North American International Auto Show

[Andrew T]

I spent yesterday at the show and attended many of the press reveals.
A few noteworthy vehicles for those of us towing.
The next aluminum Lincoln Navigator should look similar to this but conventional doors. Should weigh less than 6000 pounds. Current chassis carries 8000 the chassis carries over. Echoboost
will be over 400 hp. 10 speed Almost makes an Escalade look subtle


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[Andrew T]

Cadillac is back this is a drivable prototype. 4.2 litre twin turbo 500 hp. 10 speed. 124" wheel base. Honeycomb aluminum structures. Supposed to be extremely solid structure but light. It would get me out of the Jaguar.


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[Andrew T]

On the more practical side. New Honda Odyssey looks similar but will have 30 more horsepower 12 ft lb more torque and a new heavy duty 10 speed automatic. My guess is the Ridgeline will get the transmission along with a turbo. The Odyssey also gets a new 5 link rear suspension and 19" wheels. Handling is said to be exceptional Also very quiet inside with 34% more body rigidity. Also an internal intercom so it is easy to converse from the first to third row seats. This will be a potent tow vehicle for Airstreams.


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[Andrew T]

Though we have hitched over 1000 Odyssey's since 1999 the GM cross overs have been equally popular lately. This new Chevy Traverse should continue that trend. It also gets a 5 link rear suspension and a new 9 speed transmission. The excellent 3.6 litre with 300 hp continues.


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[Andrew T]

No pictures or prototypes but Ford announced the return of the Bronco and Ranger. The big news is a 3.0 Litre Diesel for the F150. No word on wether it will make it into the Expedition and Bronco.

No lower profile trucks at all. Can keep hoping.


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[i2oadRunnei2]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

No pictures or prototypes but Ford announced the return of the Bronco and Ranger. The big news is a 3.0 Litre Diesel for the F150. No word on wether it will make it into the Expedition and Bronco.

No lower profile trucks at all. Can keep hoping.


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After that remark, I'm now curious to see them all

[LesMesa]

Thanks for the update. Looking forward to Ford releasing more details on the 3.0 diesel and Bronco.

[Road Ruler]

Looks like some very interesting vehicles with lots of towing potential. Thnxs for posting Mr. T.

[PKI]

Looks like some interesting options. Can't wait to see a new Cadillac towing rig (Escalade, not).

Yes, too bad low CG appears to be only an AS priority. Maybe an adjustable height suspension will become more interesting to tow vehicle manufacturers as more older folks with mobility issues embrace towing.

Andy, thanks for the show report! Pat

[BigAl]

Thanks for the info Andy.
Al

[Isuzusweet]

Now if they had this at the auto show I'd buy one in a heartbeat......

10 speed transmission huh; I wonder how much that costs to replace when it goes south?

[cando]

Any changes for the 2018 Tundra that anyone might have seen at the show?

[glcmranger]

DITTO........ Changes on the Tundra Design?

[mutcth]

Thanks Andrew for the report. Bummed that I didn't make it to press days this year.

After towing our 23' Safari with a new Ridgeline (same engine but a 6 speed), and being very impressed with power and stability, I'm strongly thinking that we'll return to the Odyssey fold next time around. (We adored our last 2.)

I would love something that fits bicycles inside AND lets us carry kayaks on the roof. Glad you took a look underneath to make sure you could hitch up the thing. And we could get a mid-grade Odyssey (now with a ton of advanced safety gear standard) for at least $10k less than a new Grand Cherokee or Durango...

It's not perfect. Wish they didn't go to a pushbutton shifter, and I'd give them a year or two to work out the 10 speed (the 9 speed that is on lower trim lines had teething pains in the TLX)...

Tom

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by mutcth

It's not perfect. Wish they didn't go to a pushbutton shifter, and I'd give them a year or two to work out the 10 speed (the 9 speed that is on lower trim lines had teething pains in the TLX)...

Tom

Tom, I recall my Dad's 64 Dodge had a pushbutton shifter on the dash. Things seem to go full circle.

[markdoane]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

Though we have hitched over 1000 Odyssey's since 1999 the GM cross overs have been equally popular lately. This new Chevy Traverse should continue that trend. It also gets a 5 link rear suspension and a new 9 speed transmission. The excellent 3.6 litre with 300 hp continues. Attachment 277966

Thanks for the info on the new Chevy Traverse. The wheelbase is a nice 121 inches. I like that. It's several inches more than my Tahoe, and lower to the ground for easier entry.

Then I see the horsepower is 305 hp at 6800 rpm.

Is that a misprint?