Looking at the most anticipated model releases in the automotive industry often turns our attention to high-profile brands like Rolls-Royce, and why not? Models like the 2024 Spectre are excitement-inducing, promising immense power and next-level opulence for a mere $400,000, give or take. The Spectre doesn’t have to beg for the spotlight but earns it with unquestionable success in setting a precedent of luxury and exclusivity across the board. The same is true for upcoming models like the Cadillac Celestiq, a hand-built EV designed to rival the new Rolls-Royce in every category.
However, there are also more attainable vehicles to look forward to in 2023. Models like the Spectre significantly contribute to the industry and generate widespread excitement, but most of us can’t go on a $400,000 shopping spree. Stretching the spotlight positions high-profile brands like Rolls-Royce alongside automotive pioneers we see on the road every day. It gives Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Jeep, Ram, and Honda room at the table.
In this light, what are the most anticipated model releases we are waiting for in 2023? From exclusive brands like Rolls-Royce, Cadillac, and Maserati to Ford and GMC, here are a few highlights of what you can expect from the industry over the next year. Get ready to be impressed.
2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre ($400,000 est)
The world’s leading automakers are in a race to build an all-electric future, with Rolls Royce jumping on the bandwagon to electrify its luxurious lineup with the all-new 2024 Spectre. The Spectre earns the spotlight as the successor to the Phantom Coupe and the first chapter in the automaker’s journey of building an all-electric lineup by 2030. What exactly will the Spectre and its estimated $400,000 price tag get you beyond the Rolls-Royce name?
The Spectre makes history as Rolls-Royce’s official foray into the electric vehicle segment. It sets a precedent for the brand’s all-electric future and its promise to phase out its gas-powered models over the next seven years. As a brand first, it’s only fitting that the Spectre sets new benchmarks of opulence and capability that match its mile-high price tag. Its 577-horsepower engine will deliver 664 lb-ft of near-instant torque that can launch the coupe from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
Rolls-Royce complements the Spectre’s impressive performance with a lavish interior outfitted with four bucket seats for optimal comfort. The Spectre will also introduce several unique design elements, like its starry-night headliner and door panels with integrated LED lights. Of course, enjoying the full experience of the twinkling lights is guaranteed, with Rolls-Royce promising one of the quietest cabins and smoothest rides in the industry.
2024 Cadillac Celestiq ($300,000)
Cadillac is the epitome of luxury in the American automotive landscape, but it’s never cornered the international market because of brands like Rolls-Royce. As we see with the 2024 Spectre, the competition is fierce, but Cadillac refuses to give up. The 2024 Celestiq is Cadillac’s answer to the opulent Rolls-Royce lineup and embodies its ongoing efforts to move beyond American soil to earn international acclaim as a luxury brand. The Celestiq might be the ticket.
Anticipated to start at $300,000, the 2024 Celestiq exudes exclusivity as a hand-built, fully customizable electric vehicle you won’t find on any showroom floor. Like Rolls-Royce, customers will design and custom order the Celestiq to their specifications. While these options are rumored to be plentiful, the Celestiq only has one available powertrain––an all-wheel drive system projected to deliver 600 hp. That level of power puts the lighter Celestiq ahead of the Spectre, pushing its launch from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.
2024 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore ($250,000 est)
The iconic GranTurismo will make a comeback in 2024 as Maserati answers the demand for an all-electric luxury with the GranTurismo Folgore. Translating to “lightning” in Italian, the Folgore sets a new benchmark for performance and easily outshines every GranTurismo in history. Its three electric motors produce 750 hp, a far cry from the 542 hp V6 that powers its gasoline-powered counterpart. This lightning performance translates to a launch from 0 to 60 mph in less than three seconds and gives the Folgore a strong lead over the competition.
Inside, the Folgore is full of surprises. It mimics the luxury of the GranTurismo heritage, relying on sustainable materials like recycled fishing nets to complete the look. The four-seat coupe also offers a host of innovative technology befitting its estimated $250,000 price tag, including an expansive 12.3-inch display and infotainment system, an 8.8-inch climate control display, and a 19–speaker stereo system tuned by the renowned Sonus Faber.
2024 GMC Sierra EV ($108,695)
GMC is unleashing everything in its wheelhouse to fulfill its promise to build a future with zero emissions. We see this promise come to life in models like the Hummer EV pickup and the upcoming Sierra EV, which includes a Denali Edition 1 that promises unparalleled luxury and performance courtesy of GMC’s revolutionary Ultium Platform. Will the Sierra EV deliver, or will it live in the shadow of the Hummer EV super truck?
GMC gives the Sierra EV plenty of opportunities to shine as a Denali Edition 1 carries a price tag north of $108,000. The Denali name exudes opulence, and the Sierra EV will deliver with its spacious interior, open-pore wood accents, and plush leather seating. Performance and capability are also a given since the EV comes standard with a dual-motors powertrain that promises 754 hp, an estimated 400-mile range, and a maximum towing capacity of 9,500 lbs. Drivers can also expect more practical storage and cargo-hauling options from the Sierra EV’s frunk and a midgate that opens the bed into the cabin to make room for longer items.
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse ($58,000 est)
Hype for the seventh-generation Mustang reached new heights when the automaker debuted the Mustang Dark Horse, a new breed of Mustang designed for performance. But what makes the Dark Horse so extraordinary? Why is everyone abuzz about Ford’s all-new track-ready Mustang?
The Mustang Dark Horse does something remarkable because it makes performance affordable to the masses. The updated 5.0L Coyote V8 engine is fine-tuned specifically for the Dark Horse, featuring dual throttle bodies with dual air intakes and connecting rods from the Predator V8 that sits under the hood of the GT500. The result is impressive and earns the Dark Horse engine a prominent place in history as the most powerful naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 to come out of Ford’s wheelhouse.
At 500 hp, there’s no question the Dark Hose will deliver. Ford gives drivers more opportunities to harness this power with a choice between Ford’s proven 10-speed automatic or a Tremec six-speed manual transmission. These choices are only part of the Dark Horse’s allure since Ford also offers upgrades like Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires and carbon-fiber wheels. The Dark Horse is just as impressive inside, boasting a tech-centric cockpit with digital displays, the renowned SYNC 4 infotainment system, and performance-focused features like an electric drift brake that gives novice racers the ever-alluring rush of a smooth drift.
Now, We Wait
From Rolls-Royce and Maserati to Cadillac, GMC, and Ford, the automotive industry is full of surprises for 2024. But these are only a handful of models that will shock and inspire. There are plenty of others, like the all-electric Honda Prologue, the rock-crawling Jeep Recon EV, and the all-terrain Ford Ranger Raptor. While these models may not boast price tags north of $300,000, they offer something unique to the industry and deserve a place at the table. These models and the five we’ve highlighted will dramatically impact the global automotive landscape, ushering us into a future of electric power, next-level performance, and innovation that breeds excitement and anticipation behind the wheel regardless of how much you spend.
