2026 is shaping up to be a year of extremes in the automotive world. While the affordable enthusiast car market looks increasingly bleak, hypercar makers are going all-in with naturally aspirated V16s, 1,800-horsepower hybrids, and million-dollar price tags. Here are the 12 cars that have us counting down the days.
1. BMW M3 (New Generation) – The Make-or-Break Moment
What We Know: Built on an entirely new architecture, the next-generation M3 is BMW’s chance at redemption. After the styling controversies and the porky M5, all eyes are on Munich to deliver something special.
Why We’re Excited (And Nervous):
The anticipation for this car hangs in the balance. BMW has been spotted testing prototypes with quad exhausts, but rumors suggest they might follow Dodge’s ill-fated Charger strategy by launching an EV version first. That’s… concerning, given how well that worked out for Dodge.
The Design Question: Camouflaged prototypes show hints of the “Neue Klasse” (New Class) design language, which pays homage to BMW’s 1960s and ’70s rebirth. The question everyone’s asking: Does it have the Hofmeister kink? It should, especially if this is BMW’s “remember who you are, Simba” moment.
The Reality: Dynamically, recent M cars have been exceptional. The outgoing G80 M3 set a high benchmark that’ll be tough to follow. If BMW can combine those dynamics with restrained styling and reasonable weight, they might just nail it.
Bottom Line: Innocent until proven guilty. BMW, don’t let us down.
Expected Price: TBA | Launch: 2026
2. Honda Prelude – The Enthusiast Car That Nobody Asked For (But We’re Driving Anyway)
What We Know: The Prelude is back, and the internet has… opinions. With a 0-60 time that’s reportedly slower than a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan, it’s become this year’s most scrutinized affordable enthusiast car.
The Controversy:
At 8+ seconds to 60 mph and with dealers already marking them up, the Prelude has faced harsh criticism. It’s not trying to be a thrilling sports car, but that hasn’t stopped people from expecting one.
Why We’re Still Excited:
Despite the numbers, Honda has a habit of making cars that just work. The Civic Si and Civic Hybrid both exceeded expectations, and the Prelude shares its hybrid powertrain with the latter. Sometimes, Hondas are simply better than they look on paper.
The Problem: This is 2026’s “affordable enthusiast car,” which is depressing in itself. With no new GR86, Miata, or similar offerings on the horizon, the Prelude carries the weight of an entire segment on its shoulders.
Our Take: Reserve judgment until you drive it. Honda might surprise everyone.
Expected Price: ~$40,000+ | Launch: Early 2026
3. Aston Martin Valhalla – Third Time’s the Charm?
What We Know: We’ve been waiting for this car since 2024. The Valhalla is Aston Martin’s mid-engine hybrid hypercar with a twin-turbo V8 producing 1,064 horsepower total.
Why the Delay Doesn’t Matter:
Aston Martin is absolutely crushing it right now. They’ve fixed nearly every issue that plagued them in previous years, and their current lineup (Vantage, DB12, Vanquish) proves they’re firing on all cylinders.
The Only Concern: It’s turbocharged. While modern turbo V8s can sound good (some AMGs, for example), they rarely match the visceral scream of naturally aspirated engines that made Aston famous.
What Makes It Special: This is a Revuelto fighter in a British-tailored suit. It’s a million-dollar supercar (999 units only) that promises to blend performance with Aston’s signature elegance.
Bottom Line: Despite the turbos, we’re desperate to drive it.
Expected Price: ~$1 million | Production: 999 units
4. Aston Martin DB12S – When Good Gets Better (Or Worse?)
What We Know: The DB12 was a revelation when it launched, signaling that Aston Martin had completely sorted themselves out. Now comes the DB12S with 19 more horsepower (690 total), recalibrated transmission, thicker anti-roll bars, carbon ceramics, and quad exhausts.
The Concern:
The standard DB12 already felt like a performance weapon with impeccable ride quality. What if adding more performance ruins what made it special? Or worse, what if the changes are so subtle you can’t tell the difference?
Why It Made the List:
It looks fantastic with those quad pipes, and sometimes you just want the sickest-looking version of an already great car.
The Configurator Trap: Fair warning: Don’t visit Aston Martin’s online configurator unless you have hours to spare. The ability to choose three individual tones of leather for the interior seats is dangerously addictive.
Expected Price: ~$250,000+ | Launch: 2026
5. Bentley Continental GT Super Sports – When 1,000 Pounds Disappears
What We Know: The Continental GT Super Sports is nearly 500 kg (over 1,000 lbs) lighter than the standard Continental GT. Let that sink in.
The Transformation:
This isn’t just a slight diet. Bentley stripped out the rear seats, added carbon fiber body panels, ditched the all-wheel drive, and created something that looks straight out of Fast & Furious. The twin-turbo V8 now produces 657 horsepower.
The Identity Crisis:
Is this too boy-racer for a Bentley? The brand traditionally sits on the luxury side of the sports-luxury spectrum, while Aston Martin occupies the sportier end. But maybe Bentley’s recent performance focus has changed that dynamic.
The Verdict: It looks like Bentley’s GT3 race car, and that’s cool. Really cool.
What Makes This Special:
When do you ever see a car lose 1,000 pounds from one trim to another? If you did that to an MX-5, you’d have a bicycle. This should be an absolute thrill ride.
Expected Price: ~$300,000+ | Launch: 2026
6. Scout Truck – The $25,000 EV That Represents Hope
What We Know: The Scout Truck is a modular electric pickup starting at $25,000 (though that price will likely climb). You can strip it down to basics or build it up into an SUV, add seats, customize endlessly.
Why This Matters:
This isn’t just about one truck. It’s about what it represents: someone finally trying to make an EV that doesn’t cost $60,000. With a 150-mile range and IKEA-like modularity, it’s the anti-luxury EV.
The Reality Check:
150 miles isn’t much range, but that’s not what EVs should be doing right now anyway. This is perfect for town trips, errands, and short commutes—the modern equivalent of a Japanese Kei truck.
The Excitement Factor:
Low center of gravity, lightweight construction, and a back-to-basics approach could make this genuinely fun to drive. Plus, when it loses 50% of its value, you’re only down $10,000.
Expected Price: Under $25,000 (claimed) | Launch: Late 2026
7. Ferrari F849 “Testerosa” – The SF90 Successor That Divided the Internet
What We Know: All-wheel drive hybrid with a twin-turbo V8 producing 1,236 horsepower. 0-100 km/h in 2.3 seconds. And yes, it has physical buttons on the steering wheel (finally).
The SF90 Problem:
Its predecessor was too fast, too instantly, and nobody cared about it. Depreciation hit hard—one owner lost more on his SF90 than any car in his collection, while the extreme SF90 XX made him the most money. Weird dynamics.
Design Opinions:
The reveal was met with mixed reactions, but it’s growing on people. It looks aggressive, purposeful, and distinctly modern Ferrari.
The Catch:
We probably won’t get to drive it. Ferrari is… less than thrilled with some of our past coverage (that interior disaster comment might have hit a nerve). So we’ll be watching other people’s videos with great interest.
Expected Price: ~$800,000+ | Launch: 2026
8. Toyota GR GT – “The AMG GT That Mercedes Should Have Made.”
What We Know: This is massive news. Toyota’s first Gazoo Racing supercar doesn’t even say “Toyota” on it—it’s branded purely as “GR GT.” Twin-turbo V8 with hybrid assist, 641 horsepower, and proper sports car engineering.
Why It’s the “Right” AMG GT:
Unlike the new Mercedes AMG GT, this one has:
- Dry sump lubrication
- Transaxle layout (transmission at the back)
- Proper weight distribution
- All the engineering that made the original AMG GT great
The Inspiration Story:
Toyota’s CEO was driven by shame. He was told Toyota could never build a car to match their rivals’ performance. That humiliation became the driving force behind this project. In modern terms, instead of committing career suicide, he built a supercar.
The Concerns:
It won’t sound like the LFA (let’s not talk about the electric LFA successor—we’re not ready). More worryingly, rumors suggest a price tag near $500,000. If true, that’s dead on arrival.
The Design:
That hood is miles long, and it looks properly different from anything else on the road. If Toyota prices it right, this could be spectacular.
Expected Price: ~$200,000-500,000 (?) | Launch: 2026
9. Singer DLS Turbo – Distilled Car Dopamine
The Confession:
This car is automotive AI-generated perfection. It’s every base instinct of car love turned into metal and carbon fiber. It’s the Singer 911 formula taken to its logical extreme.
What Makes It Special:
700 horsepower. Turbocharging. All of Singer’s obsessive attention to detail. Remember how mind-bendingly fast the Turbo 911K was at 350 horsepower? This has twice that.
The Problem:
It’ll cost over $2 million. This is the car you’d choose if someone gave you keys to any car in 2026, but it’s also the car you’ll never actually own.
Why It Made the List:
Because sometimes, you need to acknowledge perfection, even if it’s completely unattainable. This is the car that’ll have Porsche fans taking a moment alone with the configurator.
Expected Price: $2+ million | Production: Limited
10. Mini G-Wagon – Funko Pop Meets Off-Road Legend
What We Know: Mercedes is expanding the “legendary G-Class family” with a smaller version built on a miniature ladder frame chassis.
The Important Part:
If this is a genuine G-Wagon—complete with locking differentials and proper off-road capability—just smaller, then we’re 100% on board. If it’s Bronco Sport-ified into a soft-roader, we’re out.
Why We’re Cautiously Optimistic:
A properly capable, smaller, more affordable G-Wagon? That could be brilliant. The full-size G-Cabriolet coming alongside it is less interesting (that’s just for Malibu Barbie and Doug DeMuro).
Expected Price: TBA | Launch: 2026
11. Toyota FJ (New Generation) – The Mini Off-Roader Nobody’s Sure About
What We Know: Based on the Land Cruiser platform but smaller, the new FJ looks… controversial. It resembles an Alibaba knockoff of itself.
The Honest Take:
“It’s horrible” might be too harsh, but it’s definitely funky. And not necessarily in a good way.
What Would Be Better:
A two-door version of the Prado/new Land Cruiser. That’s what people actually want. Especially since there’s already a two-door Bronco, two-door Defender, and other options.
The Silver Lining:
It could make for an entertaining comparison: Mini G vs. FJ vs. Suzuki Jimny in a mini off-road adventure shootout.
Expected Price: TBA | North America: Not confirmed
12. Bugatti Tourbillon – The Naturally Aspirated V16 That Changes Everything
What We Know:
- 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16
- Electric motor assist
- 1,800 horsepower total
- 0-100 km/h in 2 seconds
- 276 mph top speed (with speed key)
- Aerospace-grade carbon composite monocoque
- 8-speed DCT
Why This Is a Big Deal:
This is only the third all-new Bugatti in our lifetimes. And instead of following the turbo hybrid trend, they’ve gone with a naturally aspirated V16—something we haven’t seen in decades.
The Rimac Factor:
This car is in the hands of Mate Rimac, and that alone is reason for excitement. Bugatti has always represented the ultimate, and under Rimac’s leadership, the Tourbillon should be extraordinary.
The Experience:
Nobody will own this (okay, a few people will). But experiencing it, even vicariously through reviews, will be incredible. It’s the benchmark, the conversation starter, the “remember when” car of our generation.
The Service Costs:
Imagine what the second service will cost when you need to do spark plugs and coils on a V16. Probably the price of a Civic Type R. Just for the service.
Expected Price: ~$4+ million | Launch: 2026
The Bigger Picture: What 2026 Tells Us About the Industry
The Bad News: The affordable enthusiast car market is looking bleak. With no new GR86, Miata, or similar offerings, the Prelude carries the burden of an entire segment.
The Good News: At the high end, manufacturers are still pushing boundaries. Naturally aspirated V16s, proper lightweight sports cars, and genuine engineering excellence still exist.
The Middle Ground: Companies like Scout are trying to democratize EVs, while traditional luxury brands like Aston Martin and Bentley are having a renaissance.
Final Thoughts: Which Car Are We Most Excited For?
The Emotional Choice: Singer DLS Turbo—distilled automotive perfection in metal form.
The Pragmatic Choice: BMW M3—This car can put an entire company back on track. It matters that much.
The Wildcard: Toyota GR GT—if priced right, this could be the surprise of the year.
The Statement Piece: Bugatti Tourbillon—because sometimes you just want to witness greatness, even from afar.
What About You?
Which of these 12 cars has you most excited? Are you Team Affordable (Prelude, Scout) or Team Hypercar (Valhalla, Tourbillon)? Would you take a naturally aspirated V16 Bugatti or a turbocharged Singer 911?
Let us know in the comments which car you’re counting down the days for!
Stay tuned to My Pit Shop for updates on all these launches, plus in-depth reviews when they finally hit the streets!
P.S. – If you’re a BMW fan, light a candle for the M3. It needs all the good vibes it can get.
