The 2019 New York International Auto Show is now over. We were there for the press previews. Here's what happened.
2019 Audi Q3
All-new. Thought it would skip this model year; guess it’ll have a short run. The Q3 now has standard all-wheel drive, the more powerful (258 horsepower) 2.0-liter turbo from the Q5 and an 8-speed automatic. A Top View Camera and automated parking are now available.
2019 Audi TT RS
With a new front fascia the refreshed 2019 Audi TT RS will also have a shortened model year. Hopefully its 394-horsepower turbo 5-cylinder makes up for it.
2020 Audi R8
After a one model year absence Audi's super car is back. On the outside a completely new grille, bumper and wheels are smoother and classier, though only a side-by-side comparison will leet most people tell the 2018 and 2020 models apart. The honeycomb grille loses the blades on the side intakes, which are now divided with triangular corner pieces. A prominent carbon fiber front splitter has been added. A new rear bumper has matching honeycomb inserts and a new rear diffuser. Tailpipes are now oval, replacing the inset parallelograms. The exterior side sills are now also a glossy black, optional in carbon fiber.
Under the hood, the standard V10 model (pictured) is up 30 horsepower to 562. V10 Performance is still 602 horsepower.
2020 Cadillac CT5
The global debut of the new CT5 took place in New York. This compact sedan serves as a replacement for the ATS, but will also pinch-hit for the CTS.
A 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder is standard and a 3.0-liter twin turbocharged V6 with 335 horsepower is available. Both are paired with a 10-speed automatic and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The CT5 also introduces Cadillac's new engine badging scheme, where the torque output of the engine is converted to Newton-meters and rounded to the nearest 50. A "T" is added to turbocharged engines. Perhaps a handy conversion chart will be appended into the owner's manuals.
Here the "550T" denotes the 3.0-twin turbo V6.
Another key feature of the CT5 is the redesigned "Cadillac User Experience." Slammed by all who used it, the old "CUE" has been wiped away. The touch screen has been deemphasized, with a rotary knob adding better tactile control.
Standard Adaptive Remote Start engages climate control, heated steering wheel and climate-controlled seats according to driver preference and ambient conditions. An available hands-free trunk projects a Cadillac logo onto the ground, simplifying operation: kick over the logo and the trunk opens.
The Super Cruise feature will be offered, allowing hands-free driving on many Interstates and freeways.
2019 Dodge Challenger
The Stars & Stripes Edition includes subtle American flags, with correct orientation. The driver's side flag points the opposite way. Includes bronze brake calipers (with performance package), a satin black center stripe and satin black wheels and accents.
2020 Ford Escape
An all-new, sleeker re-do of the classic. Much more a crossover this time. Most notable feature: the enormous headlights. Ford must want the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus.
The standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder is gone, leaving only EcoBoost and new hybrid engines. The 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinders are up slightly in output and the 1.5-liter now has cylinder deactivation: it can run on 3 cylinders when cruising. Projected power is 180 and 250 horsepower, respectively, running on premium fuel. Both engines can burn 87-octane regular unleaded. Eight-speed automatic replace 6-speeds except on hybrids which get continuously variable transmissions (CVT).
A new 2.5-liter Hybrid is projected to make 198 horsepower and a plug-in version will be able to run about 30 miles on electricity alone.
Towing will be 2000 pounds standard and up to 3500 pounds with the 2.0-liter turbo.
On the inside Ford has succumbed to the trend started by Mercedes of mounting their central infotainment screen as if someone super-glues an iPad to the dash.
Safety-wise, Ford Co-Pilot360 (Will these companies please stop packaging tech together with pie-in-the-sky names?) is standard, which includes blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, pre-collision assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Auto High-Beam headlights, lane departure warning and rear view camera. Adaptive cruise and Active Park Assist 2.0 are optional. (why are these not co-pilot worthy?) Active Park Assist 2.0 not only steers into a parking spot but also does the backing, stopping and moving ofrward for you: just stop next to the spot and put the gear shift into neutral.
2020 Ford Mustang High Performance Package
Fans of the EcoBoost Mustang will have fewer apologies to make as Ford announced the High Performance Package version of this 4-pot 2.3 turbo. Up 20 horsepower to 330, the EcoBoost with the High Performance Package also gets GT aerodynamics, the brakes from the GT and much the same suspension. This helps fill in the gap between the standard engine and the GT.
Pony historians will note that the meanest Mustang of the mid 1980's was the SVO, a 2.3-liter turbocharged Mustang with 200 horsepower at the end of its run.
2020 Hyundai Sonata
All-new, with distinct, new styling, the 2020 Sonata is a new direction for Hyundai design.
The first thing that grabs your attention on the 2020 Sonata is the extention on the detail lighting around the headlights.
IRL though, the Digital Key is the attention grabber. Contrary to Hyundai's staff, the Sonata is not the only vehicle that allows you to use your phone as a key — Tesla Model 3 already has that feature and the new Lincoln Aviator, Corsair and Ford Explorer will, also — but a mainstream sedan with the ability to forget about your keys altogether is a great leap. Forget the obvious questions, "What if my phone is dead?" "Can it be hacked?" We'll answer this in a future in-depth article. The feature means one less thing to keep track of and the ability to easily and securely lend a vehicle without having to meet up to turn over physical keys.
A new chassis is under the new design, reducing weight for efficiency while increasing strength for improved safety and handling. A low .27 coeficcient of drag helps with fuel mileage and wind noise.
A new base engine, 2.5-liters with direct injection and 191 horsepower, 6 more than the old 2.4. The 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder returns. The 2.0-liter turbo does not.
2020 Hyundai Venue
Hyundai re-doubled down on the entry-level SUV craze with the Venue. Positioned below even the Kona, the Venue is boxier and more traditional. One can't help directly compare it to the Volvo XC40: shape, two-tone paint scheme, unique daytime running lights, check, check and check.
Cementing its entry-level cred, power will come from a 1.6-liter normally aspirated 4-cylinder punching out 121 horsepower. A 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission are offered. All-wheel drive is not on the table, at least not at this time.
Even as an entry-level, the Venue will offer Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind Spot Warning and standard frontal collision warning with automatic braking.
Genesis EV Concept
Mint Concept electric car at the Genesis stand points to the future design direction at the Korean luxury company.
2020 Jaguar XE
The New York Auto show saw the U.S. debut of the updated 2020 Jaguar XE. Jaguar's entry-level car, the XE carries the burden of fighting the legendary BMW 3 Series.
New headlights, larger lower openings in the grille for air, new taillights are some of the changes on the outside. Inside the interior is all new, with a revised shifter and center console based on the popular F-Type sports car. The new steering wheel is from the all-electric I-Pace SUV and it includes switches with hidden, light-up graphics.
A signature feature is the ClearSight rear view mirror camera which projects an obstruction free rear view to the mirror using a wide-angle rear camera.
Kia Habaniro Concept
Kia showed a futuristic all-electric, autonomous driving Niro, the "Habaniro." They gave away hot sauce.
2020 Lincoln Corsair
What goes with an all-new Ford Escape? An all-new, renamed Lincoln: the Corsair. For 2020 the baby Lincoln SUV drops its "MK-name" and gets an aviation-inspired new name. The 2.0-liter and 2.3-liter turcharged 4-cylinders return. Unlike the Escape, hybrids are off the table for now.
Some new technologies for the Corsair: heads-up display, phone as a key. Lincoln Co-Pilot360 will be standard with an array of safety tech including forward collision warning with autonomous braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, lane keeping, rear backup camera and automatic high-beams. Co-Pilot360 Plus is optional and adds adaptive cruise control with full stop-and-go, lane centering assistance, speed limit recognition, evasise steer assist (helps you when swerving around an obstacle), reverse brake assist (stops automatically if rear sensors detect an object or person), and Active Park Assist Plus which steers, brakes and shifts between forward and reverse automatically to enter a parking space.
2020 Mercedes EQC 400 4MATIC
The first EQ model for the United States is the EQC, simply an all-electric version of the GLC small SUV. With a range of about 280 miles it fits right in with the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace. The electric motors provide all-wheel drive without transfer cases or driveshafts, directly to the front and rear axles in the amount of 402 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque.
The interior is classy and it's Benz. A nice touch: the bronze accented air vents.
2020 Mercedes-AMG A 35
Hot-rod version of the tiny A-Class gets a boosted 2.0-liter good for 302 horsepower. Comes standard with 4MATIC all-wheel drive and 13.8-inch front brakes fromt the CLA 35/45.
2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35
New, mid-level hot-rod for CLA. The CLA 35 will produce 302-horsepower, 73 less than the 2019 CLA 45.
2020 Mercedes GLC Coupe
The refreshed GLC small sport utility saw the premiere of its "Coupé" version at the New York Show. Among the improvements, a new Exit Warning system that utilizes the blind spot sensors to detect approaching traffic and warn passengers of danger approaching when they attempt to open a door. Headlamps are redesigned and the GLC 300's 2.0-liter engine gains 14 horsepower for 255 total.
2020 Mercedes GLS
Re-make of MB's big SUV got its world debut here in NY. Wheelbase grows by two-and-a-half inches increasing passenger space. All three seat rows are now electrically adjustable and two captains chairs are offered in the second row for a luxurious 6-passenger version. Both engines will have EQ Boost, a mild hybrid system. GLS 580 will have 421 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 and 21 more horsepower of boost from the electric motor. GLS 450 will utilize an inline 6-cylinder turbo with 362 horsepower and the same electric boost. No word on an AMG version, but it likely will come.
It came in a wooden box marked "Shipped from Tuscaloosa, AL," where the big ute will be built.
2019 Porsche 911 Speedster
The last hurrah of the 911 991 series, the Speedster comes with a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six with 502 horsepower, a seven-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. In contrast to the 911 GT3, from where this engine hails, each cylinder here has an individual throttle body, making response to the accelerator pedal razor sharp and intensifying the engine's snarl. There won't be any pipe to transmit engine sounds to the cabin or audio-enhancement of the engine via the stereo in this car!
Porsche carbon ceramic brakes are standard.
Shown is the optional Heritage Design Package.
2020 Subaru Outback
The 2020 Legacy came out at the Chicago Auto Show, now this. The 2.5i engine is revised with 182 horsepower, up seven; 90% of its is new. The flat-six in the 3.6R is gone, replaced by a new turbocharged 2.4-liter, basically borrowed from the Ascent. The 2.4XT Turbo will put out 260 horsepower. Both will exit the vehicle through a continuously variable transaxle and all four wheels.
Award winning EyeSight driver assist technology will now be standard, including adaptive cruise control, new lane centering, forward collision warning and automatic braking.
2020 Toyota Highlander
An all-new redesign of Toyota’s big crossover results in a tougher, less minivan look. The 4-cylinder engine is gone, but the hybrid drops the V6 and goes 4-banger.
2020 Toyota Prius Prime
The plug-in version of the world's most popular hybrid snuck into New York. Big news: five passengers now fit. Bigger news, like its more conservative brother, looks less like it runs on anti-matter.
2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback
A one-year break and now this, a Mazda2 rebadged since we don’t get the Mazda. The Yaris Liftback comes standard with keyless entry, push button start, forward collision warning, low speed automatic braking, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, heated mirrors and more.
Volkswagen ID Buggy
Usually this stuff is just eye candy for gearheads, but a previous ID concept, the ID Buzz Microbus is headed for production, and now the word is, the ID Buggy will see limited production as a specialty car (think Plymouth Prowler, but electric). Whether it comes to America is a whole 'nuther story. Herbert Diess, CEO of VW, says he might bring a more production-ready version to Pebble Beach to test the waters.
Fiftieth Anniversary of the Z-car
In addition, Nissan celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Nissan (Datsun) Z-car, AKA Fairlady.
Bourbon Tasting
Don't drink and... well, it's New York, so we're on the subway, anyway.