With the Detroit Auto Show in
the rearview mirror, now is a great time to take a look at the highlights from
the week-long celebration of automotive ingenuity. The annual car show unveils
the most-anticipated new cars, trucks and interesting new concepts set to hit
the market later this year, and this year’s iteration had plenty of hits.
Here’s the best of the 2018 Detroit Auto Show.
2019 Pickup Trucks
Pickup trucks continue to be a
hot commodity in the auto industry, evidenced by Ram Trucks, the Chevrolet
Silverado and the Ford F-Series being the top selling vehicles in America in
2017.1 The trend looks to continue as the major pickup truck players
rolled out some promising new additions last month.
Ram 1500 – Experts were impressed with the Ram’s
newest installment primarily because the weight has been reduced by an
estimated 200 pounds, yet the body is nine inches longer. Other highlights
include a 12-inch dash screen and interior upgrades featuring luxury
vehicle-esque seating and comfort.
Chevy Silverado – Chevy’s classic pickup truck unveiled
some impressive structural and performance upgrades, like increased highway gas
mileage, an inline six-cylinder turbodiesel engine and lighter suspension and
aluminum siding, helping the new Silverado weigh a whopping 450 pounds lighter
than the previous generation.
Ford Ranger – Ford is making a statement in the
midsize pickup market with its 2019 Ford Ranger. The North American version
looks to be more compact while still featuring a steel body, a 2.3-liter, 280
horse power engine and spring-leaf suspension.
All-New Concepts
Upgrades to classic vehicles
are always welcome, but what would a car show be without something a bit more
unique? Although there wasn’t a life-sized Lego Batmobile this year as there
was in 2017, there still were plenty of new concept designs on display
throughout the course of the week.
Lexus LF-1 Limitless – The luxury automaker unveiled its new
crossover concept the LF-1 Limitless, which carries a distinct copper paint job
that was a hit among show goers. The crossover’s exterior is extremely sleek
with a fluid appearance and low ceiling. The interior features an array of LED
touch-control technology in a unique minimalist design with no protruding knobs
or buttons.
GAC Enverge – Chinese automaker GAC revealed its
Enverge concept, a smooth-looking electric car capable of traveling more than
370 miles on a single charge. The concept vehicle has a variety of interesting
features, such as the all-digital dashboard, the “floating” dash screen and the
large gull-wing doors.
Ford Mustang Bullitt – Ford’s new Mustang Bullitt gives homage
to Hollywood while maintaining what made the Ford Mustang a classic. The power
is still there – the Bullitt features a 5.0-liter V8 engine that tops out at
475 horsepower – but many of the features pay homage to the film “Bullitt,”
like the cue ball shift knob and the Shadow Black paint job.
Nissan Xmotion – Nissan’s SUV concept, the Xmotion,
which is pronounced “cross motion,” attempts to bridge Japanese and American
cultures by utilizing aesthetics and utility designs popular in both countries.
The two-door, boxy SUV is brimming with LED technology giving it a very
futuristic look.
2019 Crossovers
SUV crossovers continue to rise
in popularity due to their great fuel economy, extra cargo space and overall
practicality for everyday commuters. It’s no surprise there were plenty of new
models on hand during the Detroit Auto Show from some of the industry’s top
automakers.
Ford Edge – The Edge received a mild makeover with
some new technology sprinkled in, such as a Wi-Fi hotspot and Sync 3. Drivers
can choose from the base 250-horsepower or ST 2.7-liter 335-horsepower engine.
Overall, the Edge provides a unique blend of performance and practicality.
Acura RDX Prototype – The new RDX Prototype was a hit with
crossover fans due in large part to its solid 10-speed automatic, turbo
2.0-liter 14 engine and its classy exterior design. The interior features a
push-button transmission and a simplified, yet clever touch-screen infotainment
system.
Unveil Your Own New Ride
New cars are certainly
exciting, even when they’re not high-tech concepts. If you’re ready for a new
ride, Silsbee Motor Company has a large selection of quality pre-owned vehicles
ready for a test drive today, including popular Ford, Chevy and GMC trucks.
Contact us online or by calling 409-385-0409 for more
information today!
1 https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/research-guides/best-selling-vehicles-in-america-in-2017/ss-BBHUUGs#image=21
