At the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Cadillac took the wraps off of the all-new ATS sport sedan. This car, says Cadillac, is a true rival to the BMW 3-Series. On paper it's a draw and in person, well, it's a good thing the 3er stepped up this year because the ATS is CLEAN. Driving the two back-to-back is sure to be a highlight of 2012.
But we won't have an answer to that for a bit now. As for the show itself, what did it take to make that reveal happen? Here's a look behind the stage from this year's show.
Eagle-eyed Inside Line readers will be able to spot cameos by Ed Hellwig and Alistair Weaver.
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Categories: Cadillac,Detroit Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Sedans
Lincoln showed something at Detroit, I'm sure of it. What it was, I have no clue. I was too distracted by their way cool show stand and ... OK, I'll say it, the two ladies here. Classy, beautiful and real sports to play along for the above shot.
But any way, hit the jump to watch Mike Magrath, um, charm them (the shot from atop the stairs was NOT planned) and more importantly, see Mike and I tour the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The importance of the cars at this show versus L.A. can be seen in our greater focus on the cars rather than Kia hamsters and grilled cheese.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Lincoln,Videos
As expected, Porsche brought out its convertible version of the all-new 911: the Carrera Cabriolet. Besides the already impressive specs that carry over from the coupe model, the cabrio sports a fabric top that stows in a mere 13 seconds. Also notable is a power-deployable wind blocker. Nice. Sun-worshipers rejoice. The drop-top 911 will be here just in time for spring.
See Alistair's take after the jump.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Porsche,Videos
Signaling the rebirth of Lincoln, the MKZ Concept was shown in Detroit. Details are scarce, but with plenty of high-tech design and features, rich wood, leather and aluminum, there's a lot to like. It may finally hold some appeal to a younger audience. We're expecting to see a production version at the New York Auto Show this spring.
Check out Alistair's video tour after the jump.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Lincoln,Videos
Honda showed off its Accord Coupe Concept, which is likely an indication of how the ninth-generation Accord sedan will look when it's unveiled at the New York Auto Show later this year. With sharper styling and the addition of a CVT and plug-in hybrid variant, this new Accord should be a brisk seller when it hits showrooms this fall.
Alistair dishes the details after the jump.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Honda,Videos
Buick unveiled its compact crossover, the 2013 Encore. Made in Korea, the Encore is powered by a 140-hp turbo four-cylinder engine, so don't expect much in the way of power. On the plus side, Buick has taken steps to provide a pleasantly quiet cabin. Sales are set to begin in the beginning of 2013.
James isn't impressed; click through for the video and judge for yourself.
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Categories: Buick,Detroit Auto Show,Videos
Toyota rolled out the 2012 Prius C in Detroit; a smaller, subcompact version of the wildly popular hybrid poster child. Besides the downsized dimensions, the engine and electric motor have also been shrunken. Naturally, power will be far from impressive, but with an estimated 53 mpg city / 46 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined rating, it's tops among non-plug-in hybrids. Look for the Prius C in showrooms this March.
Check out the video after the jump for more information.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Toyota,Videos
With the new NSX grabbing most of the attention at the Acura display, it's easy to overlook the other concept. The 2013 Acura ILX Concept is based on the Honda Civic sedan and has its sights aimed at the entry-level luxury shopper. Pricing starts under $30,000 and it's set to go on sale in the spring.
Alistair notes that the drilled rotors and big wheels will likely not survive into production, though. Video after the jump.
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Categories: Acura,Detroit Auto Show,Videos
Presented in Detroit, the Lexus LF-LC Concept is a front-engine, rear-drive hybrid sport coupe with aspirations of 500 horsepower. But before you start pestering your local Lexus dealer about this beauty, you should know that it's only a concept. It's serving as a showcase for Lexus' design direction at the moment, but if this is where they're heading, we'll be following.
James Riswick let the design expert do the talking. Video after the jump.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Lexus,Videos
In what amounts to one of the worst-kept secrets of 2011, Hyundai finally unwrapped the Veloster Turbo in Detroit. The more powerful Veloster receives a much-needed 63-horsepower upgrade for a total of 201 hp, and yes, it will be available in this tasty matte gray paint finish.
Check out the details after the jump, and see how James works in the phrase, "week-old hot dogs," into the video.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Hyundai,Videos
There has been an intriguing lack of information accompanying Chrysler concept vehicles since the tie-up with Fiat. And so it is with the Chrysler 700C, the minivan concept that just showed up at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show with no further explanation. There's no record of it on Chrysler's media website.
But a placard in its license plate holder does identify its origin in the Chrysler Design Studio, and sure enough, as soon as we began taking photos of it, a researcher from the design team strode up and began peppering us with questions. We were incredibly wishy-washy, so if the next Chrysler Town and Country (which outsells the Dodge Grand Caravan, by the way, and is likely to come back solo for the next generation) ends up looking like a strange pastiche of design elements, well, maybe we had something infinitesimal to do with it.
For reference, we've included a couple shots of the current T&C.
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Categories: Chrysler,Concept Vehicles,Detroit Auto Show,Minivans
Acura rolled out the latest iteration of the RDX in Detroit. Based on the Honda CR-V, the RDX features a powerful yet fuel-efficient 3.5-liter V6 and a much more refined interior. Sales are set to start in the spring in either a front-wheel drive model or as an on-demand four-wheel-drive model.
See how Alistair compares it to a posh mom at a post-natal party after the jump.
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Categories: Acura,Detroit Auto Show,Videos
If the Acura NSX Concept is any indication of things to come, it looks as if Honda might have rediscovered its passion for motoring. Details are scarce, but so far the NSX will likely have a hybrid powertrain with a midmounted V6 and head into production within three years.
Check out Alistair's tour of the NSX concept after the jump.
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Categories: Acura,Detroit Auto Show,Videos
The Detroit march of concept cars continues, with Volkswagen showing off its eBugster Concept. This two-seat Beetle ditches the rear seats and the conventional gas engine for an electric motor that produces the equivalent of 114 hp. Range is estimated at 110 miles with a quick recharge time in the order of 35 minutes.
Check out our man Alistair's thoughts after the jump.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Videos,Volkswagen
If you're at all suspicious about Honda's seriousness about bringing the NSX back to life, consider this: Honda's CEO, Takanobu Ito, who presided over the reveal of the NSX concept, took a moment to recall his first big project at Honda.
He worked on the team that developed the all-aluminum chassis of the very first NSX, a job he called the most important project of his life at that point. He even pulled up a shot of the team in front of their big project. It was a nice reminder that the top executive at Honda is still very much an enthusiast. Hopefully his influence rubs off on more than just the NSX.
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Categories: Auto Industry,Detroit Auto Show,Honda
Right next to Chevrolet's Code 130R Concept was another design study: the Tru 140S Concept. Also aimed at the younger demographic, the Tru is a four-passenger coupe that is based on the Cruze. Besides a healthy dose of Italian exotic styling, the 140S has that magic 40 mpg highway figure as a target.
Pretty cool, we think. Should GM build it?
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Categories: Chevrolet,Detroit Auto Show,Videos
In person, the 2013 Buick Encore is noticeably compact. It has the chunky, curvy look of a Hyundai Tucson, but it's almost 5 inches shorter in length (168.5 inches) and its wheelbase is more than 3 inches shorter at 100.6 -- barely longer than the wheelbase of a Chevy Sonic (99.4). But the Encore is still larger than crossovers like the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman.
Like the Sonic, though, the Encore is roomier inside than you think it will be. A 5-foot-10 adult (your author) climbed into the front seat today at the Detroit auto show and still left room for another average size adult to sit in back. GM's Jim Federico tells us the platform underneath this small crossover is all-new, and with 60 percent high-strength steel in the unit-body, lighter than past designs -- at 3,300 pounds with its optional all-wheel-drive system, it's about 50 pounds lighter than a Tucson.
Maybe you're wondering why Buick picked such a small platform for its compact SUV rather than looking to the Chevrolet Equinox platform architecture, and the answer seems to be that the Encore is largely driven by demand in China, where upwardly mobile consumers gravitate toward small cars with premium furnishings. Buick sold 645,537 vehicles in China in 2011 versus 177,633 in the U.S.
Like most of the cars GM builds and sells in China, the Encore is engineered in South Korea, and the plant in Bupyeong will handle assembly for the U.S., though GM President Mark Reuss was careful to leave the door open for potential North American assembly when we spoke to him today. However, he closed the door to the possibility of badge engineering.
"We're not doing Chevrolets off this platform," he said. "The last thing we want to do is put a Chevrolet alongside this and take Equinox sales away."
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Categories: Buick,Crossovers,Detroit Auto Show,Future Vehicles
Chevrolet showed off a couple of concept cars in Detroit yesterday, both of which are aimed at a more youthful demographic. The first, named the Code 130R Concept, has an intriguing BMW 1 Series/Chevy Camaro love child vibe. As it's just a concept at this point, GM's aiming for 150 hp and 40 mpg on the highway.
James seems to be quite taken with it. What say you?
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Categories: Chevrolet,Detroit Auto Show,Videos
This video probably best explains how the NSX's hybrid powertrain will work. It appears, contrary to Acura's press release, that the NSX will utilize three electric motors (not two) -- one for each front wheel as well as one assisting the gasoline engine through the transaxle.
Of course, for now it's all vaporware anyway, but the video is entertaining.
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Categories: Acura,Detroit Auto Show
This car might be called the Accord Coupe Concept, but -- following Honda's tradition -- it looks to us like a very near-production model with 20-inch wheels, big brakes and some minor styling gratuities.
More importantly, it represents the basic shape of the ninth-generation Accord, which will offer new powertrains and technologies and will be built in America.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Honda
