The USA lost a few of the most exciting vehicles it’s ever produced in 2023, like the Ram 1500 TRX and sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, but there are some new ones on the way that might make us forget about them soon enough.
From electric muscle and luxury cars to a race car for the road, these are the six American models launching during 2024 that I hope to get behind the wheel of this year:
CADILLAC CELESTIQ
I’m not going to lie, I’m still not entirely sold on the Cadillac Celestiq. The brand’s attempt to reclaim the Standard of the World title with a bespoke electric four-door that has a starting price of $340,000 doesn’t check all the boxes for me. Sure, the striking liftback can be custom trimmed to the buyer’s specifications, just like a high end Rolls-Royce, but its underlying tech doesn’t sound as impressive.
It’s expected to arrive with a 600 hp all-wheel-drive system, a 300-mile driving range between charges and a 400-volt architecture that won’t fill its battery as quickly as today’s 800-volt systems. The existing 1,000 hp Hummer EV already beats it on all of those counts, as will the 800-volt Cadillac Escalade IQ that’s launching this year with 750 hp and a 450-mille-range.
Power and performance aren’t everything, of course, and the Celestiq also features GM’s upcoming Ultra Cruise hands-free driving system that it says will eventually be able to handle 95% of the driving as the software is developed. Oh, right, the Escalade IQ is also getting that.
OK, so maybe there are seven new American vehicles I can’t wait to drive in 2024.
DODGE CHARGER DAYTONA SRT
Or whatever it ends up being called. Dodge is replacing its V8-powered muscle cars with an all-electric model based on the Charger Daytona SRT Concept that was first revealed in 2022. It will be offered in three power levels, each with two eStage software upgrades available. The first two will have power outputs between 455 hp and 670 hp, while the third “Banshee” trim’s output has yet to be confirmed.
Dodge knows it’s taking a chance on this and has added a few technologies to make the driving experience as much like a traditional muscle car as possible beyond the speed. An eRupt feature has been included that simulates gear shifts, even though the electric motors don’t require them, while the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust brings the noise and (hopefully) good vibrations along for the ride.
FORD MUSTANG GTD
With the departure of the Camaro and V8-powered Challenger, the Ford Mustang is the last of the old-school pony/muscle cars, but there’s one model on the way that’s very high tech without going electric.
The Mustang GTD is a road version of Ford’s Mustang-based IMSA and WEC race car that’s looks barely street legal. It’s built by the same Multimatic shop that produces the race car and features a full carbon fiber body, an active rear wing, and 800 hp supercharged 5.2-liter V8 and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Prices will start at $300,000 when deliveries begin at the end of the year, hopefully after the race car has racked up a few wins.
JEEP RECON
Jeep is going electric sometime this year with a vehicle based on the Recon concept. The boxy SUV’s styling looks like a marriage of the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee and it is equipped with removable doors and a fabric panoramic sunroof.
Specifications like range and power haven’t been announced, but Jeep said it will be Trail Rated, which means it will be capable of tackling the Rubicon Trail … silently.
RAM 1500 RHO
The mighty Ram 1500 TRX may be going extinct, but the 1500 RHO sounds like it could be a lot of fun. The TRX’s supercharged 700 hp V8 was a blast and maybe a bit much. A slightly less powerful, but more affordable version of the high performance pickup always seemed like a good idea, and that’s what the 1500 RHO sounds like. It will feature a supercharged 540 hp inline-six-cylinder that should deliver plenty of punch to go with its extreme off-road suspension system. Photos haven’t been revealed yet, but the motor will also be offered in other 2025 Ram 1500 models debuting this year.
TESLA CYBERTRUCK
Love it or hate it, the Tesla Cybertruck is the most interesting vehicle to come out in years. A few are already in customer’s hands, but production will be ramping up throughout the year. It has a stainless steel body, drive-by-wire four-wheel steering, an 845 hp all-wheel-drive system and one of the most bizarre designs to ever grace a vehicle with four wheels and a bed.
(The Gas Station is where American Cars And Racing Executive Editor Gary Gastelu vents his opinions. Feel free to let us know if you think they stink.)
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