There’s a new brake system with 390mm carbon-ceramic front rotors and six-piston front calipers. Drag-limited to 177 miles per hour, though, the ACR has the slowest top speed of any Viper.

2016 Cadillac CTS-V

 

Under its standard carbon-fiber hood, complete with bulge for the supercharger, sits  a 640-horsepower version of the LT4 V-8 from the 650-hp Corvette Z06. Power goes through an eight-speed automatic with paddle-shifters. An electronically controlled differential controls when and how much of the engine’s available 630 lb-ft of torque goes to either rear wheel. Cadillac says the new CTS-V will blast to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds,  hit a quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at 126 mph, and reach an drag limited top speed of 200-plus mph.

Ford GT

Here’s what you need to know: it has a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6  with more than 600 horsepower (Ford hasn’t released power numbers yet. The twin-turbo mill is mounted amidships and mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox nestled inside a carbon fiber tub. The car is expected to be very light and prices are to be above $400K. Nothing’s confirmed regarding performance yet, but a 0-60mph time close to 3.0secs and a top speed north of 200mph ought to be very feasible targets.