Detroit isn't necessarily the kind of city that most people want to visit, but each year in early to mid-January, it becomes a prime destination, at least as far as the global automotive community is concerned.
Of course, this has everything to do with the annual North America International Auto Show, which beckons car lovers far and wide with the good, the bad and the ugly of the latest automotive offerings.
This year, the auto show featured 53 vehicle debuts, 35 of which were worldwide introductions. Of the bunch, the four models listed below are the ones that struck us as being poised to make the most impact. They're listed in alphabetical order.
1: Acura NSX
Honda has been coy with details surrounding the NSX but that didn't stop the car from being the hands-down star of the show. Some facts about the model are clear. First of all, it's gorgeous. Also, it will be powered by a mid-mounted, direct-injected VTEC V6 and two electric motors; this setup will be governed by Acura's "Sport Hybrid" Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, which enables the powertrain to kick torque to each front wheel. The transmission will be dual-clutch and the NSX is expected to be launched within the next three years.
2: Dodge Dart
The ever-growing size of the compact-car market has made it a battleground for manufacturers serious about adding cold hard lucre to their pots. Dodge makes its bid with the Dart, and thus far, the entry seems to be a reasonably credible one; the Dart boasts the kind of mileage (40 mpg) and starting price ($15,995) that should turn some heads in this hard-fought segment. Three engines are offered: a base 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder good for 160 horsepower and 145 pound feet of torque; a turbocharged, 1.4-liter inline-4 good for 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque; and a 2.4-liter good for 184 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque.
3: Ford Fusion
Ford hopes to wrest a place for itself atop the midsize-sedan hierarchy with the 2013 Fusion, a car that ups the game of its predecessor via dramatic changes both inside and out. It boasts sleek new sheet metal and an expanded powertrain lineup that now includes three different gas engines, a gas-electric hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. On the gas-engine front, there's the 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower four-cylinder used in the current Fusion; a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 179 hp and 26 city/37 highway mpg; and a performance-oriented 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder good for 237 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. As far as the hybrid models go, the standard Fusion hybrid gets a 2.0-liter, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder with an electric motor powered by a new lithium-ion battery pack; this setup brings mileage of 47 mpg city and 44 mpg highway mpg. Rounding out the hybrid lineup is the new Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, which is said to deliver more than 100 MPGe.
4: Toyota Prius C
So yeah, as we've mentioned, the compact/subcompact segment is pretty hot right now. Combine this fact with the enduring popularity of the thrifty Prius and the inevitable end result is the Prius C, a small hatchback that offers the frugality of its popular sibling in a more compact package. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter I4 and a 45kW electric power source that makes only 99 horsepower, which makes it less powerful than the standard Prius; still, this is offset somewhat by the fact that the Prius C is 500 pounds lighter, weighing in at just 2,500 pounds. The Prius C starts $19,000 and offers mileage of 53 mpg city/ 46 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined.
Which Detroit debuts do you think stand to make the most impact with shoppers?
wrinklebump says:
05:22 AM, 01/15/12
uhh, ats?
transpower says:
05:47 AM, 01/15/12
This is a great indication of the revival of the auto industry....
teampenske3 says:
07:00 AM, 01/15/12
What wrinklebump said. ATS is conspicuously absent.
Also the Lexus coupe concept was quite a hit.
cr_driver says:
11:12 AM, 01/15/12
"Which Detroit debuts do you think stand to make the most impact with shoppers?"
As in what, now this year, or in 3 years?
Because the NSX was just a concept, and it`s still several years away from being a production model ready to be bought by shoppers.
I would have replaced that one with the ATS, for example.
And if you take into account volume, the ATS would make the most impact with shoppers as well.
devnix says:
11:36 AM, 01/15/12
As much as I love the NSX, the Fusion is really going to be a hit. It's attractive and there are plenty of options to fits everyone's needs. I won't be buying one but I look forward to seeing them on the road.
tho76 says:
01:03 PM, 01/15/12
I disagree with the ATS love. It's a nice car, but basically just a shrunken CTS with different creases. The NSX is gorgeous AND a car people have been waiting on for a long time. All of the other cars make sense too. I haven't loved the Fusion all that much but I would fork over hard-earned money for this one! The Dart was a nice surprise, plus who hadn't thought that they should have hybridized the Yaris while they were at it....Prius C! There you go.
firstwagon says:
08:19 PM, 01/15/12
Love the looks of the NSX but a little worried about the hardware. AWD, electric motors, batteries, automatic, etc all sounds heavy to me.
The magic of the first NSX was the way it drove and if it weighs as much as a SUV then todays Honda engineers are going to have a tough time making it anything more then a fast show car.
wrinklebump says:
03:25 AM, 01/16/12
if caddy hits its bogeys, the ats has the potential to redefine the standard for entry-level luxury. in doing so, an impact would be made. baseball nerds call arbitrary listings of a team's players 'rosterbation;' clarke's lists are the automotive equivalent, and they're comparably worthless.
blueguydotcom says:
02:45 PM, 01/16/12
Um...the Dart? That thing is an old news as the hoopty wannabe Aston ford-thingy. Prius C? That's a joke a right?
Agree with others, the ATS. BMW has a swing and a miss with it's far more expensive and far less a la carte F30. This is a chance for Caddy to steal share with a car that's better and cheaper.
nefariousnigel says:
03:26 PM, 01/16/12
Acura NSX hands down. I'd wait 5 years to see it.
The Fusion and Dart showcase impressive levels of style at their respective price points.
The Acura ILX is SO much better looking than the Civic it is based on...but that ain't saying much.
julianb says:
05:17 PM, 01/16/12
I completely agree... the ATS should replace the Dart on this list! The insideline editors make me think they're quite biased at times... of the foreign fan boy type! lol
firstwagon says:
07:09 PM, 01/16/12
"Um...the Dart? That thing is an old news as the hoopty wannabe Aston ford-thingy"
It hasn't even hit the showroom yet. How can it be old news?
blueguydotcom says:
06:10 AM, 01/17/12
The Dart and Fusion offer nothing impressive. More of the same. A tiny dash of style and a bunch of promises. Bleh.
firstwagon says:
08:01 AM, 01/17/12
The Dart is based on an Alfa. That alone gives it potentional and makes it interesting (especially in this price range).
Yes we have to wait to see how it drives but it sounds promising.
frazgo says:
11:17 AM, 01/20/12
I'm not a fan of the Dart, looks like an old neon mated with a VW...it lacks style to set itself apart from the competition. The power train line ups are interesting, my money lies on the 1.4ll turbo being the one that ekes out the 40mpg on the open road.
I'm a fan of the new Fusion until I get to the part there is no V6 option in its mix. I found it hard to believe they are willing to give that part of the market to Camry/Accord. The ecoboost 2.0L has nice specs but still falls short of what competitive V6 can do.
The Acura mix was pretty amazing looks as if they are bringing fun to drive back to their equation. I had the chance to speak ever so briefly with Mike Accavitti, Honda's new VP and he indicated that not only will the NSX be built, it will be on the market in 3 years and as close to the concept as current Govt regs will allow. He also confirmed Acura renewed focus on fun to drive autos which is a good thing. He even hinted at the promise of an all new "flagship" this fall.