[Timgt5]

Some Highlights from the North American International Auto Show this past week

The NAIAS has kicked off in Detroit with some cool new concept and production cars.

2014 Corvette C7-This was one of the big debuts covered in a separate thread by my friend unhappyguy.



Packing a new Direct injected version of the Chevy’s small block with 450 HP and a host of refinements expect to see this one rumbling down a street near you soon.

2014 Mercedes CLA Class



A new “entry level” model for the venerable German Automaker, the style is a dissemination of the flashy CLS to smaller and more affordable proportions. This also marks the first front wheel drive car sold with a Mercedes badge in the US, the base engine is a 1.8L turbo with 208Hp.

2014 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S



In the event you were having trouble getting your kids to soccer practice on time, Porsche has the answer, an SUV with 550 Horsepower that hits from 0-60 in under 4.5 seconds. Yes it is ridiculously expensive (147,000 bucks) and frankly silly, and of course they will sell all they build.

Kia Cadenza

This upscale Kia replaces the odd looking Amati and is twined to the Hyundai Azera.

2013 Dodge Dart GT

This is the sportiest version of Dodge’s reborn compact, with a 2.4 L packing 184 HP, upgraded wheels; trim and suspension expect this sporty little guy to start just under 21K not bad at all for the money.

BMW 4 Series

This is basically a refresh and change in naming practice for BMW. The 4 series are going to serve as the 2 door versions of the 3 series sedans. This naming scheme will become universal throughout the automaker’s line up with the two door cars sporting even numbers and the four door cars odd numbers.

Tesla Model X



Following on the heels of its acclaimed Model S, Silicon Valley Based electric car maker Tesla is set to come out with this crossover. Based on the same platform as the model S, the 3 row crossover will be a 2014 model. Now we can have an SUV without all the “Green Guilt”

Lincoln Motors MKC

Lincoln’s more stylish take on the Ford Escape, not bad looking at all, might have to put this one on my shopping list in a couple of years.

Volkswagen Crossblue

For now it is a hybrid concept car, but the Crossblue is a preview of a new and as yet unnamed 3 row crossover that will replace the unloved and recently deceased Routan Minivan (which was basically a very cynical rebadge of a Dodge Caravan)

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep’s top dog gets a mild exterior update and a host of upgrades including a standard 8 speed automatic transmission and for the first time in several years a diesel version.

Mercedes E Class

An update to Mercedes mid-sized E class, which will include a Sedan, Coupe, convertable and Wagon, and (new to the line-up) a Hybrid.

And in the event you cannot get to that business meeting across town on time, there will be an AMG version packing a whopping 550 Horsepower V8.

Honda Urban SUV


Give Honda points for being honest. This concept is a preview for the upcoming Fit Based Crossover, which will go head to head with the Nissan Juke, Kia Soul, and Scion Xb, expect starting prices below its current CRV.

Toyota Furia Concept



Look closely this is what the next generation Corolla will look like. A bit less lame than the little lumpy boring blob it replaces.

Hyundai HCD 14 Genesis Concept



This one previews the direction Hyundai will be taking with its next upscale Genesis Sedan. That grill has got to be a joke, I hope.

Cadillac ELR



Underneath the swoopy and sharp bodywork is an upgraded plug in hybrid drive system found in the Chevy Volt. Hopefully this will not be viewed as our generation’s “Cimarron” (a truly awful attempt at rebadging a Chevy Caviler to a Cadillac in the mid-1980s)

Infiniti Q50



Like BMW, Infiniti is reshuffling their model names for next year. The Q50 is a replacement for the G series of its entry level luxury sedans, coups and convertibles (for now as Infiniti is also working on a cheaper model line as well) A hybrid version is to be offered for the first time. Look for a small size increases all the way around with carry over engines and transmissions (A hybrid model may be added at some point)

2014 Nissan Resonance



This is basically what the next gen Nissan Murano will look like. Soccer moms rejoice!

Ford Atlas

This is an early preview of the next generation F150 pickup truck.

Lexus IS 250 and 350

This is the next version of Lexus’s sports sedan, upgraded with the new “spindle” facia that seems to be all over the lineup. It looks kind of angry.

Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible






Meet the world’s fastest 4 seat convertible car, with a top speed of 200 MPH you better have a very good grip on your toupee. Price: if you have to ask…

Acura MDX

This is the next addition of Acura’s bigger crossover. Lower, Longer and leaner seems to be the prevailing design ethic. Also to make their sun-belt dealers happy, a slightly cheaper front wheel drive version will be added to the line-up.

VL Destino

This car is basically a Fisker Karma that has ditched the sci fi drive system (gas and electric parallel hybrid) and replaced it with a LT1 corvette engine, gone are the environmental claims, replaced by a lot of tire smoke. To complete the package the car’s front end has been restyled as well.

Nissan Note

Sold throughout the world for over a decade the Note will supplant the Versa Hatchback here in the US, it will be slightly higher priced and more upscale than its sedan cousin.

Acura NSX



Acura’s reborn sports car is back for another showing, this time with a fully functional interior which looks fabulous. Unlike most supercars which normally sport V8s, V10s, or V12s this one is a V6 Like the original NSX) combined with three electric motors for additional power. The NSX will be all wheel drive as well, which sounds like the ingredients for a tremendous little performer.

I hate to sound unpatriotic, but the NSX soundly outclasses the Corvette in both style and technology.

Thanks, Tim! I agree, the Acura NSX is better looking than the 'vette and will probably be more advanced too. My guess is that this will be the last front engined V-8 Corvette. I think it's overstyled.

It will be interesting to see the public acceptance of a small, FWD Mercedes-Benz. I like its lines. I am less enamored with the look of the "Furia" Corolla concept. It looks very similar to the current model. I am hoping there are some tricks to improve fuel economy but my guess is it will be a CVT as an automatic transmission with more than 4 gears will cost too much and take up too much space. Whatever it is mechanically, it should be noted that it will probably underpin several Scion models too.

Anyone else think that the styling of Nissan and Infiniti are too similar and have lost their way? I would not want to be seen in one.

I guess Hyundai's first Genesis - which ripped off the BMW 7-series look - did not sell well enough. It looks like the second generation will be ripping off the appearance of the Audi A7. I agree, the grille is awful.

I am not sure who will buy a Cadillac ELR. It really will only seat 2 comfortably and, though it looks fast, it won't be.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2013...ef=automobiles

New small concept car from Honda just premiered at the Montreal International Auto Show. I love it!

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2013...ef=automobiles

New small concept car from Honda just premiered at the Montreal International Auto Show. I love it!

it is cute, my guess would be that this could be an entry level product below the Fit/Jazz that may be sold for emerging markets, Nissan and others are also looking to build super cheap cars for countries like China, India etc...

[NoCake]

I'm guessing this will be a hybrid?

Perhaps the next Honda CR-X or CR-Z?

Did you see that the original Batmobile from the TV show sold yesterday for over $4 million! http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.1243479

Holy schmoley, Batman!!