2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Goes On Sale This Summer

The all-new fourth generation 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2.8 inches longer than the previous model, will be powered by a 185 horsepower 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder GDI engine, a 232 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a 200 horsepower 2.2-liter CRDi turbodiesel engine, all mated to a brand new eight-speed automatic transmission. The five-passenger Santa Fe Sport will now be called the Hyundai Santa Fe and the current long wheelbase three-row, seven-passenger Santa Fe will be renamed Santa Fe XL for the 2019 model year. The biggest change sees the rear shock moved upright from an angled position to improve the ride and handling. They go on sale in the U.S. in the summer of 2018. An all-new three-row, eight-passenger SUV is currently under development with an all-new name.

2018 Fiat 500 All Turbo Line-Up Arrives In 2nd Quarter

The 2018 Fiat 500 lineup goes all-turbo with Pop and Lounge models powered by the standard 135 horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine which is 34 more standard horsepower than last year’s model and paired with a five-speed manual transmission as standard with an available six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2018 Fiat 500 Abarth models deliver up to 160 horsepower and customers who purchase or lease a Fiat 500 Abarth also receive, for no additional charge, a one-day high-performance driving session at the legendary Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

Dealers can order 2018 Fiat 500 vehicles this month, with cars arriving at FIAT studios in the second quarter.

2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Coming Soon

The redesigned 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid get new front and rear fascia design, grille, hood, front fenders, rear deck lid, headlights and taillights.

The 2018 Sonata Hybrid has a 154 horsepower 2.0-liter Nu GDI four-cylinder engine coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission that houses a 51 horsepower 38 kW electric motor for system net power of 193 horsepower. Sonata Hybrid SE has preliminary internal estimates of 39 mpg in the city, 45 mpg on the highway and 42 mpg combined and total range is estimated at more than 650 miles under typical driving conditions. The 2018 Hybrid will be available in the first quarter

The Sonata Plug-in Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated all-electric range of up to 27 miles with a 9.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, more than five times larger than the Sonata Hybrid’s battery, and it can recharge in less than three hours with a level-two charger. The total estimated range is 590 miles.The 2.0-liter Nu four-cylinder GDI engine coupled with the 50 kW electric motor has a total system output of 202 horsepower and the Plug-in Hybrid operates just like the Sonata Hybrid once the onboard battery charge is depleted. The Sonata Plug-in Hybrid uses a six-speed automatic transmission with Hyundai’s Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device. The Plug-in will be available in the second quarter.

2019 Volkswagen Arteon Coming In The 3rd Quarter

The all-new 2019 Volkswagen Arteon mid-sized sedan, based on Volkswagen’s Modular Transverse Matrix architecture which allows for a more cab-backward design, is powered by a 268 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine paired with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and optional 4Motion® all-wheel drive, and will be available in SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trim levels. Arteon’s wheelbase is more than 5 inches longer and wider than the outgoing CC for more interior space. A rearview camera is standard, along with Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert. Available driver assistance features include: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop and Go; active Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist); High Beam Control (Light Assist); Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist) including Park Distance Control; and Overhead View Camera (Area View). The all-new 2019 Volkswagen Arteon is expected to arrive at U.S. Volkswagen dealers in the third quarter of 2018.

New Hyundai Santa Fe Will Debut In Geneva In March

The new fourth generation Hyundai Santa Fe, which sits on a longer wheelbase, offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist to not only warn the driver if vehicles approach from the side but also applies the brakes automatically, and Safety Exit Assist prevents accidents when vehicles approach from behind by temporarily locking the doors, so that passengers will exit the car safely. Further details of the new generation Santa Fe will be disclosed at the world premiere before making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

2019 Kia Forte Coming Later This Year

The all-new third generation 2019 Kia Forte, in LX, S and EX trims, is 3.2 inches longer at 182.7 inches, 0.7 inches wider and powered by a 147 horsepower second-generation 2.0-liter Nu four-cylinder engine paired with either a six-speed manual or Kia’s all-new Intelligent Variable Transmission set to deliver an estimated 35 MPG combined. The Forte comes standard with an 8-inch color touchscreen with Android Auto™3 and Apple CarPlay®4. In addition to Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Lane Keeping Assist, the all-new Forte is available with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Smart Cruise Control. The 2019 Forte arrives in the U.S. later this year.

Mercedes-Benz G550 Coming Late This Year

The new Mercedes-Benz G550, 2.1-in longer and 4.8-in wider, with the new G550 powered by a  416 horsepower biturbo 4.0-liter V8 gasoline engine mated to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with torque converter. DYNAMIC SELECT is now available with Comfort, Sport, Eco, Individual and a new off-road G-Mode which works independently of the chosen driving mode as soon as one of the three differential locks has been activated or the LOW RANGE off-road reduction gear has been engaged. The new Mercedes-Benz G550 will go on sale in the U.S. by late 2018.

Nissan Xmotion Concept

Nissan Xmotion concept compact SUV features three rows of side-by-side individual seats over 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The interior includes a total of seven digital screen portions.

All-New 2019 Hyundai Veloster Arrives In 2nd Quarter

The all-new 2019 Hyundai Veloster is powered by a 147 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine coupled with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission, the Turbo (pictured above) by a 201 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged direct-injected four-cylinder engine paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and the high-performance Veloster N by a 275 horsepower 2.0-liter, direct-injected turbocharged engine mated to a a close-ratio, short-throw six-speed manual transmission with downshift rev-matching capability.  Three driver-selectable modes include Normal, Sport, and Smart, according to changing driver preferences. The Veloster and Veloster Turbo arrive in the second quarter and Veloster N in the fourth quarter 2018.

2019 Acura RDX Prototype Previews Mid-2018 Launch

The all-new, third generation 2019 Acura RDX Prototype luxury five-passenger SUV with a 1.2 inch wider track, 2.5 inch longer wheelbase and shortened front overhang is the first Acura model to fully embody Acura’s new design language, powered by an all-new 2.0-liter DOHC VTEC® Turbo engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2019 model also will mark the return of Acura Super-Handling All Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) to RDX. The all-new 2019 RDX will launch in mid-2018.

2019 Ram 1500 Offers Many New Features

The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 full-size truck, 225 pounds lighter, has an all-new eTorque system for the 305 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 395 horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI engines mated to TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmissions. Also new for 2019, the Ram 1500 Rebel is now available in Quad Cab configurations, bed rails are raised by 1.5 inches and a new spoiler on the new aluminum tailgate is added to reduce drag, a Max Tow Package option with the 3.92 final drive ratio offers up to 12,750 pounds of towing capability and the maximum payload is increased to 2,300 pounds. New for 2019 is an electronic locking differential, available on 4WD trucks with the 3.21 and 3.55 final drive ratio and lifted suspension, and 2WD and 4WD trucks with the 3.92 ratio with the base or lifted suspension (Rebel and 4x4 Off-road Package). The 2019 Ram 1500’s cab length has increased a total of four inches inside.

Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept

The Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept luxury crossover could be powered by fuel cell, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, gasoline, or all-electric to meet Lexus goal of, by around 2025, to have every Lexus model around the world be available either as a dedicated electrified model, or have an electrified option.

INFINITI Q Inspiration Concept

The INFINITI Q Inspiration Concept in the mid-size sedan segment is powered by INFINITI's VC-Turbo technology variable compression ratio engine for next-level autonomous drive technologies and will not be available for sale.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Arrives In 2nd Quarter

The all-new 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, available in S, SE, SEL, SEL Premium and R-Line trim levels, offers a 1.3 inch longer wheelbase at 105.7 inches and is powered by a 147 horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine mated to a new standard six-speed manual transmission, with an eight-speed automatic transmission optional on the base model and standard on higher trims. The all-new 2019 Jetta pricing starts at $18,545, less than the outgoing base model and is expected to arrive at U.S. Volkswagen dealers in the second quarter of 2018.

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Coming This Summer

The new third-generation 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt”, is powered by upgraded 5.0-liter V8 engine that will deliver at least 475 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque and is equipped with a manual transmission, pushing the new Bullitt to a top speed of 163 mph, an 8 mph increase versus the latest Mustang GT. The special-edition Mustang Bullitt model is due out this Summer.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado Coming This Fall

The next-generation 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, offered in eight trims, is 450 pounds lighter than the current model with a wheelbase that is up to 3.9 inches longer and an overall length that is 1.6 inches longer. The 2019 Silverado offers new 5.3L and 6.2L V-8 engines and an all-new Duramax 3.0L inline-six turbo-diesel. Both the 3.0L diesel and 6.2L engines are paired with a new Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic transmission. Customer deliveries begin this Fall.

2019 Ford Ranger Goes Into Production Late This Year

The all-new 2019 Ford Ranger midsize pickup, powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost® direct fuel injection twin-scroll turbocharged 16-valve engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, features a new exterior design, chassis and powertrain developed specifically for North American truck customers. Ranger comes in entry-level XL, mid-level XLT and high-level Lariat trim series with available Chrome and Sport appearance and FX Off-Road packages, and in SuperCab or SuperCrew cab configurations. Production begins late this year at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant.

2018 Volkswagen Passat GT Arrives 2nd Quarter

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat GT powered by a 280 horsepower 3.6-liter VR6® engine mated to a standard six-speed DSG® automatic transmission with Tiptronic® on steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, joins the Passat lineup for model year 2018 as a limited-run special model based off the R-Line® trim. The 2018 Passat GT is expected to arrive at U.S. Volkswagen dealers in the second quarter of 2018 starting at $29,940 (including $850 destination charge).

Video: Nissan's Evan Landry On The 2018 Nissan Kicks

The 2018 Nissan Kicks front-wheel drive compact crossover, powered by a 125 horsepower standard 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System mated to a Xtronic transmission, has fuel economy anticipated at 33 mpg combined. Kicks arrives at U.S. dealerships in June 2018.

Nissan North America's Sr. Planner Product Planning Evan Landry discusses the Kicks.

2017 LA Auto Show Video: BMW's Christian Voigt On Debuts

Christian Voigt, Product Strategy Manager, BMW of North America discusses the many introductions at the LA Auto Show including the World Debut of the i8 Roadster, i3s, the first-ever BMW M3 CS and the 2018 BMW M5 with the first ever M-specific all-wheel drive system, along with the 8 series, X7, iVision concepts.

The new BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle pre-production models have started rolling off the assembly line at the Spartanburg USA plant so the countdown has started for the final twelve months leading up to the production car at the end of 2018. The vehicle will undergo various tests under partially extreme conditions before launching.

The all-new BMW X2 and the 2019 BMW i8 Coupe will make their world debuts in Detroit at the 2018 North American International Auto Show on January 15.