Motor Trader The award-winning and longest running UK magazine for car retailing professionals. Your first stop for News, Jobs and Reports for the motor industry.
The first motor show of the year kicked off this week in a seasonally chilled Detroit, with a plethora of UK-bound debuts from Volvo, Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, Ford, Lexus, Infiniti and many more.
One of the stars of the 2016 North American International Auto Show was the new Volvo S90 flagship, expected on UK roads in the summer and a perceived rival to the all-conquering BMW 5 Series. Volvo describes the S90 as the second chapter in the renewal of its range, the car sharing many components with the XC90 SUV which has proven a major success, pre-orders of 88,000 in 2015 far outstripping the predicted 55,000.
The S90 debuts a new exterior look finally consigning the staid visuals of previous Volvo large saloons to history, while it will also offer innovative technology, including a Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain option and a semi-autonomous drive feature called Pilot Assist.
One of the S90’s prime rivals will be the fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class, also debuting in the Detroit halls and on UK sale in the Spring. The car’s bolder exterior look, evolved from its recently launched C-Class and S-Class sisters, is designed to appeal to a younger audience, while the use of new platform architecture cuts weight and improves efficiency. Mercedes is expected to eventually offer an eight-way powertrain choice for the E-Class with a plug-in hybrid in the plans.
Mercedes also unveiled the facelifted SLK roadster, now known as the SLC and with order books opening early in the year, and a performance version of the S-class cabriolet, the AMG-S65.
Audi’s major Detroit debut was the all-new A4 Allroad. The second-generation model offers extra ‘soft-road’ ability, by means of a ground clearance increased by 34mm, more power and extra efficiency of the single petrol and three diesel engine choices, a reduction in weight and an ‘off-road’ mode in the drive-select driving programs. A UK on-sale date is yet to be confirmed.
Volkswagen’s new Tiguan was first seen at the Frankfurt show in September but on display in Detroit is a more off-road focused concept version with a plug-in hybrid engine. VW is not confirming that a plug-in hybrid Tiguan will join the new UK range but it is thought quite likely, while a revamped interior debuting in the concept is thought likely to feature on the facelifted Golf due later in 2016.
Ford displayed the latest facelift of its Fusion model in Detroit; a significant car as it is the US version of the Mondeo and hints at the brand’s 2018 facelift plans which could include its slimmer looking front-end.
Apart from the obvious plug-in hybrid theme at Detroit the trend appears to be towards coupes, a host of them unveiled. BMW’s new entry is the M2, the smallest of the German marque’s M cars and reacting to recent small hot coupes from its German rivals. Expected on sale in April, it boasts a 370bhp 3-litre six cylinder turbo engine and a claimed 4.2-second 0-62mph time with the twin-clutch DCT auto gearbox.
The latest in Infiniti’s efforts to grow its European presence will see the launch in late 2016 of the Q60, a purposeful-looking coupe to rival the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series. Replacing the G37, it will be offered with three engine options, the largest a twin-turbo 3-litre V6 of 396bhp.
Perhaps turning most heads at the show, however, was the Lexus RC 500, a flagship 2+2 coupe evolved from the LF-LC concept that debuted at Detroit in 2011. Built on a new rear-wheel-drive platform that will progress to other future Lexus models, the RC 500 is powered by an evolved version of the 5-litre V8 already in the RC F and GS F. In the new coupe it produces 467hp and is matched to a brand-new 10-speed automatic transmission that Lexus says offers shift times comparable to a dual-clutch unit. Sub 4.5-second 0-62mph times are predicted.
Already dubbed by some as the most exciting Lexus since the LFA supercar, a launch date or likely price for the RC 500 has not been released but sources suggest orders might start being taken at the end of 2016.
