It’s that time of year again where all the new cars announced and the internet goes wild. This is the third year we’ve been invited back to the Twin Cities International Auto Show and it gets bigger and better every year! For 2016, it runs from March 12 – 20, so there is still time to check it out!
In my standard fashion, below are my 5 favorite cars from the show, and below that is a fat gallery full of new stuff coming out this year. Here we go!
1. 2017 Alfa Romeo Guilia
First up is the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia. I pronounce it “Gill-ee-uh” but who knows if I’m right. Alfa is an Italian brand that is following in Fiat’s fashion by bringing sweet cars to America. The Giulia will come with either a 276 hp turbo-four cylinder or a 2.9 liter twin-turbo V6 with 505 hp. Both are standard with an 8-speed transmission and rear wheel drive (yay!). All wheel drive is an optional extra.
Fun Fact: Quadrifoglio is Italian for the four-leaf clover symbol painted on the car. In Alfa Romeo history, their race car driver, Ugo Sivocci, painted one on his car for good luck.
2. 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Just as the interest in the old Miata was dying out, Mazda introduced this beauty. The new 2016 Miata is sleeker, has modern lighting and tech, and still keeps its perfect 50:50 weight distribution. This is definitely a car I want in my garage soon.
Fun Fact: The 4th Genration Miata is 148 lbs lighter than it’s predecessor!
3. 2017 Ford Focus RS
This is a big one. Basically everyone in America has been waiting for a Ford RS model since the insane Europe-only Focus RS500 back in 2007. This new 2017 Focus RS is (finally) being released globally and it will have 350 hp and an advanced all wheel drive system. Keep an eye out for the Focus RS to hit roads this spring.
Fun Fact: The RS comes with a “drift” button. Standard.
4. 2016-2017 Fiat 500 Abarth
Normally I wouldn’t include the Fiat 500 in this list, but my wife has one and we love it. First up, this is more or less the 2016.5 version and Fiat has finally updated the mostly un-updated 500 since 2007. Fiat has reshaped the head and taillights to include modern LED lighting, added a center console touch screen for infotainment, and has hot new wheels. This is huge because those are the two things we always wished the 500 had! Hopefully these options hit this summer.
Fun Fact: The original Fiat 500 was called the Topolino which means “little mouse”.
5. 2017 Lincoln ContinentalÂ
Even in that brown, the 2017 Lincoln Continental is hot. It has smooth lines, an attractive nose, and a tail I wouldn’t mind driving behind. Inside are all the same luxuries you’d expect in a Mercedes-Benz S Class or an Audi A8. It will also come with all wheel drive, three different driving modes, and a 3 liter twin-turbo V6 that’s expected to pump out 400 hp. I am hoping long time German sedan lovers at least give this a test drive!
Fun Fact: The door handles are placed just under the window as to not disrupt the lines of the car. They also un-latch automatically when you touch them so the door opens in one smooth motion. Swanky!
Honorable Mention: 2016 Porsche 918 Spyder
This shouldn’t be on the list because no one can actually afford one, but c’mon, it’s a $1,000,000 hypercar! The Porsche 918 Spyder has an insane 887 hp thanks to a 4.6 liter V8 and some electric motors. The body is also made entirely out of carbon fiber so it probably weighs less than your Chevy Impala. Here’s to dreaming!
Fun Fact: You can drive 18 miles on battery alone which makes this an effective daily commuter to work!
