Automotive
By Alex Nunez on January 10, 2011 in

2011 Detroit Auto Show

The 2010 Detroit Auto Show media preview kicked off today. No, I'm not there this year. But so many other people are, there's a surplus of analysis, photos and other assorted coverage blanketing the web. Here's a rundown of what's happened so far, with noteworthy links where you can read more. I'll update the post throughout the day as the press conferences run their course. Buckle up and click through!

PORSCHE

  • What happened: After skipping the Detroit show in recent years, Porsche returned in a big way, unveiling the 918 RSR, a race-prepared coupe version of the 918 Spyder in introduced last year in Geneva. A hybrid, the 918 RSR combines a 503-horsepower V8 and a pair of 102-horsepower electric motors for the front wheels to deliver a total of 767 horsepower. A roadgoing production version is all but certain.
  • My two cents: The star of the show, unless someone has something truly surprising in store.

NORTH AMERICAN CAR & TRUCK OF THE YEAR AWARDS

  • What Happened: Every year, members of the automotive media name the nest new car and truck of the year. On the car side, the finalists were the 2011 Chevy Volt, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, and the 2011 Nissan Leaf. On the truck side? The 2011 Ford Explorer, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2011Dodge Durango. The Volt and the Explorer took home the trophies.

CHRYSLER

  • What happened: The wraps were officially pulled off the new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan. Updated looks adorn the familiar gangster profile, and a classy all-new interior greets occupants. A new base V6 has 283 horsepower and should deliver close to 30 mpg.
  • My two cents: Chrysler kept what worked before and fixed what was broken, jettisoning the lame old base engine and cut-rate interior. The new 300 looks solid.

BUICK

  • What happened: The 2011 Buick Verano was unveiled. Based on the same architecture as the Chevy Cruze compact sedan, the Verano is Buick's new entry vehicle. It will feature the same four-cylinder engines used in the midsize Regal (standard or turbocharged).
  • My two cents: One of my personal favorites. Great-looking exterior (like a mini-Regal), swanky cabin, and with those powertrains, it should be fun  to drive. Buick promises a super-quiet interior, too.

FORD

  • What Happened: A lot, actually. Ford unveiled three versions of its new Focus-based C-Max micro-minivan: regular, Hybrid, and Energie. The regular C-Max will arrive later this year. The C-Max Hybrid comes in 2012, along with the C-Max Energi, a plug-in hybrid version. Ford says the Energi will deliver 500 miles of combined gas/electric range on a full tank. Neat C-Max feature: you'll be able to get it with a power tailgate that you open simply by swinging your foot under the rear bumper, triggering a sensor that tells the van, "Open Sesame."

    Also onstage for Ford was the Vertrek concept crossover, which previews the styling of the next-generation Ford Escape. It's also worth mentioning that Ford introduced the Focus Electric at the CES conference in Las Vegas over the weekend.
  • My two cents: The new Ford products I've driven have all been very good, so I expect more of the same. In the C-Max, the Mazda5 minivan finally gets a legitimate competitor. The hybrid and plug-in versions are the most interesting, but cost will be important. The current Escape is very tired-looking, so the Vertrek's (or whetever it's eventually called) arrival in 2012 can't come quickly enough.

VOLKSWAGEN

  • What happened: VW unveiled the 2012 Passat sedan. It's all-new, designed specifically for the American market. Hence, based on feedback from our friends at FoxNews.com and Cars.com (see below), it's huge inside. It will be built in Chattanooga, TN and start at around $20K.
  • My two cents: Volkswagen has made no secret of the fact that it wants to be the next Toyota. This is its Camry. Sadly, the new Audi Lite/Jumbo Jetta styling is almost as anonymous, in my opinion.

MERCEDES-BENZ

  • What happened: At a private event the night before the show's media preview, Mercedes showed the 2012 C-Class to the assembled media. In addition to new front and rear-end styling, the fresened C gets a new twin-turbo four-cylinder base engine and a more powerful direct-injected V6 for the Sport model. At its press conference, the sole production debut was the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S350 Bluetec 4Matic, a diesel-powered AWD version of the company's big flagship sedan. The electric SLS AMG E-Cell gullwinged supercar made its U.S. debut.
  • My two cents: The new C250 with the turbo four sounds promising. It's plenty quick (0-60 mph in 7.1 secs, according to Mercedes) and is estimated to get 24 mpg combined. The diesel S-Class should offer very good fuel economy without sacrificing usable power. A nice accompaniment to the already-released S-Class hybrid... maybe even the better pick.  Electric SLS is eye candy for those of us who have yet to hit the Powerball jackpot.

BMW Group (BMW & Mini)

  • What Happened: The Mini Paceman concept car was revealed. It's a two-door version of the new Mini Countryman. At the press conference, Mini surprised basically no one when it announced that the Paceman has been given the green light for production. BMW had the new 1 Series M on hand, as well as the freshened 2012 1 Series coupe and convertible, plus the new 2012 6 Series convertible. Pricing was announced for the Bimmers.
  • My two cents: If you've been waiting for a two-door Mini with available all-wheel drive, do your happy dance for the Paceman, which should hit showrooms within the next couple of years. If you prefer the same with four doors (or are just impatient), you can go buy a Countryman right now. The Bimmer 1 Series M looks like a ton of fun.

AUDI

  • What happened: Audi pulled the wraps off the tech-laden new A6 sedan, then doubled down by unveiling the new Audi A6 Hybrid, which gets a turbocharged four-cylinder, a lithium-ion battery pack, and a 45-horsepower electric motor capable of powering the car from zero-to 60 mph on its own. During the press conference, it was also confirmed that a new compact SUV, the Q3, is on the way to slot below the best-reviewed Audi Q5.
  • My two cents: The new A6 is a little lighter, but every bit as elegant as the car it replaces. I wonder how expensive the hybrid's going to be. 

TOYOTA

  • What happened: Prius is no longer just a model, it's a whole lineup of hybrids. After introducing the regular Prius and the new Prius Plug-In Hybrid, Toyota unveiled the all new Prius V (for "versatile"). Prius V is a tall wagon that's much roomier than the standard Prius hatchback. Expect 40 mpg in combined use when it arrives this summer. After that, the new Prius C concept car made its world debut. It previews the styling of a smaller, sportier-looking Prius that will join the range in 2012. The Prius C will be targeted at younger buyers.
  • My two cents: The Porsche 918 may be the superstar of the Detroit Auto Show, but from a consumer perspective, the Prius V might be the most significant debut overall. Neat feature: the Prius V offers a panoramic roof, something you wouldn't normally see in a hybrid because all that glass adds lots of efficiency-killing weight. Toyota's answer? Make it out of resin instead.

HONDA

  • What happened: Oh, nothing terribly momentous. Honda only showed off the next-generation Civic sedan and coupe as thinly-veiled "concepts." The new 2012 Civic arrives this spring. Honda was coy with details, and the cars' interiors were hidden behind deeply-tinted glass. The only significant tidbits given were that the new Civic will have Honda's Eco Assist feature and that the natural gas-powered Civic GX will now be offered nationwide instead of only in selected markets.
  • My two cents: A new version of the perennially best-reviewed Honda Civic is always a big deal. These cars look good, especially the coupe, which has a more traditional roofline than the outgoing version. I liken it to a miniaturized Accord Coupe, a car whose styling I like very much. The Civic "concepts" are right there with the Prius V as the most significant debuts of the show, in my eyes.

BENTLEY

  • What happened: Bentley introduced its new chairman and CEO. The new 2011 Continental GT coupe is among the cars on display. 
  • My two cents: I'll be checking out the new Conti GT at a media event later this week in NYC. I'll take pictures and blog about it then. Spoiler Alert: It's really nice. It's predictably expensive.

HYUNDAI

  • What happened: Hyundai unveiled the 2012 Veloster, a sporty hatchback that's also a bit of an oddity. Its asymmetric body style features a single door on the driver's side and two standard forward-swinging doors on the passenger side. Power comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that's expected to score an EPA rating of 40 mpg highway. Joining the Veloster onstage was the Hyundai Curb concept. The Curb's name hints at its intended purpose: a compact urban SUV. Whether it foreshadows a future production vehicle remains to be seen. 
  • My two cents: Hyundai is awash in good product right now, and is obviously feeling very confident, because the meek do not introduce funky 3-door hatchbacks. There's a safety net, though: Car and Driver's Tony Quiroga notes that right-hand-drive markets will get a Veloster with a more traditional four-door setup. If the three-door experiment tanks, Hyundai can simply switch us to the four-door. The three-door's smart, though, because it's all everyone's talking about. Instant buzz generator. If I had to bet, I'd say we'll see a Curb-like ute from Hyundai a few years down the road. Smaller small suvs are all the rage. (See: Nissan Juke, Audi's Q3 announcement.)

TESLA

  • What happened: The electric car company announced that 1,500 examples of the sexy Tesla Roadster have been sold, and displayed a skeletal "Alpha Build" if the forthcoming Tesla Model S sedan, which is due to arrive in a year and a half or so. 
  • My two cents: The Roadster's beautiful (I recommend you swing by Tesla's NYC showroom to ogle it if you're ever in for a visit) but the Model S is the ride that will mainstream the company. It's interesting to see it as a work in progress like this.

JEEP

  • What happened: The refreshed 2011 Jeep Compass had its coming out party, complete with a new Grand Cherokee doppelganger front end. Jeep also unloaded 70th Anniversary special editions of its entire model lineup. Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne apparently told industry trade magazine Automotive News that the Grand Wagoneer nameplate will be resurrected for a future seven-passenger Jeep.
  • My two cents: Frankly, I can't believe that the Jeep Compass still exists. Sure, it got a new front end, and it's now "Trail Rated", but ultimately, it's the same vehicle as the Jeep Patriot, which is a lot better looking. The 70th Anniversary editions are nice appearance/trim packages, especially if you like brown cars like I do. The old Grand Wagoneer is a sacred object among Jeep aficionados, so Chrysler better get the new one right, whenever it does happen.  
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