Interesting Takeaways From The 2018 Detroit Auto Show

Every year, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is hosted in Detroit Michigan where thousands of auto enthusiasts gather to see the future of transportation. Every day is filled with showcases, events and news releases with the intent of demonstrating the technological and directional changes to come for vehicles, as well as show off some sweet new rides. Following is a collection of the most important highlights to come thus far.

Revived 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt

Steve McQueen became a legendary household name back in 1968 for the fantastic car and chase scenes featured in the cinema classic, "Bullitt" which showed the lead driving a beautiful Mustang GT. This year at the NAIAS the original 68’ GT reclaimed the spotlight for the first time in almost half a century but was not alone. Accompanied by the classic, was the new Ford 2019 Mustang Bullitt which is equally as stunning. With a dark green hue and clean exterior design, Darrell Behmer, chief designer for Mustang, wanted to move away from the flashy striped and unnecessary props, to truly let the car’s bones and functionality shine. Equipped with a five-liter V8 and four-hundred-seventy-five horsepower engine, the new addition to the Mustang family is a force to be reckoned with, not to mention the cue ball shift knob for a touch of vintage character.

The following is a revamp of a competitive truck with all new interior design.

A New Powerful Ram 1500

Another competitor for the coming year to watch is the Ram 1500. An updated model for the brand which has seen exponential growth in the past few years, sneaking up on second place in the truck market. A few quality additions to 1500 include the most extensive storage space of any full-sized pickup, as well as 12-inch display as well as Sirius XM radio. For higher fuel efficiency, Ram opted for aluminum material to be strategically placed across the unit, including the tailgate. Other great features of the truck consist of updated interior design which offers three cup holders in the front cab, five USB ports, as well as storage in the back seats for a tablet.

Upcoming is a look at quite possibly one of the most beautiful car designs to ever take the stage.

A Brilliant Infiniti Q

Infiniti’s new Q model is quite possibly one of the most beautiful cars ever designed, that is a big statement to say, however, the Japanese company has got it right this time. A powerful V6 gasoline engine paired with a four-cylinder diesel engine for ultimate performance. The design is the bread and butter of this vehicle; exterior provides a delicate yet bold bone structure, the interior is minimalist and emphasizes comfort. Inside is a floating touchscreen and a floating center console which stretches through to the back and maximizes legroom for passengers; for seating the car is equipped with zero-gravity thin-frame seats. If that does not wow the market, Infiniti provided the vehicle with a biometric monitor to analyze passenger well-being.

Lexus has been an industry leader in crossovers, and next up is another significant contribution to the market.

Industry Leading Lexus LF-1

Although merely a concept car for Lexus and not likely to be on the roads promptly, the new LF-1 revealed at this years show hints at the future of Lexus crossovers. Front aesthetics are on par with the Lexus standard and have a forceful grill with sharp lights. An advanced interior makes the LF-1 a real winner though, cameras on either side to replace mirrors, the inside dash displays side lane images eliminating blind spots and adding a sleek and clean look to the exterior. For functionality, the vehicle is equipped with 4D navigations which provide typical navigation, but also incorporates options for the driver and suggests breaks, restaurants and alternate routes for preference. BMW has a reputation as a reliable competitor in high-quality units, next is a product which is a nice addition, but frankly, nothing too flashy.

Simple, Yet Elegant BMW X2 SUV

This year, BMW had a modest presentation, but their new product, the BMW X2 SUV is nothing to scoff at. A sporty appearance gives the unit a feeling of speed which is reinforced by the zero to sixty mph in just under six and a half seconds. Inside, however, is nothing too innovative; buttons are still used and make for an unappealing set, while the dash is plain and only hosts a small display screen for interaction. All incorporated, however, an impressive vehicle which will be sure to do well in the markets.

Mercedes has already claimed the spotlight at this year's show, and this next product is a big reason why.

Iconic Revision Of Mercedes G-Class

Mercedes has made great strides with their G-Class product which was described to be “instantly recognizable” by the German company. This is undoubtedly accurate seeing as the rigid and box-like design has stayed true to the iconic look that has made the Mercedes SUV a success. As a unit, these products have stood the test of time and proven to be indestructible on and off roads, while reportedly close to eighty percent of G-Class models which have been sold are still actively used today, an impressive feat for any automotive company. Not only has the G-Class vehicle been an enormous success, but Mercedes has also grabbed lots of attention for their incredible E-Class car, discussed next.

The Electrifying Mercedes E-Class

Mercedes did not just have one exciting showcase at NAIAS this year but also revealed their updated E-Class product. A 53-Series AMG E-Class was released with an electric three-liter engine and turbocharger; for functionality, the motor is not entirely electric (but should be the case by 2022) but does possess a forty-eight-volt battery. With all that power, Mercedes has converted a few features to the E-Class from the S-Class such as software that detects when a driver becomes drowsy as well as a system for identifying and alerting for pedestrians while on the road. Design wise, Mercedes has reasonably kept up with it’s beautiful and consistent aesthetic, with a sharp grill and grooved hood for the appearance of speed, even when sitting still.