The 2020 Milwaukee auto show presented the best the automotive industry had to offer, but besides the eighth-generation Corvette and new Land Rover Defender, the automotive industry is holding out on releasing the heavy hitters for next year.
While the auto show overall was lacking in new products from manufacturers, Chevrolet certainly had at least one new item to pique the interest of auto show-goers. The new mid-engine Corvette certainly stole the show this year, painted in Rapid Blue over a black leather interior.
This is the first time Chevrolet has decided to put their famous small-block V8, or any engine for that matter, behind the front seats of a production Corvette. After 67 years of production, the latest Corvette comes out with just under 500 horsepower at a price of roughly $60,000, making it more powerful and less expensive than every Porsche 911 offered except GT3 and Turbo, which make less than 50 horsepower more than the base-model Stingray.
Chevrolet has not released plans to build a more powerful version of the new Corvette. However, GM recently developed a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 which makes slightly more power than a 911 Turbo S for use in the Cadillac CT6-V.
Cadillac’s CT6-V is intended to replace the outgoing CTS-V in their lineup of sedans, and the CTS-V has historically shared engine platforms with faster Corvette models. There is also a considerable amount of extra space inside the engine compartment of the latest Corvette, and many Corvette fans would be disappointed if Chevrolet decided not to use that extra space to create a faster version of its new supercar-slaying almost-budget sportscar.
Zora Duntov certainly wouldn’t be happy with leaving the new Corvette at only 495-horsepower.
Land Rover brought its new Defender model to this year’s show, allowing visitors to check out the funky new design intended to create a modern version of the most iconic Land Rover model that the United States residents haven’t been able to buy in more than two decades.
The new Defender will be available in two wheelbase lengths, the classic 90 and the longer 110. There will be 500 First Edition models when the Defender first hits U.S. shores. Towing capacity for the larger 3-liter engine models is 8,200 pounds, which drops to just over 7,700 pounds for 2-liter engine models.
The Land Rover representative from Fields Auto Group said Land Rover plans on releasing a myriad of options so owners can personalize their Defender’s to suit their specific lifestyles.
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator also made an appearance at this year’s show. The new Aviator will feature a 3-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 400 horsepower, an optional 28-speaker Revel sound system.
Bennett Coachworks brought out a beautiful collection of vintage road-going automobiles and racecars for display, including some very nice period-correct yet clean and polished Datsuns. Hopefully those cars get to stretch their legs a little bit once the salt clears off the roads.
Aside from cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles, show-goers had the chance to check out some wonderful four-legged friends at the Subaru booth. Subaru of North America partnered with local shelters and the Humane Society to bring adoptable animals to the Subaru booth so the animals could hopefully find forever homes.
The auto show might have been lacking in new and interesting features this year, but that lack of excitement every year is likely caused by factors outside the control of the show organizers.
Auto manufacturers have been slowly changing when they release new vehicles and how long engineers have to work on projects, according to a Car and Driver article on the future of auto shows.
All this means is anyone interested in auto shows should attend next year’s Greater Milwaukee International Auto show before passing judgment on whether or not the show is going downhill.
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