Highlights from the North American Auto Show (Detroit)

Very well written there!

I can definately see the similarities in the side profile of the 13 Fusion (top) and the 2012 Lancer Evo (above)

The Fusion here in the States, occupies the same market category as the Ford Mondeo does over on your side of the Atlantic.

They are actually a top of the budget range tyre , cost $ 200 for all 4 . they are more a summer tyre with soft compound for cornering, for a big name tyre like michelin would cost $200 for 1 , but would be the wrong compound for my use.The road tax on the car is only $30 a year an insurancce $180 Plus the fitting of the power diesel unit gives more miles to the gallon , because the car now is not factory regulated , so the power is spread over the hole car, 60mpg is easy. So i now have a car that was made for old people ,an with minimum money turned it into a fun missle. The down side is pot holes in the road with the max 60mm lowering springs, it gives a bad jolt when you hit one. The main thing i like is the touque power it pulls an pulls right up to 120mph. the 0-60 is not fast 8 to 9 seconds . But my main fun is twisty roads where more powerful car,s are humiliated by the litte micra.The car has max road holding , an i have no fear what so ever, so where cars such has golf gti.s may faulter on bend,s i just blast by them, on a straight road the will out gun me. But anyone can drive a straight line, its your cornering skills that show your talent. i have had driver,s block me from overtaking for fear of embaressment. an even been threatend for humiliating them ,

Yes thats true the car you show is called a MONDEO in ENGLAND. I opologize to the poster as fushion in ENGLAND is the small car . they say the mondeo look a aston martin in england

Such an endeavor in this day and age would be incredibly expensive. Regulations make it harder than ever for a custome boutique maker to get started.

Nice thought all the same. It would be cool to design and engineer a car from the ground up.

another great english hot hatch FORD KA 1600SE

I think someone should make a car whose back portion can be detached when you have no passengers..would save gas...hey Prez...

Wow timgt5--thanks for your comprehensive and detailed answer to my Elantra question! I have copied the car info for my friend. (figured you would not mind) Car shopping is bewildering to a gal....(well at least to her and me...)

Sometime in the last decade Chrysler had a similar idea, it was a minivan that had 2 engines, one in the front and one in the back, the front section could detach into a small econo car when you did not need the extra room. Unfortunately the concept ran into to many engineering problems to be practical and could not pass safety reguirements.

Advances in engine/transmisson technology and lighter weight construction will improve gas mileage over time.

why was there one in the back?

I still think an empty backseat and trunk is eating gas even if the car is lightweight...wish someone could think of something....hmmmm...Tx!

In order for the Front portion to work properly it had to have tiny engine, which would not be sufficient to pull the weight of the combined sections and passengers when it was reattached to the back, so the second engine gave the vehicle the extra power when needed.

Maybe this is what you're looking for?


See for more info: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...NEVA/111209909

BTW, Fiat announced yesterday that it will sell a 4-door 500 wagon in the U.S. It will be manufactured in Serbia. See: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012...NEVA/120119853

Lastly, the Ford Ka pictured below is built on a Fiat 500 platform; mechanically, they are the same car - only the bodies and badging are different. With thin profits on small cars, Ford could not afford to design and build its own small car in Europe and turn a profit. Fiat actually builds the Ford Ka, to Ford's design specifications, of course.

you guys find some crap car,s this is a ENGLISH ford KA

The Ford Ka is not sold in the US. As far as I know, it's sold only in Europe. The smallest Ford sold in the US is the Fiesta. Word has it that Ford is developing an ecoboost 3 cylinder engine, so a smaller Ford may be on the way in the US in order to compete with the upcoming Chevy Spark that will be introduced in about 6 months.

THE small car American,s love is the BMW mini

my favorit the mighty abarth

well, I'm not in the market for a car myself right now..had just been pondering about the gas crisis, global warming and the economy in general, but, in case I was...the Smart car above is closer to what I was thinking of, except I would want the back to have a hood. I think smaller cars are a great idea but there is also the concern about safety in case of collision since the majority on the road (right now) are still bigger cars.. a dilemma... Thank you for the info!!

WHAT planet are you on , the car above is a MERCEDES SMART CAR moded by ripspeed

I have actually driven a CooperS and I have to say it is a lot of fun on the backroads, very much a sporty car. I would not own one though, the ride is very busy and stiff. As weekend toy, not bad at all.

Two Door hatches (3 Doors) were popular here during the 1980s but nowadays people prefer 4 door hatches (5 door) for practicality. The number of 3 doors available here you could count less than two hands.

VW Golf GTI
Chevy Spark
Hyundai Accent
Mini
Smart
Fiat 500
Toyota Yaris
Honda CRZ

That I believe rounds it out.

hey, Tim - The Hyundai Accent is no longer available as a 3-door hatchback - the new model is only available as a 5-door hatch or 4-door sedan. Likewise, the Chevy Spark, when it's introduced later this year, will also be a 5-door. (The door handles are hidden in the C pillars.) I am looking forward to the intro of the Fiat 500 wagon!

Yes, Mr. Sewerrats, I do know the difference between a Smart ForTwo and a Fiat 500 and, I did read the article before I posted the pic of the modified Smart. Frankly, I am not sure the Smart's little 3-cylinder engine and jerky transmission are up to towing anything. But, it is a fun concept. News reports indicated the next Smart model will be a collaboration between Mercedes and Renault. If that's the case, it will probably be front wheel drive.

AMERICA does not have the road system we in england enjoy , thats why all American muscle car,s are only good at straight line driveing, there not built to go round corners at speed, more drag raceing from traffic lights to the next set. Our English road,s are half has wide an full of twisty bends, thats why we love are hot hatch cars with low shocks for corners. the mini cooper,s suspention is soft compared with a lot of hot hatch,s . We have 2 doors on the cars as they are small an not ment to be loaded with freight. You must be bored shitless driveing those miles of straight roads at 50mph, we are out the speed limits out of town . .So we play at drifting round corners ,an homeing our talents on twisty roads, mabye thats why we are so good at winning at formular 1, an rally driveing. when you guys go round an round in a circle at naz car useally won buy a brit driver or ex rally driver. %50 of our cars are 2 door. And a hot hatch driver we dont worry about MPG are out for fun. My old renault 5 gt turbo would do 40 miles to the gallon if i drove it like a truck . in reality it did 15 , to 20 miles to gallon has it was always driven in the red zone on the rev counter.