Motor City Mayhem North American International Auto Show 2017

Lexus LS, Kia Stinger, VW ID Buzz, Toyota Camry, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe //

Our intrepid automotive explorer Ian Beavis travels to Detroit to conquer the formidable North American Int’l Auto Show. Given that many of the manufacturers showed their breakthrough innovations for the year at CES a week earlier, NAIAS was a bit more subdued affair in 2017. Lacking the flash of a Ford GT or truly eccentric concept, it took Ian’s trained eye to search out the real stories worth following. Here are some of the highlights of the show.

Lexus LS

Lexus LS - NAIAS 2017 - North American Int'l Auto Show

The LS has received a much-deserved revamp that brought all Lexus has to bear on improving the design, dynamics and already-incredible fit and finish. They’ve ditched the old V8 engine in favor of a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that puts out an impressive 412 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque, added some length (it’s only available in a long wheelbase) and shed weight at the same time. As you’d expect from a car of this caliber, it has a massive 12.3-inch display and an even more massive 24-inch color HUD.

Kia Stinger GT

AMCI_NAIAS2017_Kia Stinger GT - North American Int'l Auto Show

The Stinger GT is Kia’s most important vehicle since the Soul, punching far above its weight, with amazing exterior design, excellent performance and an interior that will make the Germans take note.

Volkswagen ID Buzz Concept

AMCI_NAIAS2017__VW ID Buzz Concept - North American Int'l Auto Show

Another in a long line of teasers from Volkswagen, this time claiming 369 horsepower and a 270-mile range, with every bell and whistle imaginable, including a retractable wheel for autonomous driving, bed-folding seats and an AR HUD.

Toyota Camry

AMCI_NAIAS2017_Camry - North American Int'l Auto Show

The new Camry is the savior that the sedan segment needs, improved in every aspect and definitely looking the part of the best-selling car in America.

Mercedes E-Class Coupe

AMCI_NAIAS2017_Mercedes_EClass - North American Int'l Auto Show
A victory lap for the now number-one luxury brand, the E‑Class Coupe is the perfect distillation of why Mercedes-Benz is running the game. Their design language continues to set the standard for luxury cars.

Closing Thoughts on the North American Int’l Auto Show

We hope that Volkswagen will follow through with the ID Buzz and quit teasing us with such an amazing vehicle, and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel of unlikely bedfellows like the Lexus LS and Kia Stinger GT.

Have questions for Ian? Leave a comment or email him here.

Posted on January 18, 2017

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