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Motorshows homepage -> 2008 Detroit Auto Show
2008 Detroit Auto Show - Kyle Fortune & Shane O' Donoghue
Audi
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Audi hasn't disappointed with its TTS being officially on show at the Detroit show, the 270bhp hardcore version of the TT undoubtedly one of the production car stars in the Cobo Center. However, Audi isn't satisfied with just that so is also showing a fantastic R8 V12 TDI concept on its stand. We'd heard rumours before the show, but few thought it would actually happen. It has, and the tremors will undoubtedly be felt in supercar-dom for years to come. [Full story] |
BMW
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Big news for BMW is its production X6 models, the coupé-cum-SUV certain to be a huge hit in SUV-obsessed America. But the genre-busting X6 isn't the only debut on the BMW stand, the new 1 Series Convertible also being on show in Detroit. Add the introduction to the US of a couple of diesel choices in the 3 Series and X5 ranges and the BMW stand is certain to be a big draw to the US crowds. [Full story] |
Cadillac
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Perhaps the only manufacturer in Detroit to pull off a proper surprise, Cadillac is showing a concept CTS Coupe on its stand. The two-door marks a return to the coupé market for the American luxury marque. The new concept shares stand space with the monster CTS-V with its 550bhp supercharged V8 under the 'hood'. Future looking, at least regarding drivetrains, is the Provoq, the compact SUV likely to be seen in showrooms in the US soon, though with the show car's hydrogen and lithium-ion drivetrain replaced with something more conventional. |
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
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America's supercar is the star on the Chevrolet stand with its new supercharged LS9 engine pumping out 620bhp and an engine note to die for. The same can't be said for Kid Rock, the singer who introduced the LS1 at a pre-show event. Mercifully Chevy's stand is Kid Rock free for the rest of the show, though we image there'll be a good few mulletted visitors wanting to eye up the ZR1. |
Chrysler ecoVoyager
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Pie in the sky stuff from Chrysler, as the newly independent company describes its ecoVoyager concept as akin to private jet travel. We doubt the lithium-ion and hydrogen concept powertrain has the ability to reach jet speeds and the lack of wings might keep it grounded, too. Odd looks and a transmission that's still years - if not decades - away from actual production reality, Chrysler will need to do better if it's to compete against its home, and foreign rivals. [Full story] |
Dodge
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With its Chrysler parentage it's hardly surprising to hear that Dodge too is showing a concept powered by lithium-ion batteries, though unlike Chrysler's ecoVoyager there's no hydrogen back up. Instead, Dodge's ZEO is a plug-in machine, taking its juice from the electricity grid. A range of 250 miles should be enough for most drivers, the ZEO claimed to be Dodge's vision of a future muscle car. Dodge's new Ram pick-up is also on show, and an announcement was made that the eventual production version of the pretty little Demon concept is to be based on a front-wheel drive platform from China's Chery. Noooooooo. [Full story] |
Ferrari F430 Spider Bio Fuel
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Green Ferraris? You'd better believe it. If you can tear your eyes off the 599 GTB Fiorano and 430 Scuderia on the Prancing Pony's stand then you might just notice a rather innocuous-looking F430 Spider. It's one of the first steps towards Ferrari's highly ambitious plans to reduce its CO2 output by 40% by 2012. It helps by using bio-fuel E85, an 85% ethanol, 15% petrol mix that reduces emissions by 5%. That might not sound like much, but with bio-fuels consuming CO2 during the growing process it's significantly less polluting than fossil fuels overall. As a bonus, power goes up by 10bhp and torque increases too. Nice. |
Fisker Karma
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Showing up the big players' environmental posturing as just that in Detroit is Fisker's sensational Karma. This plug-in hybrid makes use of a lithium-ion battery and a four-cylinder engine to enable it to reach 62mph in less than six seconds and run for up to 50 miles on electric power alone. Forget its environmental credentials for a moment though and just look at it; it's gorgeous. Hardly surprising given Fisker's CV. At $80,000 they won't be able to build the Karma quickly enough. |
Ford
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Unlike rivals Dodge, Ford didn't rustle cattle down a street in downtown Detroit to unveil its new pick-up. Nope, Ford was a bit more low-key - much like the new F-150's styling. Other interesting machines on the Blue Oval's stand include a 'notchback' (read saloon) version of its Verve concept and very nice it looks too. The Explorer America concept is also on the Ford stand, debuting the new car's styling as well as showing off Ford's fuel economy and emissions improving EcoBoost system - which will, in time, be phased in across all production models. [Full story] |
Honda
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It's no secret that Honda is a bit miffed by rival Toyota's success with the Prius, so it's showing a small sporty concept hybrid on its stand which will be in showrooms soon. The cool CR-Z will reach production in 2009, Honda wanting hybrids to account for around 10% of its global business within the next two years. It's not just hybrids Honda is pushing either, as its Acura luxury division has stated that it'll be offering diesel engines from 2009 in the US. There's also Honda's new Pilot SUV, with its clever Variable Cylinder Management system shutting down cylinders when they're not needed, though this car is unlikely to come to Europe. [Full story] |
Hummer HX concept
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Hummer will further extend its range downwards with the addition of a new H4 model, said to compete against the Land Rover Defender and Jeep Wrangler. In Detroit, we were treated to the HX concept, a preview to that model, though its 35-inch off-road tyres may not make it to the showroom... [Full story] |
Hyundai Genesis
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The Koreans have never hidden their ambitions to move upmarket, and Hyundai is showing just how serious it is with its Genesis luxury saloon. Aiming to achieve a similar feat to Lexus, the Genesis looks good, has all the right equipment and will be priced keenly. That's certain to make it attractive to American consumers, and have the premium manufacturers worrying. |
Jeep Renegade concept
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Like its Chrysler group compatriots there's not much to see on the Jeep stand in terms of new model introductions. Instead Jeep is showing a concept called the Renegade. Realising that we're now living in a greener world the Renegade has a - you've guessed it - lithium-ion battery as part of its powertrain. Making up the rest of the hybrid drive is a 1.5-litre Bluetec turbodiesel engine. Small and light, the open-to-the-elements Renegade features a hose out interior. It points to a greener future from the iconic firm, but it'll need to be quick to market if it's not to be completely left behind by rivals. [Full story] |
Kia Borrego
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We couldn't get too excited about Kia's new Borrego SUV before the show opened its doors in Detroit, and having seen it we're still pretty underwhelmed. It's an SUV for Americans, so it's big, spacious and comes with V6 and V8 engines. No word on whether we'll ever see it in the UK, but if it did it'd seriously undercut cars like the Land Rover Discovery and Nissan Pathfinder. |
Land Rover LRX concept
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What more can we say about the LR-X that we've not already said? Land Rover's concept off-road coupé has been well received at the US show, so all the company need to do now is build it. Perhaps that decision is best left to Land Rover's as yet unconfirmed new owners. Tata, if you're reading this - build the LR-X. Please. [Full story] |
Lexus LF-A Roadster concept
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We're getting tired of Lexus's continued heel dragging on the LF-A. It's apparently incredible on the Nurburgring and powered by a 500bhp V10, but where's the production version? No such luck in Detroit, where we were further frustrated by an open-topped Roadster version. Though it does look awesome! [Full story] |
Mazda
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We knew the Furai concept was going to be at Detroit but we had no idea just how achingly good it looks in reality. The swoopy race car chassis built concept is one of our favourites at the show, though surprisingly some of its visual thunder has been stolen by the new RX-8. Some relatively subtle changes to the rotary-engined rear-wing-doored coupé oddity from Mazda have been very effective, the RX-8 getting some muscle with a more aggressive face. We'll see it in the UK soon. [Full story] |
Mercedes-Benz
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Hold the front page: the new SLK debuts on the Merc stand in Detroit. Blink and you'll miss the changes, though the promise of improved steering is to be welcomed. The main event on the Mercedes stand is unquestionably the GLK. Shown in 'Vision' concept guise the GLK should combine excellent road-car manners with a decent dollop of off-road ability. Smart also makes an appearance with its Fortwo, and if you want an even more ostentatious Maybach, word is that the Landaulet is now available to buy. [Full story] |
Mitsubishi
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More diesels in Detroit with the Mitsubishi Concept-RA certain to have more than a few US show-goers question their attitude towards the fuel. The sleek coupé debuts the next generation Eclipse, and if interest in Europe is high enough it may eventually come to these shores. Here's hoping, as it looks sensational. Other debuts on show on the Mitsubishi stand are the Evolution X and its Ralliart sibling, the latter being a sub-Evo model that should appeal to those customers unable to afford - or insure - the firecracker Evo. [Full story] |
Nissan Forum concept
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The Forum concept is more about interior ambience and design than it is about MPV exterior design, but this concept took centre-stage on the Nissan stand in Detroit. Alongside the showroom-ready GT-R of course, making its production guise debut in North America. [Full story] |
Saab 9-4X BioPower concept
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If skiing is your thing then get yourself over to the Saab area of the Cobo Center in Detroit. There the Swedish firm is showing its latest concept, the 9-4X BioPower, an SUV show car that will make it into production soon. But why the skiing link? Saab has teamed up with its friends at Salomon and provided a storage area for skis and a 'boot locker'. The latter is heated, which if you've ever put on a cold wet ski boot you'll appreciate. If you're worrying an SUV might melt the snow you intend on enjoying then don't, the 9-4X is a BioPower Saab, meaning it runs on E85 bio-ethanol - reducing its CO2 emissions dramatically. |
Subaru Forester
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We love Subaru's current Forester, but its replacement, making its world debut at Detroit, looks a lot less quirky and more SUV-like than before. Most buyers won't complain about the extra space, safety and refinement though. [Full story] |
Toyota
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Forgive us if we're being a touch unkind, but Toyota's Venza crossover has looks only its mother could love. Built on the same platform as the Camry - it being one of America's biggest selling cars - Toyota is hoping to tap into the crossover market with this ungainly looking activity machine. Thank goodness there are no plans to bring it to the UK. Demonstrating it is keen to battle all in the hotly contested pick-up market is the A-BAT concept. The funky looking truck could have driven off the set of Blade Runner and is certain to be a hit among younger buyers if it's put into production. [Full story] |
Volkswagen Passat CC
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It was expected that VW would reveal its Passat Coupé in Detroit, but the Germans are not calling the new car a coupé, instead referring to it as the CC, each 'C' standing for a pair of doors apparently. The new CC is tasked with challenging established D-segment cars from the prestige marques and so puts a lot of emphasis on style, with every panel changed from the regular saloon and a panoramic glass roof as standard. It's larger too, and raised prices should distance it further from its namesake. [Full story] |
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