2018 Detroit Auto Show: What To Expect

Already Chevy has shown off its 2019 Silverado in a rugged Trailboss trim, but at the Detroit Auto Show, we’ll get a chance to see the full lineup in the sheet metal. Highlighted by new "strong, modern" styling, says Chevy, the 2019 Silverado will gain features like a sculpted grille, integrated LED headlights, and a fully revamped cabin. Not to mention even more power and capability.

Ford is expanding its ST range to now include not only the Focus hatchback, but also the Edge SUV. The new Edge ST replaces the outgoing Edge Sport, and includes a few light performance enhancements like a more powerful 2.7-liter biturbo V6, now producing 335 horsepower (250 kilowatts) and 380 pound-feet (515 Newton-meters) of torque, an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and standard all-wheel drive. Not to mention a more aggressive exterior.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the iconic Steve McQueen film, Bullitt, Ford will reportedly introduce an all-new version of its famed Bullitt Mustang in Detroit. The previous model made its way to U.S. dealers in 2008, complete with a more powerful engine and some modest updates to both the exterior and interior. Expect to see many of the same changes on this new model, which may or may not have already been spotted.

We understand that car dealers are in the business to make money, but so-called “market adjustments” where showrooms tack thousands of dollars onto popular models’ price just feels unfair. FCA attempted to limit this practice for the Demon, but the effort didn’t work.

However, Ford might have a solution. The company’s application and concierge process for GT buyers appears to work at preventing dealers from artificially increasing prices. Some tweaks to the program would be necessary because the GT500 is a higher production product than a supercar, but this framework would be a place to start.

Fans of the Blue Oval have been waiting a long time for the new Ranger to make its way to the U.S. Spy photos over the past year have teased us – but now we’ll finally get our first look at the Ranger when it debuts in full at the Detroit Auto Show. It’s unlikely that the hardcore Raptor variant will be there alongside it.

Chinese automaker GAC will be making another go of the Detroit Auto Show, this time we expect the manufacturer to show its entire lineup, everything from the GM8 minivan, the the GA8 luxury sedan, pictured here. Rumors also point to a new multi-purpose vehicle, and an EV aimed directly at U.S. consumers.

Nearly 20 years since it was originally introduced, Honda will show an all-new version of its Insight in Detroit – at least a prototype of which. The hybrid prototype will be built on the bones of the Civic, and should closely resemble the production model, set to make its debut before the end of the year. The Insight will come powered by a 1.5-liter hybrid engine, with promises of "comparable" fuel economy to its closest rivals.

Minor exterior updates on Hyundai’s quirky hatchback are complemented by a major change of scenery inside for the 2019 Veloster. Engine options should remain fairly average at launch with a choice of four-pots making either 161 or 201 horsepower (120 or 149 kilowatts). Unfortunately, the much-anticipated Veloster N will likely be coming later this year, but with as much as 271 hp (202 kW) reportedly on tap, it should be worth the wait.

Infiniti gives the world a look at its future design language and previews its next flagship sedan with this curvaceous concept. Up front, the brand’s teasers point to a highly sculpted face with narrow headlights and a sawtooth-pattern in the grille. However, the rest of the body looks quite smooth, including a largely unadorned tail.

Remember how shocked everyone was by the look of the all-new Cherokee when it bowed in 2013? Based on what we’ve seen so far, Jeep’s designers have dramatically scaled back on the weird-factor for the refreshed model. Still, photos of the rough-and-tumble Trailhawk model seem to indicate Jeep won’t give up on any of the Cherokee’s off-road capability. What remains to be seen, though, is how the crossover has changed inside and under the hood.

Kia says that the renderings of its new Forte sedan show a "more sophisticated" car, and we’d have to agree. Although we suspect the production model might be tamed down a little bit, these sketches suggest that Kia’s compact sedan will get a sleeker roofline, racy styling cues inspired by models like the Stinger, and a handsome cabin. No word yet on whether the Forte5 hatchback will continue.

The Lexus LX has its charms, but the big SUV’s rugged appearance no longer fits at the top of the brand’s lineup with the new LC and LS. The LF-1 Limitless will be the first look at the future of the marque’s most luxurious crossover. The concept will feature an impressive LED light show at the front and a steeply raked hatchback at the rear. With styling from the Calty design center previously responsible for the LF-LC concept, this will be one to watch.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new CLS-Class back in November at the L.A. Auto Show, but Detroit will be the place where the hotter AMG CLS53 takes the stage. Unlike previous AMG incarnations, this one isn’t expected to be a total scorcher – that role will be filled by the forthcoming four-door AMG GT. Still, the CLS53 is expected to feature a mild hybrid powertrain good for 429 horsepower (320 kilowatts), so it won’t be a slouch by any means.

Like the CLS53, the E53 Coupe will gain Mercedes’ new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with the company’s 48-volt tech for mild-hybrid assistance. Expect the same 429-horsepower (320-kilowatt) output as in the CLS, too.

We’re not entirely confident that the long-awaited mid-engined Corvette will make its debut in Detroit, especially when you consider how recently the ZR1 was introduced. But there is an inkling of hope that we could see the sports car on display in the motor city next week. Spy photos of the vehicle have been teasing us for nearly a year now, with the most recent set coming in October. We’ve got our fingers crossed, but we’re not holding out hope.

The changes are small for the iconic British runabout, but such is life when dealing with an iconic design. New headlights with integrated turn signals adorn the front, while optional rear "Union Jack" taillights call out the Mini’s heritage. New tech features are available as well, but perhaps of greater significance is the rollout of Mini’s new customization service that allows owners to design their own trim pieces for a truly custom, personal Mini experience.

What can be said about this iconic off-roader that hasn’t already been covered? The G-Class retains its boxy shape that has existed for decades, but in fact this is virtually a new vehicle from the ground up. A modified ladder frame with smaller exterior dimensions still grants occupants more room inside, and speaking of, the new G-Class gets the full glass cockpit treatment. New independent suspension developed with AMG should mean a better ride on-road, but with low-range gearing and three differential locks, it should also tackle off-road obstacles like a boss.

Nissan has one of the bigger mysteries at the Detroit Auto Show with this unnamed concept for what appears to be a crossover. The company’s teaser video doesn’t explain much, but the model packs the firm’s Nissan Intelligent Mobility driver assistance suite, though.

Chevy won’t be the only one showing off an all-new half-ton pickup in Detroit. Ram has been testing its new and improved 1500 since June, complete with aluminum bodywork and fully revamped styling. We should most definitely see the final product in Detroit.

After giving the Camry an aggressive styling overhaul for its latest generation, Toyota appears to have a similarly major overhaul ready for the Avalon. The teasers so far show sharp-edged LED running lights up front and a matching edginess at the back. Now, let’s see if the rest of the sedan is as impressive.

VW gave us a chance to drive a prototype of the new Jetta at its Phoenix testing facility late in 2017, but we’re still excited to see what the German marque has planned for its long-selling compact sedan. Thanks to a few early sketches, we know that the new Jetta will borrow design elements from cars like the Arteon, and based on what we already know regarding performance, it should get a minor bump in power, too.