Detroit: makers have a bob each way

If there were any doubts that Detroit was still number one in the USA and one of the world's four or five must-attend motor shows, they were dispelled this week. For the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) represented an unqualified return to top billing for Motor City.

In the last few years both Los Angeles and New York shows have sought to unseat Detroit as the number one US show. Though the home of the US big three -- General Motors, Ford and Chrysler Group -- Detroit isn't necessarily a favoured destination in the depth of a northern hemisphere winter. This year unseasonably warm conditions (above zero and no snow!) and a hot line-up of new product combined to provide the NAIAS with a not overdue fillip.

GM, Ford and the 'newly single' Chrysler all launched important new 'conventional' models at NAIAS. In the case of GM it was a range-topping 600hp-plus Corvette and performance-oriented Cadillac models -- the latter of special interest to Down Under car fans, given the premium marque's imminent relaunch in Australia.

Ford and Chrysler's launches perhaps attained an even higher profile. In a land where the fullsize pick-up dominates the marketplace (even in times where petrol prices are topping $US3.00 per gallon) and to a large degree determines the fortunes of the car companies, the unveilings of Ford's new F150 and Chrysler's coil-sprung Ram took on almost biblical proportions.

In the case of the former, the launch packed Detroit's Cobo Centre arena and involved fire and brimstone -- well, pyrotechnics and loud bangs! Chrysler meantime wasn't sheepish -- it rolled a herd of longhorn cattle into the centre of Detroit and along with a brace of the new pick-ups staged it's very own round-up. No bull!

But along with many makers, the big three's full-size pick-ups, high-horsepower sportscars and super sedans were offset by a bevy of low and, potentially, zero emission cars. Indeed, unlike Frankfurt where the show was mired in green sentiment, it seemed very much like most of the makers, local and imported, were all having a bet each way at Detroit.

Ford rolled out the Euro-focussed Verve concepts -- both three and five door versions -- first seen in the former guise at last year's Frankfurt show. More importantly, it also debuted its new EcoBoost range of direct-injected, turbocharged petrol engines. Claimed to offer diesel-like torque and fuel mileage, and a significant shorter payback period (in the USA at least), Ford says it will deliver around 500,000 EcoBoost equipped vehicles per annum in the USA within five years.

EcoBoost is even coming to F Series, says the Blue Oval. Indeed, in a major departure from Ford USA tradition, the clever and stylish Explorer American concept (see separate story here) eschewed an eight-cylinder or bigger engine to feature a four-cylinder EcoBoost powerplant. Displacing just 2.0 litres, Ford claims the Explorer America's engine provides the performance of a conventional 4.0-litre V6 but at a fuel saving of between 20-30 per cent.

Chrysler meantime went even greener with its trio of NAIAS concepts. Representing the potential styling directions of its three brands, the Chrysler ecoVoyager, Dodge ZEO and Jeep Renegade were rolled out with all the hoopla you'd expect from a brand trying hard to convince the world at large it is alive and well under new, private ownership. The trio featured bold, futuristic styling -- like all good concepts -- advanced, low environmental impact materials and construction methods, and a trio of alternative hybrid drivetrains.

Common elements include 200kW electric motors, electrical drive architecture and next-generation lithium-ion battery banks, however, all three cars extend their usable range in different manners.

Resembling a 'Jeep-flavoured' dune-buggy, the Renegade combines a small-displacement low-emission BLUETEC diesel combustion engine with the electrical infrastructure to charge the battery pack and via a pair of 200kW motors drive all four wheels. The slinky low Dodge sportswagon meantime gets rear-wheel-only drive and features plug-in technology for recharging.

Finally, the four-place luxury ecoVoyager uses front-wheel drive and a compact fuel cell as its range extender. To maximize space, the ecoVoyager's drive components are sandwiched, A-Class style, under the floor.

Along with Chrysler, GM unveiled production two-mode hybrid pick-ups. Even Hummer got in on the act with its superbly detailed HX concept (more here). Featuring an E85 ethanol-fuelled V6, the two-door combined the tough stance that Hummer has made its own with an almost unbelievable level of attention to detail.

It was arguably concept of the show… And this from the same mob who bring us the blunt instruments that are the H2 and H3!

Like the rest of the alcohol-sipping GM models, the HX focused showgoers' attention on GM boss Rick Wagoner's plans to rid the auto industry of its pesky reliance on fossil fuels.

GM will roll out 16 hybrids over the next four years (in the USA) -- eight this year -- but in the short term, the focus will be ethanol. To this end the GM boss used Detroit to announce plans for a joint-venture with US company Coskata to produce ethanol from waste -- in fact, almost any source material.

The process is claimed to yield ethanol at a projected cost of less than $US1.00 per gallon (around $A0.30/litre). Further it doesn't require the conversion of food crops to fuel and uses less than one litre of water for every litre of ethanol produced. Too good to be true? It sounds like it, but not according to GM.

Companies like Mercedes-Benz aren't waiting around to find out. Mercedes continued its Frankfurt theme of multiple technologies against multiple timelines and usages at Detroit. In particular it highlighted the launch of Smart into the USA this week -- via stand alone distributor and auto world celebrity, Roger Penske -- as well as the 50-state future of diesels in the USA.

To date, the emission laws of key states like California and New York have excluded diesel passenger cars -- even Benz's new-generation products. Later this year the maker's new BLUETEC-equipped diesel models will gain US-wide certification.

To herald this move, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its latest model, and world premiere, the GLK in 'Vision' (concept) form at Detroit. The luxury compact offroader was unveiled in low and high-ride form by none other than Tiida-temptress, Kim Cattrall. As noted previously (more here) the GLK stars alongside Cattrall in the upcoming Sex and the City movie.

The GLK will go on sale in the USA in January 2009. The Hollywood writers strike may have torpedoed the Golden Globe Awards, but not NAIAS it seems.

When it arrives in the showrooms, the GLK will likely duke it out against Saab's 9-4X -- another compact luxury SUV unveiled at Detroit. Once the Volvo XC60 and Audi's expected entrant arrive, it's going to be v-e-r-y crowded.

Luxury via an iconic brand could also arrive in the sub-compact offroad segment if Land Rover's LRX concept gains traction. Stunning in the flesh, the Vitara-sized Pommie premium four-by will set the sales charts alight if the maker can retain its concept car proportions. Alas the rear passenger complement will need to be limited to dwarfs.

Audi's V12 TDI powered R8 (see separate story here) was a predictable direction given the marque's LeMans success. That the company chose to debut the car -- a concept only at this stage -- in the USA speaks volumes for the brand, and VW Group's wider plans for diesel stateside (see more below).

Also desirable but even less likely to be built, Mitsubishi's Concept-RA turbodiesel sportscar (more here) strangely underwhelmed the Detroit crowd. Featuring gullwing doors and quite unique and attractive lines, one wonders whether Mitsubishi would have been better saving the car for a 'friendlier' show.

In the real world, the dual-clutch-gearbox equipped 'cooking model' turbocharged Ralliart Lancer was launched at Detroit and looks set to be a hit even before it reaches the showrooms. Priced well under the Evo X, with not a lot less performance potential, the all-wheel drive sedan will be one of the drives of 2008 we're betting. Look out WRX!

With aims to be the USA's biggest import brand by 2018 and a search under way for a site to build production facilities stateside, Volkswagen is gearing up to make a big noise in the USA. While the last few motor shows have seen the German conglomerate concentrate its PR efforts of the Up! series of rear-engine minicars, Detroit saw an altogether different Veedub under the lights for the first time.

Set to come Down Under later in 2008, but initially not expected to debut until Geneva show in March, the oddly named Passat CC was the star of the Germans at Detroit. Despite the name, this is not a four-place coupe-cabrio but rather a slinky four-door, four-seater coupe in the mold of Mercedes-Benz's CLS.

VW claims the Passat combines sportscar dynamics with the room of a sedan. Whether that's the case remains to be seen -- what is for sure is the 220kW V6 all-wheel drive range-topper is the most potent and stylish VW ever to go on sale in the USA. And yes, VW says it will be available in diesel in the USA (and Oz) -- eventually.

But when it comes to having a bet each way, leave it too the Italians. Did we tell you the story about the BioFuel F430 Spider that walked into a bar…

The Carsales Network will bring you more from the North American International Auto Show in the days to come…

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