2007 Detroit Motor Show By Feann Torr - 17/Dec/2007 | 
Detroit Motor Show 2007: The new Dodge
Viper gets a larger and more powerful engine
Toyota's FT-HS concept is a promising design
from the usually conservative Japanese automaker
Jaguar's S-Type replacement - the XF - was very well
received in Detroit, and could reverse Jag's fortunes
Honda's Accord Coupe was a 'safe' design concept
that is an early look at the 8th generation Accord
BMW's new M5 Touring is the sports wagon
for people who want power - lots of V10 power
Mitsubishi celebrated the launch of the 10th
generation Evolution model with Prototype X
|
Detroit, America — The 2007
North American International Motor Show, (NAIAS), or the Detroit motor
show as it's affectionately known, is one of the world's most
prestigious car shows. Car
makers spend an inordinate amount of money on having not only the
coolest gear, but also the most eye-popping exhibits, and every trick
in the book is employed to attract attention from far and wide,
including eyeball-melting light shows, blaring audio, free stuff, give
aways and who could forget the scantily clad models? It has
always been the motor show of choice for automakers launching a new
model and wanting to gain a foothold in the North American new car
market - the largest and most lucrative in the world - and of course
there's also national pride at stake here, so cars like the new Dodge
Viper and Ford Interceptor will always be warmly received. As
well as the news that Holden will begin selling VE Commodores in
America, badged as Pontiac G8s - which will get a facelift and will
likely be launched at the Chicago motor show - the Detroit motor show
spawned a number of concept cars, and quite a few production models too. I won't overstay my welcome, so here's our top picks from the NAIAS, together with a brief description: This
is Toyota's futuristic sports car, and it not only looks good, but it's
ecologically friendly (sort of), powered by a hybrid petrol-electric
engine that can grind out almost 300kW of power. It's also very light,
made from lots of carbon fibre. A glimpse at a future Toyota sports
car? Could be... Capitalising
on the current shift towards the contemporary muscle car, GM's sports
car brand Chevrolet has unveiled the Camaro Convertible concept at
America's largest motor show in Detroit. Powered by a 6.0-litre LS2 V8
engine worth about 300kW/400hp, and riding on massive 22-inch wheels,
the supremely powerful muscle car will be built in 2009. Honda's
Accord Coupe concept is not just for show - the 8th generation Accord
will be based on this design. And seeing as the Accord is Honda's
biggest selling car in the States, it was a no-brainer to launch the
concept at the Detroit motor show. Though it's a bit boxy from some
angles, it none too radical, so shouldn't upset the burgeoning Honda
Accord fan-base. This
interesting design study is a slightly smaller vehicle than Jeep
normally exhibits, based on the 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
platform. And though the concept appears to be more of a cruiser than a
bush-basher - just take one look at it's fancy design - it's
rugged platform should give it good off-road capabilities. The
idea is simple - a station wagon version of the M5 super saloon. It's
got more than 500 ponies under its bonnet thanks to a 5.0-litre V10
engine, and sits on sizable 19-inch alloys. If you wanted a BMW M5, but
couldn't get one because of family commitments, this could be
automotive nirvana. Powered
by an insane 8.4-litre 10-cylinder engine, the 2008 model Viper has
more venom than ever before. With 600 horsepower, or just under 450kW,
the enlarged engine has been gifted with a new bonnet that features a
larger air scoop and plenty of air vents to keep it cool(ish). One of
the big guns from the NAIAS, it's an American favourite and
understandably so. With
the success of Chrysler's 300C large car, both in the US and here in
Australia, Ford decided to bring out its own squared-off uber-cruiser
concept car to gauge reaction to such a design. Based on the Mustang
platform, it doesn't look too shabby sitting on 22-inch rims, and it's
also got an E85 (85% ethanol) compatible engine, which can help reduce
carbon emissions. As
Kia's improving design strategy continues to pay off, with more and
more mainstream acceptance for the current models, the South Korean
automaker is forging ahead with radical concept cars. The Kue concept
offers a good look at where the company wants to take its SUV designs,
and with power coming from a supercharged V8 engine, it smells like
something tasty is brewing over at Kia. As
Volvo's design philosophy continues to evolve, we will continue to get
inspired designs such as the XC60, which could well poach sales from
the Land Rover Freelander and BMW X3. "Though
the car was supposed to be unveiled at the 2007 Detroit motor show in
early January, Volvo has decided that with all the media coverage the
leaked photos garnered, it would simply officially announce the vehicle
early," reads the article. But the car was still a star of the Detroit motor show. Believed
to be a convertible version of the Mercedes S-Class, this concept car
has a real Americana feel to it, and could morph
into production-ready vehicle for Mercedes. All you need to know
about the Ocean Drive concept is that it's big, luxurious, and has a
hugely powerful twin turbo V12 engine. Nice. Boasting
high-grade polished wooden accents, the second car in the new
Rolls-Royce range is a very long and very luxurious convertible. Built
by BMW, the new drop top gets 12-cylinder power and is expected to cost
around half a million Australian dollars. Looking
for all the world like a Japanese touring car on steroids, the new IS-F
is the first Lexus car to carry the company's new performance badge, a
big fat 'F'. Based on the IS250 model, the engine has doubled in size
from the 2.5-litre V6 to a 5.0-litre V8, and features an 8-speed
gearbox, Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels and could be the BMW M3's worst
nightmare. Jaguar
has unveiled the S-Type's replacement at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show,
and it's official: Jaguar is now trendy again. Shrugging off the
traditional stylings of the S-Type model, the new XF sedan is an
altogether contemporary design, with a sleek profile and a much broader
appeal. Powered by a supercharged V8 engine, this is a make or
brake model for Jaguar. With
an all-new chassis, an all-new look, and an all-new engine, the
Prototype X is your first glimpse at the new Mitsubishi Evolution X,
which is possibly one of the most anticipated cars of 2007.
Mitsubishi is promising to unleash the most powerful Evo yet, with an
even stronger engine and there's also an automated manual
gearbox on the cards. This is one to drool over. Audi
has recovered from a huge 2006, which was dominated by the launch
of the new TT and soaring worldwide sales, so it was only natural
for the company to spruik it's latest behemoth, the V12 Q7. This
hulking SUV gets a 6.0-litre V12 twin turbo diesel engine, and is
capable of making the Porsche Cayenne Turbo cry. Honda
took the wraps off a brand-new sports car, one that promises
to entrench the Honda nameplate with the world's greatest sports
cars. The
Japanese company says that the car was created to take exotic sports
car styling to a new level, and features a powerful front-mounted,
V10 engine and a new rear-wheel-drive transmission. Pipe dreams or
something to look forward to? Let's hope for the latter, because this
thing look very cool. With
short overhangs, smooth styling and gullwing doors, the new Ryuga
concept from Mazda is a real attention grabber. Looking very much like the
recent Mazda Nagare concept
that was released at the L.A. Motor Show in December 2006, the second
concept car to emerge from the top secret Hiroshima design studios in
Japan shows a very similar character - it's almost uncanny. | 
