2022 is set to be chock-full of new cars once more, which is why we've decided to try breaking down the new offerings. But when it comes to cars with a performance focus, there are just too many to focus on. Thus, we're going to handpick our absolute best performance prospects of 2022, before giving you a roundup of the other exciting offerings that we would also add to our shortlist if we were looking for something fun and fast in the new year. So without further ado and in no particular order, here are our top five picks for magical motoring over the next 12 months.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is arguably the closest to a supercar you can get without spending six figures (assuming that recent pricing rumors ring true). It will be offered as both a coupe and a convertible, but more important is that each will come with a flat-plane crank V8 generating 670 horsepower. This is good enough for a 0-60 time of just 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.6 seconds, but the sound is the most exciting thing about this engine. Also worth keeping an eye on is GM's luxury brand Cadillac, which has recently launched the CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing brothers for the 2022 model year.
Lotus Emira
The Lotus Emira is an all-new mid-engine sports car from across the pond, but its power sources come from even further afield. Buyers will have access to a Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter supercharged V6 producing 400 hp that can get you to 180 mph. This is available with either a manual or an automatic transmission, but if you want something a little less potent, Mercedes-AMG's 2.0-liter turbo-four is available exclusively with a dual-clutch transmission. This gives you 360 hp, but as always, the Lotus experience will revolve more around the way it handles and behaves than how fast it can go in a straight line.
Honda Civic Si
The Honda Civic Si was revealed earlier this year, and last month, we learned that its base MSRP is a scant $27,300. With a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-pot delivering 200 horses to the front wheels, this is another car that prioritizes fun over far-out figures. A six-speed manual is still standard too, as it is with its nearest competitor, the Jetta GLI. That car is also new for 2022, but both of these may yet be eclipsed by the Civic Type R. It is set to be "revealed" in prototype form early in January at Tokyo Auto Salon, which could suggest a full launch before 2022 comes to a close. Acura's new Integra is also interesting, but its styling has left many underwhelmed.
Nissan Z
The 2022 Nissan Z is another of those attainable sports cars that we can't wait to drive. A 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 powers the RWD racer with the aid of either a standard six-speed manual or an optional nine-speed automatic. 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque are offered, but unfortunately, pricing has not been revealed. Rumors suggest that it could undercut the Toyota GR Supra by a considerable margin and wouldn't cost much more than the also-new-for-2022 Toyota GR 86 and Subaru BRZ twins. If you don't mind spending big on your Japanese sports car, the Supra will be offered in a new A91-CF Edition that will cost over $63,000. If you just want something mildly sporty, the Subaru WRX is also worth considering unless you want to wait for the STi version.
Porsche 911 GT3
The Porsche 911 GT3 is arguably closer to a supercar than a sports car, but with a little over 500 hp, it produces less power than most of its exotic rivals. Nevertheless, this is and always has been the sweet spot of Porsche GT performance, and since you can have a wingless Touring variant too, not to mention a manual gearbox, the reasons to buy one are only increasing. If you like things subtler still, the 911 GTS is also arriving for 2022, while the ducktail spoiler of the 911 Sport Classic is expected on American roads before the end of the new year. For those lucky enough to secure an order, the 2022 Cayman GT4 RS is set to be one of the performance perfectionists of the year too.
The Best Of The Rest
We've barely scratched the surface of the new cars arriving next year, but there are still some that deserve our attention. Audi is launching its 8Y-generation A3, S3, and RS3 for 2022, the latter of which will include a drift mode. Speaking of which, the latest Volkswagen Golf R and its FWD GTI sibling are beginning to make their way to American dealers of late. Sticking with the Germans, BMW's epic M5 CS will be joined by the AWD versions of the M3 and M4 Competition, while the latter will lose its roof in the new model year too. The 4 Series Gran Coupe will launch too, and the 2 Series will become a common sight in affluent neighborhoods.
BMW's M8 Coupe and Convertible return after a hiatus in 2021, while Alpina's version of the four-door M8 arrives too in the B8 Gran Coupe. Of course, the real highlight will be the M4 CSL. Rounding off the German assault is the Mercedes-AMG SL, a car that we're very much looking forward to, but a sporty new C-Class isn't expected with the regular version's 2022 arrival. The AMG GT 63 S E Performance brings 843 electrified horses to our doors too. Luxury performance from Japan will also be showcased in the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, but for those who have tighter budgets, the Hyundai Elantra N and Kona N are awesome options. They could be joined by Toyota's GR Corolla too, but the ballers among us will be more interested in the magnificent Bentley Continental GT Speed, which is offered as a droptop and a coupe. 2022 is truly shaping up to be a year of choice.