So Detroit is hurting and the Asian automakers are pulling out of Detroit. So what's left?
Plenty of room for the Europeans apparently. There will be no less than ten world debuts from the other side of the pond at this year's show, a sign that although our market is down, it's can still make or break a new product for most manufacturers. Here's a rundown of what the German et al. will have on display next week.
Audi
R8 5.2 FSI - If there's one limitation to the R8's supercar status, it's the engine. Sure, 420-horsepower is quite healthy for such a small car, but the big dogs of the performance world can leave the standard R8 in the dust. Help comes in the way of the 5.2 FSI, a V10-powered R8 that should compete more favorably in both performance and prestige.
A7 Concept - This is Audi's entry into the four-door coupe segment, an oddly named category of low-slung sedans that trades rear seat passenger room for a more stylish roofline.
Bentley
Continental GTC Speed - The final member of Bentley's high-performance family has finally been seated. Never really liked the look of the GTC, but it's hard to argue with a convertible that can do 195mph with the top down.
BMW
Z4 - A retractable hardtop is the big news for BMW's redesigned roadster. It has lost some of its "flame surfaced" design along the way which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Jaguar
XF-R - Although nothing official has been announced, most rumors point to the introduction of Jaguar's new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that will power the "R" versions of the XF and XJ sedans. Expect around 500 horsepower of so from the new powerplant.
Maserati
Quattroporte Sport GT S - A further revision of the Quattroporte sedan, the GT S offers a bump in horsepower and a more tightly wound suspension. Nothing ground breaking here, but for fans of this graceful sedan, it's a nice little upgrade.
Mercedes-Benz
SLR Stirling Moss - Consider this both a tribute to a legendary driver and a good way to get rid of the last batch of slow selling SLRs. Easily the most controversial looking car at the show, this windshield-less supercar should make for an interesting display.
Mini
Cooper convertible - The name says it all. This is the long overdue companion to the recently revamped Cooper hardtop. Not much changes, but not much needed to change.
Volkswagen
Roadster concept - not much is known about this concept other than the fact that it was originally scheduled for the LA Auto Show in November before getting pulled at the last minute. Expect something small, lightweight and powered by a relatively efficient engine.
Volvo
S60 Concept - This is the design concept for Volvo next flagship sedan due in the spring of 2010. It has all the usual concept-type stuff like funky doors and three dimensional gauges, but the rest of the car is probably quite close to the final production model.
greenpony says:
10:45 AM, 01/ 9/09
Never liked the "four door coupe" category. In my mind a coupe has two doors. That's like saying a three-wheel bicycle. Sorry folks, but a sedan has four doors, just like a tricycle has three wheels.
I am looking forward to the VW roadster. Should be interesting because it's the most mysterious of the vehicles listed here.
redliner says:
12:51 PM, 01/ 9/09
"S60 Concept - This is the design concept for Volvo next flagship sedan due in the spring of 2010."
So what about the S80?