2002 Detroit Auto Show

Greetings from the show room floor. This is our second update from the 2002 Detroit Auto Show - if you missed our first look, click here to catch up on the info. The last few days have revealed new cars, cars we knew about and cars that just seem to boggle the mind. Anyway, let's get right into it with a car we knew that was coming, but just didn't expect to be this grand.

Bentley has just finished up work on the latest prestige sedan, the Arnage T, and is claiming big things. It just launched the new vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show to much acclaim. According to the Bentley boys (now owned by Volkswagen), this new luxury vehicle is the most powerful road-going Bentley ever created and, moreover, will now be the fastest standard production sedan in the world. Yes, even we scoffed at this initially, but read on...

The new Arnage T is almost completely new from the ground up and this includes the new V8 engine. Not wanting to be outdone by anyone, Bentley engineers have created a 6.75-litre V8. This is a very big engine. But on top of its hulking size, the new 2002 Arnage T has been fitted with twin turbochargers. These help increase peak power, but the twin-turbo system reduces exhaust emissions considerably - especially important when creating such a huge engine.

The most powerful car in Bentley's history, it weighs in at a bulky two-and-a-half tonnes, yet sprints from 0-100km/h in under six seconds - 5.8 to be precise. This is made possible thanks to the insane torque the engine produces: 875Nm @ just 3250rpm.

Peak power isn't quite as mind-numbingly intense, though still very capable at 450bhp or 336kW. Top speed is electronically limited to 270km/h and it's interesting to think about how fast this puppy could go on a closed road without such an override system- 350km/h, 380km/h?

So there you have it. In actual fact, this car could quite easily be the fastest production sedan in the world. For now...

Next up from the show is something that has a serious chance of coming to Australia. It's getting the Americans all hot and bothered and with good reason - the Zed is back. Nissan showed off a factory-made 350Z, identical to the model that will be sold to US drivers in August of this year, save for a groovy reflective paint job. We spoke to Nissan Australia about the prospect of the car coming to Australia and the answer was a resounding "yes". They continued that the car will most likely debut here in early 2003 - good news, indeed.

At the heart of the newly designed Zed is a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6, transmitting power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. It will dash from 0-100km/h in less than six seconds and creates about 209kW, though this may be reduced for the Australian model. Prices were announced at the show for the American model; prices start from $US26,269 and will rise to about $US35,000 for the performance model. This converts to about $50,000 to $67,000.

Also at Nissan's exhibition was a prototype model of the next-generation Skyline GT-R (pictured left). It could become a reality but Nissan is giving nothing away at this stage. At present, the currect model GT-R is sold in Japan only, but Nissan America head honcho, Jed Connelly, said the GT-R would not be discontinued and that a left-hand drive concept indicated the companies possible intentions to enter the huge US Auto market.

While we're on the subject of concept cars becoming production cars, Mazda has also given the impressive new RX-8 the thumbs-up for a State-side release, much to the delight of Americans everywhere. At last year's Detroit Auto Show the RX-8 was simply a drool-worthy concept, but Mazda boss Mark Fields told media the new rotary-powered vehicle will be on the roads in 2003. Expect the car to hit local shores in the second half of 2003, for about $70,000.

The car produces some 180kW (250bhp) via about 1.3-litres of displacement. That said, rotary engines work in a radically different way to your standard four-banger. This comes across as a bit of surprise that no turbocharged model was offered, as the rotar lends itself expectionally well to forced induction - just take a look at the RX-7. Also on the Mazda exhibit was its tasty-looking follow-up to the 626 - simply called the Mazda6 (pictured right). This new Mazda is easy on the eye and besides a 2.3-litre 4-cylinder engine, drivers can opt for a sporty 3.0-litre V6, with about 164kW on tap - similar to a 200SX or WRX.

Now to American auto builder Chrysler, who have just unleashed the first group of vehicles modified by its new performance-oriented subsidiary - Performance Vehicle Operations or PVO. Much like Holden's HSV, the company takes everyday Chryslers and adds a touch of aggressiveness. Take, for instance, the Dodge Ram. Normally a humble 'pick-up', the new SRT-10 has numerous cosmetic changes - big wheels, body kit, fog lights - and the 8.3-litre V10 mill from the Dodge Viper. Yup, seems the Americans can't get enough grunt. The engine produces lots of power - around 370kW - and sprints to 100km/h from standstill in 5.0 seconds!

Other new products from PVO include the SRT-4 - essentially a high-performance Chrysler Neon and the new Viper SRT-10, the latest in the Dodge Viper range.