Detroit Auto Show’s 5 Hottest Cars
Posted Wednesday, Jan 16, 2019
We’re only halfway through the North American International Auto Show (commonly referred to as the Detroit Auto Show), and we’ve already seen some awesome vehicles. But these are the Detroit Auto Show's 5 hottest cars for 2019, in my opinion:
1. 3. 2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition
4. 2020 Subaru WRX STi S209
5. 2020 Explorer ST
When I say hot, I mean each has great performance and the aggressive looks to back it up. In a later post, I’ll list some other vehicles at the show that are awesome in their own ways. But let’s look at the specifics that make each of these cars hot.
One interesting fact about these five cars is that none of them are totally new cars, just new versions of existing models (or reintroductions of past models). But oh what a difference they each have over the stock model! Some have serious horsepower/torque upgrades, some have serious handling upgrades, some have serious aerodynamic upgrades- but they all have upgrades in all 3 departments.
The 2020 Ford Mustang GT500 is one of the two that are reintroductions of past models, having been absent since 2014. It is also the most powerful production Ford ever. Although Ford still hasn’t released the final numbers, the GT500 has over 700 hp, goes 0-60 in the mid-3s, and runs the quarter mile under 11 seconds. It’s front tires are as wide as or wider than the rear tires on most sports cars, and its brakes are the largest on any American sports car. Additionally, it has aerodynamic surfaces for which Ford has applied for patents- the track pack version creates more downforce than the awesome Ford GT supercar. In other words, it has serious upgrades in all three categories when compared to the standard Mustang GT.
For many people, the 2020 Toyota Supra was the biggest reveal at NAIAS. For one thing, the Supra has a devout, almost cultish, following. Secondly, it has been absent for 20 years in the American market. Lastly, each generation of Supra has far surpassed the previous in terms of performance- the last generation was even called a possible Ferrari killer by one reputable automobile magazine; what performance level would this latest generation attain? As is becoming more and more common, the 2020 Supra was developed in a cooperative venture with BMW. Like past models of the Supra, it has a turbo’d inline 6 cylinder, albeit BMW’s 3.0 liter inline. With it’s 8-speed automatic transmission, 335 hp, and 369 lb-ft of torque, it races to 60mph in 4.1 seconds. And with its 97 inch wheelbase, 62 inch track width, wide tires, and 50/50 weight distribution, it should handle like it’s on rails.
Like the GT500, the 2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition is a limited edition of an existing model: the Lexus RC. And, like the GT500, the F Track Edition is a huge improvement over the stock version in all three categories. While the stock has either a 241hp I-4 cylinder or a 311hp V-6, the Track Edition has a 472hp V-8. Like the stock, it has an 8-speed automatic, but with a shorter final drive; with this lower gearing and added power, it rushes to 60mph in just under 4 seconds. Additionally, it has carbon-fiber, aluminum, and titanium parts that help shave precious pounds off of the curb weight. Also, it has a revised suspension and aerodynamic surfaces to aid in its cornering ability and straight-line stability. Oh, and it’s very exclusive: only 100 will be made each year.
For the 2020 model year, America will get its first S version of the WRX- the WRX STi S209 (quite a mouthful), and it will be exclusive, too; only 200 per annum. Like the others listed so far, it gets a horsepower bump from the STi’s 310 to 341. This is accomplished through more boost and a system that mists the intercooler with cool water when the driver presses what appears to be paddle shifters. These actually are the paddles from the CVT models, but the S209 is available only with a six-speed manual (the only manual in this list), so it left the paddles open to operate a different system. Also, the S209 has a slightly wider track, upgraded suspension components, and additional aerodynamic improvements that result in excellent handling. Lastly, it’s a 4-door, so you may be able to convince your significant other that it is, in fact, a family car…
If not, maybe you can convince your better half that an SUV is a great family car; enter the 2020 Ford Explorer ST. Although the Explorer has been in continuous production for nearly 3 decades, the ST will be the first performance oriented version. Of course, performance generally entails rear-wheel drive, and the 2020 will be the first Explorer to offer such in some time. Under the hood is a 400hp/415 lb-ft twin-turbo'd 3.0 liter V-6. With its upgraded suspension components and 21” wheels, this SUV will handle more like a sports car. Ford even claims it will be the fastest SUV under $60K. With that level of power and 10-speed automatic, that is a credible claim.
That rounds out my list of the 5 hottest cars at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. Sure, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Mclaren were at the show, but their perennial offerings of mega power and blistering speed have somewhat calloused my opinion of them. Plus, the cars on this list are more attainable than the exotic hypercars. For several hundred thousand dollars, don’t you expect those numbers? But for cars below $100K, this list is most impressive.