2012 DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Motor City Highlights

The Detroit motor show is the first portent of what’s in store for the rest of the automotive year and, if the recently concluded 2012 instalment is any indication, the industry has kicked off with an upbeat vibe… even as the European economy teeters on the brink of disaster.

Held at the Cobo Centre – a miniscule venue compared with the vast expanses of the Frankfurt motor show – the Detroit expo has a far more intimate, cosy ambience than its German counterpart, all the more so because it represents a warm refuge from the icy cold greyness that engulfs Michigan in winter. 

In the heyday of America’s ‘Big Three’ (GM, Ford, Chrysler) we had become accustomed to each of this trio wheeling out showstoppers that would inevitably corner the lion’s share of media coverage. Standouts over the past decade include the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, all of which made their maiden appearances as Detroit show concepts.

However this year the limelight was arguably hogged by the Japanese manufacturers, with the stunning Lexus LF-Lc and Honda NSX concepts garnering much ogling and rubbernecking.

Ostensibly previewing a sub-$130k (in the US) 2+2 sports coupe that would undercut the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo, the LF-Lc concept features V8 hybrid power (but a V6 hybrid could also be on the cards), and company officials are touting a target power figure around the 500 horsepower (368kW) mark.

The avant-garde styling clearly evolves Lexus’ ‘L-Finesse’ design language to the next level, but expect the production reality (provided there is one) to be toned down appreciably. 

It won’t be a replacement for the SC430 hardtop cabrio, even though the 2010 demise of the latter (and subsequent void left by it) might make this seem a logical conclusion. The LF-Lc is obviously harder and more focused than the boulevard-bumbling SC.

Honda’s NSX concept is also an exciting new prospect, but it clearly carries forward the tradition of the 1990s supercar that was the superior of its contemporary Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The modern-day version retains the mid-engined layout of the original, but the 230kW V6 is supplemented by a 30kW electric motor, as well as two 20kW-plus motors that drive each of the front wheels.

Clearly, the emphasis is on balance and light weight rather than a stratospheric power output, with the Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system complemented by extensive use of aluminium to minimise heft. No word as yet on pricing of the eventual production version, but we’d speculate it will be in the same ballpark as the Porsche 911. 

Minimising weight was also a priority with Mercedes-Benz’s all-new R231 generation SL roadster, one of the other standouts of the show.  Although its styling is evolutionary, the new Merc has been revamped in every facet, with the key highlight being an aluminium-intensive chassis and bodyshell that helps pare up to 140kg from its girth. 

The new direct-injection powertrains bring further efficiency gains and, crucially, Mercedes has allegedly made a big push to improve quality, which had slipped noticeably in the outgoing R230 model.

Cross-town rival Porsche also used the Detroit show as a platform to showcase its new 911 Cabrio, which follows closely in the wake of its 991-generation coupe sibling. As per the hardtop, the big story here is more power, less weight and emphasis on providing a more cosseting everyday drive than its 997 predecessor.

Noteworthy elements in the new Porker ragtop include a fabric roof with magnesium struts to keep the centre of gravity low, along with the availability of a seven-speed manual transmission.

What about the homegrown heroes, you ask? Well, one of the more interesting (if not the sexiest) American offerings was the Dodge Dart, which owes its origins to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. 

It’s hard to think of two more disparate brands than Dodge and Alfa Romeo, but the Fiat-Chrysler tie-up means we’re on the cusp of an era of extensive Italo-American parts/platform sharing between the pair to promote economies of scale.

The Dart might retain familiar Dodge elements such as the crosshair grille and mini-Charger proportions, but we’re expecting better driving dynamics than anything else offered by the marque. Unfortunately, we may not get to find out as it this stage the car will be built only as a left-hooker.

Meanwhile, Cadillac rolled out its new ATS compact sedan, which aims to take the fight to the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. 

Measuring about 200mm shorter than the existing CTS mid-sizer, the ATS is underpinned by a brand-new platform, and powertrain choices include a 149kW 2.5-litre four-pot, a 201kW turbo version of the same and a 237kW 3.6-litre V6. 

Caddy boasts of sharp dynamics and agile handling, but only a test will reveal whether it really is the equal of its German counterparts. Sadly, it, too, is likely to escape our clutches as plans to launch the premium US brand in Australia were scuppered three years ago. 

GM stablemate Chevrolet no less prominent at the Detroit show, even though its two banner cars were pure flight-of-fantasy stuff designed to appeal to next-generation buyers. 

Looking somewhat like a truncated Camaro (with more than a few hints of BMW’s 1M Coupe thrown in), the Code 130R is believed to be based on a shortened version of the Cadillac ATS’s platform, with power coming from a 110kW 1.4-litre turbo engine.

Although compact in terms of its footprint, Chevrolet claims the Code 130R is roomy and practical inside, while its bulging flares hint at sporty dynamics.

The Chevy Tru 140S is more dramatic in execution, with its creators’ aim being to create an ‘affordable exotic’ sportscar with a US pricetag in the low-$20,000s.

Powered by the same 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine as the Code 130R, the 140S is slightly longer and wider but significantly lower to endow it with baby exotic looks. It wouldn’t be GM’s first crack at the genre, as in the 1980s it gave us the mid-engined Fiero, of which more than 370,000 examples were built over a five-year period.

Over in the blue corner, Ford rolled out its brand-new Fusion, which is essentially the US-market version of the Mondeo sedan. 

Borrowing a few styling cues from the slinky Evos concept revealed at last September’s Frankfurt show, the Fusion features a new line-up of hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines, along with a host of safety systems such as lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, BLIS (blind-spot information) and a self-parking system.

The cabin is said to offer more space than the existing Fusion/Mondeo, and Ford claims refinement levels are also improved.

One of the Fusion’s archrivals will be Honda’s new-gen Accord, which was previewed via the hybrid-powered coupe concept that graced the company’s stand at Detroit. Although the coupe is the same size as the existing two-door, the new Accord sedan will reportedly have a smaller footprint than the current model.

The new Accord will debut Honda’s next-generation ‘Earth Dreams’ engine line-up, promising class-leading fuel economy, with the US line-up comprising a 2.4-litre direct-injected four-cylinder with 135kW/240Nm, a plug-in hybrid combining an Atkinson-cycle petrol 2.0-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine and a 120kW electric motor, and a 3.5-litre i-VTEC V6 with variable cylinder management. 

Twelve months ago South Korea’s Hyundai used the Detroit show to roll out its asymmetric-doored Veloster coupe, and this time around it unleashed a turbo version of the same. 

The Veloster Turbo packs a 150kW/264Nm 1.6-litre force-fed engine, which should make it a far livelier proposition than the weedy atmo version we sampled last year.  

Weighing a sprightly 1270kg, it should have the wherewithal to compete with the likes of the VW Golf GTI and Mini Cooper S, with transmission choices comprising a conventional manual and a dual-clutch sequential.

Naturally, no Detroit show would be complete without a full complement of hulking SUVs, and among those of interest to us was an all-new Nissan Pathfinder that ditches the rugged ladder-frame chassis of its predecessor in favour of a car-like monocoque.

Its styling also reflects its softer orientation, with curvier, more streamlined proportions replacing the boxy bodyshell of the oldie. Due here next year, Nissan aims to triple or quadruple current Australian Pathfinder sales with the launch of the new model.

Meanwhile, Toyota and Lexus used the Detroit show to wheel out subtly updated versions of the LandCruiser and LX570 respectively, with the emphasis being on mild cosmetic tweaks and minor tech upgrades.

Offsetting these enviro-vandals was a raft of electric/hybrid cars to ensure the green brigade wouldn’t go home entirely disgruntled.

Nissan showed off the e-NV200 plug-in electric van, which will be pitched at courier companies and taxi fleets, supplementing the LEAF that has already proved a hit in many markets. 

The e-NV200 is under consideration for Australia, but the official word for now is that it’s not due here anytime soon. 

An undoubtedly sexier electric car than the utilitarian Nissan is the Volkswagen E-Bugster, which sports a chop-top roofline that’s 90mm lower than that of the standard Beetle.  

The 85kW/270Nm electric motor enables the Bug to accelerate to 60mph (96km/h) in a leisurely 10.9sec, while the battery pack can be recharged in 35min at a fast-charging station. Cruising range is 180km, which seems quite sufficient for urban commuting duties.

India’s Tata is perhaps best known as the creator of the ultra-cheap Nano and as the masters of Jaguar/Land Rover, but it demonstrated its broadening ambitions by revealing the eMO – short for Electric MObility – inner-city runabout at Detroit.

The futuristically styled EV uses a pair of electric motors powered by an air-cooled battery to drive the front wheels and Tata Technologies claims a top speed of 105km/h and range of 160km for the puny hatchback.

There are as yet no plans to actually produce it, but the company says the vehicle could theoretically be built for around $20,000.

The hybrid contingent was also well represented, with the most prominent debutant being Toyota’s NS4 concept, which packs the latest, most efficient version of the company’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain. 

Inside, there’s a cutting-edge interface developed with Intel and Microsoft, but what we like most about the NS4 is the fact that its styling is so much more appealing than the frumpy Prius.

Also noteworthy was Volvo’s XC60 hybrid concept, which pairs a 206kW 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with a 51kW electric motor for a claimed 0-100km/h split of 6.1sec and fuel economy as low as 2.3L/100km.

Meanwhile, Mercedes E-Class displayed the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid and E 400 Hybrid, which will be offered in selected countries, with the Australian market still being evaluated. Price and/or availability could be the sticking points.

Check out the links below for all the photos and details at motoring.com.au.

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Detroit Motor Show gallery

Girls of the Detroit Motor Show

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