LeBron James
These days, that usually means SUVs with maximum bling, the biggest and best of Europe's luxury offerings, and some of the most rare and powerful supercars in the world. With the whole industry heading in a much greener direction, what will NBA giants be lusting after a decade from now? With so much uncertainty surrounding alternative fuels, and ever-changing emissions regulations, it's a tough prediction to make. At the risk of being proven completely wrong, I'm going to take a stab at it. Here are ten cars (in no particular order) I think have a good chance of being status symbols in 2020.
It's big, it's beautiful, and it's expensive. It's been around for a long time, and doesn't appear to have any plans of quitting. It's already popular among athletes and celebrities alike, with a well established reputation. These guys need room for their heads and legs. The S-Class has it, along with one of the most comfortable rides you could ask for. Our favorite west coast superstars should feel at home in one of these.
For the same reasons the S Class makes the list, BMW's biggest sedan is an obvious pick, if you ask me. Leg room, head room, style, comfort, and the legendary BMW sports car performance. Most importantly, you can fit some seriously huge rims under those fenders. A few of LeBron's new Miami buddies will probably be sporting one of these. As a side note, heavily modified versions of the Benzes and Bimmers are available too, from groups like AMG and Alpina.
It's not everyone's favorite, but it has a lot going for it. It's an easy purchase for a superstar's income to swallow, and you won't see too many on the road. The Panamera is one of the first in this new class of luxury sport sedans born from exotic coupes. Porsche's first saloon is a good choice for the trendsetting players with deep pockets. It's roomy and fast. Fast is always good. Always.
There's no question that the Range Rover's got serious style. The extinction of the Hummer will leave a substantial gap in the world of celebrity-loved SUVs. The Range Rover is big enough to make a bold statement, but scheduled to be more environmentally friendly, thanks to the upcoming hybrid drivetrain. The Range Rover is a sensible choice for the ball handling Bulls up in Chicago. Why not venture out into the snowy winters with style?
First of all, LeBron bought one, so it's got definite potential. If you're not a hardcore Camaro or Mustang fan, the awesome styling of the Challenger can pretty easily draw you in. You can get one with lots of power, too. If it survives longer than its first generation, it should still be a good option for ballers looking for American Muscle 2020. The Charger is a sure way for future Detroit players to remind the rest of the world who's boss when it comes to tire smokin' power.
It's starting to look like there is no way around electric vehicles in our future. They are designed to be smart, frugal, and green. By nature, that tends to steer design away from fun. That being said, some are still trying. For city dwelling NBA players looking for a very capable coupe, the E-Tron may be their answer.
Ok, I'm taking a risk on this one, but hey it's the future - it's anyone's guess. Of the electric and hybrid cars on the road, or headed to the road soon, the Volt is one of the cooler ones if you ask me. It will have been through one update by then, and hopefully will have overcome any bugs of the first iteration. It's perfect for tossing a set of extra long clubs in the back and heading to the nearest tee with your buddies.
The Karma combines the "bigness" and luxury of the first few cars on the list with the "greenness" the industry is striving for as it looks toward 2020. In a perfect world, and for the right price, one could have both. Big cars with big gas engines will still exist ten years from now, but driving and alternatively fueled luxury car could be good PR for these guys. Not to mention, Karma's looks are beyond its time, and it will probably still be turning heads ten years from now.
The Italians have done something seriously right with Ferrari. World renowned beauty and performance is a trademark of everything the company produces. A Ferrari will turn heads almost anywhere you could drive one, and that's what superstars want right? Us common folk need to be able to recognize their status with a single glance. For the pro athlete with limited car knowledge but tons of money, an expensive, exotic car will get the job done. So yeah, Ferraris are good right? How about a Lamborghini, those are fast, aren't they?
Yes, I said it. The fantasy of countless sci-fi movies - a flying car. It sounds ridiculous, and it is in a way, but we might be seeing them sooner than you think. Terrafugia has just received FAA approval to classify its Transition as a "light sport" aircraft. It can be driven on the roads as a normal car, and be flown as far as 460 miles, thanks to a set of fold-up wings. Interested buyers have already made deposits, and the first units are expected to ship early next year. What better way to cruise between nearby cities for big games, or take a quick trip to your beach home? You don't need a hangar to store it, and it's apparently quite easy to obtain the license required to fly it. At $194,000 it's easily within the realm of an NBA player's paycheck.
