The 10 most important sports cars of 2022

BMW M2

Secretly, almost all cars in this list still fall into the ‘fuel car’ category, because the sportiness in the car world is still concentrated around the old, faithful petrol engine. Take BMW. Although that takes the first reluctant M-steps in the EV field with the i4 M50, it still mounts ‘just’ a six-cylinder in the nose with the real spectacle pieces. The highlight for the enthusiast is without a doubt the M2, which refers the already promising new M240i to the second plan. Think ‘M4’, but without the huge grille and with a smaller and lighter body. Besides the M2, we also expect a real novelty in the M-line-up: the first M3 Touring ever.

BMW XM

Even more BMW? Yes, because we cannot ignore the XM. The BMW-with-a-Citroën name will be the first separate, standalone M model since the M1, which was the very first BMW M ever. Although every fiber of our body screams that a clunky, large SUV isn’t worthy of that honor, the self-proclaimed M-topper has to be spectacular in some way.

Mercedes-Benz SL

The fact that the new Mercedes SL is in this list says a lot. The car is now called ‘Mercedes-AMG SL’ instead of ‘Mercedes-Benz SL’ and is actually going sporty. Not uncompromising, by the way, because with its rear seat and opulent interior, the SL must also offer a lot of luxury and comfort. The extent to which that compromise has been successful will become apparent when we are allowed to set out on it.

Lotus Emira

Lotus Emira

We rarely see an entirely new Lotus. The Lotus Emira is no longer such a lightweight toy as the Elise and the Exige, but it is a promising ‘entry-level supercar’. With 360 or 400 hp, the power is still somewhat manageable and the Emira is in a rather unique position. We are curious!

Toyota GR86

Speaking of unique positions, Toyota is sticking to the concept of a relatively affordable, purist sports coupe with rear-wheel drive. GT86 successor GR86 is also available as Subaru BRZ, but not in the Netherlands. This makes Toyota’s coupé even more alone than before. He also has more power and thus answers the call of many fans.

Ferrari Purosangue

Another SUV in the list, but it’s again a very special one. Ferrari’s long-legged has been talked about for years, but in 2022 it should finally be there. The brand therefore follows the pace of the peoples, but does not yet come with an SUV such as the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX. Compared to those cars, the Ferrari Purosangue is clearly lower and sportier, which means it spits the core values ​​of its maker a little less hard in the face. By the way, there will be rear doors, so this will be a real ‘family Ferrari’.

Maserati GranTurismo

There is a veritable news storm going on at Maserati. This year already sparked off with the MC20, but next year we expect an all-new GranTurismo and GranCabrio. High time, because the current model dates from 2007. Very special is that both body styles are also available as EV, although those versions are not necessarily planned for next year. Perhaps even more important Maserati news comes in the form of the Grecale. That compact SUV may have less right to a place in a list of sports enthusiasts, but it should certainly be mentioned here.

Honda Civic Type-R

In the fall of 2022, we will be introduced in Europe to the Honda Civic, which was already presented in the US in mid-2021. It doesn’t stop with the good hybrid, because of course there will also be a Civic Type-R! Honda has already extensively shown that variant, although the camouflage has yet to come off. Count on a very puristic hot hatch with at least 320 hp.

Mercedes-AMG One

Still back to Mercedes, because the AMG branch of that brand also has a real hypercar in the pipeline. You simply cannot get closer to an F1 car than the Mercedes-AMG One on the street, because this bizarre device actually has a 1.6-liter V6 from Formula 1 on board. Together with four electric motors, this produces more than 1,000 hp.

Porsche 911 Safari

Not a year without new variants of the Porsche 911. In 2022 we will meet, among other things, a 911 GT3 RS and a Sport Classic laced with retro elements. All fantastic, but even more special is undoubtedly the Porsche 911 Safari. The new version is not lower, but higher on the legs than a regular 911. Together with all kinds of finery, this results in a – we hardly dare to say – more SUV-like appearance. Normally we don’t get excited about that, but in the case of the 911 it could just make for a very tasty package. An elevated ‘Elfer’ is in any case historically justified and above all unique, because come to the competition for such a rough coupé. When can we?