2018 Atlanta Auto Show Recap with Video

Hey Yall! How has your week been so far for you? Are you ready for the weekend yet? I know I am because I desperately need a good day of rest. This week has me all over the place, and I'm ready just to settle down, kick up my feet while enjoying doing absolutely nothing. But who am I kidding? My life is all over the place right now! The joys of being a blogger!

Speaking of being all over the place, yesterday I woke up before the early birds (5 am), to get myself ready to hit the road at 6 am to attend the media event of the Atlanta International Auto Show.

Atlanta traffic is a nightmare, and I wanted to avoid all that congestion, so I had no choice but to hit the road before the sun rose. Luckily, I made it on time, actually 15 minutes early! When I hit the highway, I entered the beginning stages of rush hour traffic (thank goodness).

I just don't know how people can be in Atlanta traffic every day, I would go completely insane. Well, not go totally nuts if I was driving one of those 2018-2019 cars I got to preview at the event. Those cars make me want to drive in them all day to a destination unknown, no matter if there is road congestion, just go for a long ride. With all those impressive features these new cars have nowadays, being in bumper to bumper traffic makes you not even notice that you're basically sitting in a parking lot! LOL!

The media event started at 8 am sharp with RAM sponsored breakfast.

The start of introduction of new vehicles was RAM and JEEP. I don't know each auto brand quite well. However, I've been in a Jeep Grand Cherokee several times when Mr. M use to rent them, and from my experience with them, they are defiantly grand! Tough exterior, spacious on the inside, and a monstrous sound-system.

Here are some facts we got to learn about 2019 RAM 1500, 2018 Jeep Wrangler, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee:

Ram Brand

The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 becomes the benchmark for durability, technology, efficiency and convenience with features never before offered in a pickup. The overall weight of the Ram 1500 has been reduced by 225 pounds. As the truck’s backbone, the frame uses advanced materials and engineering to eliminate 100 pounds while increasing stiffness and durability for 12,750 pounds of towing capability and 2,300 pounds of payload. An all-new eTorque system delivers improved fuel efficiency in both V-6 and V-8 configurations. As a segment disrupter, the new Uconnect 4C with a massive 12-inch touchscreen leads the pickup world with technology featuring split-screen capability, 360-degree camera views and exclusive content from SiriusXM with 360L. Active safety and security systems join the technology onslaught with Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Blind-spot Monitoring and Ready Alert Braking.

Jeep Brand

The all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler, the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world, boasts a new, modern yet instantly recognizable Jeep design, delivering unmatched off-road capability. Powertrain options include a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder and, available in 2019, a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine. Wrangler continues to offer a body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, solid axles, electronic lockers and is one of the few mid-size SUVs that offer a six-speed manual transmission, in addition to its eight-speed automatic. Wrangler offers more than 75 safety and security features and now offers the fourth-generation Uconnect system that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the choice of a 7.0- or 8.4-inch touchscreen with pinch-and-zoom capability. The new 2019 Jeep Cherokee, the most capable mid-size SUV, features a new, authentic and more premium design, along with the addition of a new, advanced 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that enhances performance with fuel economy ratings of over 30 miles per gallon (mpg) highway.

Next up is Nissan!

The All-New Nissan Kicks made its Georgia debut here at the Atlanta Auto show; it's the first new Nissan nameplate launched in eight years.

The compact crossover is a peppy little vehicle for those looking for a stylish, reliable car that is affordable, yet still, have many features as luxury cars. Doing a walk around the car, I can tell it fits perfectly for today's millennials.

Also, Nissan spoke about the unique, one-off project vehicles which include the Nissan Maxima Kylo Ren TIE Silencer, the Nissan TITAN AT-M6, and the Nissan Rogue Poe Dameron X-Wing Fighter, complete with BB-8 peeking out on top of the roof. And there are three special Star Wars-inspired project vehicles; I know Star War fans would get a kick out of those!

Towards the end of our press tour, we got to check out the KIA Stinger, Chevrolet 2018 Product Lineup, Ford 2019 Ford Ranger and 2019 Mustang, and the All-New 2019 Avalon!

I noticed that the body styles of the 2018 vehicles are not that much different than 2019, it's more of the newly added features that make 2019 cars more desirable. Like the 2019 Toyota Avalon has a similar system as Alexa inside the vehicle, impressive! Auto brands sure are listening to consumers wants and needs, while following today's trends. I just don't know how 2020 models will top 2019.