5 Absolutely Accurate Automotive Predictions For 2025
Happy new year, American car enthusiasts!
2025 is set to be a fun year with vehicles like the Corvette ZR1, Mustang GTD and Dodge Charger Daytona on the way, not to mention NASCAR going to Mexico, but there are surely surprises on the way.
Ride along as I gaze into my crystal ball joint to predict what else might be store for the American automotive scene.
(The Gas Station is where American Cars And Racing Executive Editor Gary Gastelu vents his opinions and bizarre ideas. Feel free to let us know if you think they stink.)
THE CORVETTE WON’T JUST BEAT THE MUSTANG AT THE NÜRBURGRING
Ford threw down the gauntlet in 2024 by becoming the first American automaker to lap the Nürburgring in less than seven minutes with the Mustang GTD’s 6:57.685 result. All signs point to the much more powerful and faster 1,064 hp Corvette ZR1 posting a better time, but an official number has not yet been released. While we “stay tuned” for that, there’s nothing stopping us from looking ahead to the next Corvette model, which has already been spotted being tested at the ‘Ring. It’s the presumed 2026 Corvette Zora that is expected to be an all-wheel drive hybrid with more than 1,200 hp. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is just a few ticks in front of the Mustang at 6:49.329 and well within reach, but can the Zora break the 1,049 hp Mercedes-AMG-ONE’s all-time record of 6:29.090? Only time will tell.
RAM AND DODGE WILL SAY: ‘YOU CAN HAVE A V8 … AGAIN’
The execution the V8 engine at the American brands of Stellantis has been stayed. After the automaker declared its intent to discontinue the engine type in its light duty models a few years ago, Jeep decided to keep it going into 2025 with the Wrangler Rubicon 392 and Dodge gave fans a Christmas present with news that V8-powered Durango SUV production would continue into the new year. With the departure of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, who was reportedly behind the Hemi’s demise, and the expecting loosening of emissions standards by the Trump administration, the door has been open for a broader V8 resurgence. The Ram 1500 gave it up for 2025 in favor of a turbocharged inline-six-cylinder, but the truck remains very much the same as last year’s and could easily accommodate a V8 return to help revive Ram’s sagging sales. Meanwhile, while Dodge has been adamant that there are no plans to put a V8 into the upcoming Charger muscle car that also features the straight-six, it’s hard to believe the “multi-energy” platform that it is designed on alongside electric Charger Daytona can’t fit a V8.
CHEVY WILL LAUNCH A RAPTOR-KILLING SILVERADO ZRX
GM’s plan to go big on electric vehicles has kept it out of the big performance pickup game. The Silverado 1500 ZR2 is the top dog, but it only has a 420 hp V8 that pales in comparison with the recently discontinued 702 hp Ram 1500 TRX and 720 hp Ford F-150 Raptor R that battled it out in recent years. However, in 2019 and again in 2023, General Motors filed a trademark application fort the name ZRX, which indicates its intention to step things up a notch. With the Cadillac Escalade’s 682 hp supercharged V8 sitting in the parts bin, someone just needs to give the word.
REVIEW: THE 2024 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 ZR2 IS A SUPERSIZE OFF-ROAD SPORT TRUCK
THE NEW TESLA ROADSTER’S FLIGHT WILL BE DELAYED
For what’s billed to be a very fast car, the second-generation Tesla Roadster is taking its time to go on sale. The new model was first shown off in 2017 and hasn’t been seen since, with the production version’s launch pushed off several times since. Nevertheless, Elon Musk said last year that Tesla is “finally making progress” and “close to finalizing the design,” which allegedly incorporates cold gas thrusters from SpaceX that will allow it to accelerate to 60 mph in less than a second and fly for short distances. Considering the technical challenges involved, Tesla dealing with softening demand for its mainstream models and Musk’s new distraction as an advisor to president-elect Trump, I still don’t expect the Roadster to get off the ground anytime soon.
KYLE LARSON WILL KISS THE BRICKS
It was fitting that Kyle Larson’s first attempt to win the Indy 500 was thwarted by him going too fast. The versatile driver qualified fifth as a rookie last year and spent most of the race cruising in the top 10 until he got a pit lane speeding penalty on lap 133 that led to an 18th-place finish. A rain delay in Indianapolis kept him from being fast enough to make it to Charlotte for his shot to complete “The Double” by also racing in the Coca-Cola 600, but he will try and try again this year and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t bring the Borg-Warner trophy along for the trip to North Carolina.
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