Automotive

Gallery: The sporty and the sublime of the 2019 Detroit Auto Show

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Toyota's Supra returns as a rear-wheel drive with a turbocharged engine producing 335 hp (250 kW) and four-second 0-60 mph (96 km/h) times
Lexus introduced a track-ready 2019 RC F at the Detroit Auto Show
Lexus's RC F Track Edition was unveiled in Detroit this week
Lexus's RC F Track Edition, from the rear
A peek inside the cabin of Lexus's RC F Track Edition
A look at the front end of Lexus's RC F Track Edition
Lexus introduced a track-ready 2019 RC F at the Detroit Auto Show
Lexus's LC Convertible Concept on show in Detroit
Lexus's LC Convertible Concept on the floors of the Detroit Auto Show
A look inside the cabin of Lexus's LC Convertible Concept
Infiniti debuted the QX Inspiration concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit this week
Infiniti's QX Inspiration SUV concept features a fully electric powertrain and introduces, the company says, the new form language for an "electrified era"
The Infiniti QX Inspiration mid-sized sport utility concept was teased earlier in January and should be seen as a precursor for the brand's planned fully-electric vehicle, the company says
Debuting at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the STI S209 is a new S-line performance model to be sold in limited numbers in the US in order to qualify as a racing machine in competition
A look inside the cabin of Subaru's new STI S209
Subaru's S209 embodies the aggressive performance of STI's new S-line
The 2020 Toyota Supra is a rear-wheel drive offering whose turbocharged engine produces 335 horsepower (250 kW) and four-second 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) times
After a lot of teasing and hints, Toyota has finally unveiled the 2020 Supra sports car in Detroit this week
After teasing the idea of a big-sized, three-row Kia crossover-SUV for a couple of years, Kia finally unveiled the 2020 Telluride as a production model at the Detroit Auto Show
As the largest Kia to be produced to date, the new Telluride is a very American design inside and out
Hyundai's Veloster N TCR Race Car on show in Detroit
A look at the rear half of Hyundai's Veloster N TCR Race Car
Hyundai's Veloster N TCR Race Car on show in Detroit
With its unique interior layout, sitting three across up front and two each in the second and third rows, the Entranze EV SUV is conceived as a road-trip-ready family vehicle that can be a daily driver as well
Unveiled in Detroit, the Entranze EV is one of the first concepts from Chinese automaker GAC Motors' North American design studio in California
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 on display in Detroit
The 2020 Cadillac XT6 on show in Detroit
Cadillac's XT6 large unibody SUV on the floor in Detroit
 Volkswagen's new 2020 Passat is aimed specifically at American buyers
Volkswagen's all-new 2020 Passat features a new exterior look and a more powerful engine
NIssan's IMs EV's powertrain is an AWD system powered by two electric motors located fore and aft
The Nissan IMs EV is an all-wheel drive, battery-electric, autonomous-drive sedan
Making a world debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show is the Nissan IMs EV concept
After unveiling the new 2019 Ram 1500 half-ton truck at the Detroit show last year, Ram has returned with heavy duty versions of that truck – new Ram 2500 and 3500 models
After unveiling the new 2019 Ram 1500 half-ton truck at the Detroit show last year, Ram has returned with heavy duty versions of that truck – new Ram 2500 and 3500 models
Ford introduced a new Mustang Shelby GT500 at the Detroit Auto Show
Ford introduced a new Mustang Shelby GT500 at the Detroit Auto Show
Ford introduced a new Mustang Shelby GT500 at the Detroit Auto Show
The new Ford Explorer on show at the Detroit Auto Show
In an unveiling in Detroit, Ford showcased the 2020 Explorer crossover SUV that is completely new from the ground up
The 2020 Supra builds on the legacy of Toyota's only iconic race marque
The 2020 Toyota Supra is a direct descendant of the 1978 model that debuted the name
Toyota's Supra returns as a rear-wheel drive with a turbocharged engine producing 335 hp (250 kW) and four-second 0-60 mph (96 km/h) times
If nothing else, Toyota has managed to make a beautiful, appealing sports car out of the new Supra
View gallery - 43 images

The 2019 North American Auto International Auto Show (NAIAS) is in full swing in Detroit, and while a little quieter than previous years that still means eye-catching concepts, hotly anticipated debuts and a mouthwatering taste of the future of automotive design. Here we take a look at the highlights from the show floor, where one particularly spectacular return drew its fair share of attention.

With the contingent of crazy concepts and transport technologies at CES seeming to grow year on year, the fanfare surrounding the Detroit Auto Show just a week later perhaps isn't what it once was. In fact, next year organizers will host the event in June rather than January, hoping that some summertime vibes can reinvigorate the event.

It is also promising brands that wish to debut their shiny new vehicles at NAIAS 2020 "substantial cost savings" through cheaper, non-holiday-season labor and reduced build times for their stands. Many of these will be outside and scattered around downtown Detroit, turning it into a festival of sorts.

"The potential to create a month long automotive festival in Detroit starting with the Detroit Grand Prix, going through our show and concluding with the nationally-celebrated fireworks on the river, will provide an unmatched festival-like experience for all attendees," says Rod Alberts, Executive Director, NAIAS.

That's not to say the 2019 edition wasn't without some big plays from some big names. Here are a few examples to catch our interest this week.

Toyota 2020 Supra

The 2020 Toyota Supra is a direct descendant of the 1978 model that debuted the name

Toyota chose the event to finally pulls the covers off its 2020 Supra, the first version of the iconic race car to enter production since 1998. The sports car returns with a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine producing 335 hp (250 kW) and a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of 4.1 seconds.

Aesthetically, the reborn Supra features all the hallmarks of earlier versions, with a stretched out low-lying hood and fastback coupe design, and careful attention also paid to performance. The exterior features motivated by aerodynamics include a double-bubble roof and integrated rear air fin, both borrowed from Toyota's 2000 GT.

The 2020 Toyota Supra will enter production in Austria and go on sale late this year, with prices starting at US$49,990.

2020 Ford Explorer

In an unveiling in Detroit, Ford showcased the 2020 Explorer crossover SUV that is completely new from the ground up

The brand new 2020 Explorer has been reinvented from the ground up and stylishly walks the increasingly fuzzy lines between a typical SUV and crossover. New powertrain options start with a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine generating 300 hp (224 kW) and a 10-speed automatic transmission, with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 producing up to 365 hp (272 kW) available as an upgrade.

It can pull a lot more weight, with towing capacity now topping out at 5,600 lb (2,540 kg) with the upgraded engine. Inside there's a flash new infotainment system with a 10.1-inch screen and Ford's latest safety features like Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Sign Recognition and Evasive Steering Assist.

The 2020 Ford Explorer will hit showrooms in North America in the middle of the year.

Subaru STI S209

Debuting at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the STI S209 is a new S-line performance model to be sold in limited numbers in the US in order to qualify as a racing machine in competition

Subaru's new STI S209 is its latest S-line performance vehicle and is very much built with racing in mind, with the company to only produce it in small numbers to meet the criteria for competition in the US. It looks aggressive but, like Subaru's line of WRX STI models, is actually a street-legal race car.

With a wide stance, big tires and bigger fenders, the STI S209 is said to offer improved ventilation for better cooling of the company's trusted EJ25 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder opposed-piston "Boxer" engine. As an STI model it has been souped up with a new HKS turbo to output 341 hp (254 kW).

Pricing will be announced closer to launch in 2019, but we do know that Subaru will produce only 200 units.

For a full look at highlights from the show floor of NAIAS 2019, jump on into the gallery.

Source: NAIAS

View gallery - 43 images
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3 comments
guzmanchinky
Dear Auto Industry: Offer every vehicle with an option for electric drive. I just bought a new E400 convertible, which is an amazing all wheel drive air suspension 4 proper seat car. I would have loved it as an electric car.
Helios
Dear Auto Industry, Please stop making cars that have performance specs that are only needed on a racetrack which appeal to prepubescent boys and those with arrested development.
KaiserPingo
Truth is, not much novelty anywhere. Prototypes are nowhere as forward looking as those presented in the 50's - 70's. Many prototypes from that period just needs to be EV to be interesting today.