RPM News Weekly

Peter Ciani – RPM NEW Weekly Contributor

Thinking about car shopping but don’t like the – bla – cold winter weather? Did someone say snow on Sunday?

Forget all that hearty New Englander BS. Don’t stand around a car lot peering through frosty car windows, we have a much easier.. aka warmer way to do it.

The New England International Auto Show opens at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on January 17 at 4pm and runs until Monday January 21.

With 30 brands ranging from Fiat to McLaren, you’re bound to find something that fits within your budget and where better to check out shiney new cars in the dead of winter than inside a big, comfortably heated building?

Beyond the cozy climate control of the Boston Convention Center, having a wide range of car models to peruse through in one place is also much easier than hopping from dealer lot to dealer lot.

Plus, at the auto show you’re able to walk around, sit in and (depending on the model) take a quick ride without a sales person looking over your shoulder, or worse begging you to ‘come in and sit down at my desk’.

That is a BIG plus.

Ride & Drive:

Toyota, VW & Mazda will have vehicles on hand to take out for a ‘quick spin around the block’. Sorry, but for this you WILL have to go outside in the cold.

Although, the Exhibition Center certainly feels big enough to drive a car around inside but alas, they don’t let you. Stupid safety regulations.

Two vehicles we’re looking forward to test driving at this year’s showare the VW e-Golf & the Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle.

If you’re not familiar with the Toyota Mirai, we’re not too surprised.

Currently limited to the California market, the Mirai is as mid-size, 4-door zero emission vehicle with an EPA estimated 312-miles of range and a 5-minute refueling time. Basically, it’s an electric car that can be fueled like a gas car, best of both worlds really, sounds great right?

Unfortunately, while the Mirai is catching on in California, it’s not yet available in Massachusetts. The main problem is the North East’s hydrogen fuel station infrastructure, there isn’t a whole lot really.

Toyota is hoping to change that, having announced a partnership with a company called Air Liquide to collaborate on a network of hydrogen refueling stations that will stretch from New York to Boston.

Even if you’re not considering an alternative fuel vehicle we recommend you take a spin in the Mirai while you have the opportunity. Come on, step out of your ‘comfort zone’ and drive a hint of the future.

We also recommend taking a ride in the latest Mazda Models.

Not only has Mazda figured out how to make cars that are engaging to drive, but they continue to move into a premium market ‘feel’ with the addition of the uprated Signature series.

Currently available on 3 Mazda models, the Signature series was introduced on the revamped MAZDA6 and has since made its way to the CX-9 and more recently the 2019 CX-5.

‘Ride and Drive’ times vary, and there are some restrictions, so we recommend you visit the Ride and Drive page here for more info.

New Car Models:

While cars like the not-yet-attainable Toyota Mirai are the inevitable future of motoring, these new models are a little closer to parking in your driveway today.

It’s a kind of funny contradiction, as I speak of green energy and future technologies, this year’s show is basically ruled by new SUVs and Trucks. But don’t fret, even the truck & SUV crowd is getting on the action.

For example, the new ford Ranger features a 2.3L Ecoboost 4-cylinder, it’s sole engine option, while the full-size Chevrolet Silverado 1500 adds a new 2.7L 4-cylinder Turbo engine to replace the tried and true 4.3L V6. This is a big (small engine) move for Chevrolet, Chevy trucks have used a 4.3L base motor since the 80’s.

Even the die-hard full-size Chevrolet Express van, a model that hasn’t seen a major redesign since the time of the OJ Simpson Trial, can now be ordered with a small-ish 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

Times.. and engine displacements.. they are a changin’.

This year’s lineup of new and refreshed models can not only be called the year of the SUV, but also the year of revival. Before I give away too much, here’s a quick rundown some new vehicle models expected to make their debut here in the Northeast.

2019 Honda Passport

As I said, it’s the year of the SUV and what better way to celebrate a big SUV year than to bring back a big SUV nameplate. Well, maybe not that big of a nameplate, but it IS a badge from Honda’s SUV history.

Back when it debuted in 1994, the Honda Passport was Honda’s flagship SUV. Flagship by default that is, because for a few years the Passport was Honda’s only SUV.

At a time when the SUV craze was really starting to take off Honda realized they were a bit late to the party.

The Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder and Jeep Grand Cherokee were already on the road, plus the new Toyota RAV4 was on the horizon.

Their solution?

Honda turned to Isuzu and basically slapped a ‘Honda’ grille on the Isuzu Rodeo. The First Generation Passport carried on as a rebadged Rodeo until it was discontinued in 2002.

Although closely related to the current Honda Pilot and Ridgeline (sorry, no Isuzu underpinnings here) the 2019 Passport aims to take on the likes of the Jeep Cherokee and Subaru Forester, offering more ground clearance than the Pilot, as well as better approach and departure angles and a reinforced unibody Frame.

Bottom line, the Passport is Honda’s adventure SUV.

2019 Chevy Blazer

Blazer is back! You probably knew that already, unless you’ve been hiding under a Chevy Equinox in a mall parking lot.

In the movies, if something dies and comes back to life, it is never quite the same as it was.

For instance, if you’ve buried your dearly departed kitty cat in the backyard and it comes back, upon its return from the afterworld it will most likely try to kill you. Don’t get me started on zombies..

Sure, it’s not always bad, a person might return from the dead with magical powers, or in case of Mr. Spock, the ability to to swear (badly) and converse with whales (go rewatch Star Trek: The Voyage Home…we’ll wait).

While Spock was able to successfully make calculations for time warp and help save Earth from a ‘flying oil tank’ hellbent on killing all humans just to talk to sea creatures, will the all-new Chevrolet Blazer be as successful post resurrection?

I’m going to say no.

Well, I’d like to say no, see I’m in the camp of people who were hoping for a full framed, topless off-roader. Something to take on the Wrangler, what we got instead was a Camaro SUV.

But you can’t argue with the marketing reality, a good looking performance SUV is going sell.

While the Blazer is good looking (in Pictures) I’m still slightly disappointed, as are a lot of Blazer fans who can’t accept the new model’s looks, let alone its non-truck underpinnings. But I will reserve judgement until we get to drive it, or at least see it in person.

And if it’s not, well there’s always the Bronco… Right..Right??

2019 Ford Ranger

Did someone say Bronco!?

Okay, calm down this isn’t the Bronco, obviously. But it’s a strong hint at the rumoured ‘baby Bronco’, or at least that future model’s chassis & likely powertrains.

Like the Honda & Chevy did with the Passport & Blazer, Ford reached back into its marquee graveyard and pulled the Ranger nameplate back from the dead.

Actually the Ranger really wasn’t dead, it was hiding out in other parts of the world, hiding in plain sight, far away from U.S. truck buyers.

For 2019 the all-new Ranger is available in 4-passenger SuperCab and 5-passenger SuperCrew and comes in 3 trims base XL, XLT and the uprated Lariat.

All models feature a 2.3L Ecoboost 4-cylinder engine & 10 speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel-drive is standard.

While the driveline options and trim range seem a bit limited, you can get either trim, in either cab configuration with or without 4WD. To be honest it’s actually nice to see a pick up truck that doesn’t overwhelm you with a ton of models and configurations on the build page (Hello Silverado) .

The New Ranger is just starting to trickle into dealerships.

2019 Chevy Silverado

The New Chevrolet Silverado makes it debut for 2019 and like the Chevy Blazer, reactions over the new front end styling are ‘mixed’ to put it nicely. Chevy calls the design “Strong and Modern” critics call it much worse. I guess we’ll have to see it in person.

With 6 engine choices, 3 cab configurations & 8-trims ranging from the base Work Truck to the Luxurious High Country model, I guess it’s not too cliche to say there’s probably a configuration of the Silverado that’ll suit your needs.

2019 Audi Q8

Audi has a new flagship SUV this year..but hey who doesn’t right?

Despite being the brand flagship, the new Audi Q8 isn’t a 7-passenger beast. Audi calls it a luxury–Performance-SUV, which loosely translates into please stop buying the A8 and buy this SUV instead.

The Q8 comes powered by a 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 and Audi quattro all-wheel-drive.

The Q8 also features the same standard 48 volt mild-hybrid system as the A8. The System uses a belt driven starter / generator and a 10 Ah battery.

The new mild-hybrid technology (MHEV = mild hybrid electric vehicle) is standard with all A8 engines. It reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.7 liters (0.2 gal) per 100 kilometers (62.1 mi) in actual driving. The MHEV technology from Audi is based on a newly developed 48 volt main vehicle electrical system. It comprises a compact lithium-ion battery with an electrical capacity of 10 Ah, located in the luggage compartment underneath the loading floor of the A8, as well as a belt alternator starter (BSG) connected to the crankshaft. – AUDI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L99zWNi8KnU#action=share

2020 Lincoln Aviator

With their parent company Ford ditching the sedan market there’s no doubt that the Lincoln brand will follow along, they have no choice really. Shame because I like the continental.

But, as sedans go ‘loudly into the day’ and SUVs dominate, the brand cannot live on whatever outdated MK..bla bla SUV models they have now.

Enter the Aviator, Lincoln’s new mid-size SUV sandwiched between the less-newer Nautilus (former MKX) and Navigator.

Aviator > Nautilus > Navigator, it’s a theme get it?

Build on the same platform as the upcoming 2020 Ford Explorer that debuted recently at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, the Aviator is also built on a rear-wheel-drive platform. That model will use a 2.3L Ecoboost and a 3.0L EcoBoost V6.

Like it’s Explorer cousin, there will be a hybrid version of the Aviator, although the Explorer specs haven’t been released, the Aviator’s Hybrid V6 is expected to produce 450 horsepower and 600 lb. ft of torque.

The important ‘takeaway’ here is, this Lincoln is using actual names. Also, it’s a name you may, or may not remember. Lincoln already produced an Explorer based Aviator SUV back in the day. Needless to say, it didn’t catch on. But if Chrysler can successfully revive the Pacifica, anything is possible.

We have a feeling this time it will be a bit differant.

2019 Jeep Gladiator Pick up

I’ve got to admit, this is the one I’ve been waiting for. Well, the one everyone has been waiting for.

Jeep has been teasing a Wrangler based Gladiator pick up since late-2004 and like the next generation Supra, or mid-engine Corvette, a Jeep pick up was seemingly never going to happen.

Well, not only is it happening.. but it’s finally here and by ‘here’ I mean here at the NEIAS.

Not expected to go on sale until the spring, Jeep made a point to sneak this one into the Boston show. Chris Russell, from the Boston Auto show announced the last minute addition on the Car Doctor Radio Show last week.

Sticking true to its Wrangler origins, the Gladiator features the same off-road and open air fun as the Wrangler, except now you can tow a bigger trailer and haul mulch, although for that I’d recommend keeping the top on.

Visually, from the doors forward, the Gladiator looks just like its sibling, although the slots in the grille have been widened slightly to increase cooling ability when towing. I’m guessing this will be a popular upgrade / swap onto the Wrangler for people that tow, or go wheeling a lot.

Unlike the Wrangler, the Gladiator will not get the 2.0L mild hybrid 4 cylinder, but it will feature the same 3.6-liter V6.

A 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 rated at 260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. is coming soon.

So, there you have it, there are plenty of new models to see at the Boston Auto show.. And many more I didn’t put on the list (see below).

Maybe we’ll see you there, if not check out RPM News Weekly for more show coverage!

Other new models to check out.

Refreshed 2019 Volkswagen Passat

Refreshed Subaru Forester

All-New Lexus UX

Refreshed 2019 Kia Forte

2019 Hyundai NEXO

2019 GMC Sierra Denali

All-New Genesis G70

Lamborghini Urus

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