The
2017 North American International Auto Show press preview has come and gone. It is currently open to the public until January 22nd. If you're thinking about going or just want to see what was showcased this year our rundown is below. One thing we have noticed is that after going to our fourth NAIAS in a row it has definitely gotten smaller each year. It was so small this year that all the manufacturer's press releases were on Monday with none scheduled for Tuesday. Hopefully this downward trend will start reversing itself for next year but only time will tell.
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| 2018 Chevrolet Traverse (Image courtesy of Chevrolet) |
The new Traverse midsize SUV looks to increase its functionality with increased third row, cargo room, and safety features. These features include:Surround Vision, D-Optic LED headlamps, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front Pedestrian Braking, Forward Collision Alert, and Low and High-Speed Forward Automatic Braking.
The Audi Q8 showcased a new full sized, 4 passenger luxury SUV that will be released for the 2018 model year. It includes a new control concept with large touchscreens, and a plug-in hybrid with a 330kW output and 516lb-ft of torque. Also unveiled was the new 354hp SQ5 performance SUV, and the new A5/S5 Cabriolet.
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| Audi SQ5 |
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| Audi S5 Cabriolet |
The new Lexus LS sedan will feature Japanese aesthetics with a 415hp twin turbo v6 and a 10 speed automatic transmission. At the current rate of growth Lexus grilles will take up 100% of the front end of their vehicles in a couple years. Lexus seems to be in a grille size war with Audi much the way American trucks are in a size war with each other. At some point someone will have to cry uncle...hopefully.
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| 5th Generation Lexus LS |
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| 5th Generation Lexus LS |
Ford talked a lot about upcoming models but didn't really have any major releases during their press conference. They did have a lot of cool hands on simulators and VR tech at their display area. So we won't bore you with a lot of their details here's some shots of a road going and also their 2016 LeMans winning GT supercar.
Mercedes unveiled their new E-class coupe. It is larger in size in almost every way from its predecessor. It will come in RWD or 4matic AWD and a 329hp V6 biturbo engine.
VW blew everyone away with their i.d. concept electric bus. Next to the Kia Stinger GT sedan it was probably one of the hottest vehicles of the auto show.
Also unveiled by VW were the long wheelbase Tiguan and the absolutelyfreakinghuge Atlas. We'll do a short comparison article later but the Atlas is significantly larger than the VW Touraeg and the Audi Q7 suvs.
BMW unveiled multiple versions of their new 5 series sedan which will be available in February 2017 and start just over $51,000 dollars. They also unveiled an X2 concept SUV, and our Editor-in-Chief's favorite the M760Li Xdrive sedan. That's right, BMW released a 600+ horsepower turbo V12 with all wheel drive. It can be yours for the low low starting price of $153,000.
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| BMW 5 Series Sedan |
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| BMW M760Li XDrive Sedan |
Nissan unveiled a smaller version of the Rogue, named the Rogue Sport. The sport offers a 2.3 inch shorter wheelbase and 12.1 inch shorter overall length than the Rogue. It will start to hit dealers in the Spring of 2017.
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| Nissan Rogue Sport |
Honda unveiled an all new Odyssey minivan for 2018.This new model includes a new V6 coupled to a 10 speed automatic transmission. The main features of this new minivan are all on the inside. Honda has incorporated technology called CabinWatch and CabinTalk which allows the driver to view and communicate with passengers in the minivan. Also available is a sharable playlist and controllable rear entertainment via mobile devices.
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| All New 2018 Honda Odyssey Minivan |
Toyota unveiled the ever popular 2018 Camry. This new model will have updated interior, drivetrain, safety, and infotainment features. The biggest thing we noticed it that it is starting to pick up some heavy design cues from Lexus (giant grille anyone?).
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| All new 2018 Toyota Camry |
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| All new 2018 Toyota Camry |
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| All new 2018 Toyota Camry Interior |
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| All new 2018 Toyota Camry |
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| All new 2018 Toyota Camry |
Kia once really stole the show this year with its Stinger GT unveiling. This will be a soon to be released production car that looks to be a very competitive model in the premium sports sedan segment. Available with a 255hp turbo 4 cylinder or a 365hhp twin turbo V6 coupled to an 8 speed torque converter based automatic. Rear wheel or All wheel drive will be available. Coming in around the same dimensions as a BMW 3 series sedan or the Ford Fusion Sport expect to see the Stinger GT start in the low to mid $30k range and top out at $50k just below the starting point of it's K900 luxury rear wheel drive sedan.
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| Kia Stinger GT |
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| Kia Stinger GT interior |
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| Kia Stinger GT rear quarter |
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| Kia Stinger GT front end |
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| Kia Stinger GT engine bay |
And finally, not to be outdone in the Midsize SUV segment, Infiniti unveiled a QX50 concept. One of the most interesting features is that it has the potential to receive Infiniti's recently showcased variable compression ratio engine.
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| Infiniti QX50 Concept (Image courtesy of Infiniti) |
That wraps up our overview of the 2017 NAIAS from Detroit, MI. Stay tuned for our 2017 Vehiblog awards and some more model specific photo articles!
