Mercedes-Benz G-Class Adds AMG G63 and G65

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz G550 is joined in the G-Class product lineup by the high-performance AMG G63, powered by a handcrafted AMG 5.5L V8 biturbo engine with the ECO stop/start system as standard,.and AMG G65, powered by a handcrafted AMG 621 horsepower 6.0L V12 biturbo engine with an estimated 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.2 seconds.Standard safety features include the addition of Blind Spot Assist, the parking aid PARKTRONIC and the adaptive cruise control system DISTRONIC PLUS.

Lincoln Aviator Coming Next Year

Lincoln Aviator, three-row, rear-wheel-drive medium luxury SUV, powered by a twin-turbocharged powertrain with an advanced plug-in hybrid option, will be equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360™, an advanced suite of standard driver-assist technologies including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, lane keeping system, reverse camera and auto high-beam lighting. The “teaser” model serves to preview the direction Lincoln plans to take with its newest SUV when the production model goes on sale next year.

2018 Vancouver International Auto Show Shines

The 2018 Vancouver International Auto Show just wrapped up at its spectacular waterside Convention Centre view venue, which you may remember from the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. It's is a big improvement from the vast stadium setting of previous years. Entering the show on a sunny day revealed the beautiful North Shore skyline, but reminded me of tackling an Ikea store where you were forced onto a path through exhibits of exotic cars, automotive aftermarket products, classic car displays and more before getting to what you came for. After navigating that road, it was down a long escalator to manufacturer, not local dealer, displays of new vehicles, including some of the latest releases, like the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt, and the 2019 Acura RDX which also just debuted at the New York Show. Unlike, Los Angeles, Detroit, New York and Chicago which are North America's vehicle debut shows, the Vancouver Show is consumer-oriented doing a good job of catering to its affluent, mostly Asian, clientele looking for high-end performance and exotic cars, the general public looking for the latest popular economic models and window shoppers.

To attract the crowds, a 2012 low mileage Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Roadster, boasting 1,001 horsepower and priced at $2,550,000 (likely Canadian dollars) was located near the entrance.

Another show magnet was the Swedish Koenigsegg Agera RS, touted as the world's fastest production car with a top speed of 277.9 mph from a 927 horsepower 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Only 25 will be made, with 10 pre-sold prior to the first showing.

Dueck, my buddy's local General Motors dealership, polished up some classics, including a Chevy Corvette. It was refreshing to see a consumer auto show in a scenic setting exhibiting vehicles appropriately displayed for their prestige-conscious, cash-rich, fast lane market where police strictly enforce speed limits.

2019 Lexus UX Goes On Sale In December

The 2019 Lexus UX compact luxury crossover, on a 103.9-in. wheelbase and available in two versions, introduces a new 168 horsepower 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine coupled with a new Direct-Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT). The UX 250h pairs the same 2.0-liter gas engine with a new fourth generation hybrid drive system. The UX will offer the Lexus Safety System+ as standard equipment which includes Lane Tracing Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beams, Road Sign Assist and a Pre-Collision System that can recognize pedestrians at night.  Additionally, PCS radar capability has been extended to enable detection of cyclists during the day. The UX 200 and UX 250h will start production this fall and go on sale in the U.S. in December. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

2019 Toyota RAV4 Coming This Winter

The all-new 2019 Toyota RAV4, in its fifth-generation, is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine with VVT-iE mated to an 8-speed Direct-Shift Automatic Transmission for the five gas models and a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder Toyota Hybrid System II engine with Electronically-Controlled Continuously-Variable Transmission for the four hybrid models. RAV4 comes standard with TSS 2.0, the second generation of Toyota Safety Sense that includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist. Also for the Rav4, Entune 3.0 with Wi-Fi Connect, Amazon Alexa connectivity and Apple CarPlay. The all-new 2019 Toyota RAV4 becomes available in the winter at the end of 2018 with hybrid models right behind in early 2019.

2019 Kia Sedona Gets Refreshed

The refreshed 2019 Kia Sedona minivan, with a new available rear-seat entertainment system, is powered by a 276 horsepower 3.3-liter V6 can now be paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The refreshed 2019 Kia Sedona is offered in L, LX, EX, EX Premium, SX, and SXL trim levels. The outgoing Sedona’s Infinity®6 sound system has been swapped out for an available Harman Kardon®7 premium audio system that pumps out music through eight speakers. Safety features include Forward Collision Warning, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Warning, Blind Spot Collision Warning and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and now Driver Attention Warning.

Redesigned 2019 Kia K900 Coming In 4th Quarter

The completely redesigned second-generation 2019 Kia K900 sedan, on a longer wheelbase and with a wider stance, is powered by a 365 horsepower 3.3-liter twin turbo V6 engine, the same engine found in the Stinger fastback sport sedan, and mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 12.3-inch Human Machine Interface  touchscreen displays maps, trip information, audio sources, climate controls and more. UVO luxe telematics features can be used from the desktop, tablet, or dedicated UVO luxe app, and all three access points allow remote start, setting of preferred cabin temperature, or easy to use features, such as Find My Car. There’s full connectivity via Apple CarPlay7 and Android Auto and a wireless cell phone charger. The new K900 is slated to go on sale in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2018.

2019 Kia Optima Gets Refreshed

2019 Kia Optima receives a number of redesigned interior and exterior elements. The LX comes standard with Stinger-inspired LED daytime running lights, a new 16-inch alloy wheel design and matte gray-finish grill. The S model gets new projection beam fog lamps, LED taillights, dual exhaust, sport side sills with gloss black trim, a gloss-black grill and 18-inch alloy wheels. Also added is standard push-button start, smart key, smart trunk and power front windows with auto up/down functionality. The EX will be powered by a turbocharged 178-horsepower engine with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission with an adaptive Smart Shift drive mode.

2019 Subaru Forester Arrives Later This Year

The all-new 2019 Subaru Forester, in its fifth generation and available in standard, Premium, Limited, Touring and new Sport trim levels, is powered by a 182 horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder BOXER engine featuring Auto Stop/Start and paired with a standard Lineartronic CVT driving its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. On Sport and Touring variants, the CVT features a manual mode that simulates a seven-speed manual transmission, using steering wheel paddle shift control switches. The wheelbase is increased to 105.1 in. from 103.9 in., with more rear seat legroom, which is now 39.4-in., a 1.4-in. increase and gains in headroom, hip and shoulder room. DriverFocus is a driver monitoring system that uses facial recognition software to identify signs of driver fatigue or driver distraction. The all-new 2019 Subaru Forester arrives at Subaru retailers later this year.

2019 Hyundai Tucson Is Redesigned

The redesigned 2019 Hyundai Tucson is powered by 164 horsepower 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine on the Value and SE trims and a 181 horsepower 2.4-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder engine on the SEL, Sport and Limited trims, both coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission that offers SHIFTRONIC™ manual shifting mode and includes an overdrive lock-up torque converter for higher fuel economy at highway speeds. The 2019 Tucson has a 7-inch Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ as standard equipment. A second row USB charger was added in the SEL trim and, to eliminate the need for a charging cord in the Limited trim, there is an available Qi wireless charging pad for compatible Android devices, as well as Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone X.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Offers 3 Engines For U.S.

The all-new fourth generation 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV is powered by a 185 horsepower 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder GDI engine, a 235 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a 190 horsepower 2.2-liter CRDi turbodiesel engine, all mated to a brand-new eight-speed automatic transmission. Safety features include Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Occupant Alert to detect the movements of children and pets and Safe Exit Assist temporarily prevents doors from being opened when a vehicle approaches from behind even when the doors are unlocked. The five-passenger Santa Fe Sport will now be called Santa Fe. The current long wheelbase three-row, seven-passenger model called Santa Fe will be renamed Santa Fe XL for the 2019 model year. The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe goes on sale in the U.S. in this summer.

2019 Acura RDX Coming Mid-Year

The 2019 Acura RDX, on a 2.6 inch longer wheelbase, is powered by a 272 horsepower direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter, 16-valve powerplant with DOHC VTEC® valvetrain and Dual Variable Timing Cam paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission for both automatic mode and using steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The third generation redesign marks the return of torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) to RDX. The cargo area behind the rear seats has expanded 3.4-cubic feet with an additional 1.7 cubic-feet of compartmented underfloor storage. The new platform provides for a fully-flat rear floor. The new RDX debuts the Acura ELS Studio 3D premium audio, a 16-channel, 710-watt system featuring four ultra-slim Highline™ ceiling-mounted speakers. All models and grades come standard with Collision Mitigation Braking System™  with Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist. The RDX's new ultra-wide panoramic moonroof, standard on all grades, has power slide and tilt functions and a power sliding sunshade. The new turbocharged RDX will launch mid-year.

2019 Genesis G70 Arrives This Summer

The 2019 Genesis G70 luxury performance sedan will be available with a 252 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and a 365 horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine in the U.S. market. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. An 8-speed, sport-tuned automatic with standard steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters is available with either engine. Genesis will offer an optional 6-speed manual transmission with the 2.0T RWD model. G70 rounds out the Genesis brand’s sedan lineup, joining the G80, G80 Sport, and flagship G90. The Genesis G70 arrives at retailers this Summer.

2019 Cadillac XT4 Compact SUV Arrives This Fall

The all-new 2019 Cadillac XT4 compact SUV is powered by a 237 horsepower 2.0L Turbo engine that features Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission with next-generation Electronic Precision Shift with an estimated 30 mpg in highway driving. At launch, the 2019 XT4 will be offered in seven interior environments, based on Luxury, Premium Luxury or Sport trims. The XT4 will be priced starting at $35,790 (including destination charge) when it goes on sale in Fall 2018. Starting at the end of March 2018, customers will be able to preorder their XT4s from participating U.S. Cadillac dealers nationwide.

2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback On Sale In 2nd Half Of 2018

The 2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback is powered by a 444 horsepower 2.9 liter TFSI V6 biturbo engine mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic® with optimized shifting times delivering 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds and a top track speed of 155 mph, or increased to 174 mph with the optional Dynamic plus package. The 2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback will be on sale in the second half of 2018.

2019 Honda Insight Coming This Summer

The all-new, production version of the 2019 Honda Insight, powered by the third generation of Honda's two-motor hybrid system, a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine combined with an electric propulsion motor, for 151 net system horsepower providing up to 55-mpg in the city. The 2019 Honda Insight will include Forward Collison Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Traffic Sign Recognition. The new Insight launches at Honda dealerships nationally in early summer.

2019 Corolla Hatchback Coming This Summer

The all-new 2019 Corolla Hatchback is lower (by 1.0 in.), wider (by 1.2 in.), and longer (by 1.5 in.) than its its Corolla iM predecessor and is powered by a 4-cylinder, inline 16-valve DOHC, chain drive with Dual VVT-i mated to either an all-new Dynamic-Shift CVT or a six-speed iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) transmission. The Dynamic-Shift CVT has simulated 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic steps, Sport Mode, and paddle shifters. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection uses Forward Collision Warning, Brake Assist and Automatic Emergency Braking. The all-new 2019 Corolla Hatchback goes on sale this summer.

2019 Mercedes C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet Coming Late This Year

The redesigned 2019 Mercedes C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet are powered by a new 255 horsepower 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo engine equipped with a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission on the C 300 and C 300 4MATIC models. The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC has a 385 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine. The C-Class is able to drive semi- autonomously in certain situations and will go on sale in the U.S. by late 2018.

2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport

The 2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport, the first-ever V-Performance model of its top-of-range sedan, is powered by an all-new 550 horsepower 4.2L Twin Turbo V-8 engine matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available active safety features include Forward Collision Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward/Reverse Automatic Braking, and Safety Alert Seat. The Cadillac V-Sport portfolio currently includes the CTS V-Sport and the XTS V-Sport.

2019 Audi A6 Coming This Summer

The all-new 2019 Audi A6, in its eighth generation with a larger interior than the outgoing model, has a new V6 turbocharged engine and standard 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The Audi A6 features an all-new MMI® infotainment system with touch response® that replaces the rotary dial and the conventional buttons and controls of the previous model with two large, high-resolution touch displays. The MMI touch response operating system lets the user arrange the location of central vehicle functions using a drag-and-drop technique and up to 32 shortcut buttons can be stored. The 2019 Audi A6 goes on sale this summer.