Plenty of surprises at the Detroit auto show
January 21, 2005
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This year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit proved to quite heavy on “vehicles we’ll soon be able to buy” rather than concept cars aimed more at gauging public interest than gracing a showroom. There were lots of concepts at Detroit of course, but I found much to admire among cars, minivans, SUVs and pickups that are headed for the dealerships.
Pontiac’s G6 model was a case on point. This innovative GM division will soon add a stylish coupe and a convertible to keep company with the 4-door you can already buy. The convertible was especially interesting thanks to its foldaway hardtop - a system previously available only on expensive Mercedes-Benz and Lexus products. Also new from GM was the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with an uprated engine developing 500 horsepower. At the media introduction, the event was highlighted by Canadian sports car superstar Ron Fellows, who drove the 2005 version of the Corvette race car onto the stage in a roar of unsilenced power - to the delight of attendees, to whom GM had thoughtfully handed earplugs as they filed in.
The Saturn Sky sports roadster proved to be one of my show favourites - it looked good enough to have a BMW badge on its sleek nose. If this is built as planned and doesn’t cost too much, it will surely be the car to bring Saturn right back into the public eye - just as Cadillac’s CTS-V and STS-V performance sedans have done for GM’s flagship luxury division. An entirely different kind of automotive product could be found at the Hummer display, where the new H3 “baby Hummer” was upstaging its larger siblings. Looking for all the world like the bigger rigs, the H3 only seemed compact when placed alongside existing products in this range. It has all the brawny “in your face” appeal of the H1 and H2 models without the bulk and is sure to sell well.
The 2006 Dodge Charger - it goes on sale later this year - looked every bit as exciting as the much-loved muscle car that originally carried this name between 1966 and 1978. A powerful Hemi engine is optional, of course, and this time around, the Charger has four doors rather than two. Not surprisingly, the car picks up a design cue or two from the highly successful Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum models.
Over at Ford, the upcoming Fusion was taking a bow and given that it’s basically a stretched Mazda6 sedan under the skin, it should be a very successful product and an outstanding performer. Expect a hybrid version before too long. Ford’s luxury division Lincoln was showing a luxury pickup, something it tried before a few years back with the Blackwood. Naturally, the vehicle is based on one of Ford’s all-conquering F-Series trucks, so we know it’s going to be rugged and durable. I did get to climb inside and the cab looks “very Lincoln” with all the leather and fine wood accents a prestige vehicle buyer could wish for.
Ford-owned Jaguar showed what it says is the next-generation XK sports model and it was certainly one of the most desirable cars at the show. Although the existing XK coupe and convertible models are hardly looking their age, the new car is stunning. This time, Jaguar has opted for all-aluminum bodywork like that of the XJ sedan range. Hopefully, the fact that one of the headlights wasn’t working when the car was rolled out at the press preview isn’t an indication of potential flaws. In fact, Jaguars of recent vintage have been the most reliable and durable in the British company’s history. Another fabled British maker - Bentley - showed its new Arnage convertible in Detroit and a fine piece of automotive luxury it was with its “no expense spared” interior and superb finish and attention to detail. One of the ultimate ragtops, its pricetag won’t leave you with too much change out of $400,000.
The introduction of Honda’s Ridgeline full-size pickup marked an interesting milestone. Now all members of the import nameplate Big Three - Toyota, Nissan and Honda - have a full-size truck to rival the traditional domestic Big Three. Will they knock much of a dent in domestic pickup sales? Time will tell.
Infiniti was enthusiastically boosting its new M sedan, destined to arrive at dealers quite soon. This handsome, beautifully-finished luxury car will certainly entrench Infiniti’s comeback of the past few model years. There will be five trim levels for this sedan and a V-8 engine is optional. Media folk attending Infiniti’s evening celebration for the new M were entertained by jazz piano great Herbie Hancock.
Volkswagen was generating much excitement with its 2006 Jetta (the Golf hatch version will follow, probably at another auto show) and visitors were impressed with its new look and extra roominess. Larger than the current car, it seems almost as commodious as the bigger Passat, another VW set for a major workover quite soon.
Of course, there were lots of concept cars to droll over in Detroit and no doubt a few of them will be marketed before too long. Subaru’s innovative Tribeca may become the firm’s flagship vehicle in North America. Described as a “progressive SUV” the rig certainly falls into the crossover category and is neither SUV or minivan. Jeep probably made the biggest splash of all on the concept front with its remarkable Hurricane which boasts not one, but TWO 5.7-litre hemi engines. A tongue-in-cheek effort if ever there was one, the Hurricane proves that DaimlerChrysler is still able to pump up any auto show with something exciting and unusual. Don’t count on seeing Hurricanes on the streets any time soon!
General Motors demonstrated its Sequel fuel cell car which is a development of an earlier platform concept for this type of drivetrain. I spoke to GM’s President North America Gary Cowger about when we could expect fuel cell vehicles in the showrooms, but he wouldn’t be pinned down. GM (and other automakers in all probability) could have a vehicle ready for market fairly quickly, but the lack of a hydrogen fuel infrastructure seems to be holding things back.
As expected, gasoline/electric hybrids continue their relentless march and there were lots to see - both production and planned - in Detroit. In fact, one report I read during my trip indicated that there’d be no less than 18 hybrids on the market by 2008. Given that some automakers have hybrids under wraps awaiting other auto show opportunities, this number could easily doubly by the end of the decade.
Tony Whitney is a noted British Columbia Automotive
Authority and Author.
He writes this article on behalf of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.
He writes this article on behalf of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.
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