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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Volvo Click above for more high-res shots of the Volvo S60 Concept Volvo sales have been flat-out tanking in the U.S., as Swedish metal moved in September 2008 at a 51% lower rate than it did in the same month of 2007. New product should help Ford's (for now) Swedish unit reverse that precipitous slide, the first sample of which will be seen as an S60 concept to be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January. We're a couple months away from seeing Volvo's midsize concept, but the Swedes are showing us a sneak peak at the interior to pique our interest. Orrefors Crystal is the designer of choice to give Volvo a new take on its trademark waterfall center stack. Designers decided on a real crystal surface that stretches from the navigation screen all the way to the back seats. The look is very high-end and definitely draws the eye, but Volvo states the obvious in saying the heavy and expensive crystal is concept...
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , Green , Plants/Manufacturing We were captivated by the Karma plug-in hybrid when it was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month. Its curvaceous, aggressive design combined with its ability to go 50 miles without using any gas seems like a bargain at the projected starting price of $80,000. Fisker is hoping to deliver its first Karma to customers in the fourth quarter of 2009, but to do that they will first need to find a place to build the cars (and get the drivetrain sorted and figure out that batteries and...). Vic Doolan, director of retail development for Fisker, says the company is considering metro Detroit to handle production. The combination of unused capacity, close proximity of suppliers, and availability of experienced workers make Detroit an ideal location. Those interested in the Karma and unconcerned about the vaporware accusations can pre-order one with a $1000 deposit , although the Signature Edition vehicles...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Podcasts , Sedans/Saloons , Trucks/Pickups , Crossovers/CUVs , Supercars , Audi , BMW , Dodge , Ford , GM , Hyundai , Lincoln Episode 85 of the Autoblog Podcast finds us reminiscing about the North American International Auto Show that recently invaded Detroit. It was perhaps not as thrilling as past shows, but the new F-150 and Ram hauled and herded some excitement into Cobo. Both pickups are newly spiffed and bristling with new features and engineering. While the trucks are no doubt big news, the CTS Coupe stokes our fires far more. We hope to see it visited by the V-series gnomes, too. There were a passel of diesels at the show, too. Audi's V12 TDI R8 concept was filled with design gumdrops for us to chew on, besides the 12-pot 500-hp diesel that returns mileage in the 20s. BMW had its 335d and some X5 alphabet soup thing , and Honda showed its clean diesel . Beyond oil burners, we took an IRL look at the Hyundais Genesis and found it surprising beyond...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Hyundai click above to view more high-res images of different Genesis grille When the production version of the Hyundai Genesis was revealed, debate over its styling was a hot topic. Of particular interest to commenters was the grille , dubbed the "Klingon forehead" by some of you, which has a vertical center spine with three horizontal bars that turn down when they meet from either side. We instantly noticed the absence of Hyundai's logo on the grille and surmised that perhaps the Korean automaker felt that the presence of its logo would somehow divert attention away from the levels of luxury and refinement that people might normally associate with Hyundais. With that in mind, we were surprised to find this Genesis V6 model with a different grille on the floor of the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. When asked what it was doing there, Hyundai responded that the badgeless grille is the only Genesis grille for now, but this version was...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , Green , Lexus , Toyota Think of the words "luxury" and "hybrid" and the name Lexus should come to mind. Toyota's luxury division offers gas-electric hybrid versions of the RX, GS and LS models, but while parent company Toyota has the hybrid-only Prius model, Lexus has yet to offer a dedicated hybrid of its own. According to Toyota's president Katsuaki Watanabe, by this time next year that will change. Watanabe announced at the Detroit show that at the same show next year his company will unveil two new dedicated hybrid models. While one is known to be the replacement for the highly-successful Toyota Prius, the second will be Lexus' first hybrid-only model. Few details on the Lexus hybrid are known at this point, but Toyota can't be happy to have been beaten to the punch by a comparatively tiny outfit when Fisker took the wraps off the Karma hybrid luxury sedan at the show this year...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Economy , Sedans/Saloons , China click above to view more images of the Geely FC Of all the Chinese automakers in attendance this year at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Geely is the only one with cars we believe could actually be sold in the U.S. We have no idea if its new FC sedan, which debuted in China just five months ago, would pass strict U.S. safety and emissions standards, but its design, features and build quality seemed just up to snuff for an American consumer shopping for an inexpensive four-door sedan. The FC was developed in-house by Geely and features a 1.8L four-cylinder with variable valve timing producing 137 horsepower and mated to a five-speed manual. A 13-second trip to 62 mph isn't a world record, but it's just enough to keep up with traffic and return good fuel economy at the same time. There's also an available in-dash navigation system, dual airbags, and ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution. The interior,...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Maserati click images to view in high-res The Maserati Quattroporte is without a doubt one of our favorite sports sedans, exuding the kind of exotic Italian craftsmanship usually reserved for supercars and two-door GTs. But with a facelift around the corner , the Trident marque has been keeping the sensuous sedan fresh with ever more desirable editions. The latest is the Quattroporte Collezione Cento, unveiled here at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. If you have a grasp of any romance language, you'll have guessed that the Collezione Cento is limited to a 100 examples, each individually numbered. It features a special ivory tint with a beautiful quilted Cuoio dark tan leather interior, and comes equipped with the company's multimedia entertainment system, a keyboard built in to the rear center armrest, iPod and USB connectivity, web access and DVDs displayed on twin 10.4" touch-screens mounted in the front...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Maybach , Lifestyle click above for more high-res images of the Maybach Lanaulet If you'd rather be driven by a chauffeur than get behind the wheel yourself, you might want to check out the Maybach Landaulet that made its North American debut in Detroit this week. The half sedan/half convertible allows for the driver's compartment to be completely closed while the passengers in the rear can enjoy open top motoring. The sky isn't the only luxury available - passengers are treated to supple white leather seating and a full entertainment system with a DVD player 6-disc CD changer, dual television screens, and even a compartment to hold a bottle of champagne and goblets. The rear seats also recline, meaning you can lie back, listen to some tunes, and enjoy the fresh air while you sip on your drink. We'd love a test drive ride, but in some place a little warmer than Detroit. Gallery: Maybach Landaulet Continue reading...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Sports/GTs , Cadillac Click the photo above for a gallery of live shots If you look at the picture above, you can easily imagine Maximum Bob shouting, "I told you folks that it'd be <bleeping> spectacular!" Those of course were not his exact words during the intro of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, but the sentiment was approximately the same. We've already covered the technical details , but in case anyone has been disconnected from the world for the past week, here's what is important - 550 HP and 550 lb-ft of torque from the supercharged LSA 6.2L V8, huge Brembo brakes front and rear, Magnetic Ride Control suspension, and a choice of a manual or automatic (each carrying six forward ratios). Huge Michelin Pilot radials wrap the 19" wheels, and inside are a pair of seriously sporty Recaro buckets with 14-way adjustment. If there has ever been a four-door embodiment of the Corvette spirit, this is it. We've...
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Filed under: Car Buying , Detroit Auto Show , Coupes , Sedans/Saloons , BMW Click the image above for plenty of high-res pics. If you've got a hankering for a V8-powered, carbon fiber-roofed über 3-series, BMW has finally named its price for the M3 coupe and sedan. $57,275 will buy you entry into the M3 Coupe, and bargain hunters willing to settle for an extra pair of doors can get the M3 Sedan in their driveway for $54,575. The M3's come a long way since it's E30 homologation-special roots. The cylinder count has now doubled from that original car, the long serving six cylinders having been jettisoned in favor of a 414 horsepower V8. The interior of the new M3s is a level of luxury unknown to the E30, too. The optional wheel-mounted M-Drive control will allow the driver to customize engine and chassis responses, and iDrive shuffles media and navigation chores. These prices will likely be less than what typical M3s roll off the lot for, as most buyers will want to add some...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Mitsubishi click above image to view more high-res images of the Lancer Ralliart Mitsubishi has made up for the crimes it perpetrated on enthusiasts with the last two generations of the Lancer Ralliart. In atonement for its sins, it's fitted the new Ralliart with a detuned version of the 4B11T pulled from the Evolution X, producing 235 hp and an unknown amount of torque. Additionally, Mitsubishi has decided to fit the Twin Clutch-SST transmission, pulled from the high-power and high-priced Evo X MR. The TC-SST clicks off the shifts through a set of steering wheel mounted paddles and sends power to a full-time all-wheel-drive system equipped with Mitsubishi's Active Center Differential (ACD). The exterior is so reminiscent of the Ralliart's big Evolved brother that we're sure it'll be mistaken for the X and in addition to the absolutely boss Recaro buckets, the interior materials and amenities seem several notches above...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Hyundai click above for more high-res live images of the 2008 Hyunda Genesis Sedan The unveiling of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis revealed that Korean automaker wants to make this sedan "the LS400 of the 21st century," doing for Korea what Lexus did for Japanese luxury in the '90s. If that's achievable - and we certainly aren't going to deny the possibility - the Genesis might have what it takes. But its non-descript demeanor and derivative styling has to be overcome by the tech and torque of a premium sedan delivered at a rock-bottom price. As mentioned previously, three engines will be available: a 3.3-liter V6, a 3.8-liter V6 and the Tau 4.6-liter V8. The latter, when equipped with the six-speed automatic gearbox and Shiftronic controls, should allow the stately sedan to make the run to 60 in under six seconds. More impressive, the Genesis comes with a five-link suspension in both the front and the rear to keep things...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Economy , Sedans/Saloons , Ford click above for more high-res images of the Ford Verve Concept The rise in gas prices has increased demand for smaller, more fuel efficient cars in the American market, a call to which Ford has so far only paid lip service. The debut of the 2008 Focus at last year's Detroit Auto Show following the debut of several recent European market models like the Mondeo also caused people to call on Ford to bring its European Kinetic design to the U.S. Ford has finally responded on both counts, or at least it will for 2010 when the production version of this concept finally goes on sale here. The Verve debuted as a three-door hatch at the Frankfurt Motor Show and then grew a trunk at a Chinese show last fall. It now comes to Detroit with a revised front fascia and taillights. The Verve certainly brings a new level of style that small US market Fords have lacked for a long time. Ford doesn't specify which fuel efficient...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Cadillac click above for more high-res images of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Now that the second generation Cadillac CTS is on the streets and garnering largely positive reviews for it's looks, performance and handling dynamics, the time has come to turn it up a notch. The 2008 Detroit Auto Show will bring us the second generation high-performance CTS-V model. Just as the original 2004 version used an engine derived from the top Corvette of the time, so too does the new model. The 2009 CTS-V leap-frogs its chief competitor - the BMW M5 - with GM's new LSA V8 derived from the LS9 in the Corvette ZR1. The goal of the CTS-V development team was to create a car with the poise and sophistication of the best luxury sedans melded with the outstanding performance of a high sports car. To achieve that they installed the supercharged 6.2L V-8 with an output of 550 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque into a heavily upgraded chassis and then went...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Hyundai click above for 34 high-res images of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis You can read everything there is to know about the 2009 Hyundai Genesis in the post we published late last night , but at the time we only had three images of the Korean automaker's new super sedan to show you. Hyundai released the rest of its images this morning, giving us a complete view of the car's design both inside and out, including shots of what appears to be an uplevel model that's decked out with all the trimmings (see above). We'll reiterate our concern that many may find the design of the Hyundai Genesis derivative and anonymous. In fact, the only place a Hyundai badge appears on the car is the rear trunk lid. Is that because the company believes a logo on the front grille might deter those who believe that Hyundai can't build a premium car? And as for its derivative elements, we mentioned the Lexus-like headlights and Infiniti-inspired...
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