The 8 Most Eagerly Anticipated Cars Of 2013

Boy, was 2012 a great year for us car nerds. In an age of downsizing we were treated to a new breed of stripped-back sports car, a new Rangie and a scorching BMW that defies pricing logic. Oh, and don't forget the Renault Twizy...

Next year, we've got some corkers coming, too! Here are our most eagerly anticipated picks for 2013:

Darren Cassey - Dodge Viper

The Dodge Viper has always been the perfect symbol of why I’m not really into American cars. They're big, noisy, simple, and strangely reluctant to ditch outdated technology. The trend has been changing a little lately, and now the new Viper has stopped crawling on its belly and has undergone an evolution that’d make Charles Darwin proud. Now walking on two feet - its knuckles barely dragging - the 8.4 litre V10 sticks two fingers up at downsizing. It boasts 640 horsepower which well and truly catapults its lighter, more refined body into the 21st Century.

Ollie Kew - Porsche Cayman

I might as well be writing this ready to copy and paste into 2013's CT Car of the Year vote. Why? The outgoing Cayman R is one of the best cars I've ever driven, and Alex K agrees (even if it's tricky to drift). The new Caymonster is lighter, faster, greener, prettier and shares a chassis set-up with the new Boxster, which we're big fans of here at CT. Need I say any more? Oh, okay then. Be afraid, Alfa 4C and F-type.

Antony Ingram - Alfa Romeo 4C

Alfa Romeo matters. And this car, with its sub-tonne body and mid-mounted, 300-horse turbocharged engine, matters more than most. The 4C is the sort of car we've been secretly hoping Alfa would build for years - nay, decades - and in 2013, they're finally doing it. The busy styling is proving controversial to some, but we'll forgive it if it's that brilliant to drive...

Leo Kimitri - Audi TT GT3

German engineers are like cockroaches – not even the apocalypse will stop them getting to work. Which is good, because they might actually build the b-e-a-utiful Audi Quattro concept, complete with snarling five pot motor and all-wheel drive to keep the rampant ponies in check. Except they’ve canned it. Damn. But it’s alright 'cos I’ve asked Santa to make sure the properly lightweight Audi TT GT3 looks just like the gorgeous Quattro. This 1000kg TT should have the same musical engine as the Quattro for epic speed and sound effects and around 350bhp of horsepowery goodness. Mmm.

Tom Harrison - Jaguar F-type

If it was anatomically possible to kick oneself, I’m sure a fair few Porsche drivers would be doing so right about now. Compelling though they may be, not one glorified Beetle has the desirability, the class, nor the character of Jag’s new F-Type; new Cayman be damned. With the quickest steering rack ever fitted to a Jag and stiffer suspension than the already pretty solid XKR-S, it promises to be more than a match for Stuttgart's finest on road and track, too. Did I mention the engine? 5.0-litre V8. 488bhp. 186mph. Drivers, ready your cheque books. The lovely Miss Del Rey approves - and let’s be honest, so do you. Right?

Alex Hamilton - Mercedes CLA

This is the new baby CLS. Rival to the Audi A5 Sportback and forthcoming BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, this is the swish alternative to the sales rep’s C-class. It shares its chassis with the A-class as well as most of the interior styling cues and that awesome ‘diamond’ grille. If you thought the baby Benz and CLS looked sexy, the combination of the two is like Mila Kunis! Expect the usual small Merc engines plus an AMG version with a 330hp 2.0-litre turbocharged power plant. It arrives in showrooms in the summer.

Alex Kersten - Renault Clio RS

I’m going to throw it out there and say that I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the 2013 Renault Clio RS. Sure, it’s not the prettiest, but like the 1-series it’ll no doubt prove a grower. As for its decision to ditch the hot Clio’s naturally aspirated 2.0-litre unit in favour of a 1.6-litre turbocharged lump, Renault’s been making hardcore hatches for years so I’m willing to give them the benefit of doubt. What I am worried about, however, is its move to equip it with a six-speed dual clutch ‘box only. But hey, Renault’s promising to bring the hot five-door Clio's “sporting driving experience to the next level,” which is good enough for me.

Adnan Ebrahim - McLaren P1

Lest we forget about the colossal hype originating from Paris' Motor Show, it's about time I stepped into the ring with the 2013 McLaren P1 in tow. This hybrid supercar, apparently touted for superfast lap-times in lieu of top speed, packs the MP4-12C's twin-turbo V8 along with a KERS electric boost bringing the total package up to around 800bhp in exchange for roughly £800,000 of your hard-earned. Oh, and don't forget about the elephant in the room (on the roof?) in the form of a huge active rear wing claimed to produce 600kg of downforce. Sucks to be Lewis Hamilton right now...

What are you most excited about seeing in 2013?