Automotive Reviews
Editorial
Unmake What You Have Made; A C4C Alternative?
5996 days
by Emmy Jackson
in Editorial
Everyone seems to think they know how to run a car company, at least judging by the incessant meddling and lobbying that goes on when it comes to automobiles and how to shore up the faltering industry.
Not me. I know enough about the industry to know that I probably don’t have the slightest clue as to how to run a car company. If I were suddenly put in charge of a major manufacturer, some very interesting and exciting products would definitely result, but I can’t promise that the company itself would survive.
Of course, that doesn’t stop me from playing the same game everybody else does: “If I was in charge, I would…”
That’s a fun game, isn’t it? If I was in charge, I’d rebuild Mercury as a brand under which to sell all of the cool Ford products from Australia, Brazil and Europe that American fans are wondering why they can’t get. If I was in charge, there would be no Jeep Compass. If I was in charge, the Subaru Baja would still be with us. If I was in charge, NASCAR would still be populated with “stock” cars in the traditional, 1960s sense. Contemplating various dumb ideas can lead to occasional brilliance.
With the demise of the CARS incentive program, more commonly known as Cash for Clunkers (or C4C), here’s today’s decision: If I was in charge at Ford or GM, I’d re-open one or two of those recently closed factories, make the UAW happy by calling a few thousand folks back to work, and have ‘em start dismantling cars. Taking cars apart is considerably more labor-intensive than putting them together, but if there’s one thing we’ve got too much of now, it’s blue-collar labor.
My perverse train of thought went something like this: C4C brought howls of protest from the enthusiast community, and with good reason. A lot of us car guys rely on junkyards to keep our vehicles running. The thought of summarily flattening a perfectly good (or even a crappy-but-serviceable) vehicle is anathema. The objective–to get ill-maintained, inefficient vehicles off the roads–is an admirable one, but C4C threw a lot of babies out with the bathwater. I suspect there would have been a lot less protest if the turned-in vehicles had been made available as parts to help keep better-maintained examples on the road.
Ah, but this would have led to a glut of C4C cars ending up right back on the road, as shady used-car dealers snapped them up, laundered their titles and turned’em around. Someone always manages to find a way to break the system. C4C’s solution was just that: a solution poured into the engine that would seize it, destroying the car’s heart irretrievably–even if, in some cases, the engine was the only useful part of the car left.
Flawed or not, the end of the C4C program leaves a lot of older cars out there that could stand to be retired, and owners without any incentive to get rid of them. When a car’s value drops below $500, it’s often just easier to keep driving the thing, even if it’s dripping enough oil to smother a flock of cormorants. Junkyards barely pay enough to buy a new stereo, let alone a running vehicle.
Which is where I posit the notion of manufacturers voluntarily dismantling their own products. Think: dealer-certified used parts. If I was in charge, I’d authorize my dealers to take trade-ins on older versions of our products and offer C4C-type rebates (the $4500 incentive did sell a lot of new cars, and moving cars out of the showroom is definitely a good thing). Bring your sorry old 1990 Taurus to us, and we’ll give you ten times its market value…if you buy a new Fusion or Focus.
Those cars (even that ’90 Taurus) would then be hauled back to one of the resurrected plants and torn apart. Any components that were still useful would then be offered for sale, just like the junkyards do, but through dealer parts departments. A sad-looking hoopty that’s no longer good for commuting will almost always yield a treasure trove of re-usables: working electrical switches, wiring harnesses, instrument panels, interior trim, glass, wheels, turn signals and brakelights, suspension components, bumpers and body panels (imagine truckloads of rust-free Southern fenders heading north to be swapped for non-baked and faded interior parts from the Rust Belt). Some parts, like alternators, starters, brake master cylinders, fuel injectors and carburetors, can be refurbished rather than being discarded.
Stripping cars is a labor-intensive process, but as I mentioned before, with two thousand auto workers clamoring for some kind of employment, I think there’d be enough hands to quickly salvage and approve the parts that were worthy of re-use. The rest of the junk car could then be properly recycled.
There’d be a lot of benefits to this program. First and foremost, people are getting back to work. Dealers have access to another line of parts sales, and have a means of keeping customers who would otherwise be chased off by the high price of new parts for older cars. Don’t want to spend $250 to replace the taillight on your ’87 Corsica? No problem–we can sell you a Chevy-certified used taillight for fifty bucks, and there’s one less Corsica with a busted taillight making Chevy look bad.
Not only are we putting a shiny new car on the street in place of an ugly older one, but it we’re also helping to make another older car a bit less ugly. From a PR standpoint, the environmentalists would be ecstatic–not only does this program continue to remove inefficient cars and replace them with more environmentally-friendly models, but it addresses the problem of what to do with the junkers as well. The parts sales and commensurate increase in new-vehicle sales would serve to offset the cost of the incentives and additional labor. There’s also a hidden benefit, in that the remaining older products on the road can be better maintained for less cost to the consumer. Better-maintained vehicles are more environmentally friendly. They’re also free, rolling advertisements: a company with a large number of its products still on the road (and not apparently falling apart) after twenty years can point out the window at the streets any time someone asks for a testament to the quality of its products.
Would it work? Who knows–I have enough trouble keeping my own checkbook balanced, let alone pretending I know how to manage the ins and outs of a multi-national corporation. But if I were in charge, I’d certainly call the bean counters and the engineers and the UAW together and see if we couldn’t give it a shot.
2009 Chicago Auto Show
11187 days
by Emmy Jackson
in Editorial
The Chicago Auto Show presents an almost shocking contrast to the Detroit International Auto Show, which takes place a month before. Both shows involve a mind-boggling array of new cars, dream cars, marketing-speak and elbow-rubbing with executives, but Chicago manages to be…fun. Why is that? The weather is about the same: Chicago in February is just as terrible as Detroit in January, if not worse. The difference is in the attitude. Where Detroit is about Serious Business, Chicago’s much more relaxed. The mammoth McCormick Place allows space for more cars, and almost demands a leisurely pace, because it’s going to take a while to walk wherever you’re going anyway. I often use the time in Chicago to check out some of the vehicles that might’ve slipped past me in the past few months.
The Chicago Auto Show’s organizers aim for a more playful and irreverent tone than the Detroit show, which takes itself far too seriously. It’s no surprise that the Chicago Auto Show’s popularity is increasing, among manufacturers, journalists and the public alike.
This year’s show was all about production cars, as most of the introductions were of vehicles we’ve seen before, if not in full production trim. This only served to enhance the down-to-earth mien of the Chicago Auto Show. We weren’t looking at pipe dreams and never-will-be products; this show was about the stuff that you’ll be able to buy within twelve months or less.
Stuff that was shown for the first time:
2010 Ford Taurus SHO: Ford’s new EcoBoost system is what’s behind this car’s performance. This makes sense; the Taurus SHO was a V6-powered vehicle when it was first introduced in 1989. The later, V8-powered SHO was more powerful, but forgettable. That’s why it’s fitting that Ford is returning to six-cylinder power for the resurrected super-sedan. EcoBoost adds direct injection and two turbochargers to the Taurus’ 3.5 liter DOHC V6, for a total of 365 horsepower. The new Taurus SHO puts that power to the road through a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and rev-matched downshifting, and it’s got all-wheel drive as standard equipment as well. The “eco” in the EcoBoost means that this super sedan also makes 25mpg on the freeway. An upgraded suspension underpins the package so the handling matches the power on tap. A unique interior with faux suede leather and many of the new electronic toys from the Taurus, including the blind-spot warning system with cross-traffic alert, pushbutton start and adaptive cruise control are also available. The 2010 Taurus SHO hits the streets this summer with an MSRP of $37,995.
2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F150: You can’t have an F-Series without a Harley-Davidson edition these days. Sorry, that’s just how it is. Not that it’s a bad thing; the newest Harley F-150 sports imposing blackout trim, special wheels and a unique interior, just as the model series always has. A 320 horsepower 5.4 liter V8 (at least, that’s what Ford’s press kit says: Jalopnik uncovered a 6.2 liter V8 under the hood of the show truck, however) with a throaty exhaust and 22-inch wheels are part of the package as well.
2010 Ford Transit Connect: Ford’s compact van, announced at last year’s Chicago show, will be a revolution for small-business owners across the country. It’s a just-right sized alternative to minivans and full-size vans, with a 1600pound cargo capacity, 135 cubic feet of interior space and 20/24 fuel economy. The Transit Connect is an honest work truck, not a converted minivan, so its real capability is accompanied by a low load floor, high roof and split loading doors. It’s infinitely customizable, too, with the interior space inside friendly for all manner of racks and custom shelving. Ford’s comparing it to Chevrolet’s HHR panel truck, but the vehicle that’s most likely to see its sales drop as a result of the Transit Connect is Ford’s own Econoline full-size van. The Transit Connect will be available this summer with a starting price of $21,475. A battery-powered electric Transit will be available some time in the next couple of years, becoming Ford’s first fully electric vehicle. Because I’m a sucker for utility vehicles of any size, I’m already a huge fan of the Transit Connect.
2009 Nissan cube: If Scion wants to keep its lock on the hipper-than-thou market, it had better watch its flanks. Kia’s Soul hits the streets catering to the Urban Outfitters crowd and the new-to-our-shores Nissan cube hits even closer to the heart of that market. The cube is a third-generation vehicle (it’s been on sale in Japan since 1998, though it didn’t go ultra-hip until 2002) and its boxy shape is softened by rounded windows, a large, comfortable interior and some seriously cool styling quirks, including a contoured headliner that resembles ripples on the surface of a pond. It’s powered by a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels. A choice of six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmissions is offered. Nissan plans to offer a wide range of personalization accessories for the cube, from grille and body panel upgrades to performance enhancements. The cube goes on sale in early May with an MSRP of $13,990. Don’t worry, I’ve already put one in the dream fleet.
2010 Kia Forte: As in Detroit, Kia had a highly entertaining press conference, complete with a real live Chicago blues band playing the “Automotive Journalist Blues.” The Korean manufacturer is one of the few who’s definitely not singing the blues, however. The Forte replaces the Spectra in Kia’s compact sedan lineup. Why the new name? A comprehensive redesign gives Kia’s frugal subcompact sedan a much handsomer road presence with the new family grille and strong character lines and upscale looks. Like the just-introduced Soul, the Forte is a strong indicator that Kias aren’t going to be boring any more. A high tail and crisp side sculpting give the Forte a strong, European look. The available 2.4 liter four-cylinder offers 173 horsepower, with a more frugal 156-horse 2.0 liter four-cylinder offering decent economy. Heated side mirrors, fog lights and the largest trunk in its segment give the Forte the equipment to compete with Toyota’s Corolla and the Mazda3, as well. The Forte goes on sale this summer, hot on the heels of the cool Soul.
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: Hyundai gave us the production version of its Genesis Coupe, which debuted at the New York Auto Show last year. This slick, rear-wheel drive two-door takes Hyundai’s performance credentials to a whole new level, thanks to a choice of 210-horsepower 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder or 306-horsepower 3.8 liter V6 power. Six-speed manual transmissions are available in both cars, and Hyundai will also offer a Track model that adds stiffer springs, a limited-slip differential, xenon headlamps and performance tires. The base MSRP for the Genesis Coupe is $22,750 including destination and delivery, and V6 power can be had for just $25,750. Hyundai also announced the availability of the tuner-ready Genesis Coupe R-Spec, which includes the performance upgrades of the Track model and deletes some unnecessary options, to help strip the car down for maximum performance. It’s also about $3000 cheaper than the $26,750 Track model.
TriFun: Tucked away in a corner across from Ford’s monolithic commercial trucks, Florida-based TriFun is new to the automotive market. Its $9,995 three-wheeled ¼ ton EXT is a Chinese transplant aimed at small business owners, and the company hopes to sell 3000 of them in 2009. The TriFun ¼ Ton EXT is assembled in the U.S. but based on a Chinese design. There’s a tiny 970cc four-cylinder engine hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission with a choice of cargo boxes or pickup beds available, and TriFun reports 42 miles per gallon. It doesn’t look it, but it’s capable of freeway speeds as well. The tiny cabin is air conditioned and heated, if somewhat crude in construction. Classified in most states as a motorcycle, the TriFun ¼ Ton EXT will be available through a growing network of dealers throughout the U.S. (except California and Wisconsin, where it hasn’t yet been certified for road use). More body styles and an electric version are planned as well.
Corvette Stingray Concept: This Chevrolet styling exercise was partially revealed thanks to its performance in the upcoming Transformers sequel. This car, which portrays the character “Sideswipe” in the movie, was reportedly spotted by Michael Bay while the director was touring GM’s styling department looking for new characters for the Transformers movie. When he saw the Stingray Concept, he insisted that it be added to the automotive cast. Before it became a movie star, the Stingray Concept was a styling exercise melding the lines of the current Corvette with those of the classic 1963 split-window Corvette Sting Ray. The Stingray Concept’s powerful lines and aggressive shoulders are a clear throwback to the classic ‘Vette, and this styling exercise even has a split rear window. I’m not a huge fan of the Sting Ray; the uber-Corvette looks don’t do much for me, to be honest. As a result, I’m not crying to hear that there are no plans for production, though plenty of ‘Vette fans are no doubt crushed.
2010 Acura TSX V6: The TSX is Acura’s entry-level luxury/sport sedan. It competes with the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series, and going up against those worthies with just a four-cylinder in the arsenal ain’t going to cut it. Acura has shoehorned a 280-horse 3.5 liter V6 under the hood to address this shortcoming, and the result will hit the streets this summer. The TSX V6 gets an upgraded suspension to help handle the additional power, and larger wheels and tires to help set it apart at the curb.
2009 Scion tC Release Series 5.0: Scion’s latest Release Series limited edition is the tC RS 5.0. More heavily modified than past Scion special editions, the tC RS 5.0 gets eighteen-inch wheels, a spoiler and special color-keyed paint with numbered badging, which is par for the course. Under the skin, however, Toyota’s TRD division has unleashed a host of upgrades, including wheels, lowering springs, sport muffler and sway bars. 2000 are scheduled to be built. The RS 5.0 adds about $2,300 to the $17,000 base price of a tC. Big news? Not really. Scion’s just keeping its nose in the papers unto the Next Hip Thing comes along. That said, of course, if Scion doesn’t move with something exciting soon, Nissan and Kia are aiming to take its spot in the cool-little-car market.
That’s the latest and greatest (except for the new Toyota Tundra’s light redesign and engine upgrade, which aren’t particularly photogenic), but here’s some stuff we saw (or paid attention to) for the first time:
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback: At a glance, it looks almost like the sedan version, but the five-door Lancer is slicker, with a racy tail. The silhouette is similar to that of the BMW X6, really. The added cargo space is a bonus of course, and the mechanicals are the same as those of the Lancer sedan. There’s no word on an Evolution version.
Hyundai Elantra Touring: The wagon-backed version of the reliable and conservative Hyundai Elantra slipped rather quietly into the lineup for 2009, along with a minor styling update that gives Hyundai’s subcompact a more aggressive face. The Elantra Touring sports 24.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, and up to 65.3 with the seats folded flat. True compact station wagons are a vanishing breed these days as compact crossovers take over the market segment, but for buyers who lament the demise of the Ford Focus wagon, the Elantra offers a decent alternative. We had a photo of it, but I seem to have lost it.
Ford Fiesta: We’ve known for a while that Ford’s planning on bringing the sub-subcompact Fiesta to the United States. It’s just the latest in a long list of finally-available-here cars that are showing up: the Nissan GT-R and Cube have already arrived, and Fiat’s return to the market is due to happen any day now. The Fiesta’s latest incarnation is a bubbledy five-door with an aggressive, angular interior. It was bred partly by the same folks who made the Focus such a good handler, so excellent road manners are likely. Ford hasn’t released many specifics yet, but as summer approaches, the Fiesta will probably become unavoidable. Be ready.
Transformers: While not exactly breaking automotive news, Chevy’s involvement in the upcoming Transformers movie sequel does make for a fair dose of fun. The Corvette Sting Ray concept is just one of the Chevrolet products to play characters in the movie: the Camaro named Bumblebee will return for the sequel, and he’s joined by a Volt named Jolt and the Beat and Trax concepts, named Skids and Mudflap, respectively.
I could ask why several of the new Transformers are based on non-production vehicles, if as shown in the movie the Transformers create their vehicular disguises by scanning the cars they see, but I’m not a movie critic and plot holes aren’t my professional bailiwick.
More cars in movies is always a good thing as far as I’m concerned. Anyway, Chevrolet brought all five of the Transformers’ automotive forms to the Chicago Auto Show, as well as a life-sized, seventeen-foot Bumblebee in robot form.
Spyker: There’s nothing particularly important about the Spykers. They’re just fun to look at, and one doesn’t get to see them in the metal much. Lexie says the orange paint job makes this one look like a clownfish:
North American International Auto Show 2009, Detroit
11220 days
by Emmy Jackson
in Editorial
This hasn’t been a good year for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, what with the industry being a wreck and manufacturers pulling out left and right. (If you weren’t already aware, Porsche, Nissan/Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Land Rover, and Suzuki all declined to have press conferences or display booths at this year’s show. Considering the NAIAS’ status as one of the premier auto shows in the United States, this could be likened to a studio not sending any representatives to the Emmys.)
But some things haven’t changed. Even though the displays are more subdued and the free food not flowing as freely as usual, there’s still techno music pumping pretty much everywhere you go like a soundtrack, there are bored-looking models standing next to Italian cars, the air is filled with the scent of fresh carpet and brand-new rubber, one has to keep an eye out to avoid being knocked over by a busy Teamster or a German guy with a SteadiCam, and a new generation of polished pretties is on display, hoping for approval.
Reduced or not, a lot still happens at this show. Between new production vehicles, future production vehicles and flights of fancy, the NAIAS has a lot to show off. A lot of it is stuff that’s been introduced before, but this isn’t about world premieres necessarily, this is about the stuff that I haven’t seen before. That’s a big part of the reason that Nissan and Porsche’s non-attendance is disappointing: I don’t get a chance to check out the things they’ve done in the past few months in the metal. And dammit, I wanted to sit in the new 370Z, but I couldn’t get to Los Angeles. Now I’ll have to wait until Chicago.
All gripes aside (don’t get me started on the general lack of food) there’s a lot to see.
Important notes: blue is the new green, and electric is the new hybrid. Excuse me? No, it is. “Blue” is generally shorthand for “diesel,” and many of the diesel cars that were hinted at or previewed during last year’s show will be hitting the streets in 2009. Expect the high torque and fuel efficiency of diesel-powered cars to push a continuing advance into the market. The hybrid-electric technology found in today’s cars is taking the next step in efficiency as well. “Plug-in” hybrids and full electric-drive vehicles are just beginning to reach the market. Think of these vehicles as a compromise between gas-electric hybrids and the hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles that are nowhere near production: they feature fully electric drive. The gasoline engine is used as a generator to charge the electric engine’s battery pack, making it more efficient.
Enough chatter though; let’s check out some cars!
Chevrolet Volt: The Volt has been a big name in the news since Chevy first showed it in 2007, and promised to bring the extended-range electric to market. The vaunted resurrection of GM’s electric car program has gotten a lot of attention, and while the Volt’s execution has changed, Chevy looks like it’ll remain true to its promise to get the car into production. Some performance specs are leaking out as well; the Volt is expected to get up to 40 miles on a battery charge, with a small four-cylinder engine on board to charge the batteries when that distance is exceeded. The Volt isn’t considered a hybrid, because the gasoline engine never powers the wheels. When’s it coming? “Late next year,” according to GM’s important people. And for those who are interested, its lithium-ion battery pack will be manufactured in the U.S., probably right at home in Michigan.
Chevrolet Cruze: The Cruze is a rerun, making its Detroit debut. It was introduced at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, and it’ll replace the Cobalt when it arrives in 2011 or so. Unlike the Cobalt and its forgettable predecessor the Cavalier, the Cruze will be a global car, riding an all-new platform that will be used on GM vehicles around the world.
Pontiac Solstice Coupe: The Solstice coupe first turned up at last year’s New York Auto Show, as a concept that was on its way to production. As a result, the production version comes as no surprise, though it’s a welcome bit of frog-shaped sheet metal in a sea of GM practicality.
2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon: The CTS Sport Wagon bowed earlier this summer, but it’s the first look I’ve gotten at one. It’s just what it sounds like, a cargo-carrying version of the excellent CTS sedan. Like in the CTS, the details are what make the car, from the tower-style taillights to the chrome trim that carries a tailfin motif into the roof. The mechanicals are the same as those of the CTS.
2010 Cadillac SRX: Cadillac’s SRX was one of the first crossovers, a large, all-wheel drive beast that was neither SUV nor station wagon, and in some ways exhibited the worst attributes of both. With the crossover market expanding rapidly, the SRX has been re-thought into a more compact, more dynamic vehicle. Compared to its predecessor, it’s gotten very short and squat, and a range of new engines includes a direct-injection 3.0 liter V6 and a turbocharged 2.8 liter V6. It’s on sale this summer.
2010 Buick LaCrosse: If you’re starting to think that GM had a thing for red and burgundy this year, you’re not imagining things. Palette aside, the 2010 LaCrosse is of interest. Entering its second generation, Buick’s entry-level luxury sedan gleans styling cues from last year’s Invicta show car and classic Buicks, presenting a distinctive, curvy-hipped profile to the world. A six-speed automatic transmission, available all-wheel drive and direct-injection engines are at the heart of the menu, while heavily stylized “porthole” design elements and blue ambient lighting on the interior ensure that the aesthetic stuff is represented as well. The 2010 LaCrosse will be available this summer.
2010 Mercedes E-Class: Mercedes’ bread-and-butter sedan (at least in the U.S.) is in for its scheduled makeover, and emerges with a newly angular face and muscular looks. The technology has been amped considerably. The new E-Class can be equipped with intelligent headlights, Brake Assist Plus, Blind Spot Assist, Night View and Lane Keeping Assist, which work as you’d imagine. The lane-tending camera can also spot speed limit signs and display the posted speed limit on the dash. The E-Class can even detect when the driver is getting sleepy, and suggest a rest stop. (And yes, the vehicle was thronged so that was the best photo I could get. This is the only picture I took; the rest are by Lexie Arnold or Andrew Duthie.)
Mercedes BlueZERO: The BlueZERO was introduced to the world in Detroit. Electric concept cars are a dime a dozen, especially these days, but the BlueZERO has another trick up its sleeve: upcoming production. Mercedes has entered into a partnership with (translation: “bought”) a lithium-ion battery manufacturer to aid in its electric vehicle program. Does it sound a lot like Chevrolet’s news about the Volt? It’s almost the same story, with one small change: the BlueZero will be heading to market in late 2009 as a limited-production fuel-cell powered vehicle. Yes, that’s a full year ahead of GM’s plans for the Volt. No, we’re not going to dissect what that means here or speculate as to Mercedes’ ability to deliver on this plan, you can do that for yourself. Three propulsion modes will eventually be offered. The fuel-cell drive BlueZERO is the mid-range vehicle, while a fully-electric short-range version and extended-range car with a supplemental gasoline engine will eventually hit the road as well. The five-seat BlueZERO uses the “sandwich floor” architecture used in the Mercedes B-Class to provide a spacious interior without the intrusion of a battery pack. The aerodynamic-enhancing clear plastic covers over the rear wheel wells are kind of cool, too.
2010 Chevrolet Equinox: The Equinox crossover is all-new for 2010. When it goes on sale this summer, the newly angular design will be augmented by 30-mpg freeway performance and a five hundred-mile fuel range. This is possible thanks to a new 182-horsepower 2.4 liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine. A 255-horse 3.0 liter V6 is also available. Chevrolet’s new corporate look drives the design, with a bold two-tier grille and dual round taillamps out back. The Equinox gets a more modern interior as well, with available Bluetooth connectivity, USB audio connections and DVD rear-seat entertainment with dual screens.
Chevrolet Orlando: This seven-passenger vehicle was unveiled in Paris, riding the same chassis and the Cruze and Volt. Three-row seating distinguishes this compact crossover, which might replace the retro-styled HHR in the lineup. Chevrolet brought the Orlando to Detroit to announce that it’ll be going into production in 2011.
Chevrolet Beat: By now, you’re probably thinking that Chevrolet’s entire presentation consisted of show cars that are being turned into production cars. You’re not that far off. The Beat was one of a trio of Korean designed microcars shown by GM in 2007. The company asked people to vote on which they preferred, and the Beat won the right to go into production. The high-efficiency microcar will greet the world some time in 2011, and be named the Spark. (As a production-car name, “Beat” has already been taken by Honda.)
Cadillac Converj: the Converj is more than just an evolution of Cadillac’s growing line of angular, line-heavy concept cars. Sure, the flat-planed coupe looks just like the familiar sharp-edged dream cars bearing the familiar crest, but the Converj is a fully electric car as well. Sharing the “Voltec” extended-range electric drive system used in the Volt, the Converj uses a lithium-ion battery hooked up to a four-cylinder engine-generator for power. The electric motor cranks out a healthy 273 foot-pounds of torque, and the Converj can be plugged into a household outlet for an overnight charge. Solar panels in the roof offer additional charging. The Converj is the concept that got most pundits all gooshy at this show, and like most of the “Best Concept of the Year” vehicles over the years, I wasn’t all that excited by it. But that’s just me.
2010 Lexus HS 250h: The HS 250h is Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid–that is, it’s not a hybrid-powered version of an existing product. All of the HS 250s produced will be hybrids, using a 2.4 liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine coupled to Lexus Hybrid Drive system for a total of 187 horsepower. The HS 250h is somewhat anonymous on the show floor, but the clean styling of the interior is more distinctive. Luxury is provided by an infrared-deflecting windshield that helps to keep the interior cooler, a lane-keeping assist, and a navigation system that shares the new RX’ “Remote Touch” console-mounted controller. For all that, it looks like a wallflower and I’m having a hard time being excited about it, for what it’s worth. The HS 250h goes on sale this summer.
2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost: Did you forget about Ford’s EcoBoost system already? It was introduced last year, and Ford is making good on its promise to gradually spread it across the lineup. EcoBoost uses direct-injection and turbocharging to increase the power of more fuel-friendly, smaller-displacement engines (Yes, several other manufacturers do this as well, but Ford’s given its system a fancy name, so just humor them.). The Flex will be the first vehicle in the lineup to feature EcoBoost, starting in 2010. The EcoBoost-equipped Flex gets a 3.5 liter V6 engine that cranks out aV8-beating 355 horsepower while returning 22mpg on the freeway.
2010 Ford Fusion: The restyled Fusion gets more distinctive looks and a significant boost to its efficiency street credibility courtesy of new four-cylinder engines that give it best-in-class fuel economy. The hybrid Fusion is also an economy champ, and when it arrives as a 2010 model it’ll have a fancy SmartGauge display that helps the driver learn to drive in a more efficient way. The new package looks good, too, thanks to powerful hood beveling and a more aggressive chrome-slat grille. Mercury’s twin-under-the-skin the Milan gets the same upgrades, but a more conservative look means it will likely remain a wallflower.
2010 Ford Shelby GT500: Granted, the snowy conditions currently in Detroit would render it undriveable, but the new Shelby GT500, wearing the Mustang’s upgraded clothes and bumping the bar for the Most Powerful Production Mustang upward is still something of a lust object. The supercharged 5.4 liter V8 produces 540 horsepower and is hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission. The more aggressive engine goes nicely with the more aggressive 2010 styling, and the interior improvements to the Mustang are welcome as well.
2010 Ford Taurus: Serious revisions give the venerable Ford Taurus an all-new look for 2010. The Taurus has inherited the role of flagship, so Ford’s making sure it fits the part, with available equipment like adaptive cruise control, Ford’s Collision Warning with Brake Support, a push-button start, rain-sensing wipers and a blind-spot warning system that includes a cross-traffic warning. Expect at least one person to point out that the styling is very Subaru-ish from the front, but the beveled hood and distinctive rear end leave no doubt that the Taurus is very much a Ford product. Inside, the Taurus has a long, graceful dash with twin hoods that are reminiscent of some of Ford’s recent concepts, or of the original Mustang if you feel like going that far back. Ford has also held the line on pricing, and the 2010 Taurus keeps the same base price as the current model.
Ford Fiesta: The cool, frugal European Fiesta is really on its way to the U.S. No, really. Ford’s planning a fascinating introduction campaign, so you’ll probably be sick of hearing about it in a few months.
Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss: The wildest version yet of Mercedes supercar loses its top completely in honor of the 300SLR piloted by Sir Stirling Moss in 1955. This limited edition (just 75 will be built) is the last of the SLR line, and features Fifties-style racing windscreens and tonneau covers in place of an actual roof. The nose is sharper, the body arrow-shaped. The supercharged 650-horsepower V8 will provide lucky, well-heeled drivers with plenty of bugs in the teeth.
BMW Z4: The redesigned Z4 is a nice evolution of the distinctively styled compact roadster. The look is mainstreamed a bit, but it actually improves the Z4’s presence somewhat. The Z4 is the first roadster from BMW to feature a retractable hardtop. A choice of three straight-six engines is available, from 204 to 306 horsepower. The good news is that BMW’s mode-selectable Dynamic Drive Control suspension is available; the bad news is that the controversial iDrive system is, as well.
Chrysler 200C EV: Chrysler’s ENVI electric-vehicle group has been busy, and showed five electric cars in Detroit as a harbinger of its plan to have a full complement of electric vehicles available for sale in the next four years. The most interesting of ENVI’s teasers is the 200C EV Concept, which represents a vision of a possible mid-size sports sedan from Chrysler. More modern and graceful than any of Chrysler’s current offerings, the 200C looks good enough that I wouldn’t mind seeing it on the road even with conventional power. It resembles the current Sebring, except it’s not hideous. The 200C’s 268-horsepower range-extended EV system enables a 40-mile all-electric range and up to 400 miles of total range. It’s rear-wheel drive, and the interior (which could have been designed by French automaker Citroen) is a connectivity paradise. The 200C offers driver-personalized instrumentation and information displays, a navigation system that can link to city traffic cameras, network to “buddy” Chrysler vehicles in a way similar to social-networking sites, and a personal computer for the passenger to use.
Jeep Patriot EV, Chrysler Town & Country EV and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV: These three vehicles are notable because they’re just like the production vehicles they’re based on, except for the range-extended EV powertrains installed by ENVI. All three feature a 40-mile full-electric range and 400-mile overall range, and don’t give up any passenger capacity or function to accomplish this. The Patriot’s EV system makes 200 horsepower, while the minivan and Wrangler are putting out 268 horses. It’s likely that one of these vehicles will hit the streets in 2010 as Chrysler’s first production electric vehicle.
Dodge Circuit EV: The slick-looking Circuit is the second version of Dodge’s all-electric sports car concept, with race-track looks and full battery power. With manufacturers like Tesla producing fully electric sports cars, there could be a future for the Circuit EV. Like the 200C EV, it looks good enough that it would be nice to see the Circuit on the road with any kind of engine. This electric speedster features exotic-car styling, a motorsport-oriented cockpit for two, and will do 0-60 in less than five seconds thanks to its 268 horsepower electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. The Circuit has a range of 150 to 200 miles, and can be charged with a standard household outlet.
2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h: The original luxury crossover vehicle, Lexus’ RX series, is all-new for 2010. At a glance it looks the same, but closer investigation shows some significant evolution in the form of a more expressive design, more powerful engines, six-speed transmissions, and a complement of cool new luxury items as well. The curvy exterior styling is evolutionary, but inside the RX aims for new heights of futurism. A dramatic “information zone” on the dash includes a computer mouse-style remote control for the high-mounted navigation screen, higher-contrast LEDs to illuminate the dash and a heads-up display. The new RX350 and RX450h hybrid go on sale in February.
Kia Soul’ster: Kia’s press conference didn’t happen until halfway through the first day, but the Korean manufacturer was the first who appeared to be genuinely having fun, and the Soul’ster is a smile-inducing flight of fancy. Charmingly silly, the Soul’ster has had its roof hacked off and replaced with an open cabin and cargo area. The windshield is also chopped, and a two-piece canvas top rides in the frame formed by the integrated roll bar. Additional lighting, a slightly modified front fascia and LED headlights are the show-car touches. Inside, the Soul’ster’s seats are mounted to the center console cantilever-style.
Kia Soul: The vehicle that underpins the Soul’ster is very much worth mentioning, too. Scion’s been quiet for a while, and the hip kids are going to be looking for new rides before too long. Hailed as the first truly stylish Kia (a boast which is arguably true), the Soul’s an entry-level compact that’s cool enough to generate some serious pride of ownership. It’s boxy, like the eye-catching Scion xB, with a funky interior and a frugal four-cylinder powertrain. Kia showed a variety of Souls in a variety of styles, and all of them looked distinctively good. This is a good thing, considering the $13,999 starting price. I was unable to find out if the houndstooth appliques on one of the show vehicles (which matched the upholstery inside, naturally) will be available for sale, a la the MINI Cooper’s rooftop decals.
Audi R8 5.2 TDI: After taking its powerful diesel engines racing, it was only natural that Audi’s supercar would end up with a diesel-powered version. I’m not going to say that “diesel is no longer for trucks any more,” because that hasn’t been true for a while, and when you’re talking about a 525 horsepower V10 engine motivating a lightweight race-bred chassis, who cares what kind of fuel it’s burning? The diesel-powered R8 cranks out 105 more horses than the gas-powered version, I still haven’t driven one, and I’m bitter about this.
2010 Toyota Prius: The third-generation Toyota Prius answers the challenge of increased competition; the engine is larger but the fuel economy’s better, with a 50mpg combined rating. At a glance, the new Honda Insight looks more like a Prius than the newest one does. Outside, the dimensions are about the same but interior room is increased. A 98-horsepower 1.8 liter four-cylinder is the gasoline component, and Toyota has made the generator and inverter smaller and lighter to help boost the economy. Total horsepower is rated at 134. The new interior is friendlier, as well. Cool options include a solar-powered sunroof that circulates air in the car on hot days and intelligent parking assist.
Volkswagen Blue Sport concept: Thanks to cute-as-a-button looks and a mid-mounted engine, this adorable little roadster is reminiscent of the VW Karmann-Ghia. But it’s got a modern twist; the Blue Sport is, as its name suggests, a diesel-powered car. A 2.0 liter turbocharged diesel rides behind the seats, and thanks to the Blue Sport’s light weight, fuel economy is in the 40s. There are no plans for production at this time, which is a shame.
MINI Cooper Convertible: An improved open-top MINI joins the cute-car lineup for 2009, with improved looks and the same excellent powertrain choices as the hardtop MINI. A choice of naturally aspirated or supercharged 1.6 liter engines offers entertaining performance without high fuel consumption, and the pricing starts at under $25,000.
Audi Sportback concept: The German manufacturers are all about the hunchbacked, “coupe-sedan” style these days, with the Mercedes CLS-class, Volkswagen Passat CC and BMW X6 all giving new twists to the traditional notion of what a four-door sedan looks like. The Sportback concept shows that the trend hasn’t been lost on Audi. Frameless doors and a dramatic sweep to the C-pillar make this car svelte and stylish, but it’s not as stunning as the Volvo S60 Concept. Considering that the Sportback is a concept car that features sideview mirrors and proper door handles, there’s a good chance it’ll be in production ere long.
2010 Honda Insight: Now a true competitor to the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight hybrid made its debut in Detroit with more doors, more seats and the latest version of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist. It’s almost a sure bet that the new Insight will be accused of “me-too” behavior when it comes to the new design, whose five-door, wedge profile, glass backlight and even taillight shape strongly resemble that of the Prius. Like the Accord and Camry, however, the Prius and Insight have different senses of style on the inside. When the new Insight reaches the market in April with a starting price below that of the Civic Hybrid and 40/43 fuel economy, the choice between the two may come down to aesthetics.
2010 Jaguar XKR and XFR: Oh, right. Jaguar’s not a part of Ford any more. It still occupies the same place in the Ford Region of the show floor, so it’s easy to forget this. The brand is doing well under its new management, too. Sales are up eight percent, and considering the year that the industry has had that’s an impressive achievement. Much of this is thanks to the new XF sedan. Jaguar’s not sitting on the XF for 2009, either. A new direct-injection 5.0 liter V8 is offered in both the XF and XK, and the R-models get a supercharged version of this powerhouse that makes 510 horsepower. The XKR and XFR are lightened as well, bringing 0-60 times down to four and a half seconds. Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamic Suspension and unique twist-knob six-speed automatic transmission are also part of the story.
Oh, and in November of 2008, a lightly-modified XFR went to Bonneville and racked up a 225.675-mph official timed run. Did you just say “holy crap” to yourself? I’ll bet you did.
2010 Mazda3: Though they’ve been seen elsewhere, the new Mazda subcompact sedan and hatchback are out where I can see them for the first time. The arched front fenders are Mazda’s new thing, having turned up first on the RX-8 and then the new Mazda6. There’s a big, grinning face up front with intricate headlamps. Inside? You’ve got a deep sportycar dash, upscale two-tone and a busy-ish center stack.
Subaru Legacy Concept: Bold fenders and unique satin-silver paint do little to disguise the fact that this is likely the next Subaru Legacy. The design is evolutionary, and the interior’s wild touch-screen center stack and colorful graphics hint at the shape of the upcoming dash as well.
MINI E: A fleet of 500 fully electric MINIs will hit the streets in California, New Jersey and New York this year. A lithium-ion battery pack replaces the rear seats, and the MINI E offers up to 150 miles of completely gasoline-free range. The suspension has been retuned to compensate for the battery’s weight, and the electric MINI is speed-limited to a top speed of 95 mph.
2010 Lincoln MKT: Lincoln’s first entry into the luxury crossover market is on the way for 2010. The three-row, seven-passenger mega-wagon features distinctive styling with a kicked-up rear flank and Lincoln’s cool split waterfall grille up front. Second-row passengers are treated to footrests and a panoramic glass roof, while a choice of 268-horsepower 3.7 liter or 355-horsepower 3.5 liter twin-turbo V6 engines keeps the driver happy. Options include electronic power steering and parking assist, adaptive cruise control, pushbutton start, blind spot warning system, Collision Warning with Brake Support and a backup camera.
Lincoln C Concept: Luxury buyers have always had to deal with wheeling whale-sized Town Cars down tight urban streets, but the C Concept could change that. Lincoln’s striking green and silver dream car combines city-friendly size and efficiency with a large, luxurious living space. Lightweight construction and a 43-mpg, 178-horsepower engine provide maneuverable performance. Photos don’t do the C Concept justice, unfortunately; it’s actually a very good-looking vehicle, less bulky and awkward that it appears in photos. The styling features Lincoln’s unmistakable split grille and a unique bustle-back with a vertical backlight. Center-opening doors reveal a cabin with all-white upholstery, contoured bench seats and a cool hubless steering wheel. Believe it or not, it’s as spacious on the inside as a 1961 Continental.
Volvo S60 Concept: This styling exercise is something you don’t often get from Volvo–it’s extravagant. Yes, the shape of the next-generation S60 is hidden in there, but this B-pillarless concept car is a feast of over-the-top styling and upcoming technology inside and out. Asymmetrical seats, a clear crystal center console, and wild Viking-longboat headlight details grace a body that doesn’t sport a single flat plane anywhere on it. It’s all fronted by a Texas-sized Volvo badge, so you don’t forget what you’re looking at. Like the Lincoln C Concept, much of the S60 Concept’s striking nature is lost in translation to photos, and it has to be seen in person.
2010 Toyota Camry: A light update for Toyota’s family sedan adds a slightly more distinctive grille similar to the just-introduced Venza’s and interior revisions.
2010 Fisker Karma and Karma S concept: After a stunning debut at last year’s Detroit show, Fisker’s luxury plug-in hybrid sedan returned to Detroit in production-ready form, sporting dramatic, flowing lines, eco-friendly interior wood trim that’s only sourced from non-living trees, a choice of “happy cow” leather or leather-free interiors and touch-screen controls. The Karma is powered by Fisker’s proprietary Q-Drive hybrid system, which uses a pair of 201-horsepower electric motors and a 2.0 liter gasoline engine-generator to extend range out to 100 miles. Fisker also showed a two-door convertible concept called the Karma S, that hints at expansions to the lineup.
BYD Auto e6: Of the various Chinese manufacturers who’ve shown vehicles in Detroit over the years (this year’s guest stars were BYD and Brilliance), battery manufacturer BYD seems to be the most likely to hit the North American market first. Considering the industry’s shift toward electric cars, BYD is in a good position to be on the cutting edge. It showed its all-new e6, a fully electric full-sized crossover vehicle with a proposed range of almost 250 miles per charge. BYD claims the e6’s revolutionary new battery can be fully charged in an hour and is environmentally friendly. There are no plans for North American sale at the time, but BYD says it will enter the European market in 2010 and hopes to come to America some time thereafter.