Highlights From The NAIAS 2017
Here’s what’s hot at the first motorshow of the year
7. KIA Stinger
For years the traditionally ‘budget brands’ from South East Asia have focussed on creating economy cars for the masses, staying out of the way of the premium bully-boys. All that is set to change as KIA have launched their new Stinger and Stinger GT. The Stinger model will feature a 4cylinder turbo petrol engine with 255hp, but the Stinger GT will harness a 3.3L twin-turbo V6 engine with 365bhp! Both are rear wheel drive and both look mighty impressive. This is one we’re seriously excited about. Go on KIA!
6. VW ID Buzz
The world-famous microbus has been given a new lease of life by Volkswagen. A new, fully electric concept car has been unveiled in Detroit and it looks, well, lovely! Bare in mind this is a concept so it is likely that if it were to reach production some of the more drastic features would be tamed, but we love the two-tone paintwork and - of course - the VW badge emblazoned across the nose of the car. A very nice touch.
5. Audi Q8
The next addition to the audi Q-range was also on display in detroit. The Q8 isn’t hitting the roads until 2018 but this is the first real glance we’ve had at it. The Q8 concept has a massive 630 litre boot but it will be targeting the sportier-SUVs such as the X6, GLE and Range Rover Sport. The Q8 is thought to boast a hybrid powertrain, with a 3.0litre TFSi engine linked to a 17.8kwh lithium-ion battery. Together, expect a massive 440bhp and 700Nm of torque - good for a 0-60mph time of 5.4seconds.
4. Nissan VMotion 2.0
Nissan hit the exhibition floor with a new sedan concept car which, it’s fair to say, is still in relatively early stages. The Vmotion took top honours in the officially sanctioned Design Awards for the NAIAS. The car currently features striking ‘suicide’ doors like those on a Rolls Royce, and the rest is being kept under wraps for now. It’s an ambiguous product from Nissan so far but certainly one worth keeping an eye on over the future.
3. Mercedes AMG GT Facelift
A mid-life update to the AMG GTS and Roadster sees some aerodynamic and visual tweaks carried over from the monstrous AMG GT-R. A new Edition 50 model is out too to mark the arrival of a new AMG GT Coupé model which sits between the GTS and the GTR in terms of price and performance. The most notable tweak is the new ‘Panamericana’ grille across the front end of the new GT - quite the looker.
2. Infiniti QX50 Concept
Infiniti, who have been slowly making a name for themselves here in the UK, demonstrated their intent with their QX50 concept. This will be a mid-sized premium SUV to compete with the likes of the BMW X5, Audi Q5, and Range Rover Evoque. Infiniti believe this new concept will ‘light a path to the future integration of the brands autonomous drive support.’
Either way, we think the QX50 concept looks a damn-sight better than the current model on sale, which has been far from the success-story of the Q30 hatchback. This new model really sets the tone for what Infiniti are trying to achieve.
1. BMW 5 Series
On a more familiar level, BMW selected the Detroit motorshow as the ideal platform to launch the next generation 5 series. Images have been flying around for a while of the new 5 series but this is the first time it has been premiered in the flesh. As well as the usual petrol and diesel engines, the new 5 Series will be available as an ‘M550i’ performance car with the ‘X-drive’ all-wheel-drive system, as well as an iPerformance 530i hybrid model… Plenty to choose from!