No doubt about it, some of the new and redesigned models introduced in Detroit, and placed on display for the general public, are vehicles to be admired and respected. After all, 19 major automakers held news conferences at the Detroit show, launching more than 30 distinct models.
On the other hand, 13 automakers didn't consider Detroit to be worth the expense and effort of holding a news conference for journalists. Most of those companies have exhibits at the show - some of them relatively elaborate - but either had no new products to unveil, or were holding them back for release later in the season, at the Chicago or New York auto show.
Detroit used to have two full Press Days, stretching into part of a third. This year, the manufacturers squeezed their news conferences into a single long day, and Day Two offered a few technical presentations from suppliers and other companies - no new vehicles at all.
Since electric cars are the attention-grabbers these days, let's start with a look at the battery-powered and hybrid models that appeared in Detroit. Actually, only a few pure electric models dotted the show floor, including a battery-powered Ford Focus. Hybrids weren't exactly numerous either, led by new additions to Toyota's Prius family.
Even before its newly-redesigned subcompact Focus has gone on sale, Ford had a battery-powered version ready to unveil. Introduced at Ford's lavish presentation at the Joe Louis Arena, adjacent to Cobo Hall, the Focus Electric is expected to debut as a 2012 model.
Ford hired actor Ed Begley Jr.–a long-time proponent of electric cars–to introduce the Focus Electric, not in person but via a massive video image. As Begley finished his remarks, a flock of paper butterflies fluttered down toward the audience, which was evidently intended to remind them of the icons that are often used in hybrid or electric cars to encourage the highest-efficiency driving. Derrick Kuzak, Ford's global vice-president of product development, advised that the Focus Electric can be charged in as little as 3 hours. Ford has partnered with Microsoft, and even the Geek Squad, to help make the Focus Electric launch successful.
Chinese automakers have exhibited their wares at Detroit's auto show for the past several years. At this event, BYD (which stands for Build Your Dreams) hosted the world debut of its e6 S6DM plug-in hybrid SUV, in concept form. BYD, which first made the trip to Detroit four years earlier, calls this model a dual-mode electric. Also onstage for the first time was the e6 Premiere electric crossover vehicle, which BYD claims will reach U.S. customers as a 2012 model. BYD has made similar claims before. Prior to the media presentation, BYD displayed a video program, full of foreboding and doom, warning of the risks to the planet that will result from ignoring or downplaying environmental issues.
Toyota remains the undisputed leader in hybrid powertrains, with the Prius accounting for nearly half of all hybrid-vehicle sales. In Detroit, Toyota elected to unveil a slightly larger and more versatile cousin to the Prius hatchback. Dubbed the Prius V (for Versatility), the new model looks more like a wagon but is built on the same platform as Toyota's familiar Prius. Cargo volume is said to be nearly 60 percent greater (34 cubic feet at the rear). At 42 mpg for city driving and 38 mpg on the highway, predicted fuel economy falls well short of what a conventional Prius can deliver. "Today," said Bob Carter, group vice-president and general manager of Toyota in America, "we're going to plant the family tree and watch it grow." Sales begin in late summer, with a standard backup camera and available resin moonroof.
Also unveiled was a Prius-C concept, developed to be fun to drive as well as frugal. Next year, Toyota dealers should have the highest-mileage hybrid without a plug, Carter said. Over the past decade, nearly a million Priuses have been sold in the U.S. (including 230,000 current-generation models). In 2012, Toyota plans to launch a pure electric model as well as a plug-in hybrid, and a fuel-cell vehicle is under development - possibly ready for sale a couple of years later.
Before even mentioning alternative-fuel vehicles, company chief Akio Toyoda told media attendees that "I have come to talk about our commitment to the American customer." Evidently, this statement was prompted by the troubles that Toyota experienced a year or so ago, as a result of its lagging response to recall concerns.
Audi exhibited the latest version of its A6 midsize sedan at the Detroit show. In addition to the gasoline-engine sedan, though, the German automaker revealed a hybrid-powertrain edition. Under this hood, a 211-horsepower, 2.0-liter gasoline engine mates with a 45-horsepower electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. Front-drive and Quattro all-wheel-drive versions will be available when the A6 Hybrid goes on sale.
Little by little, Tesla has been gaining ground in terms of name recognition, though sales of its electric sports car have been modest. That's partly because the Roadster is a high-dollar item. Striving to capture a greater share of the slowly-growing electric-car market, Tesla is preparing a more affordable battery-powered sedan: the Model S. Rather than display a completed car, the company chose to exhibit a bodyshell alone, to demonstrate the car's construction qualities.
Mercedes-Benz focused on fuel cells - a powertrain that appeared to be almost ready for prime time a few years ago, but gets considerably less attention lately. Except for Honda's FCX Clarity, which is being driven by a modest number of regular folks, fuel-cell cars have been largely experimental in nature. Attempting to take a step forward, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its E-Cell car, which is ready to undertake a World Tour running on fuel-cell power with hydrogen as a source. On January 29, cars running on hydrogen-powered fuel cells will begin a drive through 14 countries on four continents, taking a total of 155 days. Mercedes-Benz says the E-Cell will go into actual production. Also on display in Detroit was an SLS gullwing supercoupe - but this one runs on four electric motors.
At an offsite event, the evening before Detroit's Press Day, Mercedes-Benz gave invited journalists an early look at the redesigned C-Class sedan. Four-cylinder engines, which powered Mercedes' smaller sedans in the past, are returning in this generation.
Volvo wound up as the only major automaker to host a news conference on the second Press Day. Rather than unveiling a new model, however, the Swedish automaker - now owned by the Geely holding company, in China - exhibited a C30 Electric hatchback that had been crashed. The goal: to demonstrate how effectively the car's construction had worked, to protect against any serious harm that might have occurred when the battery pack was part of the collision.
Buick has never been known for small cars, though a few notable examples have worn the company's badge over the years. Skylark was the last one, produced in its final form from 1992 to 1997. Now, in Detroit, Buick - following up on the recently-launched midsize Regal - revealed the 2012 Verano premium compact luxury sedan. Structurally related to Chevrolet's new compact Cruze, the Verano benefits from a pair of more powerful engines, led by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that generates at least 180 horsepower and promises 31 mpg in highway driving. Later on, Buick will make a 2.0-liter turbo available. "Like all Buicks," said marketing vice-president John Schwegman, "Verano is library-quiet."
Chevrolet used Detroit as a launch pad for the second body style that will be used on its subcompact 2012 Sonic. A hatchback had appeared at the Paris Motor Show last September. Detroit saw the debut of a Sonic sedan. Intended to replace the Korean-made Aveo, the Sonic will be built in the U.S. - the only American-made subcompact on the market. The standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine works with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. An optional 1.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder produces 138 horsepower and tentatively promises as much as 40 mpg in highway driving. General Motors president Mark Reuss noted that the Sonic chassis has been "tuned for the U.S. market by our Corvette suspension engineers." Chevrolet also revealed a Z-Spec Sonic Concept, with bright orange wheels and mirrors accenting its otherwise-black body.
On November 3, 2011, Chevrolet will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Through that century, some 200 million Chevrolets have been manufactured.
Hyundai introduced a new Veloster hatchback, which is slated for production and focuses on fuel-efficiency as well as sportiness. Under the hood sits a 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine. Aimed at young buyers, the California-designed Veloster claims as much as 40 mpg in highway driving. Vice-chairman E.S. Chung noted that customers want "accessibly priced" vehicles to fill their "core needs." Mr. Chung also delivered a new slogan for the Hyundai brand: "New Thinking. New Possibilities."
During its lavish presentation at the Joe Louis Arena, Ford unveiled the C-Max. Described as a multi-activity vehicle, it's actually closer to a small minivan: what some call a mini-minivan, in a size more likely to be seen in Europe than America. Built on the platform also used by the redesigned Focus, the C-Max seats as many as seven, and has sliding rear side doors as well as an innovative hands-free rear liftgate. All an approaching passenger has to do is keep the key fob in a pocket, move his or her leg near the liftgate, and it opens automatically without fuss. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine will be standard, but Ford's 1.6-liter EcoBoost with direct injection is optional. Executive chairman Bill Ford also revealed a pair of alternative-powertrain vehicles built atop the same platform: a C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi.
BMW introduced a performance-packed variant of an existing model in Detroit: the 1-Series M Coupe. Most other BMW models have been available in "M" form to satisfy the most ardent performance enthusiasts. Adding the 1-Series M Coupe brings that brand of energy to the German automaker's smallest series. Beneath its hood, a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine whips up 340 horsepower.
After unveiling a new 200 sedan (to replace the departed Sebring) at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, Chrysler brought the abundantly redesigned 300 sedan to Detroit. While most new and redesigned vehicles featured at the Detroit show will be 2012 models, the latest Chryslers are 2011s. Just one year ago, said president/CEO Olivier Francois, Chrysler wondered if they would "make it another year without products." With the arrival of the 300 and other Chrysler cars, "this is a story about how people react when their backs are against the ropes. We come out swinging." In Francois's view, the redone 300 sedan "makes a bold statement without saying a word," and contains an interior that's intended to be a new "benchmark" for the class. Base engine will be a 292-horsepower V-6, to be accompanied by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Francois noted that the 300's "road manners are tuned to be aggressive or polite." The 300 sedan goes on sale early in 2011.
Chrysler's Jeep brand turned to the Compass for its Detroit debut. First seen in the 2007 model year, the Compass compact SUV has been amply redesigned, gaining new "Trail Rated" status. Two four-cylinder engines will be available: 2.0-liter rated at 158 horsepower, or a 172-hp 2.4-liter. President/CEO Mike Manley explained that this new-generation Compass exhibits an "absolutely unmistakable" family resemblance to the larger, recently-introduced Grand Cherokee. The 2011 Compass went on sale just a day after its press introduction in Detroit.
For some time before the Detroit show opened, Volkswagen was touting the arrival of a "new midsize sedan." Surprise! It's actually the midsize Passat, in a fresh form. Just as they did recently with the reworked Jetta, which was initially called the "new compact sedan," VW retained the previously-used nameplate for a redesigned model. Billed as the "largest Passat ever," measuring 191.7 inches long overall, this edition also is considered "more eco-friendly." Backseat space has grown, and buyers will get a choice of engines, while paying less than before. Unlike prior Passats, this one will be manufactured in the U.S.: specifically, at Volkswagen's new factory in Tennessee. Sales begin in the second half of 2011.
After a season's absence from the market, a sizable premium four-passenger convertible is returning to the BMW lineup. Unveiled at the Detroit show, the 6-Series (650i) convertible will contain a 4.4-liter V-8 that generates 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, driving either a manual or automatic transmission. Convertibles will reach BMW dealerships this spring.
When Honda unveiled the redesigned 2012 Civic coupe and sedan on the show floor at Cobo Hall, they were called concept cars. In fact, they were essentially hollow inside, crafted solely to show the exterior details of the reworked models. Production isn't far off, though, with 2012 Civics destined to reach dealerships in March. Now heading into their ninth generation, these compacts claim to be smaller outside, yet promise "best in class" interior space. Few technical details were provided, but John Mendel, executive vice-president of sales, observed that Civics are designed for the "young at heart."
Audi unveiled its redesigned A6 sedan at the Detroit show, with the expected gasoline engine but also in hybrid form (described above). Styling cues have been adapted from the recently redesigned, larger A8. Slightly shorter and lower than the previous A6, the new model is wider and will offer a choice of engines–either gasoline or diesel.
Flashy and futuristic show cars used to be a staple of Detroit's annual extravaganza - a main attraction, which helped draw potential customers for production models to the show. Not too many concept vehicles appeared this year, but Kia, in particular, got its creative people to come up with an imaginative idea to attract attention.
Designers for Kia let their imaginations expand into a fresh direction to create that South Korean automaker's show vehicle for Detroit. Instead of building upon a minivan theme, or using some other modern-day body style as a foundation, the California team gazed back at the past: to the era of the full-size van. Back in the 1960s and ‘70s, big vans experienced a moderate frenzy of appeal for use as recreational vehicles - sometimes by Sixties hippies and vagabonds, and later by both young folks and families who liked the idea of a vehicle that could be lived in, either virtually or in reality.
More flamboyant than some recent concept models, the KV7 fits in with the stimulating visual appeal of show cars at an earlier time. Back in the Seventies, vans promised a "spirit of adventure and friendship" that's absent now, said Tom Loveless, Kia's vice-president of sales. They also represented freedom, added chief design officer Peter Schreyer - especially on the West Coast. Other automakers have tried to take minivans and give them a sporty nature, Schreyer said; but for the KV7, Kia focused on the van's dead-upright silhouette.
At a glance, the KV7 doesn't quite look like those big old vans. Squinting your eyes a bit, though, and the resemblance eases into place - helped by the vertical windshield pillars. Gullwing doors mark a giant step away from the traditional van's sliders. Inside, swiveling back seats are meant to give the KV7 a relaxed, inviting nature. Kia is "celebrating the box," said U.S. chief designer Tom Kearns. "A box is perfectly efficient, especially for moving a bunch of people."
Designers for BMW's Mini brand came up with a Paceman concept. Intended for eventual production, the Paceman is an all-wheel-drive Mini - like the recently-launched four-door Countryman, but with only two doors. Billed as a "crossover coupe," the Paceman is described as "urban and masculine," featuing an "imposing nose." Wide rear pillars are intended to appear transparent. Rather than repeat the vertical profile of the Countryman, the Paceman has a more horizontal look, which helps to accent its width. Beneath the hood, a John Cooper Works twin-scroll turbocharged engine generates 211 horsepower. Mini fans should be pleased to hear that the company expects to produce the Paceman.
In addition to unveiling the new Veloster as a production model, Hyundai introduced an HCD12 Curb concept crossover vehicle. California designers turned to what Hyundai calls "tough tech" and "urban living" themes. Curb features include a wraparound windshield, pop-up roof rack, and 22-inch wheels. Entering the Curb requires no more than simply brushing one's hand across a touch pad. One feature is a new blueLink system, which had just been introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show. With that system in operation, friends of potential Generation-Y drivers could be kept aware of the car's location at all times - a presumed benefit that some drivers might consider less than appealing.
As part of its Arena presentation, Ford unveiled a Vertrek concept model, powered by a new 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine. With automatic start/stop operation among its most notable features, the five-passenger compact SUV is thought to provide a hint of the next-generation Ford Escape.
Porsche used an early-morning (pre-dawn) press presentation to reveal its 918 RSR supercar to journalists - with a hybrid powertrain, no less, in a mid-engine configuration. Meant to blend a single-seat racecar with hybrid technology, the two-passenger coupe contains a gasoline engine that develops 563 horsepower at a whopping 10,300 rpm. Two electric motors drive the front wheels. The 918 RSR driver can push a button to take advantage of the stored energy, yielding peak output of 767 horsepower. During the presentation, Porsche also announced that a hybrid version of the Panamera sedan will be manufactured.
Bentley used the Detroit show to reveal a new 2012 Continental Flying Spur, as well as a new Series 51 model. New infotainment systems are installed in Bentleys. If you're hankering for a flagship Mulsanne sedan, you're out of luck. Every last one is already sold for the 2011 season.
The North American International Auto Show opened to the public on Saturday, January 15, and runs through Sunday, January 23. Information is available at www.naias.com.