Automotive Trends

For 2015 the SUV side of Chevrolet’s lineup benefits from the same improvements that propelled the Silverado pickup to North American Truck of the Year honors. That includes the revised engine family now featuring direct-injection as well as the chassis improvements that yield an improved ride and quieter cabin. The interior is vastly improved with better materials and a car-like center stack design that puts everything within easy reach.

Since the ILX came along a few years ago the TLX has seemed a bit redundant. Well Acura is getting around to moving it a bit upscale and they’re including a whole host of new components at the same time. The 2.4-liter engine is now paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and Acura’s 3.5-liter V6 is now tied to a 9-speed automatic. Both engines now offer direct-injection, which is a technology Acura seemed slow in adopting. In addition, all wheel drive can be specified for the V6 model and even Acura’s all-wheel steering assist system can be added to the 2.4-liter model to make this a seriously impressive mid-size premium sedan offering. With the way Acura works we know the production version of this prototype will be on sale by summer and you can be sure we will keep you posted.

The Hyundai Genesis did a lot to polish Hyundai’s image in the US and even earned the 2009 North American Car of the Year award so the followup needs to be good and Hyundai rolled out its best effort today at the North American International Auto Show. The V6 and V8 engines and 8-speed automatic carry over, but all-wheel drive becomes an option on both trims and the chassis has been comprehensively upgraded to improve rigidity. The infotainment and telematics systems are also updated to the best Hyundai has to offer. Heads up display is now on board and the luxury list is topped by a 900-watt 17-speaker Lexicon audio system. The new Hyundai style features a very bold front grille but it’s not anything larger than Audi uses so we know we will get used to it. In the meantime check out our quick video overview for some 360 degree coverage.

With the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution gone from the market the Subaru WRX STi remains the sole hot rally sedan available in US showrooms. This all new model offers 305 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque from its massaged 2.5-liter boxer four cylinder. As it should be, a 6-speed manual is the only transmission offered. Of course, all wheel drive is standard but you’ll have to pony up for one of the 1,000 Launch Editions to get the gold-tinted rims that Subaru made popular with past rally hatches. Pricing hasn’t been announced but we’d expect it to cover the mid to upper $30k range and before you even ask, no, Subaru is not planning a hatch version.

We’ve covered the standard RC 350 that this new sports coupe is based on, but we’re excited to tell you about the fire-breathing F version that Lexus rolled out on the second day of the North American International Auto Show. The F uses the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 and 8-speed automatic from the IS F sedan, but the engine has been modified to produce “more than 450 hp” and Lexus has fitted an advanced torque-vectoring differential to help put the power down. All-wheel drive will not be offered so this powerful rear driver should be a lot of fun in the twisties. An active rear wing and a carbon fiber roof are other racing parts that have us excited to get behind the wheel when it goes on sale late this summer. Inside we see aggressive sport seats and a trackpad in place of the Lexus “mouse” controller that we’ve loathed the last few years.