Acura teases the new NSX hybrid supercar.
By initial count, the upcoming North American International Auto Show will bring anywhere from 40 to 45 new models to the fore at Detroit’s Cobo Hall next week – along with a number of new models making their North American debut after being introduced overseas in recent months.
The list covers a wide spectrum of products, from big pickups to little hybrids to supercars – and even a hybrid supercar, the reborn Acura NSX. Detroit makers will have plenty to show, including an all-new Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, as well as Cadillac’s 640-horsepower CTS-V.
While most makers have already signaled what’s coming with teasers and advance announcements, Ford has kept an unusually tight lid on its planned debuts, creating plenty of guessing.
Here’s the most complete list TheDetroitBureau.com has come up with of previews planned for the 2015 NAIAS:
Acura NSX. The original Acura NSX challenged the way supercars were supposed to look and feel. And the Japanese maker intends to do it again with a sleek and sinuous 2-seat sports car using a unique, 3-motor hybrid system that will also help steer the car aggressively through even the tightest corners.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. First revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in concept form earlier this year, expect to see a production convertible of the exotic Alfa 4C make its presence known at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.
Toyota's first official look at the next-gen Tacoma.
Audi Q7. Audi has put its big SUV on a major diet, the new ute losing about 700 pounds in the process. It will also add a new plug-in hybrid system to its global line-up, though it’s not yet clear if that powertrain package will make it to the U.S.
BMW 6-Series Family. The Bavarian maker is updating all three of its 6-Series variants, including the 2-door coupe, the 6-Series convertible and the 4-door 6-Series Gran Coupe. All 6-Series models will now feature full-LED lighting as standard equipment. Powertrain options remain unchanged, but BMW will add a new M Sport Edition.
Buick Cascada. GM’s “near-luxury” brand is determined to amp up the passion quotient with the addition of a new convertible, a U.S. version of the Opel Cascada that has been turning heads in Europe since its debut last year.
Cadillac CTS-V. With the debut of the third-generation CTS-V, Cadillac has plenty of reasons to crow, its 640-horsepower supercharged V-8 delivering more pony power than either the BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. It’s also the first production Caddy to break the 200 mph barrier.
Chevrolet Volt. The new version of the plug-in hybrid will allow even more gas-free driving, battery range expected to increase to near 50 miles, even as fuel economy in “range-extender” mode climbs, as well. Look for distinctive new exterior styling and a more lavish, roomy interior.
Ford GT. Normally quick to give journalists an embargoed preview of its auto show debuts, the Dearborn maker has been unusually tight-lipped — but the rumor mill speculates Ford may bring out an all-new supercar, a successor to the GT of a decade back.
Chevy intentionally made sure reporters got only a brief view of a poorly-lit version of the 2016 Volt during a sneak preview at CES.
Ford Mustang GT350R. The 50th anniversary Mustang was one of the big stories at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, and Ford may milk Mustang again at this year’s NAIAS with a track-ready version dubbed the Mustang GT350R.
(Optimism abounds ahead of Detroit Auto Show. For more, Click Here.)
Honda FCV. Honda was the first maker to offer a production hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. After a few years out of the market it is set to make a return with the all-new FCV. Detroit show-goers will get a glimpse of the production model set to reach U.S. buyers in early 2016.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. Hyundai is charging ahead with a fast-growing line-up of alternative models. And for the Detroit Auto Show it will weigh in with two versions of its midsize Sonata – an updated hybrid and its first-ever plug-in model.
Hyundai Concept. The Korean carmaker has also signaled it has a distinctive concept vehicle to show off in Detroit? What’s in store? Hard to say, though if past is prologue, it will echo the nomenclature of past show models, and be dubbed an HCD.
Infiniti Q60 Coupe Concept. Revealing Infiniti’s new styling language, the show car boasts softly sculpted curves offset by sharp creases and bulging wheel arches that give the Q60 Concept a muscular and well-planted stance. A preview of a production model to come, don’t be surprised to hear about a performance hybrid option.
Jaguar has been dropping hints about some big news to come for Detroit, and with the maker holding all details, speculation has been running rampant – with most betting on the launch of new U.S. diesel models. Another long shot could be news about the concept crossover vehicle shown in Europe last spring.
Land Rover Discovery Sport. First seen at the Paris Motor Show last autumn, the new Disco model will make its North American debut at Cobo Center. Land Rover also is expected to make some news about a U.S. diesel, as is its sibling Jaguar brand. Other possible news could focus on plans to add still other variants to the Discovery family.
The Mercedes F 015 concept debuted at CES.
Lexus GS F. Hoping to add still more passion to its hybrid-heavy line-up, Lexus will unveil a high-performance version of its midrange GS sedan, sharing the 5.0-liter V-8 of the 2015 Lexus RC F model launched last summer. The maker has also hinted it will reveal a second performance model. Could a new supercar to replace the LFA be in the cards?
Lincoln MKX. Detroit show-goers will get to see the production version of the MKX crossover concept introduced in Beijing last summer. Look for “a much more emotional design,” promises Lincoln Design Director David Woodhouse, the ute moving up-market with a more refined interior and added features, including an optional Black Label edition.
Mercedes-Benz F 015. Also dubbed “Luxury in Motion,” this hydrogen fuel-cell-powered concept vehicle was first shown at this month’s Consumer Electronics Show but will now make its public debut. Its autonomous drive system lets it function as a “lounge on wheels.”
Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. GLE is a new name for the old M-Class. And, for 2016, the familiar four-door will be joined by a new coupe. The production model is a visually toned-down version of the concept first revealed at last year’s Beijing Auto Show.
(Get an early look at some of the vehicles debuting in Detroit, such as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Volt, Nissan Titan, Acura NSX and Honda FCV.)
Mercedes-Benz GLE450 Coupe AMG Sport, C450 AMG Sport. For those who can’t quite afford the stiff premium, Mercedes is introducing a line-up of slightly less extreme machines through the new AMG Sport sub-brand. “If the C63 AMG is Batman, then the C450 AMG Sport is Robin,” explains AMG chief Tobias Moers. Also debuting in Detroit, the GLE450 Coupe AMG Sport.
The JCW version of the new Mini Hardtop.
Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop. True Mini fans covet the brand’s wild side, and they’re not likely to be disappointed by the new John Cooper Works Hardtop – which gets a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 228-hp and 236 pound-feet of torque, Mini’s most powerful engine ever.
Nissan Titan. The first full-size pickup from a Japanese maker gets a long-delayed makeever, the new 2016 model expected to be bigger, offer more body configurations and introduce a new 5.0-liter Cummins V8 diesel that should deliver gobs of torque as well as better mileage.
Ram 1500. Chrysler’s Ram brand has scored a hit with the latest version of its big 1500 pickup – and to help highlight some mid-cycle changes, Ram may spotlight a high-performance version of the full-size 1500 that would take aim at the macho Ford Raptor.
Toyota Tacoma. The Japanese giant has been king of the midsize pickup segment – and intends to retain its lead with a more modern, feature-rich version of the Tacoma delivering improved towing and cargo capacity. A broader engine mix, and new body configurations could be in the mix.
(To see how Jeep sold more than 1 million vehicles in 2014, Click Here.)
Volvo S60 Cross Country. Aiming to combine the best attributes of a sedan and one of Volvo’s crossover models, it will feature2.5 inches more ground clearance, all-wheel-drive, and large, high-profile tires. Under the hood, a 250-horsepower Volvo T5 engine.
Volvo XC90. Volvo introduced the complete remake of its flagship SUV in Europe last year, but sources suggest several new variants will be unveiled during the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, including Volvo’s first gas-electric plug-in hybrid.
Volkswagen Concept SUV. Volvo has promised to add two mid-range SUVs to its line-up, filling the wide gap between the Touareg and Tiguan models. We’ve already gotten a look at the three-row, 7-seat Cross Blue, so the German maker should be giving a glimpse at the smaller, 5-seat ute.