Automakers show off more power, more adventure at Philadelphia Auto Show

When the Philadelphia Auto Show opens its doors Saturday, almost the entire lineup offered by almost every make will be there for the viewing — 700 vehicles in 750,000 square feet of space.

But a whopping 12 Philadelphia debuts for the Northeastern United States reflect the changes in the industry this year, well-timed as auto sales started to level off in 2018. So, automakers jockeyed to show more at Friday’s media preview than usual. The main goal? Take drivers to more rugged terrain or help them pack more of a punch.

Roman warrior. Aiming for rugged terrain is the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. It combines the Wrangler and a pickup, with a five-foot bed, removable top and doors, and a windshield that folds down, FiatChrysler regional PR manager Lisa Barrow explained.

A 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine paired to an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission comes in the spring; a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 arrives in 2020.

Ticket to the trail. A company not known for big trucks or dizzying heights, Honda aims to correct that with the 2019 Passport SUV, said Chris Naughton, regional press manager.

“We were losing about 30,000 in sales each year to customers going to a similar vehicle we didn’t have in our lineups,” Naughton said.

A 3.5-liter V-6 engine creates 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and offers a 5,000-pound towing capacity. A large “basement” cargo area keeps muddy boots off the nice carpet.

It’s also the closest to release; the Passport goes on sale Monday, with a base price around $33,000.

Go Explorering. After almost 10 years, the bread-and-butter three-row Ford SUV gets a redesign for the 2020 model year, even going rear-wheel drive for the next generation.

Steve Randall, Philadelphia regional manager for Ford, said one of the most enduring nameplates since 1990 will lighten by 200 pounds, gain a more athletic stance, and a hybrid with no sacrifice. Up to 5,600 pounds of towing and off road capability will be available.

Heavy duty. In the “packs more of a punch category,” the largest entrant is the 2019 Ram Heavy Duty.

It should be out in spring, showing off its 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque in the 6.7-liter Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel — the highest ever.

“So now everybody’s going to be chasing us,” Barrow said.

Weighing in at about 7,000 pounds, the Heavy Duty can tow up to 35,100 pounds, or five of its brethren — and haul 7,680 pounds, so it could carry a Heavy Duty buddy as well.

Even the standard 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 power delivers class-leading 410 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque.

Hot rodding. The 2020 Subaru WRX STI S209 will be one of 200 or so production units brought to the United States, cranking out 341 horsepower in a new high for Subaru’s hot-rod four-door.

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 ought to draw some attention. With 700 horsepower, its 0-60 times should be in the mid-three-second range, covering a quarter-mile in less than 11 seconds, Randall said.

Nissan also showed off the 370Z Clubsport 23, which takes a 2012 Nissan 370Z NISMO, adds in a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 rated at 400hp, and uses the original 6-speed manual transmission. It shows something owners could duplicate themselves, and something for Nissan to use as an parts development platform.

The softer side. Toyota showcased a tamer but still worthy array: the redesigned 2019 RAV4 small crossover; the refreshed Prius, including a new all-wheel drive Prius AWD-e; and the 2020 Corolla sedan.

The RAV4 has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and creates 203 horsepower; a hybrid boosts that number by 16, and the fuel economy by 10 mpg, all for an added $800, according to Michael Thompson, Toyota dealer experience specialist. The 2020 Corolla follows the 2019 Corolla Hatchback, and it will be on sale this spring. It gets a new 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four mated to a CVT or six-speed manual.

But the Prius AWD-e looks to be a game-changer for hybrids. I always have my next car in the back of my mind, and have wanted to combine real hybrid fuel savings with all-wheel-drive traction. If the Prius gets close to the 50 mpg estimate, then here it is.