the 2019 atlanta international auto show is ready to introduce exciting new models like the 2020 jeep gladiator, ford mustang shelby gt500 and toyota supra to thousands of visitors in georgia's largest city. other notable highlights include recently introduced or heavily updated models, such as the 2019 chevrolet blazer and dodge challenger hellcat redeye, along with the 2020 ford explorer, hyundai palisade and kia telluride. whether it's high-powered muscle cars or family-friendly suvs, the atlanta auto show's 500,000-plus square feet of exhibition space will have something for everyone.
the atlanta auto show is open to the public wednesday through sunday. located at the georgia world congress center, 235 northside drive, the show is adjacent to mercedes-benz stadium, the dazzling new home of the atlanta falcons football team. directions to the show and parking information can be found at the directly at the show's website.
opening hours vary depending on the day, so keep the schedule in mind when planning your trip. on wednesday and thursday, open hours are noon until 9 p.m. on friday, show hours are noon to 10 p.m. finally, weekend show hours are 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. sunday. admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children 6-12 years old; kids 6 or younger get in free.
here are five things you must see at the 2019 atlanta international auto show:
1. 2020 toyota supra
after years of waiting, the toyota supra has made its long-awaited return. developed in cooperation with bmw, the supra shares a platform and turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder used engine with the also-newly returning bmw z4. in the toyota, this punchy used engine delivers 335 horsepower to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. toyota has hinted that a manual gearbox might be introduced later — perhaps wearing a trd badge and with more power under the hood? time will tell if our guess is accurate. as it stands, at about $50,000 to start, the supra is a lithe and lean sports car, with curvaceous fenders wrapped tightly around each wheel.
read more about the 2020 toyota supra here.
2. 2020 jeep gladiator
while some cars are all about getting your thrills on a racetrack, the jeep gladiator makes certain the fun won't stop when paved roads come to an end. based on the highly popular wrangler suv, the gladiator pickup promises to expand the appeal of this rugged vehicle to an entirely new buyer. under the hood will be a 3.6-liter v-6 or turbo-diesel 3.0-liter v-6 coupled to a six-speed manual (3.6-liter used engine only) or eight-speed automatic transmission.
four trim levels will be offered when the gladiator goes on sale in the spring: sport, sport s, overland and rubicon. from its underbody skid plates and 33-inch tires to a standard four-wheel-drive system with a rock-crawling 84:1 gear ratio, the rubicon is the clear choice for off-road aficionados. true to jeep tradition, a gladiator owner can remove the top and doors, and fold the windshield flat against the hood. jeep has not confirmed a base price, but you can walk around, climb inside, kick the tires and imagine what you'd be willing to pay for this enthusiast's dream car.
read more about the 2020 jeep gladiator here.
3. 2020 ford mustang shelby gt500
a muscle car is pretty spectacular when people are upset the top speed will only be 180 mph. that's right, ford decided to electronically reign in the maximum speed of the 700-plus-horsepower mustang shelby gt500 to less than the magic 200-mph mark — a figure already exceeded by archrivals like the dodge challenger srt hellcat redeye and chevrolet camaro zl1. ok, but let's not forget the supercharged v-8 under the hood of this ford makes the gt500 the most powerful mustang production car of all time. the gt500's sprint from zero-to-60 mph is estimated in the mid-3-second range, while the car's ground-hugging aerodynamics and optional carbon-fiber wheels make it clear this mustang is built for speed. like the best no-holds-barred muscle cars, the gt500's rear seat has been deleted to save weight and boost performance.
read more about the 2020 ford mustang shelby gt500.
4. test drives
upon visiting the show, we know you may be eager to get behind the wheel of new cars, suvs and trucks. lucky for car shoppers, there is no waiting needed, as plenty of brand-new vehicles will be available for test drives right there at the atlanta auto show. brands with cars and trucks to test-drive include chevrolet, chrysler, dodge, fiat, ford, jeep, mazda, nissan, ram, toyota and volkswagen. more than 30 different vehicles will be on site for short test drives on public roads around the exhibition center. there is no charge, though keep in mind that each automaker has its own drive schedule during the show.
vehicles available for test drives include:
- chevrolet: equinox, malibu, silverado 1500 and traverse
- chrysler: 300 and pacifica
- dodge: challenger, charger and durango
- fiat: 124 spider, 500 and 500x
- ford: edge st, expedition, f-150 and ranger
- jeep: cherokee, grand cherokee, wrangler and compass
- mazda: mazda3, cx-5 and cx-9
- nissan: leaf
- ram: ram 1500
- toyota: camry, corolla hatchback, highlander and rav4
- volkswagen: atlas, golf gti autobahn, jetta, passat gt and tiguan
5. the future is now ... again!
a time machine is coming to atlanta, but it has nothing to do with doc brown and flying delorean coupes. the gm futurliner was part of a traveling road show in the 1950s, with the futuristic-looking truck part of a fleet that went around the country introducing the latest car models and technology. the futurliner coming to atlanta was found in extremely rough condition and necessitated a seven-year restoration that started in 1999. with its four front wheels and wide side doors that open to reveal static displays, the futurliner still looks like it could be from a distant time (or another planet, for that matter).
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