In the twilight of the year, the world seems to be getting ready for "something" in 2017. Good, we hope. Beyond that, in purely... our terms, the new year brings several new models, but also some retirements. Some very loud ones, they give you a tightness in the stomach. Some do not. So what are the models that will not "live" in 2017?
Dodge Viper
Unfortunately for us, we were writing it early on. The ultimate expression of big is better, the brutal, at least impressive Dodge Viper, will go down in history. Only some anniversary editions -in limited numbers- will be produced in 2017, to mark the the end of "Viper" that made many people long for it and much more afraid of it.
But times change. This world, the world of downsizing does not "fit" the 8.4 litre brutal V10 which, in its latest version, the SRT Viper (no longer a Dodge) delivers 640 hp and 813 Nm of torque. And even though he dropped, last year, at Virginia International Raceway a full second in the Ferrari 488 GTB.
We don't say it. The numbers say it. Since the Viper's best sales were in 2014, when it sold 760 units. Even the Americans don't want swollen musclecars;
BMW Z4
Here, there is no need to cry. Yes, nice car, one cannot say. Luxurious without being extravagant, sporty without being sophisticated. And rear-wheel drive. A real BMW.
So why not cry? Because Z4 is leaving to make way for the new one. The best. The Z5. Which will be developed together with the new Toyota Supra. So, you realize that it will not be "negligible". After all, the BMW he's not used to "potatoes".
Aston Martin DB9
James Bond in a car version. A British masterpiece, capable of both living rooms and... threshing floors. Already, since this year, Aston Martin has limited production of the DB9 to just the DB9GT. Which, of course, is wearing this awesome V12 with 540 hp and the sound that raises the dead (that's V12).
After 13 years of progress on the market, the DB9 is preparing to give the much larger Aston Martin DB11 and become, with the "good morning" of 2017, a classic...
Rolls Royce Phantom
Like a ghost, the Rolls that is synonymous with luxury will pass into the oblivion (?) of the past. The model for whose sake BMW upsized a V12 to reach the "traditional" cubic capacity of 6,75 litres, is repealed.
RR is already preparing a replacement for the four-door Phantom, but not for the coupe and convertible (Drophead Coupe)
VW EOS
EOS has long been rumoured, perhaps prematurely, to be coming to an end. However, apparently its brand has kept it in the market to this day, despite being a loose five-seater, front-wheel drive CC that will not go down in history as exceptional.
VW realised that it has much more to give to the automotive world from the EOS - which sold very well...
Honda CR-Z
The CR-Z came in 2010, promising for a changing world. But it hasn't quite found its place in the global marketplace and, more importantly, in the hearts of Honda fans dreaming of worthy successors to the legendary Type-R, CRX, S2000, NSX and other fine Japanese cars.
After all, the CR-Z never managed to become a real sports coupe and transmit to its buyers the its ecological character.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
In essence, the Genesis Coupe is Hyundai's first serious attempt to create a real sport coupe. Rear-mounted, with a motor from 2L turbo up to a 348 hp 3.8 V6, the Korean model gave the market what it was looking for: A rear-wheel drive, cheap coupe for "play".
In the Greek market, where owning a car - especially a sports car - is treated as a mortal sin by the tax authorities, we didn't see it. So, we won't miss it. Besides, Hyundai, is up to big things for the sports car category. Very large...
Bonus tears: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
A car, an idea, an idea, a Legend. Filled with laurels from the WRC and every kind of race, legal and illegal, from 1992 until mid-2016, when it bid us farewell, EVO created a myth around his name.
This Rally replica, with the steering wheel - razor bladethe replicas that were only compared to supercars, the a grip that humiliated the laws of physics and the infinite possibilities for improvement, has made countless fans around the globe in all ten generations.
Η Final Edition of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, left us with a "why". Mitsubishi explained that it chose to focus on sports cars with electric motors. Given that its production officially stopped in March 2016 (so it hasn't even seen half of this year), we couldn't put it in the above seven. However, we couldn't skip it either...
