Best seven sports cars arriving in 2016

Driving enthusiasts will have ample reasons to smile in the new year.

Sports car enthusiasts will have their chequebooks at the ready as Honda re-enters the world of high-powered supercars in 2016.

But the long-awaited NSX won't be the only new arrival to have the revheads in raptures.

Aside from a new version of the Porsche 911 turbo, Ferrari, McLaren and Lamborghini will have droptops to woo the well-heeled. For the rest of us, the window-shopping will be fun.

Nissan GT-R

Godzilla has a reputation as an energetic but prickly monster but Nissan plans to make it more civilised, from the interior to the ride and noise suppression.

That should extend its appeal to prestige buyers.

As the quality of the materials rises so will the price, so don't expect much change from $180,000 when the updated model lands late this year.

Honda NSX

Elephants have shorter gestation periods than the new Honda supercar, which despite various evolutions over the past decade has not made it into showrooms. It's now locked in as an all-wheel drive hybrid with a twin-turbo V6 and three electric motors delivering 427kW/646Nm. The NSX — pictured above as an Acura — is due late this year with a price tipped to be north of $200,000.

Tesla Model X

The electric SUV is the most practical Tesla to date. There's seating for up to seven, storage areas front and rear and such smart ideas as vertically opening double-hinged doors to aid access in tight carparks. A 90kWh battery pack gives a claimed range of 400km and the big SUV takes 4.8 seconds to hit 100km/h. Opt for the "Ludicrous" upgrade and that time drops to 3.3 seconds. The Model X is due here in March, with prices estimated to start at about $140,000.

BMW M2

Did someone say baby supercar fight? With Audi and Mercedes-Benz opting for hot hatches, Beemer has reached for a turbocharged 3.0-litre engine — 272kW/465Nm — to chirp the rear tyres and borrowed much of the suspension from the M3.

The M2's smaller wheelbase and lower mass should make this the most entertaining M car to date.

The spiritual successor to the legendary BMW 2002 arrives in April priced from $89,900 with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Lexus GS F

Hang on to your hat, pops.

Lexus is launching a rear-drive V8 sedan that should blow away the notion it sells well-built but essentially bland cars.

The GS F sits lower on stiffer suspension than regular GS models and Australian versions will be fitted with alcantara and leather upholstery and 17-speaker audio.

Expect to part with about $150,000 for a GS F when it goes on sale next month.

Which of these 2016 cars is your dream drive? Let us know in the comments below.