With 2025 in full swing, automotive manufacturers have their yearly new models out on the field. We’re starting to see some of these bad boys out in the wild, and it’s a great time to chat about some of the models I’m most excited to see and hear more about. It would be great to drive them, but I don’t think the broke college student budget quite covers the payment. So for now, let’s talk specs, buzz and updates to old models.
The 2025 BMW M2 CS
Throwing it back to October 2015, BMW began production of the first M2 models. This first M2 model was distributed by early 2016, and so the 2016 F87 M2 was born, equipped with a lovely inline-six engine called the N55. If you aren’t a BMW nerd like myself, here’s the significance of that: The N55 was and is not an M-specific engine. (In fact, my base model E92 335i boasts the N55– that means I basically have an M2, right?) BMW purists were outraged, much like when BMW released the N54-equipped 1M in 2011, despite the overall extremely positive feedback and a stellar review from Jeremy Clarkson.
So, in 2018, the German automaker altered the F87 M2 to become the F87 M2 Competition. In this go-around, they swapped the ol’ reliable N55 for the beastly S55 that was historically in the F80 M3 and F82 M4. By 2023, it had transformed into what was essentially a miniature M4, now known as the G87 M2. It was bigger and heavier than the original F87 M2 and had somehow ended up with an S58 engine.
The 2025 G87 M2, like the 2023 model, has retained the S58. Largely, the 2025 model hasn’t received any major changes. There have been some adjustments to the iDrive system, moving away from physical buttons (unfortunately). You can upgrade to carbon fiber bucket seats now as a standalone option, which wasn’t previously available. And the final touch: some new exterior paint options. Sao Paulo Yellow, Vegas Red metallic and Frozen Pure Grey metallic are just a few of the new options. But overall, the 2025 G87 M2 is close in nature to the previous years of the G87 generation M2s. Not much to see here, folks.
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Remember back in 2020 when Chevrolet shocked the world by moving the engine from the front to the middle in the base C8 Corvette? Well, the 2025 Z06 continues that mid-engine revolution but cranks everything up to eleven. While the standard C8 Stingray was impressive, the Z06 variant is what happens when GM engineers drink too much coffee and decide to build something truly insane.
The heart of this beast is the naturally aspirated 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine — the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever put into a production car. Unlike its turbocharged rivals, this flat-plane crank V8 screams all the way to 8,600 RPM, delivering 670 horsepower to the rear wheels. If you’ve ever heard one in person, you know it sounds more like a Ferrari than anything that’s ever worn a bowtie badge.
For 2025, Chevy hasn’t messed too much with perfection, but they have added a new ZR2 performance package that includes upgraded suspension components, carbon ceramic brakes and additional aerodynamic bits that increase downforce. They’ve also introduced a new Amplify Orange exterior color that practically glows in the sunlight. The Z06 remains the track-focused American supercar that punches well above its price bracket, continuing to make Italian exotic owners nervous at track days.
The 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
In an era where performance sedans are becoming an endangered species, the 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing stands as a glorious middle finger to the SUV revolution. This isn’t just Cadillac’s attempt at a sports sedan; it’s their masterpiece — the culmination of decades of V-Series development.
Under the hood lurks the hand-built 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8, now producing an absurd 688 horsepower for 2025 (up from 668 in previous years). Cadillac engineers apparently weren’t satisfied with merely terrifying passengers; they wanted to induce full cardiac events. And yes, you can still get it with a 6-speed manual transmission, which in 2025 is practically an act of automotive rebellion.
The 2025 model introduces the new Dark Edition package, which blacks out virtually every piece of trim and adds sinister-looking carbon fiber accents throughout. They’ve also refined the magnetic ride suspension to be both more comfortable on streets and more capable on track. The digital gauge cluster has been updated to include more performance metrics, and the interior can now be optioned with Infrared leather that looks straight out of a concept car. The CT5-V Blackwing remains the four-door supercar killer that makes you question why anyone would spend twice as much on something with fewer seats and less practicality.
The 2025 Lamborghini Revuelto
When Lamborghini announced they were replacing the aging Aventador with a hybrid, purists collectively lost their minds. Would electrification water down the raw, unhinged character that makes a Lamborghini a Lamborghini? Doubtful — this thing is absolutely bonkers.
The Revuelto pairs a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 with three electric motors for a combined output of 1,001 horsepower. Unlike the tame hybrids your eco-conscious neighbor drives, this system isn’t about saving fuel (though it can technically drive about 10 miles on electricity alone). No, Lamborghini used electrification the way they should — to make their car even more ridiculous.
For 2025, Lamborghini has introduced the Alleggerita package, which shaves off an additional 25kg through extensive use of more carbon fiber and titanium components. They’ve also refined the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission for even faster shifts and updated the infotainment system with better smartphone integration — because apparently people checking Instagram in their seven-figure hypercar is a thing. The Revuelto remains the poster child for how electrification doesn’t mean the death of automotive excitement; it just means we have new, albeit quieter, ways of going stupid fast.
The 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3
Ferrari’s Icona series exists to make the already-exclusive regular Ferrari lineup seem commonplace by comparison, and the 2025 Daytona SP3 continues this tradition of unattainable automotive excellence. Inspired by Ferrari’s legendary 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona, the SP3 is what happens when Ferrari’s designers are given carte blanche to create automotive art.
At its core is Ferrari’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever: a 6.5-liter V12 producing 829 horsepower without the help of turbochargers or electric motors. In 2025, this makes the SP3 practically a dinosaur in the best possible way — a pure, unadulterated expression of internal combustion excellence that revs to a spine-tingling 9,500 RPM.
The 2025 model hasn’t changed much from its introduction, mainly because Ferrari only planned to make 599 examples, all of which were sold before the first car was even built. They have, however, introduced a new customization program that allows owners to specify unique materials and colors for their car, ensuring that no two SP3s will be exactly alike. The butterfly doors, the wraparound windshield and the dramatic rear buttresses remain unchanged — because when you’ve achieved perfection, why mess with it?
The 2025 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 3
While the factory Mustang Dark Horse is impressive(-ish) in its own right, the RTR Spec 3 treatment takes Ford’s pony car and transforms it into something that looks like it escaped from a Need for Speed game. For those unfamiliar, RTR is the brainchild of professional drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr., who apparently looked at the Mustang and thought, “This isn’t aggressive enough.” (Which is also what I think when I look at the Dark Horse.)
The 2025 RTR Spec 3 starts with the Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter Coyote V8 but adds the beautifully bonkers Whipple Supercharger that boosts output to a ridiculous 750 horsepower. The suspension receives a complete overhaul with adjustable coilovers, larger sway bars and custom alignment settings that make the car equally at home on a drag strip, road course or sliding sideways around a corner with smoke pouring off the rear tires.
New for 2025 is the Tactical Edition appearance package that adds a matte military green paint option with contrasting black graphics and bronze wheels. RTR has also refined the aerodynamics with a more aggressive front splitter and a reconfigured rear diffuser that actually produces meaningful downforce. The interior now features custom RTR seats with increased bolstering and a new digital gauge cluster with RTR-specific graphics. Unlike some of the unobtainium on this list, the RTR Spec 3 represents attainable performance — assuming you’re willing to sacrifice a year’s worth of rent payments for automotive hooliganism.
In a world increasingly dominated by practical crossovers and characterless EVs, 2025 proves that the automotive enthusiast spirit refuses to die. From BMW’s evolutionary approach with the G87 M2 to Lamborghini’s hybrid hypercar insanity, this year’s lineup demonstrates that passion for driving still fuels the industry’s most exciting creations. Whether you’re drawn to American muscle like the Corvette Z06 and the RTR Mustang, Italian exotica from Ferrari or the four-door fury of Cadillac’s Blackwing, 2025 offers something for every flavor of adrenaline junkie. These machines remind us why we fell in love with cars in the first place — not just as transportation but as experiences that engage all our senses and emotions. Sure, the automotive landscape is changing rapidly, but as long as vehicles like these continue to grace our roads and tracks, the future looks anything but boring.