Six Exciting Cars You May Soon Be Able to Buy

Returning after a two-year hiatus, the New York International Auto Show once again offered the public a chance to check out the latest automotive creations. Perhaps due to the ongoing supply-chain problems that have been hampering new-car deliveries or decisions to promote brands in other ways, many manufacturers were absent this year. Still, there was plenty to see, and here are some of the models that stood out. 

2024 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

After teasing us with the original concept in 2017, VW debuted the electric ID. Buzz in its production form. Conceived with styling cues from the 1950s’ Microbus, the EV minivan stands out visually, but also in a market that hasn’t yet offered much in electric family haulers. The interior features recycled synthetic materials and will be equipped with three rows of seating in the long-wheelbase version that the U.S. will get, rather than the short-wheelbase European version shown here. Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive powertrains will be available, and range and performance should be at least comparable to what you’d experience with its sister ID.4 EV, with which it shares a platform. VW hasn’t specified a battery yet, but the long wheelbase should allow for a larger unit than the 82-kWh one in the ID.4, which yields 280 miles of range. Pricing hasn’t yet been released for the ID. Buzz, which should go on sale in the U.S. in 2024.

2025 Deus Vayanne

Austrian startup Deus debuted its electric Vayanne hypercar, with styling by the vaunted design house Italdesign. The company projects that the car will have 2200 horsepower and 1475 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 time of under two seconds. Deliveries are promised in 2025, with a limited run of 99. How the company will achieve its performance numbers is unclear, but Deus has partnered with Williams Advanced Engineering, an offshoot of the Williams Formula 1 team, which lends some credibility. We should probably file this one under, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” but auto shows have long been a showcase for wild concepts that, at the very least, stir the imagination. If this electric hypercar makes it to the road, it would be exciting, indeed. 

2025 Deus Vayanne (photo: Ian Whelan)

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2023 Nissan Z

In a world increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers, it’s comforting to see that traditional sports cars persist. The 2023 Z features a striking design inspired by the original 1970 240Z, and it looks a lot more grown-up than the departing 370Z. The new-generation car is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine, which sends 400-hp and 350 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. Remarkably, a manual transmission remains an option, as is a limited slip differential, and we’re grateful for that. The two-seat interior features high-quality materials and looks handsome, and with a base price of about $40,000, the Z represents a value for this level of performance and style. 

2023 Nissan Z (photo: Ian Whelan)

2023 Toyota GR Corolla

Three cylinders, 300 horsepower, and 273 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 1.6 liters, all-wheel drive, and a standard manual transmission. Those aren’t specs you’d usually associate with a Toyota, but GR, which stands for Gazoo Racing, is Toyota’s motorsports division, and it is serious about bringing excitement back to the brand. This red-hot hatch looks as if it could take on a rally stage from the showroom floor, and the frame is strengthened to cope with the inevitable torsional adversity that it will face. Drivers can adjust power distribution settings through the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, which is offered with optional front and rear limited-slip-differentials. The standard setting is 60:40 front-to-rear torque distribution, but you can set it to 50:50 for the track, or even rear-wheel-biased 30:70 for drifting. It’s expected to retail somewhere around $35,000, and while we hope to see more like this from Toyota, get the GR while you can because it may be a highlight at the end of the internal-combustion era. 

2023 Toyota GR Corolla Photo: Ian Whelan

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The Corvette Z06 may be the raciest supercar to ever come out of the U.S. Its mid-mounted 5.5-liter dual overhead cam V-8 has a flat-plane crankshaft, a short stroke, and plenty of other race-car tricks that allow it to rev to 8600 rpm, unleashing 670 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, without forced induction. Power runs to the rear wheels through an eight-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The widened body shrouds chassis and brake upgrades over the standard Corvette, along with an enhanced interior. The Z06 shouldn’t have any problem putting Ferraris and Lamborghinis in its rearview mirrors, but for drivers who want to upgrade further, Chevy will offer a Z07 package that reduces weight and adds aero elements and other track-focused upgrades. You can even spec carbon fiber wheels. Pricing should start around $90,000. 

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (photo: Ian Whelan)

2023 Kia EV9

Kia and parent company Hyundai have already jumped into the EV game with the EV6 and Ioniq 5, respectively, and Kia showed a concept for a blocky full-size SUV EV in the three-row EV9 concept, which is scheduled to reach dealerships in 2023. The styling recalls the Telluride, which has been a sales success for the Korean automaker, but the concept has gone further into the future in terms of styling and technology. It is unclear whether the minimalist interior design, 27-inch touchscreen, or rear-hinged rear doors will make it into production, but it would certainly be cool if they did. Kia says that the driving range will be about 300 miles, and 350kW fast charging will allow it to be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes. The automaker hasn’t yet disclosed pricing.

2023 Kia EV9 (photo: Ian Whelan)