It’s auto show season, and I’ve
got 20/20 vision for some upcoming cars. We’ve seen some interesting debuts in 2019 so far.
Let’s explore a few.
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Note: Mercedes-Benz did not
attend the 2019 Detroit Auto Show.
The CLA used to be a poster car
for those who wanted a fancy ride “just for the badge.” But the new CLA looks
more sleek than the outgoing model, and rolls in new technology. For 2020, the
new CLA, shown at CES 2019 in Las Vegas, will ride on the same platform as the
new A-Class sedan and has new steering and suspension improvements. A 2.0L
turbo four-cylinder engine will be standard, and make 221 HP - up 13 HP over
the current CLA. A 400 HP CLA45 AMG is scheduled to arrive in the future. The
interior looks great and up-to-date with current Mercedes cars.
Strangest thing to me about this
is why does Mercedes-Benz feel a need to sell TWO new compact sedans in a
market that is rapidly shifting towards crossovers and trucks? The GLA has a
redesign coming too, and could better capitalize on this trend. Regardless,
this is a solid effort. I have an older review on the current CLA I’ll be
completing, and I’ll highlight more in-depth the new CLA as well - again,
pending free time I get from grad school and work...
2020 Ford Explorer
Ford’s current Explorer was
getting long in the tooth, but an all-new sixth generation model debuted at
Ford Field in Detroit. The 2020 Explorer now rides on a rear-wheel drive (RWD)
architecture shared with the 2020 Lincoln Aviator. A 2.3L turbo four-cylinder
paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission is standard. A hybrid Explorer with
a 3.3L V6, a 10-speed automatic, 1.5 kWh battery and 500 miles of total range
will also be offered.
Perhaps the biggest news, or at
least the most interesting, is the addition of the Ford Explorer ST. Debuting
alongside the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 that will likely have over 700 HP,
the Explorer ST represents a more practical side of Ford Performance. Power
will come from a 3.0L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, making 400 HP and 415 lb.-ft. of
torque. AWD will be standard on this model. Other features offered across the
Explorer range include Ford’s Co-Pilot360 driver assistance tech such as
blind-spot monitoring, B&O audio, and a Tesla-style 10.1-inch infotainment
screen.
While I’m not crazy about the new
front end styling yet and I think the 10.1 inch screen looks slightly “tacked
on”, I’m sure these traits will grow on me and interested buyers. That giant
screen and center gauges display should prove very useful nonetheless. The
sixth-generation Explorer makes a solid first impression, with higher quality
interior materials and an upscale design to back it up.
2020 Cadillac XT6
Speaking of crossovers, Cadillac doubled down on their crossover introductions, following up the XT4 with the
larger XT6 in Detroit. From the side, you see some Volvo XC90 styling, but the
front and rear is all Cadillac, with cues taken from the Escala concept.
Personally, I’m not sure how to
feel about it... I’m sure it’ll sell well, this is what the market is craving
after all. But it rides on the same platform as the smaller XT5, the GMC
Acadia, and Chevy Traverse. And it certainly looks derivative of all those
crossovers from various angles... Unless this offers unique powertrains and
technology, such as Super Cruise, what’s the advantage of picking this over an
Acadia Denali or Buick Enclave? It’s also got tough competition in the 2020
Lincoln Aviator, which has simply stunning attention to detail.
Standard power comes from a
familiar GM 3.6L V6 making 310 HP through a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) are offered, though Sport
trims have a torque-vectoring rear end. While we’re on the topic of trims, two
will be offered at launch: Premium Luxury and Sport. I’m sure others will come
later. And who knows - if we’re nice, we may even see a plug-in hybrid version
or a V-Sport model with the twin-turbo V8 from the CT6-V. Fingers crossed - but
don’t hold your breath.
Speaking of CT6: It did make an
appearance at this auto show - in V-Series guise. However, GM now says they
don’t intend to cancel the CT6, but will seek to build it elsewhere. I’m
personally happy if this is really true, as the CT6 is a great car. And I’d
LOVE to drive a V-Series one some day!
2020 Toyota Supra
Toyota’s long-teased,
long-awaited sports car made its official debut/return at the 2019 Detroit Auto
Show. It’ll be interesting to see if this model makes it into any upcoming Fast
and Furious movies (I’m sure it will, somehow - that series never ends). This
new Supra was developed in conjunction with BMW, and remains RWD like old
Supras, while offering a turbo inline-6 cylinder engine. That 3.0L engine makes
335 HP and 365 lb.-ft. of torque using an 8-speed automatic transmission- no manual
is offered. Base pricing starts at $49,990 before $930 destination.
What’s interesting is that it
appears the Japanese market will have two four cylinder engines offered too -
one making 197 HP and another 255 HP. Which one of these engines America will
eventually get, I’m not sure. My money is on the 255 HP one. A Launch Edition
model will also be offered for $56,180, and feature bits such as red leather
(on white and black colored Supras) and 19-inch matte-black wheels. A
commemorative carbon-fiber plaque and Akio Toyoda’s signature can also be found
on this special model.
That’s all just “super”, wouldn’t
you say?
More New to You
Among these reveals, other cars that made an appearance include the Hyundai Elantra GT N-Line which has various
performance upgrades, Kia Telluride, Lexus RC-F Track Edition, Lexus LC
Convertible Concept, the aforementioned 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with a
simply bonkers exhaust note, Ram’s new Heavy Duty Trucks, and the 2020
Volkswagen Passat.
Did you go to the Detroit Auto
Show and are you excited about anything new coming out?
Next year the Detroit Auto Show
moves to the summer time, so I’m sure there will be even more reveals and
events then to discuss.
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