2013 Model Year Overview: Part 1

It's that time of year again — time for us to review what's coming down the pike during the next model year. With some of the most significant platforms entering new generations and plenty of noteworthy new models coming onto the market, there's a lot to be excited about for 2013.

With new versions of industry standards such as BMW's 3-Series and Honda's Civic now roaming the streets, not to mention all-new brands such as Fisker and eagerly awaited sports cars such as the joint "Toyobaru" project finally a reality, it's a fun time to be a car lover.

Acura

Two models lead Acura's charge into 2013: a fully redesigned RDX and the entirely new ILX entry-level sedan. The ILX's sport-oriented variant is easily the most driver-oriented Acura to arrive in years, and while it's not exactly a sports car, it's a glimmer of hope for enthusiasts pining for Honda products to return to their sporty roots.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Acura line is carrying over largely unchanged. We are eagerly awaiting the automaker's official announcement about whether it will build a successor to the NSX, or perhaps even add a coupe to its lineup. Here's hoping it has some fun planned for further down the road.

WHAT'S NEW . . .

Model: 2013 ILX
Details: An all-new entry-level model, the ILX shares its underpinnings with the latest Honda Civic, including a sportier variant with a 2.4-liter 201-horsepower engine and 6-speed automatic transmission that is shared with the Civic Si. While the ILX may be based on a simpler vehicle, Acura does a great job upping the technology and fanciness.

Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $25,900

See more photos of the 2013 Acura RDX

Model: 2013 RDX
Details: Fully redesigned for 2013, the RDX aims to take on the best in the entry-premium SUV category. Acura engineers redesigned every aspect of the RDX, from the style of the exterior to the mechanical bits under the hood. Gone is the old turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which has been replaced with a significantly more powerful 273-horsepower V6 that features cylinder deactivation to save on fuel. Thanks to that, as well as a new transmission — and an all-wheel-drive system, when equipped — Acura says that fuel efficiency has improved by as much as 5 mpg.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $34,320

Aston Martin

Although now offering a more versatile lineup thanks to its Cygnet microcar and Rapide 4-door, Aston Martin is still recognized primarily for its long history of sultry sports cars. These curvaceous coupes are still among the most perfectly designed machines ever created. However, despite a recent limited-edition supercar, the One-77, the British company hasn't focused much on staying on top of the technology game, and this unfortunate trait is something that can often be seen in the spec sheets of its cars.

WHAT'S NEW ...

Model: 2013 Vanquish
Details: First seen as the AM 310 Concept, the new Vanquish is the British manufacturer's new high-end sports car, replacing the DBS — which in turn replaced the original V12 Vanquish. The new model features dramatic design cues lifted from the recent One-77 supercar, and is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine like its predecessor. The difference from the DBS, however, lies in its power output, which is now a very healthy 565 horsepower. Also different is the lack of a manual transmission, as the new model uses a 6-speed sequential gearbox exclusively.
Availability: Early 2013
Price: To be announced

Audi

Year after year, Audi somehow manages to keep getting better. For 2013, it's bringing a handful of new models to the United States, as well as several important refreshes. Enthusiasts will be pleased to know that most of these are sport-oriented vehicles, including the RS5 coupe and a trio of "S" models packing turbocharged V8 engines. In addition, the German company is introducing its electric-car program with the A3 e-tron, and is adding a diesel option to its excellent midsize sedan, the A6.

The rest of the line stays the same, and rightfully so.

WHAT'S NEW ...

Model: 2013 S6
Details: Slotted on top of the A6, Audi's latest midsize luxury-sedan masterpiece, the eye-catching new S6 packs a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine good for 420 horsepower and a broad plateau of 406 lb-ft of torque. This is right in line with the S6's primary competitor, the BMW 550i. Although it also boasts a substantial amount of safety, comfort and entertainment technology, the S6 is not a sedate sedan. It is clearly geared toward performance, as its 4.8-second romp to 60 mph demonstrates. Exterior differences between the A6 and S6 are subtle but noticeable and include details such as aluminum side mirrors.
Availability: Fall 2012
Price: To be announced

Compare: Audi S4 vs. Audi S5 vs. Audi S6

Model: 2013 RS5
Details: When an Audi has an "R" in its name, you know it's something special. They're essentially regular models handed over to the company's in-house performance tuners, the Quattro division, for heavy-duty performance enhancements, equivalent to BMW's hallowed "M" cars. The RS5 is the latest and greatest example of this, and is an A5-based sports coupe with a screaming 450-horsepower V8 engine shoehorned under its hood. It is designed to do battle with the BMW M3 coupe.
Availability: To be announced
Price: To be announced

Model: 2013 S7
Details: Audi's highly acclaimed 5-door coupe, the A7, receives the "S" treatment for 2013. Equipped with a turbocharged cylinder-on-demand V8 engine channeling 420 horsepower to all four wheels via Audi's latest 7-speed automated gearbox, the svelte, luxurious S7 can hit 60 mph in less than five seconds, while carrying four adults in comfort and style. Along with the beefier V8 engine, the S7 will come standard with a sport air-suspension system and improved brakes, along with unique performance accents inside and out.
Availability: Fall 2012
Price: To be announced

Model: 2013 S8
Details: The Audi A8, Audi's latest and greatest supersedan, is now available in top "S" spec. The S8 packs quite a wallop, too, with an impressive 520 horsepower bursting from its turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. Despite the impressive power, the new engine requires nearly a quarter less fuel than its Lamborghini-derived V10 predecessor. Also unique to the S8 is an adaptive air-suspension system, high-performance brakes and numerous sport-oriented tweaks throughout.
Availability: Fall 2012
Price: To be announced

Model: 2013 A3 e-tron
Details: This is the electric option for Audi's entry-level A3 wagon. Not much has been formally announced yet for the American market's electric A3, aside from a February 2012 statement that a "pilot program" would indeed happen. The A3 e-tron will be powered by a water-cooled electric motor good for 81 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque.
Availability: To be announced
Price: To be announced

WHAT'S BEEN REFRESHED ...

Model: 2013 A4/S4/Allroad
Details: Audi's bread-and-butter sedan, the A4, gets a cosmetic update for 2013, including its higher-performance S4 variant. Most immediately noticeable is the new headlamp design, which now features a more angular shape. Additionally, the A4 Avant wagon is leaving the U.S. market and is being replaced with the more rugged-appearing Allroad variant. The two excellent powertrains carry over from 2012, including the 211-horsepower 2.0T (A4) and the 333-horsepower 3.0T (S4).
Availability: To be announced
Price: To be announced

See more photos of the 2013 Audi A5

Model: 2013 A5/S5
Details: The shapely coupe counterpart to Audi's A4 sedan receives a noticeable face lift for 2013, along with some worthwhile changes in specs. Gone is the old 4.2-liter V8 engine from the 2012 S5. The new S5 shares the thrilling, supercharged V6 that debuted in the S4 recently, an efficient, lively powerplant good for 333 horsepower. The A5 remains powered by the ever-so-popular 2.0 TFSI engine, which produces 211 horsepower and a stout 258 lb-ft of torque. Both can be equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed automated transmission.
Availability: To be announced
Price: To be announced

Model: 2013 A6 3.0 TDI
Details: The midlevel A6 sedan was fully redesigned for 2012 and so carries into 2013 effectively unchanged, except for one notable addition: an option for a diesel-burning engine. Although specs have not yet been announced, it's fair to assume the new model will pack a diesel engine similar — if not identical — to the European market's A6 3.0 TDI, which is available with either 204 horsepower or 245 horsepower. The more powerful version, complete with 369 lb-ft of torque, is likely the one the U.S. will receive. For many, this addition will make one of the market's best sedans even better.
Availability: To be announced
Price: To be announced

Read:  10 Lesser-Known Diesel Models

Bentley

Bentley Motors, one of the most historically important British automobile manufacturers, introduces two new model variants for 2013: a premium trim for its latest Mulsanne flagship and an "entry level" variant of its popular Continental GT coupe. It's a safe bet that these powerful and exclusive luxury cars will drip with elegant British flair and quality.

WHAT'S NEW ...

Model: 2013 Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification
Details: Bentley's latest flagship sedan, the $285,000 Mulsanne, receives a new variant for 2013, but it's not a significantly altered model. The twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V8 engine remains the same, meaning it still produces 505 horsepower and a ridiculous 752 lb-ft of torque. Aside from a new Sport drive mode, the main differences for the Mulliner version are aesthetic, including bespoke wheels and a selection of 100 exterior paint colors.
Availability: To be announced
Price: To be announced

See more photos of the 2012 Bentley Continental GT

Model: 2013 Continental GT V8
Details: Bentley's grand touring coupe, the Continental GT, is the classic modern Bentley and a darling of celebrities. For 2013, the luxury coupe gets a new entry-level variant in the form of the Continental GT V8. As its name implies, it's powered by a new turbocharged V8 engine, making 500 horsepower, compared with the normal W12's 567 horsepower. That said, it's more efficient and still hits 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.
Availability: To be announced
Price: To be announced

BMW

BMW unleashed its two latest heavy hitters on us this year, the M5 and M6. True to form, these models boast specs worthy of their supercar status and mark the two most potent models in BMW's lineup. Aside from this, 2013 won't be too busy for the German automaker. Changes to its lineup include a few new variants of existing platforms, most notably a high-performance 1-Series model and a wagon version of the latest and greatest 3-Series. In the meantime, the company's "green"-conscious, futuristic "i" line continues to take shape for the near future and is expected to include a revolutionary electric sports car, the i8.

WHAT'S NEW ...

Model: 2013 M5
Details: Long heralded as the ultimate sport sedan, BMW's M5 has now entered its fifth generation, and it's faster and more refined than ever. Fully redesigned and based on the latest 5-Series sedan, the muscular new M5 now hosts a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 under its hood, a monstrously potent engine good for 560 horsepower. Although it produces significantly more power, particularly torque, than the previous engine, it consumes nearly 30 percent less fuel. This is a sedan worthy of BMW's "ultimate driving machine" slogan.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $92,000

Model: 2013 M6 / M6 Convertible
Details: Like the recently released M5 sedan, the new M6 and M6 convertible are motivated by a tremendously powerful new turbocharged V8 engine producing a whopping 560 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The performance gurus in BMW's motorsports division also thoroughly fine-tuned the M6's chassis, suspension and brakes.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $106,995 / $113,995

Model: 2013 6-Series Gran Coupe
Details: It seems that 4-door "coupes" are all the rage in luxury cars, and BMW is the latest manufacturer to jump on the bandwagon, with the 2013 6-Series Gran Coupe. Aside from the new body design and two extra doors, the Gran Coupe is largely the same as the 6-Series; the base 640i uses a 315-horsepower variation of the popular turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, and the 650i uses the newest turbocharged 445-horsepower V8. All-wheel drive is available as an option.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $76,895

See more photos of the 2013 BMW X1

Model: 2013 X1
Details: After enjoying considerable success overseas, BMW's diminutive X1 is ready to take on the U.S. market. As the baby crossover in the BMW line, the X1 features the company's newest entry-level engine, the TwinPower turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. It produces 240 horsepower and a healthy 260 lb-ft of torque, and can be mated to an optional all-wheel-drive system. Exclusive to the U.S. market is the xDrive35i variant, which uses BMW's highly acclaimed 300-horsepower 6-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive.
Availability: Fall 2012
Price: Starts at $31,545

Model: 2013 3-Series Sports Wagon
Details: Design has been finalized on the wagon variant of the latest 3-Series, BMW's bread-and-butter sport sedan and perennial car-lovers' favorite. Aside from the extra interior space and the different body style, the 3-Series Sports Wagon will feature all of the same equipment and specifications as its 3-Series siblings, including the new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine of the 328i and the popular 3.0-liter 6-cylinder of the 335i, both mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or new 8-speed automatic.
Availability: Spring 2013
Price: To be announced

See more photos of the 2013 BMW 1-Series

Model: 2013 135is
Details: Although BMW's baby sports coupe recently acquired a high-performance "M" variant, that didn't stop the company from introducing the 2013 135is. This new model is a performance-oriented version of the 1-Series — just not quite to the level of the fine-tuned 1-Series M Coupe. It comes complete with sport suspension, differential and various odds and ends, along with an extra bump in power to the venerable 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbocharged engine with its 320 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. This new variant will also be available as a convertible.
Availability: Fall 2012
Price: Starts at $44,145