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10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
By James Tate of MSN Autos
Detroit has been getting a real bad rap in the press these days. But believe it or not, there's actually some good news coming out of the Motor City this week, as the North American International Auto Show rolls into town. Surprisingly, the atmosphere during the media preview days could be described as cautiously optimistic. Yes, the show is smaller, and fewer truly new vehicles are on display. But that isn't a bad thing. It is as though carmakers have simply gotten rid of the fluff and given us in the motor press what we wanted to see in the first place: substance. And let's face it, that's what they needed to do. For that, we need to give them some props. So here are 10 of the most innovative concept cars and promising production models on display in Detroit. They hail from as far away as Tokyo and Ingolstadt, Germany, to as close as Dearborn, Mich., and California's Silicon Valley.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
Audi e-tron Concept
We know, you've heard the name before. But that's all the Detroit Show Car e-tron has in common with the e-tron you saw at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. And as you can see from the curves, that's not a bad thing. Sporting an uncharacteristically long hood and a taut decklid, the electric car is a new direction in design for Audi and another resounding success. Sporting 204 horsepower and an unbelievable 1,954 lb-ft of torque from twin electric motors, the car should accelerate to 60 mph in less than six seconds and have a range of around 155 miles.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
Volkswagen New Compact Coupe Concept
This new hybrid from Volkswagen is designed to sit alongside the Up! Concept as a slightly bigger and much sportier take on alternative fuels. Oh, and it looks much better — in fact, it looks better than Audi's A5, with which it shares many a body line. Unlike the A5, however, the Compact Coupe gets 45 mpg, courtesy of a 1.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with a powerful electric motor. Combined, they deliver a total power output of 177 horses. The car also gets a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and can be operated in fully electric mode. Volkswagen's positioning is clear enough: a fun-to-drive alternative to cars such as the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
Toyota FT-CH
Believe it or not, Toyota thinks the Prius is a midsized hybrid electric vehicle, which is why it has created the diminutive FT-CH. It is about 22 inches shorter than its gas-electric counterpart, but just as wide. The slight change in length has a staggering visual effect though, so — as you can see — the FT-CH looks much better than the more appliance-like Prius. Flared hips make up the rear of the car, while a low-slung roofline and a swept C-pillar add some sport. The car is said to be inspired by the "8-bit" generation (read: video gamers), and it's clear that is the group the effort targets. Toyota says the FT-CH is best-suited for quick urban drives.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
2012 Ford Focus
The latest movement in Ford's effort to move European products stateside is the 2012 Focus. And like most sheet metal designed by Ford Europe, the Focus looks like it's going to sell by the caseload. The car will be available in both 4- and 5-door guise, and sources say that either one should return around 40 mpg highway. Power is provided by a 2.0-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine, which produces 155 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque and can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
2011 Honda CR-Z
Honda says this slick machine evokes memories of the super-fun 1991 CR-X, and in some ways, it does. Unfortunately, it's also strangely reminiscent of a classic sneaker. The CR-Z is powered by a 122-horsepower 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, which produces 128 lb-ft of torque. Word is that the new CR-Z will return stellar fuel economy (36 mpg city/38 mpg highway), despite sporting Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. Call us crazy, but we swear our 1991 CR-X got the same gas mileage.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept
Cadillac may be calling the XTS a concept, but it's pretty clear that this is the sedan that will replace the STS and the DTS. Sporting a 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection and an electric motor, the XTS is said to have roughly 350 horsepower under the hood. Inside, there's a return to good old-fashioned Cadillac luxury, with features such as burled wood on the seats and synthetic suede accents marking the automaker's attempt at creating a "personal headquarters," from which the rich can conduct business when away from the office.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
2011 Ford Mustang GT
Ford thought that by simply plunking a "5.0" badge on the flanks of its 2011 Mustang GT it was going to breathe new life into the less-and-less iconic muscle car — and it was right! The new V8 engine (all 302 cubic inches of it) pumps out a remarkable 412 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque while still returning an impressive 25 mpg on the highway. And it looks absolutely gorgeous nestled in the engine bay. Things get even better if you're a gearhead — you can now have real toys like Brembo brakes and sportier suspension.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
Hyundai Blue-Will Concept
It seems Hyundai has had enough of Toyota stealing the hybrid spotlight, so the South Korean carmaker is gearing up to do a little Prius hunting. The Blue-Will Concept sports a 1.6-liter engine and a 100-kilowatt electric motor, which is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Another neat trick is that the panoramic roof "integrates dye-sensitized solar cells which can generate power for the batteries from the sun without impeding visibility," according to Hyundai.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
MINI Beachcomber Concept
BMW, MINI's parent company, says that access to the seats is "exceptionally convenient" in its latest concept. While we can't argue with that, we can't help but notice that any kind of inclement weather or road debris would probably be exceptionally inconvenient. But that's why the all-wheel-drive Beachcomber is a concept, after all. With raised seats, increased suspension travel and relatively giant wheels, it's a fun one, too. Power comes from a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline four. Sadly, no details on projected performance are available.
10 Hottest Cars From the Detroit Show
Buick Regal GS Concept
Not coincidentally, the Regal GS looks quite similar to the Opel Insignia OPC, bar a few aesthetic changes here and there. Power comes from a 2-liter Ecotec turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, sporting 255 horsepower and an impressive 295 lb-ft of torque. GM says that the car will hit 60 mph in less than six seconds and will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission. The car is all-wheel drive and has great-looking 20-inch wheels; we wonder what it will look like without them.
