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Hooniverse Asks: What do you want to see from the Detroit Auto Show?

Jeff Glucker
25

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The 2019 North American International Auto Show is just around the corner. Some automakers are getting a jump on the action. Ford has already shown off its 2020 Explorer, while others are serving up teasers ahead of full reveals.

It would be nice if Chevrolet finally trots out that mid-engine Corvette we all know is coming. Word has it that it may not be quite ready, however, which is quite a shame. Ford should roll out its new Shelby GT500, which means the horsepower wars are still in full effect. Dodge is likely to invent a more powerful version of the Challenger just because… and we’d welcome that too.

At this time, we don’t really know much of what’s coming to the show this year.

My personal pick that I know is definitely not going to be there? I’d love to see a brand new Nissan Z car. No, Nissan isn’t ready to deliver such a thing. The automaker is also due to update the GT-R as well, but it’s the Z that needs serious love and attention right now. If there’s even been a neglected family member that was once a beloved all-star, it’s the Z.

I’d like to see Nissan approach a brand-new Z from one of two ways. Either toss in the 400-horsepower twin-turbocharged Infiniti engine from the Q50 Red Sport. Or go downmarket a bit. Reduce the price to entry for the Z, and downsize the power as well. Bring it back to the 240Z name, and then have it face off against the Toyota GT and Subaru BRZ.

None of that is going to happen, but I can dream. What might you be dreaming about for the 2019 NAIAS?

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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25 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What do you want to see from the Detroit Auto Show?”

  1. Lokki Avatar
    Lokki

    A 2300 pound sports car with a manual transmission, no power steering, no screen in the dash, no electronic nannies, and roughly 150 horsepower.

    Something like this: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/84a2c118f0142c76454d54b2a222d069b879c44b1f506e2beef4658ee67ccbdd.jpg

    Reply
    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      I dunno, seems needless excessive…

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a79d9803bf2ef7a12621ea3c7a2bd3cb04e32838532e6c2a8cb17785258ee28b.jpg

      Reply
    2. fede Avatar
      fede

      I think this is as close as it’ll get to that

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/94f760c26f40762706688b7eba3312ad967bd10ee94b1434892e53404268e454.jpg

      also, nice spider!. which year is it? great combination of covered headlights and wheels

      Reply
    3. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      MX5 is the answer?

      Reply
  2. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    I’d really like Chevrolet to show up and tell us “ha ha, fooled you – here’s what the new Blazer is REALLY going to look like”
    https://cdn1.mecum.com/auctions/kc0413/kc0413-151342/images/kc0413-151342_1@2x.jpg?1363028923000

    Reply
    1. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      I would be happy with a 2 door SUV on a platform slightly shorter than the current Silverado or even the Colorado. Just make a 2 door Tahoe and call it a Blazer.

      Reply
      1. outback_ute Avatar
        outback_ute

        On that note when is the Bronco due to be shown? Presumably not at the same show as the Explorer.

        Reply
  3. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Shotgun-with-a-truck-promotion must be the most American lure ever.

    I wonder if we can still be surprised by the size of things – like those pickup trucks that are approaching commercial truck size. Also, I’m sort of expecting peak horsepower to be just around the corner for this business cycle. Related to that, which of the big US three will bet on cars again first?

    Reply
    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Fords investing in electric scooter rentals, so who knows, maybe they reckon the next downturn will be so bad, even a Fiesta will be decadent..

      https://www.ridetwowheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ford-ojo-electric-scooter.jpg

      Reply
      1. mdharrell Avatar
        mdharrell

        If they really felt they had to bring it back, Ford should have gone with the 1959 version of that emblem. The earlier, narrow version looks constrained in this setting.

        https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-5/1959-ford-ranchero-emblem-1095c-jill-reger.jpg

        Reply
      2. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        Quick, is the latest reincarnation of Th!nk available for Ford to buy?

        Reply
  4. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    A new RWD GM mid-sized SUV to compete with the RWD Explorer. They still sell a a 2nd gen Trailblazer in other parts of the world. I want a 7000lb towing capacity, seating for 5, and a cargo area big enough for two full size suitcases to lay flat. 20+mpg city would be good too, maybe a PHEV version.

    Actually, a nice GM PHEV SUV in the Equinox or Traverse size range. Doesn’t have to be GM, anybody, is the Explorer going to have a PHEV version for under $50k?

    Reply
    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Battery range is dramatically reduced when towing, and once it’s expended, that tiny little ICE won’t have enough torque to do the job.

      Reply
      1. P161911 Avatar
        P161911

        I want a big enough ICE that it can act as a generator for the EV side of things. That is pretty much how the Volt works, except I know the ICE in the Volt does connect to the transmission. I’m willing to settle for a FWD CUV in the traverse size for a PHEV SUV/CUV.

        Reply
        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          Sorry, I thought you mean you wanted 7000-lb towing in a PHEV. A constant load like that would drain a battery in short order.

          Reply
  5. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    What is the fuel economy of the new 6000 SUX?

    https://bc.marfeel.com/statics/i/ps/autoweek.com/sites/default/files/styles/gen-738-415/public/140219930-3.jpg

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      I will be in Detroit for Day 2 of the press days. I will uncover the truth on this one

      Reply
  6. JayP Avatar
    JayP

    GT500 over 800hp or go home.

    Reply
  7. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    I’m hoping Ford front-ran the Explorer launch to be able to spend more bandwidth on the Bronco, but the longer this takes, the more I feel like we’re looking at a development hell new Supra situation.

    Reply
  8. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    I wish I could share your enthusiasm for Nissan. For a company with such a great history, they’ve been disappointing me for the past two decades. They had me interested with that IDx concept car a couple of years ago, but that fell flat. If they do another Z, I hope they target something more like the Toyobaru twins instead of a muscle car.

    I’d like to set my eyes on a Rivian in person, but I doubt it’ll be there. And speaking of trucks, it’d be awesome if one of the big three would surprise us with a (truly) compact pickup. The Ranger looks great, but I’d still prefer something smaller.

    Reply
    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      ..plus, I don’t think bringing back the Z as a BRZ rival makes sense, it was always a Supra level car relative to its time. i.e. even its earliest incarnation was more in the vein of a big healey, Triumph GT6 or MGC/MGBV8 than a regular four cylinder MGB/Spitfire. If they’re gonna do a BRZ rival, bring back the S-Body (Silvia, 180sx, 240sx, 200sx, whateveryourmarketcallsit) – surely this has more recognition with the younger JDM yo! demographic than the SCCA old man 240sx?

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        Your view of the car apparently focuses on the 80s and the ZXs, but I’m thinking more 70s with the original Zs. The Supra didn’t come out until the Z’s last year in 1978. And six cylinders didn’t get you much back then– I think it debuted with 150hp, when Mustangs and Camaros could be had with 300+hp V8s. Its original competitors were instead lighter cars with I4s and small sixes.

        In contrast, the 350Z and 370Z always seemed like they were trying to run with the big dogs, but couldn’t measure up. I wish Nissan had instead just made a fun, balanced sports car (exactly as I would describe a BRZ/GT86). Not blistering fast, not in a horsepower war with muscle cars, just fun, toss-able, and rewarding. Perhaps they did just so with the SX, as you mention.

        If Nissan should create a BRZ rival and call it an SX, that’s fine with me. I wouldn’t trade a pristine ’98 240SX S14 for a brand-new 370Z, and that’s the truth. They could drop in the new VC Turbo four (250-ish hp) and make it rear-drive, 6-speed manual. I’d be all-in on that. My only request would be that it NOT be styled like current Nissan products, which I think are among the ugliest out there.

        Reply
        1. crank_case Avatar
          crank_case

          Depends on your perspective I guess, The Nissan Silvia line predates even the 240Z and it can be sort of argued that this is where the line from Datsun 1600 Fairlady splits. Though the Z took on the Fairlady name in Japan, the Silvia was also referred to as a fairlaly coupe and had more in common with the 1600 mechanically, being pretty much the same bluebird derived underpinnings.

          150bhp doesn’t sound like much, but it was plenty back then, remember an MGB had 95bhp if it wasn’t smog choked, and a Spitfire had a weedy 75. In relative terms, 150bhp was probably where 3-400bhp sits now, adjusted for inflation. 😉 ..for Europeans, depending on the year, it might have been cross shopped with a Ford Capri V6 or even a Reliant Scimitar, rather than a Celica 1600 or Toyota Levin Coupe.

          Anyway, when I say younger, I don’t neccesarily mean 20 somethings, but just like later Zs might have been aimed at people with a nostalgia for the 70s, the 90s are nearly 30 years ago now, and you’ve got a generation of now middle aged folks with nostalgia for 90s coupes, mythical tales of bubble era touge drifting and Initial D. Just might be an easier thing to market….or not.

          Either way, I think we can all agree, Nissan just needs to make a new affordable RWD sports car already, whatever badge they stick on it.

          Reply
      2. Jeff Glucker Avatar
        Jeff Glucker

        Yes, but the Z as we know it as run its course and the GT-R lives above it.
        I love the Z but at this point I almost wish they’d retire it and bring something totally new. Maybe that could be the BRZ battle car?
        It would’ve been cool if Nissan planned ahead to launch its Z against Toyota and the new Supra. THAT would’ve been great.

        Reply
  9. salguod Avatar
    salguod

    Dad and I typically go every year. We missed last year because I was in AZ at Barrett-Jackson. This year, though, I just can’t muster the interest. No BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Mazda, RR, Bentley and no exotics. Suppliers and second rate Chinese manufacturers with space on the main floor. Feels like 2009 all over again, but the economy isn’t in the crapper.

    I suggested to Dad that we do the Autorama in March instead.

    Reply
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