QUIET STORM
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Sat, Jan 13, 2007
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
2007 DETROIT AUTO SHOW: A
SUBDUED AFFAIR
Major auto shows are exciting.
Music, videos, lights and elaborate staging entice show-goers to hundreds of
cars and trucks.
Particularly exciting for auto enthusiasts are world premiers - the first public
unveilings of new vehicles.
The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit holds more world
premiers than any other U.S. show.
This year's show, running through January 21st, showcases 35 all-new production
and concept vehicles.
That should make it one of the world's most lively and interesting auto shows.
And usually it is.
But this year the Detroit show feels subdued.
Maybe it's because the designs are not as innovative or radical as usual.
Or maybe it's because no segment busters were introduced, such as the first
Porsche and BMW high-performance SUVs.
Or maybe it's because no manufacturer is entering a segment, such as Nissan and
Toyota with their full-size SUVs and pickups.
Or maybe it's because super-star executives, such as Nissan/Renault's Carlos
Ghosn, weren't out front. (Carlos was nowhere to be seen this year.)
Or maybe the show is subdued this year because of the black clouds hanging over
Detroit and its hometown automakers. (See accompanying articles,
Panic In Detroit and
Variations On A Theme From Detroit)
Or it could be a combination of these factors and others.
Whatever the reason, the buzz at the Detroit show is muted this year.
Though the sizzle may be lacking, NAIAS is still the premier auto show when it
comes to unveiling all-new production and concept vehicles.
Here's what the world's auto manufactures are showcasing in Detroit.
ACURA ADVANCED SPORTS CAR CONCEPT (concept vehicle)
This is Acura's vision of its planned exotic, high-performance sports car and
successor to the NSX. Behind the slit LED headlights is a powerful V-10 driving
the rear wheels. The car features a carbon fiber underbody. No word on
horsepower, other specs or planned production date.
AUDI Q7 V12 TDI (concept vehicle)
What do you get when you drop a Le Mans race-proven diesel engine into to a tame
SUV? Your get sports car performance to the tune of 500 horsepower and 737
foot-pounds that accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds.
2007 BMW 3 SERIES CONVERTIBLE (production vehicle)
For the first time, BMW is offering a hardtop convertible. About 20 seconds are
needed for the lightweight steel roof to open or close fully. The 3 Series
Convertible goes on sale at the end of March.
2008 CADILLAC CTS (production vehicle)
The second-generation CTS represents a dramatic step forward for Cadillac. The
direct-injection, 3.6-liter V-6 produces 300 horsepower, up from 210 horses in
today's 2.8-liter engine. The interior is all new. A notable exterior feature:
the windshield glass is free of visible rubber seals and joints. A new
suspension geometry promises significantly improved driving dynamics.
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU (production vehicle)
GM may finally have a car capable of going head to head with Camry and Accord.
The all-new Malibu is built on GM's global midsize platform. It's noticeably
larger than the current model. In fact, the wheelbase has been lengthened six
inches, making it three inches longer than Toyota Camry's. Engines are a
164-horsepower, 2.4-liter I-4 and a 252-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, both available
with a six-speed auto trans. A lot of attention was put into the interior.
CHEVROLET CAMARO CONVERTIBLE (concept vehicle)
This 400-horsepower instant classic goes on sale in late 2009 (unofficially). No
pricing info has been released.
CHEVROLET VOLT (concept vehicle)
The four-seat Volt runs on lithium-ion battery that can be recharged through a
standard 110-volt household outlet or by the onboard, turbocharged, 1-liter,
three-cylinder, constant-rpm engine. The engine is used only to recharge the
batteries and doesn't drive the wheels. Running purely from the battery, the
Volt has a 40-mile range. The engine extends the range to 525 miles. The Volt is
a dream machine because the battery doesn't exist yet. General Motors says the
technology to produce the battery might be ready for production by 2012.
CHRYSLER NASSAU (concept vehicle)
The Chrysler Nassau is a four-door, four-passenger luxury coupe with a large
trunk. Driving the rear wheels is a 425-horsepower, 6.1-liter V-8. The cabin
offers a feeling of spaciousness due to two front-to-rear, full-length windows
in the roof.
2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN / CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY (production vehicle)
Chrysler's minivan twins boast 35 new and improved features. Perhaps the most
notable new feature is the Swivel 'n Go seating system. It's a combination of
second-row captain's chairs that turn 180 degrees to face the third-row seats
and a removable table that installs between the two rows. The dual-DVD system
allows passengers in the second and third rows watch different videos. Other
features include stability control, a second-row integrated child booster seat
and a back-up camera. The new Grand Caravan and Town & Country go on sale in the
fall.
2008 DODGE AVENGER (production vehicle)
The all-new Avenger brings aggressive styling to the mid-size segment. It also
offers aggressive performance, through optional all-wheel drive combined with a
sport-tuned suspension and stability control. Three engines are offered, the
largest being a 235-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6. The Avenger arrives in dealerships
in the first quarter, with prices starting at $18,895.
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