Detroit Auto Show
Detroit Auto Show, Automotive News, Latest car models
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Toyota
2010 Toyota Prius - MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award winner for Best of the Year
By February of each year, we are always right in the middle of awards season, and no, we're not talking about the Golden Globes, Grammys or Oscars. We are, of course, referring to Car and Truck of the Year awards, Ten Best lists and the like. A brace of trophies had already been handed out at the Detroit Auto Show and here at the Chicago Auto Show, a few more champions were crowned. As you might imagine, Toyota is usually an oft-mentioned brand during this time of year, but we figured this year might be a little different.
Coming on the heels of several high profile recall announcements by Toyota, one might expect the once-bulletproof Japanese carmaker to at least get more careful consideration when handing out the hardware. Well, even if they have gone through closer scrutiny, that hasn't stopped multiple outlets from still rewarding them for their products. Television show MotorWeek just announced their Drivers' Choice Award winners, and the Toyota Prius is their choice for best Eco-Friendly vehicle. It also claimed the title of Best of the Year overall, making it their top pick of the 2010 models.
Other category winners are listed below and there's a long press release after the jump that includes a statement by MotorWeek host and producer John Davis. While it was probably difficult to change their minds so late in the game, the statement by Davis explaining their rationale in choosing the Prius seems to have been written some time before Toyota started making so many headlines: "If you can only buy one car for your family, the 2010 Prius is the one," said Davis. "The Prius is a no-compromise vehicle that offers impressive efficiency, cutting edge technology, smart packaging and truly iconic styling."
While all of that might still apply, it's bad timing if nothing else to be handing out a top award to the Prius. In that spirit, Davis added an additional statement to clarify and defend the show's selection. In it he explained that while MotorWeek had two different Prius hybrids in their care for several months, nothing ever went wrong with them and that the show is confident that the problems will be satisfactorily addressed by Toyota.
MotorWeek was certainly not alone on that front however, as Toyota has recently been lauded by several other organizations as well. In Japan, for instance, Toyota was honored with a government energy efficiency award. Interestingly, the company chose to decline that award, though, saying that "the honor is not appropriate for a car hit by massive recalls," according to MSNBC.
Without further ado, here are the MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award winners:
Best Small Car: Mazda3 Best Family Sedan: Ford Taurus
Best Luxury Sedan: Buick LaCrosse
Best Small Utility: Chevrolet Equinox Best Large Utility: Honda Pilot Best Pickup Truck: Ram 1500/2500/3500
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Prius Best Sport Sedan: BMW 3-Series Best Sport Coupe: Chevrolet Camaro Best Performance Car: Audi S4 Best Convertible: Nissan 370Z Roadster Best Dream Machine: Audi R8 5.2 FSI/Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius
[Sources: Motorweek via EarthTimes, MSNBC]
Continue reading Chicago 2010: Bad Timing Dept. - Prius MotorWeek Drivers' Choice winner; Toyota declines JDM award
Chicago 2010: Bad Timing Dept. - Prius MotorWeek Drivers' Choice winner; Toyota declines JDM award originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show
The 2009 edition of the Detroit Auto Show was depressing on a variety of levels, ranging from the number of automakers who either pulled out or didn't bring anything new, to the industry's general malaise as a whole. The show was upsetting on a regional level because attendance dropped.
Luckily, 2009 is in the books and 2010 appears to be better on nearly all fronts. While new introductions at the show seemed down this year again, the bright side is that more automakers participated and, perhaps more importantly for the struggling region, attendance was up in a big way.
The Detroit News reports that 715,000 men, women and children paid up to $12 to attend the show this year - up 65,000 from 2009's dismal numbers. Part of the reason for the increase came courtesy of surprisingly good weather (for Detroit), while the overall outlook of the industry isn't (quite) as dire as it was one year ago. Also, that higher attendance number happened despite the fact that the Audi display caught fire and cleared Cobo for one afternoon.
[Source: The Detroit News]
2010 Detroit Auto Show attendance beats '09 by 65k originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Etc., Work, Ford, GM
Well this is just too bad. As you may recall, Pickuptrucks.com was chatting with Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product operations, about GM's new heavy duty pickup trucks. Suddenly Stephens said something quite interesting:
"You know what I want to do to prove it? I want to take our truck and Ford's [new Super Duty] and chain them together back-to-back. Then I want to have them pull against each other. I know our truck will beat theirs."
How cool would that have been? Supremely cool. However, Ford chooses to think different. Via twitter, Ford was asked by a Pickuptrucks.com reader if they'd accept the challenge. Ford said, "We typically don't respond to challenges. We let the vehicles speak for themselves." Ford ended their statement with this link illustrating that the Ford F Series has been America's best selling vehicle for 33 years straight. As we used to say in 4th grade, "Oooh! Burned!"Still, we would have really loved to watch a tug of war. Who would have won? Probably a Dodge. On a semi-related note, Pickuptrucks.com's Mike Levine was bragging via Facebook about the Ford SVT Raptor he's driving this week. We asked him if he would like to chain it to the 470-hp Jaguar XF Supercharged we're driving this week and have ourselves a little tug of war. Levine's response, "Only if we do it in mid-air." Touché.
[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]
Ford turns down Heavy Duty tug of war challenge with GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Chicago Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Motorsports, Spy Photos, Geneva Motor Show, Videos, Mini, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Skoda
The Autoblog Weekender - Click above to find out what you missed
Welcome to another edition of the Weekender. The Friday goods this week come from all over the world: Formula 1 drifting on ice in Montreal, an underwater Dodge Ram in Argentina, Skodas in Monte Carlo, a Hot Tub Edition Mini in New York, and free tickets to the Chicago Auto Show.
The domestic front also brings us a Fast Company profile of Volkswagen Group of America's head honcho Stefan Jacoby, which includes him admitting, "It was clear we were not understanding of our customers. We needed to change our style in the U.S., as we are a very stubborn bureaucratic German company - and German management - to some extent. I am here to listen."
And then there was all that singing and dancing at the Detroit Auto Show, but Beyoncé provided the lyrics this time, not the Chevy Volt marketing team. Follow the jump to get your weekend fill.
Continue reading The Autoblog Weekender: Mobs in Detroit, motorsport in Monte Carlo, and the Führer has words for Ken Block
The Autoblog Weekender: Mobs in Detroit, motorsport in Monte Carlo, and the Führer has words for Ken Block originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Etc., Safety
Instant gratification can be an amazing thing, a fact evidenced once again by the always-on-top-of-things nature of Twitter. Apparently, Detroit Auto Show attendees were evacuated from Cobo Hall a short time ago after a reported electrical fire broke out at the Audi exhibit. Says the official NAIAS Twitter feed:
There was a small electrical fire inside Cobo. The fire is out and everything is under control... The building was cleared as a precautionary measure. The show will reopen in a couple hours.
Reports are unclear as to how the fire actually started, with some witnesses seeing sparks and others reporting flames as high as the ceiling with pieces of display falling down. Regardless, it's clear that thick smoke currently fills Cobo Hall and police, firefighters and other emergency personnel are on the scene.Showgoers can get their hands stamped in order to get a voucher to come back another day, or wait until 5PM when the doors are currently scheduled to reopen. More info as we get it. Click here for a few photos posted on Twitter. Thanks for the tip, Chris!
[Source: Twitter]
BREAKING: Fire breaks out at Cobo, Detroit Auto Show evacuated originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Etc., Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC, Diesel
Pickuptrucks.com sat down with Tom Stephens, General Motors' vice chairman of global product operations at the Detroit Auto Show, and during the course of the conversation, Stephens began espousing the virtues of the General's new Duramax diesel, due to be fitted to the 2011 Chevrolet and GMC Heavy Duty pickups.
Obviously, it's not rare for an exec to speak highly of a new engine, but in a rare moment of brand fervor, Stephens issued a challenge:
"You know what I want to do to prove it? I want to take our truck and Ford's [new Super Duty] and chain them together back-to-back. Then I want to have them pull against each other. I know our truck will beat theirs."
After making sure Stephens was serious, the site's intrepid editor, Mike Levine, contacted Ford to see if it was interested in the challenge. He hasn't gotten an official response yet, but he's ready to play referee and set up an event in Texas to pit the two H-D haulers against each other. Consider the gauntlet thrown. Ford? We anxiously await your response...[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]
GM challenges Ford to heavy-duty pickup tug of war originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Videos, Chrysler, Humor
Click above to watch video after the jump
So we found this new website after our trip to the D for the 2010 Detroit Auto Show called Do You Come with the Car? It's written by an anonymous auto show model who, as we speak, is likely standing on a platform in Cobo Hall fielding that very same question from some old guy who thinks he's funny. We've always been fascinated by this trade, so her insights into the inner workings of the auto show model profession, particularly while the Detroit show is open to the public, are interesting, at least to us.
Her latest blog post illustrates just one of the many frustrations with which auto show models have to do deal on a daily basis. A reporter from FOX Toledo roped a Chrysler model named Lauren into an on-camera interview - you may remember her from our gallery - and then uses the occasion to ask such probing questions as "Is that comfortable?" (referring to her metallic mini-dress) and remarking "I hope you can't read what my eyes are saying." Top notch reporting, creepy dude. He increases his creepiness quotient to skin crawling levels by closing the interview with a come on in his final question. Being the savvy, street smart girl we assume her to be, Lauren gives him the cold (bare) shoulder and walks away.
We're no strangers to accusations of sexism and exploitation when we publish galleries of these models after an auto show, but we very much respect them and what they do. Having been trained to speak knowledgeably about whatever vehicle they're showcasing, they probably know more about the car than most of us. Hopefully that respect comes across when we're taking their picture (we usually ask permission first unless the model is posing for a crowd of photogs) and to everyone else when we publish those galleries. We'd certainly hate to be lumped into the same class as this guy. Follow the jump to watch him go down in flames.
UPDATE: Whoever uploaded the video to YouTube has yanked it. We searched for another copy online, but no luck so far. Sorry!
UPDATE #2: Though the video has been yanked, the reporter in question has published his side of the story on the internet, which you can read here. Long story short, the model, Lauren, was in on it the whole time. He further adds that one intention behind the staged interview was to "draw attention to the kind of environment these professionals deal [with] all the time."
[Source: Do You Come with the Car?]
Continue reading Video: Reporter gets deservedly dissed by Chrysler model
Video: Reporter gets deservedly dissed by Chrysler model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, GMC
GMC Granite concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
GMC has always been General Motors' truck and SUV marque, but the brand could break new ground if it decides to build a small urban vehicle based on the Granite concept from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The Granite would likely be smaller and less rough-and-tumble than any other vehicle in the GMC lineup while also carrying a lower base price tag. If GM's "Professional Grade" brand builds a Granite-like vehicle it could take the marketing road less traveled; television-less advertising.
Buick-GMC advertising director Steve Rosenblum has reportedly told Automotive News that the next step for GMC could be a four-passenger vehicle that slots below the Terrain, and the Granite certainly fits that bill. Rosenblum went on to hypothesize that a Granite-sized vehicle would be heavily marketed to car buyers under age 35, and that its marketing campaign could be focused almost entirely on the Internet. And the tried-and-true "Professional Grade" tagline? GMC could exclude it from Granite ads, says Rosenblum. Hmmm...
GMC could also focus its marketing dollars on "smart phone" advertising. Rosenblum says that by 2011, two-thirds of cell phone users under age 40 will own a smart phone. One application the ad team designed is a brochure for the Granite with bar code designs that can be read by smart phones. The codes would then lead interested parties to a website with features about the Granite, along with a social networking site where interested parties could chat with designers.
Is the Granite a smart direction for GM to be taking with GMC, or is it a bridge too far? Have your say in Comments.
Gallery: Detroit 2010: GMC Granite Concept
Gallery: GMC Granite Concept
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]
GMC to drop TV, harness the power of the interwebs to market Granite. You know, if it gets built. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedan, Chrysler, Luxury
Future Chrysler models previewed in video - Click above for image gallery
If you plan on visiting the 2010 Detroit Auto Show when it opens to the public, head to the Chrysler display, specifically the area where they've cordoned off the Chrysler Lancia concept. Behind that rebadged Lancia Delta is a large video screen playing a Chrysler promotional video. Nothing special, right? Wrong. The video in question is apparently showing sneak peeks of future Chrysler models. We were too busy asking Chrysler spokespeople why the Lancia was even at the show (to which they offered little insight) to even notice.
While a few different vehicles/concepts are shown in the video, the most obvious and interesting is what could be the next-gen Chrysler 300. From what little we can see of it, the car appears to be a concept version of the next-gen 300 that we may see unveiled in the near future, possibly at the Chicago Auto Show in February or New York Auto Show in April.
While we don't have the video itself, there is some hand-held footage of the Chrysler Lancia concept on YouTube with the video playing on the wall in the background. That's after the jump, but you can also view some screen grabs in the gallery below. Thanks for the tip, Joseph!
Gallery: Future Chrysler models spotted in video
[Source: YouTube, Picasa]
Continue reading Next-gen Chrysler 300 previewed in auto show video?
Next-gen Chrysler 300 previewed in auto show video? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Crossover, Hatchback, Kia, Design/Style
2010 Kia Shadow Dragon Soul - Click above for high-res image gallery
Is the third time really the charm? We'll leave that up to you as Kia has unveiled its third special edition Soul at the Detroit Auto Show, this time featuring automotive tattoos. The 2010 Kia Shadow Dragon Soul is available now and follows in the footsteps of the Denim and Ignition specials. As the name implies, the Shadow Dragon is done up in a special black color scheme, and it also features a Soul-first leather-trimmed interior and crowd-sourced black dragon graphics (the Korean automaker trolled the Kia forums to determine what type of ink the Soul should wear).
Besides the matte-on-gloss black graphics, the Shadow Dragon sports blacked-out 18-inch wheels like the ones on the Ignition, glossy accents in the front and rear bumpers, and a unique rear wing. Like the other two Soul specials, the Shadow Dragon starts out as a Soul+ model, so it's stuffed to the gills with options. It includes the Audio Upgrade Package with its center speaker, subwoofer, external amp and those trick speaker lights that pulse to the beat of the music. There's also an iPod connector, carpeted floor mats, moonroof, foglights and fender vents with encapsulated side markers.
On top of that, the Shadow Dragon Soul adds keyless entry, limo tint on the cargo area windows, body-color door handles and power mirrors. That's in addition to the steering wheel-mounted cruise control, Bluetooth, dual power ports, separate tweeters and usual array of cubbies and lights to make living inside the Dragon a little more hospitable. All of that for just $18,195 with a manual transmission. That strikes us as a modest price but also makes it the most expensive special Soul so far, some $695 dearer than the Ignition. Check out the press release after the jump for even more details.
Gallery: 2010 Kia Shadow Dragon Soul
[Source: Kia Motors]
Continue reading Detroit 2010: Kia channels its inner tattoo artist with limited-edition Shadow Dragon Soul
Detroit 2010: Kia channels its inner tattoo artist with limited-edition Shadow Dragon Soul originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Podcasts, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, GMC, Honda, Lincoln, Toyota, Volkswagen
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
It's a North American International Auto Show recap for Episode #161 of the Autoblog Podcast. Chris, Sam and Dan mull the top five of the show before speaking more in depth about some unveilings. The new Chevrolet Aveo gets us started before we move on to another sharply styled General Motors concept, the GMC Granite. We touch briefly on the Honda CR-Z, and then Toyota's FT-CH comes up next before we call it a night with the Volkswagen New Compact Coupe Concept.
We'll be back again next week with more Autoblog Podcast goodness. Until then, fill in with Joystiq and Engadget. Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!
Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #161 - Detroit Auto Show recap
Autoblog Podcast #161 - Detroit Auto Show recap originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show
We've all arrived safely home after our trip to the D for the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. After some much needed sleep, we've assembled this wrap up of our live coverage that you can peruse at a glance. Turns out that, like last year, this year's Detroit show was much smaller in size compared to prior years with fewer vehicles and concepts introduced. Alas, the weakened state of our economy and the industry's troubles have caught up with the auto show circuit again.
VEHICLES
Detroit 2010: Next-gen Ford Focus a C-segment savior [w/video]It's taken far too long, but an all-new Ford Focus has arrived and we've just seen it in the metal here at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Complete with a new platform, new engine, some shapely sheetmetal and a host of tech, this new Focus that we'll finally be sharing with Europe and the rest of ...
Detroit 2010: GMC Granite takes Professional Grade in a new direction [w/video]Feast your eyes on the next Pontiac Vibe GMC Granite concept. We have to wonder if this car was originally designed to slot into Pontiac lineup before that brand was axed, as it doesn't really seem to fit into the Professional Grade image that GMC has used as a tagline for ages. Or, it could be ...
Detroit 2010: Regal GS concept seeks to reignite Buick's performance fire [w/video]Is the Buick Regal GS the most important "maybe" of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show? It's been more than two decades since performance enthusiasts cared about Buick in any meaningful way. The car at that time was the now legendary Buick GNX. Even if the proposed Regal GS makes production - a ...
Detroit 2010: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe concept [w/video]It might be cold consolation to those of us desperate for a Scirocco in the States, but the Volkswagen Compact Coupe Concept has the potential to fill that particular hatch-shaped hole in our hearts - with a bit of green cred to boot. With a sharper, more sculpted front fascia than its ...
Detroit 2010: Toyota FT-CH a younger, cheaper brother for the PriusToyota brought a downstream version of the small hybrid Lexus LF-CH concept that was unveiled in Frankfurt to the Detroit Auto Show today. The FT-CH Concept - teased a few weeks ago - not only offers small hybrid mentality with a Toyota badge, it could also be a tremendous sales ...
Detroit 2010: GMC Acadia Denali piles on the frostingNearly lost in the hubbub at this morning's GMC-Buick press conference here at the Detroit Auto Show was GMC's new-for-2011 Acadia Denali. This is the first time that GMC has extended its upscale Denali trim to a crossover, but they haven't changed the formula just because the designation is no ...
Detroit 2010: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible promises four-season topless motoringWe've been friendly with the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class since its introduction. As much as we liked the sedan, we enjoyed the Coupes even more so. That stated, it would figure that we're going to really dig the new 2010 E-Class Convertible. Of course, here in the D, we just get to look at the ...
Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron take zwei... or drei? [w/video]Audi is serious about EVs. Over the last four months, the four-ringed automaker has put out three (well, really 2.5) electric vehicle concepts: the first e-tron in Frankfurt, a repainted, slightly modified version in LA, and now this, the third e-tron - easily the best iteration to date. ....
Detroit 2010: Dodge Nitro Detonator is massively yellowDodge is rolling out three special edition Nitros here at the Detroit Auto Show named Heat, Detonator and Shock. For now, we're focusing on the Detonator, a massively loud yellow mid-size SUV. Aside from the eye-scorching paint, the Nitro Detonator gets standard 20-inch wheels, eight premium ...
Detroit 2010: Honda CR-Z promises to bring driving joy to the hybrid equationAfter a few weeks worth of leaked images and brochure fluff, Honda has finally pulled the covers off its next new production hybrid hatchback. The Japanese automaker claims the CR-Z will bring back the kind of driving joy that hasn't been felt since the CRX last left dealer lots in 1991, saying ...
Detroit 2010: Dodge Viper ACR 1:33 Edition a fitting end noteWe heard about it in Los Angeles, and now we see it here in the D. Meet the 1:33 Edition of Dodge's most potent ever Viper. Why the name? We're glad you asked. Back in November, hot-shoe Dodge Chris Winkler managed to hammer the track-focused Viper ACR around Laguna Seca in 1:33.944, faster than ...
Detroit 2010: 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe shows mild freshening, new enginesThe 2010 edition of the Hyundai Santa Fe isn't getting a full redesign, but a visual refresh does provide a few hints of the "fluidic sculpture" design language that debuted last month on the new Tucson and Sonata. The new hood features a pair of ridges extending back from the grille to the ...
Detroit 2010: Mini Beachcomber Concept leaves the doors behindThe roof, too. That's right folks, Mini rolled out a concept of a concept. The Beachcomber (see above) is based on the Mini Crossover. However, the Crossover is no longer just a concept, as it will be making its way to production soon. And it's not alone, as Mini has also green lit the Coupe and ...
Detroit 2010: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe might just be our best-of-show [w/video]Yup, we just saw the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe in the flesh and... do want. Let's make that double do want. Why? We think it's glorious looking, and with the possible exception of the Pontiac Solstice, the CTS Coupe is among the best looking American cars in a very long time. That said, while ...
Detroit 2010: Chevrolet Aveo RS concept answers one question, poses another [w/video]We lost track of the number of times the Chevrolet Aveo RS concept was dubbed a "euro hot hatch" during The Bowtie brand's press conference, and judging by the number of times the word "tuner" was used, Chevy's desperate to rebrand its econobox. The other reoccurring word: "Concept." This ...
Detroit 2010: Hyundai plugs in the Blue-WillAs promised, Hyundai brought its Blue-Will Concept along for the festivities this week at the Detroit Auto Show. There's not a whole lot more to say - the car was first debuted back in April at the Seoul Motor Show and we've heard all about its plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Still, this is the ...
Detroit 2010: Lincoln MKX smiles for the cameraThe first major unveiling on day two of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show has come and gone, and we managed to sneak out of the room with a slew of live photos of the newly refreshed 2011 MKX. We already got the details that make the 2011 model a considerable improvement over its previous incarnation, ...
Detroit 2010: Fiat 500 BEV and Fiat 500 Abarth SS are in the houseThe tiny Italians are coming! That's right gentle readers, Fiat has dropped two little baby 500s off inside COBO Hall - and one of them's electric. Let's start with that one, the uninspiringly titled Fiat 500 BEV (background). The suffix stands for "Battery Electric Vehicle." Let's call it ...
Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is anything but [w/video]Let's just call this one the Cadillac XTS Platinum "Concept." For reals y'all, this is one of, if not the most production ready "concepts" we've ever seen. For its part, Cadillac stuck to the "It's just a concept" mantra. Though they might as well have all been nodding, elbowing and winking. If ...
Detroit 2010: Bentley Series 51 Continental GTCBentley was the only ultra-luxury marque to have a stand-alone display at the Detroit Auto Show and the British brand came strong with its upcoming Mulsanne flagship in the flesh and this special edition Continental to pique our interests. The Continental is already a stunner in its "base" ...
Detroit 2010: Jeep Wrangler Islander and Mountain fill out the rangeFew cars are as iconic as the Jeep Wrangler, a vehicle that can trace its heritage directly back to General Patton storming the Third Army up to Messina. Maybe a Porsche 911, maybe. Mini? Not really. Harley-Davidson is probably the closest, but they only have two wheels and aren't cars. The ...
Detroit 2010: Volvo C30 EV silently motors into the Motor CityAs expected, Volvo brought along an all-electric C30 hatchback concept to the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. While this isn't a production vehicle at this point, Volvo says the car is a fully drivable prototype with a complete interior, full instrumentation, and enhanced battery packaging. We made ...
Detroit 2010: California Special kicks off Mustang variants for 2011Ford is wasting no time in releasing a variation of its 5.0-powered Mustang, starting with the California Special for 2011. The GT/CS was last introduced as a 2007 model and featured a unique appearance and wheel package available only on the premium GT coupe and convertible. Ford hasn't ...
Detroit 2010: Revenge Verde Supercar adds mean to its greenU.S.-based Revenge used the 2010 Detroit Auto Show to introduce the world to its Verde Supercar, and we were there with cameras in hand to capture the event on film memory cards. Honestly, we were impressed with the Verde's outer appearance, though we couldn't get close enough to see the ...
Detroit 2010: Chrysler 300 S6 and S8 are reminders of Mopar magicChrysler made one of the past decade's strongest design statements with the 2005 introduction of the 300. The rear-wheel-drive sedan with blocky styling was a knockout with both the general consumer and, maybe more specifically, the aftermarket. Five years on and the 300 is still a SEMA ...
Detroit 2010: CT&T debuts three models, including Multi Amphibious VehicleCT&T is a Korean company that makes tiny electric cars. You may have read about them on Autoblog Green. And if you did read about about CT&T's current products, you will know that we don't think very much of them. The truth, or a close approximation of it? They strike us as all-weather ...
FEATURES
AB's Top Five Introductions from the 2010 Detroit Auto ShowWe love auto show season, mostly for the chance to see all the coolest new cars and concepts that the world's best automakers have to offer. This year at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, though, there ...
Detroit 2010: Motor City MaidensThis year's 2010 Detroit Auto Show is over, at least for the press, and while some significant vehicles were unveiled, the overall impression we got is that the industry has scaled back. Less debuts combined with smaller and less elaborate displays made the whole affair feel significantly ...
Detroit 2010: A closer look at the Mustang's 5.0L V8While Ford might not be pulling out all the stops here in Detroit to promote its updated Mustang like it did for the 2010 model year, the 2011 model's improvements are just as significant, if not more. The new 305 horsepower, 30 mile per gallon V6 debuted at Los Angeles back in December, and the ...
Detroit 2010: Quote of the day"... a lot of stuff happened." - Mark Reuss, General Motors' new North American president, on 2009 [Image by Bill Pugliano/Getty] ...
Detroit 2010: Mercedes-Benz sculpture is the future of the CLS, Terminator 2 styleThe first concept to be officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show is this, a sculpture by Mercedes-Benz that foretells the future of its vehicles - and specifically the CLS. From the SLS AMG-inspired fascia to the overly blistered fenders clearly inspired by the recent E-Class coupe, ...
Detroit 2010: Chrysler Lancia might be a look into the futureYou are looking at... well, no one at the Chrysler booth seemed to know exactly what this is. They didn't even have a proper name for it. But that tiny little fact will not be stopping us. You are looking at what they call a Chrysler Lancia, or more correctly, a Chrysler-badged Lanica. ...
NEWS/MISC.
Detroit 2010: Ford sweeps North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for 2010For just the third time in the 17-year history of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, one manufacturer has taken home both pieces of etched glass. Ford's 2010 Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect have yielded the hardware for the Dearborn automaker here at the Detroit Auto Show, with the ...
Detroit 2010: LaHood says Volt "obviously the kind of green car Americans are looking for"The 2010 Detroit Auto Show kicked off this morning with a positive little speech by United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Speaking about the coming electrification of the automobile, he said that "this is what the American people want." When asked how much money the government ...
Detroit 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid coming to Geneva, no mild hybrids... everAs stated earlier - and despite quotes to the contrary - Audi is increasingly serious about alternative propulsion. After pioneering direct injection and pushing the envelope of diesel technology, Audi is looking to electricity for its next round of innovations. And the fruits of its ...
Detroit 2010: Cadillac commits to V- or Platinum editions for all models, CTS-V wagon all but certainAt this morning's XTS Platinum and CTS-V Coupe debut here at the Detroit Motor Show, newly appointed brand manager Bryan Nesbitt announced to the media that that all Cadillac models will receive V-Series and Platinum models. However, during the media scrum that followed the conference, we ...
Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept presages production R4If you're wondering what the likelihood of Audi building a production version of its new e-tron Detroit Concept Car (yes, that's really its official designation), our sources at Audi indicate that a version of the coupe is likely to go into serial production as the oft-rumored R4. The German ...
Detroit 2010: Caption Contest - What the heck are Bob Lutz and Elon Musk talking about?Bob Lutz has been an important guy in the auto industry since before most of us were born. Elon Musk is the reason your eBay transactions go so smoothly (he was the co-creator of PayPal). Together, ...
Detroit 2010: Wrap up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Car Buying, Detroit Auto Show, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials
Cash-for-Clunkers was among the more watched auto-related story lines of 2009. With the industry hurting, the government provided cash vouchers of between $3,500 and $4,500 to anyone who turned in a vehicle that was eight (or more) years-old and with between two and 10 miles-per-gallon worse fuel economy numbers than the new car or truck with which it was replaced. The program went from fledgling idea to a done deal in a matter of a few months, showing that the U.S. government is capable of move quickly when it really wants to, albeit with the help of a big fat $3 billion check.
The feat was reportedly so impressive to Department of Transportation Ray LaHood that he openly wondered whether the program should be reincarnated for 2010. Motor Trend reports that LaHood told reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that Clunkers was "the most wildly successful program ever, selling 800,000 cars in less than 30 days." It sounds like LaHood was really impressed with how C4C panned out, but will the program and its multi-billion dollar price tag resurface in 2010? LaHood says the DOT won't be begging for any spending money, and he insists that any decisions will need to be made by Congress in the year ahead.
Motor Trend says that despite LaHood's hands-off approach to Clunkers, there are persistent rumors that C4C could resurface in the second quarter of 2010 with perhaps less bountiful tax incentives and a less exorbitant price tag. We have no idea if C4C has any chance of making a cameo in 2010, though we're thinking that the consistent uptick in sales after Clunkers expired shows that the industry is beginning to improve without additional government intervention. Why spend money propping up an industry that seems to be doing a swell job of helping itself? Let us know what you think by heading over to the Comments and giving us your two-cents.
[Source: Motor Trend | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]
Detroit 2010: Transportation Secretary LaHood ponders another round of cash-for-clunkers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Videos, Cadillac
Click above to watch the video after the jump
When Cadillac unveiled the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe at the Detroit Auto Show, we were so interested taking in the 556 horsepower Caddy to pay much attention to the introductory video. That was a mistake. The creative types at the the Wreath and Crest cut together an epic spot of nature's might that would have made Maurice White proud.After the jump you'll find one of the cooler press conference videos we've seen on stage. Hurricanes, atom bombs, lightning bolts and the sun come together to show off the all-powerful Caddy. And if you're not into nature, the CTS-V Coupe hooks you up with power slides and slo-mo athleticism. There was no hiding the fact that the CTS-V isn't exactly in line with some of the greener wares at the show, so Cadillac had no choice but to embrace its baddest coupe's scorched earth goodness. Mother Nature might need to change her pantsuit.
Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Video: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is ele-MENTAL
Video: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is ele-MENTAL originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Detroit Auto Show, Etc., Celebrities, Humor
Bob Lutz has been an important guy in the auto industry since before most of us were born. Elon Musk is the reason your eBay transactions go so smoothly (he was the co-creator of PayPal). Together, they don't seem to make much of a team. Well, they wouldn't make much of a match if Musk weren't the CEO of Tesla Motors. Elon makes electric cars. Bob wants to make electric cars. Both are (*ahem*) outspoken and give good soundbites. Upon further review, it makes perfect sense that the two men were hanging out at the Detroit Auto Show. But what were they talking about?
We have some ideas, but they probably aren't as creative as yours. We'll get you started with some appetizers, but we're really just looking for you to provide the main course:
Lutz to Musk: "You think you're nervous right now, but you really just have range anxiety"
Musk to Lutz: "We have more batteries in one car than you have in 500 Volts"
Lutz to Musk: "$500 million? $50 billion!"
Help us out with some better captions by leaving some tender verbal vittles in Comments.Musk to Lutz: "We have more batteries in one car than you have in 500 Volts"
Lutz to Musk: "$500 million? $50 billion!"
Detroit 2010: Caption Contest - What the heck are Bob Lutz and Elon Musk talking about? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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