This year’s Detroit show has shaped up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory with especially strong products and concepts from the Detroit Three. Cobo Hall was a display of sheetmetal covering the entire automotive spectrum from gas-sipping city vehicles to impractical but fun sports cars. Refresh your memory on some of the most significant 2012 Detroit auto show debuts below.
Detroit Darlings
2013 Cadillac ATS – Cadillac’s BMW 3 fighter appears ready to do battle: rear-drive layout, wide array of engines including a turbo-four, a six-speed auto or manual gearbox, and a low curb weight just over 3300 pounds. Last but not least, on the horizon is a V version, which should get a twin-turbo V-6.
2013 Dodge Dart – This is perhaps the most exciting car yet to come from the Fiat/Chrysler partnership. With underpinnings from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the Dart promises to be a fun drive with three available powerplants including a 1.4-liter, Multiair turbo-four rated at 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. With a standard six-speed manual for all engines and a base price of around $16,000, we can’t wait to compare it against the Civic, Focus, and Elantra.
2013 Ford Fusion – Hot, hot, hot. That was the first impression from most MT staffers about Ford’s latest family hauler. We prayed the Ford Evos Concept – unveiled at the Frankfurt show – would preview the new Fusion and it looks like those prayers were answered. Just as impressive are the Fusion’s powertrain options, which include Ecoboost engines, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid.
Sporting Group
Acura NSX Concept – Do you remember the last time you were excited to see Acura’s booth at an auto show? Neither can we. Thanks to the NSX concept, Acura should expect to see lots of visitors this auto show season. Like the game-changing original, the new NSX will be a mid-engine beast with a V-6 engine gaining some help with a few electric motors, two of which are mounted at the front wheels. As technical director Frank Markus stated, expect to see V-8 power with four-banger fuel economy.
Lexus LF-LC Concept –Finally, Lexus appears to have a good handle on its L-Finesse design language as proven by the new GS and the LF-LC concept. This 2+2 coupe has hints of GS and LFA and we like it. With the forgettable SC long gone, we can only hope its replacement will mimic the LF-LC.
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL – The outgoing SL has been with us for almost a decade, but it’s still a favorite among the Mercedes faithful. Not surprisingly, the 2013 SL has some big expectations to meet. The newest “Sport Light” is exactly that – the 2013 SL550 will be 275 pounds lighter than the outgoing model and power will come from the new 429-hp 4.6-liter, twin-turbo V-8.
2012 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S – As expected, the variants are coming. And what better way to ring in spring 2012 than in a drop-top 911? Power comes from a direct-injected 3.4-liter boxer-six rated at 350 hp. The Carrera S gets the 400-hp, 3.8-liter mill. Pricing starts at $98,250 (including $950 destination fee), with the Carrera S cabriolet priced at $108,950.
2013 Scion FR-S and FR-S Drift Car – The FR-S makes its North American debut at Detroit, marking its last stop before you guys can run down to a Scion dealer and drift one out of the parking lot. Speaking of drifting, Scion brought along a special guest to the show, the FR-S Drift car, which packs more than 600 hp as well as mods from Scion Racing and GReddy.
2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo – Biggest complaint surrounding Hyundai’s new hatch? Lack of power. The Veloster Turbo will churn out 201 hp, compared to just 138 hp in the base model. The turbo model will also get unique visual touches such as a center-mounted dual-tip exhaust, a body kit, new 18-inch wheels, and two unique paint colors. Look for it this summer.
2012 Bentley Continental GT V8 – If you’ve wanted a Bentley Continental GT but can’t shake off the guilt from the W-12’s fuel economy, here’s your car. The new V-8 powered Continental GT is expected to be 40 percent more fuel efficient thanks to a direct-injected, twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 rated at 500 hp.
Look-at-Me-Too Crossovers
2013 Buick Encore – The baby Buick crossover finally debuts after a years-long tease that started with the “Baby Enclave” concept back in 2009. The Encore is small, with a wheelbase just a 1.2-inches longer than the Chevy Sonic, but should be just as roomy as the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. It also shares the Sonic subcompact’s 1.4-liter, turbo-four Ecotec engine, though the interior is all Buick with high-quality materials throughout.
Audi Q3 Vail Concept – When the Audi A3 arrives on our shores, expect it to be powered by the tried-and-true 2.0-liter turbo four mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Nissan Pathfinder Concept – Bid farewell to another truck-based SUV. With this Pathfinder Concept, Nissan has decided to jump to the crowded crossover segment. Why buy this over the Murano? For starters, the Pathfinder offers three rows of seats.
For the Kids
Chevy Code 130R Concept – We had a good feeling the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ would be thecatalyst of futurecheap, rear-drive coupes. If Chevy brings this to market, our guess is the car would get the same rear-drive Alpha platform from the Caddy ATS with a turbo-four. Most importantly, it will be priced in the affordable $20,000 range, just like the FR-S and BRZ.
Chevy Tru 140S Concept – Here’s a high-style, low-priced concept based on the Chevy Cruze. Like the 130R, Chevy produced this coupe after speaking with young buyers and finding out exactly what they want. Aside from affordability, the 140S should also entice buyers with an estimated 40 mpg on the highway and plenty of high-tech goodies.
Green Team
Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid – The Volvo XC60 Plug-in hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 280 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It’s supplemented by a 70 hp electric motor. Together, the crossover should scoot the XC60 from 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds while achieving 50 mpg in hybrid mode.
Volkswagen E-Bugster – The aptly named E-Bugster combines speedster-like styling and a zero-emissions powerplant. Specifically, it’s powered by a 114-hp, 199 lb-ft electric motor fed by a lithium-ion battery. Range on a single charge is estimated to be 100 miles.
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid – With the Jetta TDI already winning the hearts of eco-minded drivers, the hybrid variant should attract those who aren’t comfortable with oil burners. The hybrid’s powertrain combines a 1.4-liter, turbo four (150 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque) with a 27-hp electric motor. Its 0-60 mph time should be less than 9 seconds with an estimated combined EPA rating of 45 mpg.
Toyota NS4 Plug-In Hybrid Concept – Whether you hate it or love it, the NS4 is one of the most interesting and distinctively styled sedans to come out of Toyota in a long time. If it makes it to production, the car will likely get the next-generation of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid – The first E-Class hybrid ever sold, the E400 will feature a 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 305 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while an electric motor putting out 27 hp and 184 lb-ft. The “modular hybrid” system required no alterations to the body or chassis, making this a no-brainer for Mercedes.
Prius c –The Prius c is a cheaper alternative to its more expensive and ultra-popular brother the Prius. The Prius c shares the Hybrid Synergy Driver powering the rest of the Prius family and is expected to achieve an EPA estimated 53 mpg in the city.
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