2019 Detroit Auto Show preview: Explorer, GT500, Supra and more

2019 The Detroit Auto Show will surely be one for the books. This is the last time Detroit will host its North American International Car Show in January; starting next year, the event moves to June . And while this year's show will be less than previous years with regard to the automaker's presence, those who come will surely bring the heat.

From things like the 2020 Explorer SUV, to electrified concepts, to OMG-it's finally-here Toyota Supra, we have a lot to talk about in Detroit next week. In addition, we will announce our 201[ads1]9 Shift Awards, highlighting the editor's choice for vehicle, interference, security technology, cabinet technology, and powertrain technology of the year. Here's a look at what to expect.

Cadillac

Cadillac will bring the new XT6 crossover to the Detroit Auto Show. Spotting between the five-passenger XT5 and full-size Escalade XT6 will offer three rows of seats, so that Cadillac can finally compete with cars like

We led you the decline of 2020 Explorer earlier. and Lexus RX L . This week – it's a big improvement over the model it replaces, despite looking pretty much the same. Ford moved the explorer over to the rear-wheel drive platform, which will also support the upcoming Lincoln Aviator which extends the SUV's wheelbase by 6.3 inches in the process. That means Explorer will be much more spacious than before.

At launch, a 2.3-liter turbocharged I4 engine will be standard, with a 365 horsepower, 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 available as an alternative. All models are standard with an 8 inch Sync 3 touch screen infotainment system, but a portrait-oriented 10.1-inch display will also be available.

In addition to the regular 2020 Explorer Ford will also show the Police Interceptor variant, as well as the Explorer Hybrid and high-performance Explorer ST.

Of course it's not all. Ford will display the Shelby GT500 on the Detroit Auto Show – the most powerful version of the current Mustang series. Rumor has it the GT500 will offer around 700 horsepower. GAC Teaser "height =" 0 "width =" 970 "data-original =" https://cnet1.cbsistatic.com/img/_lHA-cm0GDe0-Wn4IE3MJ1KifKg=/970×0/2019/01/11/3cadd84a-fa7d-4080 -8a29-cee27a971c10 / gac-teaser.jpg "/>

GAC

Chinese automaker GAC is no stranger to the Detroit Auto Show, since it has been present there and since since 2013. This year, the company is back and it shows the new Entranze concept ] something the company calls "a state-of-the-art family car" with the basis for autonomous driving.

GAC will also include its GM6 minivan and GS5 SUV none of which have been shown in the United States. And while the company is not yet selling cars in the United States, it is preparing to open a new research and development center outside of Detroit, to join the other two US-based facilities in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley.

Hyundai

We cannot officially confirm what Hyundai has in the works of the Detroit Auto Show, but we have been told to expect some news related to the company's N Performance Department . Maybe Hyundai will show an N Line model – the name that will be awarded to sports cars that do not get full-on N treatment (think BMW M Sport vs BMW M). In any case, keep up to date with Hyundai's full announcement in just a few days.

Infiniti

Infiniti's Detroit debut is QX Inspiration an EV crossover concept that the company says previews the design language for its future electrified offers. Infiniti will offer electrification options across the entire portfolio beginning in 2021.

QX Inspiration is more of a high hatchback than actual crossover, and it is not necessarily meant to signal an actual production car. We have no details on what kind of EV powertrain is underneath, but we hope to learn all that and more at the Detroit show next week.

Kia

Although we first saw the production button Kia Telluride at New York Fashion Week in September, we still do not know too much about the brand's complete SUV. It will change on the Detroit show, where Kia plans to reveal all the details of her new big boy.

Since Telluride shares its architecture with Hyundai Palisade we can probably expect a 3.8 liter natural aspirated V6 underhood, producing something like 290 horsepower. Telluride will face some fierce competition when it strikes the market, from 2020 Ford Explorer, to segment staples such as Chevy Traverse Honda Pilot Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander .

Lexus

Although Lexus calls its LC Convertible a concept, we are pretty sure it will come into production. When the company revealed its new droptop earlier this week, it said: "Open top concept suggests future direction of LC flagship", which is quite a serious nod to production intent.

No official details have been confirmed, but we would expect the production of LC Convertible to use the same fuels as the Coupe. That means a 5.0 liter V8 with 471 horsepower, as well as a hybrid alternative.

Lexus will also display Renewed RC F coupe in Detroit, complete with a new Track Edition ] package.

Lincoln

Lincoln does not have an official press conference on the Detroit Auto Show schedule, but that doesn't mean there will be nothing new on the screen. Look for Ford's luxury brand to display Continental Coach Door Edition that debuted in December.

Coach Door Edition is a stretched version of Continental sedan, with a large pair of suicide doors – reminiscent of 1961 Continental. Lincoln is just planning to build 80 of these cars initially, priced over $ 100,000.

Nissan

Nissan is planning to show some kind of EV concept. It is unclear whether the Nissan debut will preview a whole new model, or just a kind of presentation of a future styling or driving direction. Anyway, a new concept image store is always something to look forward to. Take a look at Nissan's short teaser video for more.

Also, if you missed her debut at CES 2019, Nissan will show the new long-distance Leaf E + . Thanks to its larger, more powerful battery, Nissan says E + can travel up to 226 miles on a single charge – a nice boost over the 150-mile range of today's Leaf.

Ram

Following the successful launch of the 1500 Halftone pickup in 2018, Ram will display new Heavy Duty variants at the Detroit Auto Show. Expect to see 2500 and 3500 HD versions taking the stage, with single and dual-rear-wheel setups, and according to the teaser image above, some major headlights. Large engines – both gas and diesel – will probably be found underneath, with enormous power and towing capacity. There will be a wealth of luxury and technology in the trucks too, including all the treats that debuted on 2019 Ram 1500 .

Subaru

Subaru WRX STI will spawn a S209 special edition model in Detroit, with bulgy fender flares, a large wing and many performance upgrades. We don't have any details yet, but expect an upgraded suspension as well as custom aerodynamics and larger brakes.

The biggest question we still have is what is it under the hood? The older, non-US S208 special edition was powered by a 2.0 liter turbo H4 engine, but the US market STI uses a 2.5-liter H4. We just hope it gives more power than 310 horsepower found in the current STI Type RA .

Toyota

Supra . It is Supra . We see Supra . In fact, we have already seen Supra . We've run Supra . We've heard so much about Supra we are almost freaking sick of the Supra.

So yes, Toyota will eventually officially flush the long awaited Supra, the coupe that shares its base with the BMW Z4. We know to expect turbocharged inline 6 power, and based on our prototype station and our test of the BMW Z4 M40i we know that it will be quite entertaining – but perhaps a little Thicker than the Supra faithful could expect.

We are so very ready for this endless battle to be over.

The Volkswagen

2020 passage will debut at the Detroit Auto Show, and we're not expecting it to be radically different from its predecessor. We drove a prototype of the new Passat late last year, and even though our time with that car was short, we found the new four door to largely hold the course.

All Passats will be powered by a 2.0 liter, turbocharged I4 engine, with 174 horsepower and a 6-speed automatic transmission and front wheel drive. A sporty-looking R-Line model will roll on 19-inch wheels, and all models will have LED head and tail lights. An 8-inch touch screen infotainment system will be found inside, but we don't want to see Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit gauge cluster. Womp.

In business news, Volkswagen is expected to announce an alliance with the Ford Motor Company at the Detroit show, possibly sharing electrification and autonomous driving development.

2019 Detroit Auto Show Media Days kicks out Monday, January 14, and the show officially opens to the public on Saturday, January 19.

Click here to follow all Roadshow's 2019 Detroit Auto Show coverage.