2018 Detroit Auto Show preview

A quick look at all the major automobiles that are headed to the 2018 North American International Auto Show. 

With the 2018 Detroit Motor Show kicking off early in January, the automotive industry seems to be all set for a brand new year. As always, there’ll be new car launches, new announcements and a lot more that will take place at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. And while there will be a few surprises (remember Ford taking the wraps off the new GT in 2015 at the same venue?), here’s a list of some key vehicles that are expected to be showcased at the motor show.

Acura RDX

Acura, the luxury arm of Honda, will showcase the RDX crossover prototype at the Detroit motor show. The company has already revealed a teaser image of the prototype, and it’s expected to enter production soon. The new RDX will be the third-gen model of the crossover and will be based on an all-new ‘Acura exclusive platform’ as per the company.

BMW X2

The BMW X2 was unveiled in October 2017, but it’ll make its public debut at Detroit. The swanky looking coupe-crossover bridges the gap between the X1 and X3, but it will be aimed at a younger audience. The underpinnings of the X2 are the same as the new X1, meaning it’ll be based on the company's UKL platform. The X2 will get 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engine options in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.

Hyundai Veloster

Hyundai will unveil the second-gen model of its funky Veloster in Detroit next month. The Korean manufacturer has already released a couple of teasers, showing some subtle changes to the exterior. Mostly, it’s unchanged from the current model and retains the three-door layout, albeit it’s expected to get more aggressive bits bothon the inside and out. Under the hood, it’s likely that the new Veloster will retain the 1.6-litre turbo motor of the current car. That said, rumours also suggest that a more powerful ‘N’ version, featuring a 217bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine, may also debut with the new model.

Jeep Cherokee 

A few weeks ago, Jeep released the pictures of a re-styled Cherokee. The new mid-size SUV will make its global debut at the Detroit Motor Show, where Jeep has promised to reveal all the details about it. At the moment, there’s no information about the new model’s powertrains. However, as we can see, the biggest change in the new model is its design – the new Cherokee looks far more stylish and conventional as compared to its predecessor.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen 

The legendary Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen will receive a host of upgrades in its new-gen model, and it’ll make its debut at the motor show in January. The iconic off-roader, which has been around since 1979, will be restyled with new bits and bobs both on the inside and out. Mercedes recently revealed the interior of the new G-Wagen with a large touchscreen infotainment system that’s inspired by the one seen in the E-Class. Additionally, the exterior design will be refined in the new model. Engine options are expected to remain unchanged from the current version.

Volkswagen Jetta

Although not officially confirmed, the seventh-generation Volkswagen Jetta is likely going to be unveiled in Detroit next month. Based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, the all-new Jetta will be built only for left-hand drive markets, meaning it won’t come to India among other countries. While details are sparse at the moment, the teaser image of the new Jetta shows a car that looks stunning in profile. The new Jetta is expected to be powered by a 1.4-litre TSI engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox for the US market.