It's a distinctly American trait to want what's next—even before it's here. Yes, Americans are spoiled, with too many choices in every genre of product, especially cars. But so what? This is the place where cars blossomed, where the first (and arguably best) car culture still exists. And where we haven't stopped loving—and lusting after—the cool car around the next bend. With that in mind, here's PM's calendar of 12 cool cars under $50,000 that will go on sale in the next 18 months. Note that the exact dates may not be 100 percent accurate: The timetable is based on what the notoriously vague car flacks told us. So we've pried free what info we could, and we share it with you here.
JANUARY 2012: 2013 Ford Focus ST 
FEBRUARY 2012: 2013 Mitsubishi Evo XI
MARCH 2012: 2013 Toyota Prius C
EARLY 2012: Volkswagen Golf R
APRIL 2012: 2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1
APRIL 2012: 2013 Mini Paceman
JULY 2012: 2013 Dodge Dart
JULY 2012: 2013 Cadillac ATS
FALL 2012: Ford Fiesta ST
OCTOBER 2012: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500
LATE 2012: Corvette C7
EARLY 2013: BMW i3 Electric City Car
BMW claim that it's new $35,000 Chevy Volt-beater will have 99 miles of range from its rear-mounted electric motor and floor-mounted batteries. BMW (being BMW) is also claiming 100 mph for the car's top speed, and the i3 could bring the equivalent of 150 horsepower. Cargo will be divided between the rear seats and in the front trunk (a la the original, rear-engine VW Beetle). Much of the body will be made of carbon-reinforced plastic.
Wireless charging is one intriguing concepts we hope makes it to market. In conjunction with industrial giant Siemens, BMW is working on a magnetic field charging system, like those used in wireless laptop and cell phone charging pads, where a car would parked above a charging station. At that point, a coil in both the ground and the vehicle would recognize each other and begin the charge. This beats having your Volt or Prius PHV plugged in via wire at a garage or mall for a few hours, where vandalism or other hazards exist.
