Editor’s note: Marcus Amick – a longtime contributor to Playboy – has covered the worlds of cars, mobility, and technology for nearly 20 years. In addition to Playboy, his work has appeared in Automotive
News, Men’s Journal, and The Verge, to name a few.
It takes a lot for a new car to cut through today’s media clutter and grab our attention. There are just way too many new vehicles to count. That is unless you’re a diehard enthusiast who eats, sleeps, and breathes cars. And even then, there’s a chance you might have missed one or two new reveals that generated buzz in 2024. Either way, here’s a recap of some of the most memorable rides revealed this year that will likely continue to garner buzz riding into 2025.
Aston Martin Vanquish
The next actor to take on the role of 007 secret agent James Bond might still be in limbo. But the long-awaited return of the Aston Martin Vanquish, the iconic car associated with the 2002 Bond flick Die Another Day, has already been solidified in 2024. The 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish ̶ touted as the pinnacle of the 111-year-old British brand ̶ is powered by a 5.2-liter Twin-Turbo V12 producing 824 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, with a top speed of 214 mph.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Without a doubt, one of the most highly anticipated sportscar reveals in North America this year was the 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1. And with good reason. The latest reiteration of the ZR1 — known as “King of the Hill” — features a twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft of torque, with a top speed of over 215 mph, making it the fastest and most powerful Corvette ever built.
BMW M5 Touring
Any new ride bearing BMW’s coveted high-performance “M5” emblem is worth taking note of. The 2025 BMW M5 Touring – the first M station wagon – in the U.S is a testament to that, as an entirely different spin on a sports car that can double as a badass family hauler that’s the envy of all the other parents at soccer practice. The M5 Touring is equipped with a V8 boosted by an electric motor for rapid power delivery and packs 727 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque, with a 0- 62 mph acceleration time of 3.6 seconds.
Ferrari F80
Every year, there tends to be two or three hypercars revealed that most can only dream of owning. The Ferrari F80 was one of the most droolworthy ones unveiled in 2024. It’s powered by a twin-turbo V6 plug-in-hybrid powertrain with 1,200 horsepower and a 0 – 62 mph acceleration speed of 2.2 seconds. Ferrari has long been known for the strict parameters associated with purchasing and owning its cars. The F80 ups the ante on that exclusivity, with a limited run of only 799 units and a base price of $3.1 million.
Jeep Wagoneer S
The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S – Jeep’s first global foray into battery-electric SUVs ̶ ushers in an entirely new era for the legendary American brand. The Wagoneer S not only has a driving range of 300 miles, with the ability to charge the vehicle from 20% to 80% in 23 minutes with a DC fast charger. It also ups the ante on the idea of an off-road capable SUV bearing the iconic Jeep nameplate, delivering 600 horsepower, with a 0 – 60 mph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds.
Nissan R35 GT-R Skyline Special Edition
There arguably has been no sports car that has garnered more global fandom over the past 17 years than the Nissan GT-R, better known as “Godzilla.” This year Nissan paid homage to the last model year of the iconic R-35 GT-R in North America, with a pair of limited-production models – the 2024 GT-R T-spec Takumi and Skyline limited editions. The GT-R Skyline Edition – painted in the popular Bayside Blue – is a tribute to the Japanese skylines from which the iconic model draws its name. Only 200 units of the special edition GT-Rs are being produced.
Scout Motors Traveler
Scout Motors had one of the most buzzed-about reveals in 2024. Making a comeback after a 40-plus year hiatus, the Scout nameplate has been reborn in the form of the all-electric Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck. The Traveler – a favorite of the two vehicles – is a striking, modern reinterpretation of the legendary offroad SUV. One of the most talked-about features shared by both the Traveler and Terra is an optional powertrain system that features a built-in, gas-powered generator that extends the driving range from 350 miles to more than 500 miles.