AUTOMAKERS GEARING UP FOR THE FUTURE
New vehicles hit North American International Auto Show
Here’s a snapshot of what you will find when you enter this year’s 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The show is open to the public starting this Saturday and runs through Jan. 28 at Cobo Center.
FORD MUSTANG BULLITT
The Ford Mustang Bullitt will be released later this year and is already turning heads at the car show with its side-by-side display of old and new versions. The original car was made famous by the 1968 Steve McQueen film of the same name.
Ford began working on the design starting in 2015 and strived to mimic the original appearance with chrome around the windows and keeping the grille the same style, said Mark Schaller, Mustang marketing manager for Ford.
It will be made available in either dark green or black and comes equipped with a five-litre V8 engine with up to 475 horsepower. It will reach a top speed of 262 km/h and includes a manual transmission.
“We are trying to mimic what people saw in the car in the movie with the same under-the-radar, cool image,” Schaller said.
The price will be announced this summer, he said.
FORD RANGER PICKUP
Ford has rolled out its newly-designed Ford Ranger pickup which will be available in early 2019.
The Ranger has been a success story around the globe, but abandoned in the North American market a half-dozen years ago after sales slowed.
With the recent surge in truck sales, Ford has jumped back in with the Ranger — a smaller pickup than its F150-series trucks.
The new Ranger is for those seeking easier maneuverability, but the same capabilities as any pickup, said Chad Callander, Ranger marketing manager for Ford.
It comes equipped with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine with automatic 10-speed transmission.
“You will get the fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder and power of a six-cylinder,” Callander said. It’s the perfect engine.”
The Ranger will have an off-road package available for those seeking more adventure. The Ranger will also offer modes for easily shifting from pavement to snow to sand.
RAM PICKUP
The updated 1500 Ram pickup series “will change the way people think about the truck market in respect to strength, efficiency and luxury,” said Jim Morrison, vicepresident of Ram North America for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. “It’s an incredible truck.”
The latest model improves Ram’s powertrain with E-Tourque technology, plus boosts fuel efficiency by 10 per cent.
The interior has been redesigned with four inches of added space and a larger 12-inch display screen — one of the largest in the pickup sector.
A luxury model is being introduced, with real wood, metal and leather featured in the interior, Morrison said.
The truck’s payload and towing capabilities have also been improved by 20 per cent — now handling 2,200 pounds of payload and 12,750 pounds of towing ability.
“We’ve got everything covered from the workforce with tradesmen all the way with the Limited which is a great family vehicle,” Morrison said.
CHRYSLER PACIFICA MINIVAN
Windsor’s own Chrysler Pacifica will be prominent at the show with five models on display.
The locally-built minivan has accumulated numerous awards over the past year and remains the leading seller in the minivan sector.
There will be slight changes with the 2018 models, with increased options such as an S-Appearance package that will provide buyers the choice of a sportier look.
The hybrid version continues to gain popularity given its ability to achieve 84 mpg on combined gas and electricity use.
A new-entry model of the Pacifica is also now available with a lower price tag. The primary difference is a second-row bench in the rear replaces the standard stowand-go seating.
JEEP WRANGLER SPORT
Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, a lot of attention will likely be paid to the new Jeep Wrangler Sport which has been completely redesigned from previous versions to make it more family-friendly.
“Almost every aspect has undergone a complete redesign,” said Scott Tallon, director of product marketing for FCA North America.
Using more aluminium in the frame and body, the vehicle’s weight has been reduced to help improve fuel efficiency, he said. There are also more open-air options for the vehicle, including a power top for the first time.
The on-road driving experience should be much improved thanks to new suspension and spring design.
“The Wrangler is becoming more mainstream as an everyday vehicle for people,” Tallon said. “There is a whole host of technology and safety features added we never had in the Wrangler before.”
The vehicle is in dealerships with a price range of US$26,000 to over US$40,000.
CHEVY SILVERADO
Another unveiling that will gain attention is the new 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup.
“The vehicle is brand new from the ground up,” said Scott Damon, lead development engineer for the new Silverado. “Weight savings is a big thing as the vehicle is 450 pounds lighter, but it is still functional and capable for our customers.”
Customers have provided feedback through “thousands of hours of interviews,” which resulted in a lineup that now features eight different models, he said.
“We wanted to make sure we had a vehicle for every customer,” Damon said. “That has allowed for the highest-end model that has all the comforts, but still able to tow. Then you have those who just want it for work — a truck that is capable, but doesn’t need all the comforts.”
Chevy completely redesigned its interior, while also making the bed wider with more tie-downs based on customer feedback.
The new Silverado will be available later this year with no price range yet determined.
LUXURY CARS
Unfortunately for those attending the public sessions of the auto show, there will not be any high-end luxury cars on display. A couple dozen were available for viewing only during press week.
Various models from Bugatti, Audi, Rolls Royce, Ferrari and Aston Martin were parked inside Cobo Hall.
Among notables was a Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo with a base sales price of US$164,000. It is the first redesign of the vehicle since 2009. It debuted recently at the New York Auto Show.
One of the new features is the addition of a fifth seat. The engine is a 3.8-litre twin turbocharged V-8 with 550 horsepower. It has a top track speed of 190 mph and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.
Almost every aspect (of the Jeep Wrangler Sport) has undergone a complete redesign.