Bosch's Electronic Stability Control, which improves safety and prevents vehicle crashes, is on new vehicles displayed at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, voted Truck of the Year by the North American International Auto Show and the 2007 Toyota Camry, Motor Trend Magazine's Car of the Year, both include Bosch's latest Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
The best protection against crashes is to prevent them before they occur. Even if appropriate speeds are maintained, any driver can lose control of their vehicle during emergency or abrupt maneuvers. ESC can prevent skidding and subsequent loss of control, through autonomous and precise management of brakes and engine power.
Bosch's ESC builds on the advantages of Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) and Traction Control Systems (TCS) with additional sensors to constantly monitor and compare a vehicle's actual direction with the driver's intention. In all driving conditions, Bosch ESC can detect and correct vehicle instabilities to keep the vehicle stable and safely on course.
Bosch's Electronic Stability Control on the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and the 2007 Toyota Camry represents Bosch's commitment to highway safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has concluded that if installed on all vehicles, ESC could prevent nearly one-third of fatal crashes each year, up to 10,000; reduce rollover risk by as much has 80 percent; and, reduce insurance losses under collision coverage by approximately 15 percent.
Showing posts with label North American International Auto Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North American International Auto Show. Show all posts
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Future shock vs the familiar at the Detroit Auto Show
The 2007 North American International Auto Show explored the latest ideas on wheels
In January, the Motor City is usually more snow globe than crystal ball. But that never keeps thousands of auto executives, journalists, analysts and dealers from an annual rite: consulting the North American International Auto Show for the latest ideas on wheels.
The 2007 show, which opened to the public Saturday at Cobo Center falls at the beginning of what may be a historic year, given that Toyota seems likely to overtake General Motors as the leader in global sales. It will also be a year in which Detroit’s struggling automakers will shut factories and lay off thousands of employees.
For many, there was satisfaction in seeing GM cast as a green Mr Wizard with its Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car, while Toyota wore the black hat with its big, bad 381-horsepower Tundra pickup.
The edgy-looking Volt, which GM claimed would deliver the energy equivalent of 150 miles a gallon, lived up to its advance billing as the car to watch. It is just the kind of innovative car that could improve not only the air, but GM’s lagging image and sales.
But for GM, which was accused of killing the electric car in a recent documentary film, the Volt puts it in a familiar bind: the clock is ticking to bring a car like this to market, yet the lithium-ion batteries it requires aren’t ready, so the company cannot say when a plug-in hybrid will actually reach showrooms. But GM got some other upbeat news, sweeping the awards for North American Car of the Year, with the Saturn Aura midsize sedan, and the equivalent award for trucks, with the Chevy Silverado pickup. The ‘08 Dodge Viper showed up at the party with a revamped V-10 that develops 600 horsepower.
Other automakers hedged their bets. Mercedes-Benz, for example, presented its latest diesel fuel-sippers alongside deluxe gas guzzlers with 500 and even 600 horsepower. Toyota wrapped muscle and eco-think into a single package, the FT-HS concept, a hybrid sports car whose gasoline V-6 and electric motor provide a 400-horsepower kick.
Ford’s new chief executive, Alan R Mulally, drove onto a stage in Cobo Arena in Ford’s warmed-over Five Hundred family sedan, arguably not the best choice for a grand entrance.
Production models introduced at the show included Chevrolet Malibu (a larger, more serious car than before, with either a four-cylinder, 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with 162 horsepower, or a 3.6-liter, 252-horsepower V-6); Cadillac CTS (a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 features a power-boosting, fuel-saving direct-injection design and is mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission); Ford Focus, the revised small car, was a big disappointment, with no hatchback (a coupe takes its place) and no optional 2.3-litre engine.
Lexus IS-F is a Japanese tuner car for affluent grown-ups, this production version of a performance-tweaked sport sedan goes on sale in January against a pair of powerful Germans, the BMW M3 and Audi RS4. The Lexus has a 400-horsepower 5-liter V-8, the world’s first eight-speed sport-shifting automatic, a stiffer suspension and tauter steering than the base IS and aggressive-looking body add-ons.
As always, the Detroit show had a significant number of the design studies that may never see production. Like the Lexus LF-A, showed a new version of its 200-mph supercar with 10 cylinders and 500 horsepower; Ford Airstream — Ford’s streamlined concept offered spacey styling and party-van appeal, with whimsical elements like a “virtual lava lamp” inside a feverish red cabin.
In January, the Motor City is usually more snow globe than crystal ball. But that never keeps thousands of auto executives, journalists, analysts and dealers from an annual rite: consulting the North American International Auto Show for the latest ideas on wheels.
The 2007 show, which opened to the public Saturday at Cobo Center falls at the beginning of what may be a historic year, given that Toyota seems likely to overtake General Motors as the leader in global sales. It will also be a year in which Detroit’s struggling automakers will shut factories and lay off thousands of employees.
For many, there was satisfaction in seeing GM cast as a green Mr Wizard with its Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car, while Toyota wore the black hat with its big, bad 381-horsepower Tundra pickup.
The edgy-looking Volt, which GM claimed would deliver the energy equivalent of 150 miles a gallon, lived up to its advance billing as the car to watch. It is just the kind of innovative car that could improve not only the air, but GM’s lagging image and sales.
But for GM, which was accused of killing the electric car in a recent documentary film, the Volt puts it in a familiar bind: the clock is ticking to bring a car like this to market, yet the lithium-ion batteries it requires aren’t ready, so the company cannot say when a plug-in hybrid will actually reach showrooms. But GM got some other upbeat news, sweeping the awards for North American Car of the Year, with the Saturn Aura midsize sedan, and the equivalent award for trucks, with the Chevy Silverado pickup. The ‘08 Dodge Viper showed up at the party with a revamped V-10 that develops 600 horsepower.
Other automakers hedged their bets. Mercedes-Benz, for example, presented its latest diesel fuel-sippers alongside deluxe gas guzzlers with 500 and even 600 horsepower. Toyota wrapped muscle and eco-think into a single package, the FT-HS concept, a hybrid sports car whose gasoline V-6 and electric motor provide a 400-horsepower kick.
Ford’s new chief executive, Alan R Mulally, drove onto a stage in Cobo Arena in Ford’s warmed-over Five Hundred family sedan, arguably not the best choice for a grand entrance.
Production models introduced at the show included Chevrolet Malibu (a larger, more serious car than before, with either a four-cylinder, 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with 162 horsepower, or a 3.6-liter, 252-horsepower V-6); Cadillac CTS (a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 features a power-boosting, fuel-saving direct-injection design and is mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission); Ford Focus, the revised small car, was a big disappointment, with no hatchback (a coupe takes its place) and no optional 2.3-litre engine.
Lexus IS-F is a Japanese tuner car for affluent grown-ups, this production version of a performance-tweaked sport sedan goes on sale in January against a pair of powerful Germans, the BMW M3 and Audi RS4. The Lexus has a 400-horsepower 5-liter V-8, the world’s first eight-speed sport-shifting automatic, a stiffer suspension and tauter steering than the base IS and aggressive-looking body add-ons.
As always, the Detroit show had a significant number of the design studies that may never see production. Like the Lexus LF-A, showed a new version of its 200-mph supercar with 10 cylinders and 500 horsepower; Ford Airstream — Ford’s streamlined concept offered spacey styling and party-van appeal, with whimsical elements like a “virtual lava lamp” inside a feverish red cabin.
source: NY Times / Lawrence Ulrich
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Driven by design
TECHNOLOGY TAKES A FRONT SEAT IN AUTOMAKERS' NEWEST CONCEPTS
DETROIT - Critics have used words like weird, outrageous and futuristic to describe the Ford Airstream, a new concept vehicle that blends design cues of the iconic travel trailer with inspiration from the hippie vans of the '60s and even Stanley Kubrick's ``2001: A Space Odyssey.''
But at the North American International Auto Show, designer Freeman Thomas used another word: real.
``This one has a sense of whimsy to the shape. It makes you smile a little bit,'' said Thomas, Ford's director of North American Strategic Design. ``But this is more of a real kind of concept vehicle for the future vs. something we might have seen in the '50s where it hovered or something like that.''
From its plug-in fuel-cell powertrain to its 360-degree, mood-setting television monitor, the Airstream characterizes the blending of technology and concept cars that emerged as one of the key trends of this year's Detroit auto show. The list of concept cars with high-tech sensibilities included the Chevrolet Volt, Chrysler Nassau, Toyota FT-HS, Kia Kue and others.
Here's a look at some significant Detroit concepts, and the technological trends they revealed:
Ford Airstream
Below the floor is a powertrain combining lithium-ion batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell, something Ford calls its HySeries Drive. It achieves combined city/highway fuel economy of 41 mpg, Ford says.
``It drives like a normal car,'' said Thomas, who heads Ford's advanced design studios in California and Michigan, and helped create the concept vehicles that led to the Chrysler 300, Audi TT and Volkswagen New Beetle before he joined Ford in 2005. ``It is absolutely silent and all you get out of the exhaust is just a little bit of steam.''
After charging it through a household electric outlet, the Airstream concept gets 25 miles of pure electric range. After that, its fuel-cell powers the motor.
The highlight of its lounge-like interior is a 360-degree television monitor that Ford built with DynaScan. It projects a rotating image. ``We can have a virtual lava lamp, a virtual fish aquarium, a virtual fire going on like a fireplace,'' Thomas said.
Rear-view cameras, which replace the usual exterior mirrors, are detachable and can be used to feed live video right to the cylindrical monitor.
Tech bit: Instead of a traditional grille, the Airstream gets ``tempered glass, like a pair of sunglasses,'' Thomas said. It incorporates headlights and decorative lighting, and gives the vehicle a shiny optimism.
Chevrolet Volt
Another electric vehicle, the Volt uses General Motors' e-flex platform that allows it to combine electric motors and a battery pack with a variety of engines, including ones that use gasoline, diesel, ethanol, biofuel or hydrogen. It, too, is a plug-in, and GM says it can travel 40 miles using only electric power.
``We did not want it to look like a science project,'' said Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of global design. ``It needed to be a strong, well-executed design.''
Tech bit: Much of the Volt, including its roof and side glass, is made of scratch-resistant, clear plastic. It provides better visibility and offers something GM calls ``city lights,'' where the vehicle's interior lighting shows through to the outside world.
Acura Advanced Sports Car
Most think this car foretells the next NSX super-car, due to arrive in 2009. Most notable was its V-10 engine, which is mounted in front vs. the mid-ship V-6 used in the 1991-2005 NSX.
Tech bit: The front LED headlights, two subtle slashes over huge air dams, resemble the pop-up lights on the original NSX.
Chevrolet Camaro convertible
Painted Hugger orange, a shade strikingly similar to last year's Dodge Challenger concept, the Camaro convertible concept provides a few more details of the new Camaro. It arrives in 2008, shortly after the coupe version.
Tech bit: Cool blue lighting surrounds the speedometer and tachometer. Attention to ambient lighting emerged as one of the themes of this year's Detroit auto show.
Ford Interceptor
Ford attempts to capitalize on the success of the new-generation Mustang as well as Chrysler's over-the-top 300C and Dodge Charger sedans.
Tech bit: Uh, sorry, this is all retro from its rear-drive platform, to its 5.0-liter Cammer V-8 to its Fusion-inspired grille (OK, that last one is modern retro.).
Honda Accord coupe
This seemed a pure design study, meant to scare rivals that Honda intends to make its next-generation Accord, due later this year, a more attractive car. The automaker provides few mechanical or technical details.
Tech bit: Honda continues to push for cleaner cars, be they hybrids, natural gas models, fuel-cell concepts or even diesels. This concept carries a V-6 with variable-cylinder management technology that promises fewer emissions and greater fuel economy.
Jaguar C-XF
Much is at stake with this S-Type replacement. Some see beauty here. Others see redundancy.
Tech bit: Burning wood with a blowtorch can hardly be described as high-technology, but that's what Jaguar designers did to achieve a scorched look to the C-XF's interior trim.
More subtle is JaguarSense, a prototype technology where interior door handles emerge after a hand sweeps by a hidden sensor. Something similar happens with an ``info-tainment'' screen on the dashboard. Designers used a pulsating ignition button and then a flashing blue light that starts in the cabin, moves along the roof and ends on the grille once the car is started to make the C-XF seem more like a living creature.
Jeep Trailhawk
This concept merges the ruggedness of the Wrangler with the refinement of the Grand Cherokee.
Tech bit: What's neat here is how this vehicle can become a convertible SUV. The T-tops over the driver and passenger can be removed. All the side windows come down, and the glass in the rear hatch can be removed, too. In the cargo bed, there's a removable boom box designed to fit an iPod.
Toyota FT-HS
The next Supra, except this one incorporates a hybrid powertrain. Its triangular design and retractable roof add to the aggressive look of this front-engine, rear-drive concept.
``There are a lot of hurdles it would have to pass before it could even be considered in the lineup,'' said Jim Lentz, Toyota's executive vice president.
Tech bit: The engine, of course. A 3.5-liter V-6 combines with electric motors and a battery pack. The result, Toyota says, is an environmentally sensitive sports car. This one makes 400 horsepower, goes from 0 to 60 mph in about four seconds, and yet produces decent fuel economy numbers.
Chrysler Nassau
This artistic sedan concept could herald the eventual replacement for the 300C. ``With our concepts, we're always lifting the curtain a little bit and letting people into where we're headed,'' said Ralph Gilles, president of Jeep/truck and component design for the Chrysler Group.
The Nassau reflects Chrysler's strategy of incorporating technology in a useful fashion that doesn't alienate owners and buyers, he said. Its interior design was inspired by the look and feel of today's cell phones, iPods and computers.
Tech bit: ``The Nassau is filled with it,'' said Gilles, best known for his designs of the Viper and the 300C. It uses inductive switches that don't move up and down, but react to the pressure of a finger. ``They just sense your fingers. It has got LCD screens that are reconfigurable throughout. It's got all kinds of next-generation back-up cameras and proximity sensors.''
Kia Kue
The South Korean automaker stressed this is a peek at future trends, not a production vehicle. This crossover utility seats four and carries a 400-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8. Most notable is a steering wheel that serves as a touch-pad control panel.
``Its human interface is the polar opposite of BMW's iDrive in that it's meant to be totally intuitive,'' said Alex Fedorak, a Kia spokesman.
Tech bit: The steering wheel features a color monitor for viewing videos and navigation functions. It can be configured in a variety of ways to reflect personal interests.
Nissan Bevel
To me, this was the most conceptual concept in Detroit in that it seems about as far away from a production model as possible. Here is a crossover for an active, self-obsessed, hobby-driven middle-age man.
Tech bit: The huge rear hatch opens and a work bench snaps into place. Outlets are ready for plugging in power tools. There's a pet carrier in place, and a 360-degree swivel mount for a leash. All the seats except the driver's fold flat, which provides a flat cargo surface with enough room for a huge model airplane.
DETROIT - Critics have used words like weird, outrageous and futuristic to describe the Ford Airstream, a new concept vehicle that blends design cues of the iconic travel trailer with inspiration from the hippie vans of the '60s and even Stanley Kubrick's ``2001: A Space Odyssey.''
But at the North American International Auto Show, designer Freeman Thomas used another word: real.
``This one has a sense of whimsy to the shape. It makes you smile a little bit,'' said Thomas, Ford's director of North American Strategic Design. ``But this is more of a real kind of concept vehicle for the future vs. something we might have seen in the '50s where it hovered or something like that.''
From its plug-in fuel-cell powertrain to its 360-degree, mood-setting television monitor, the Airstream characterizes the blending of technology and concept cars that emerged as one of the key trends of this year's Detroit auto show. The list of concept cars with high-tech sensibilities included the Chevrolet Volt, Chrysler Nassau, Toyota FT-HS, Kia Kue and others.
Here's a look at some significant Detroit concepts, and the technological trends they revealed:
Ford Airstream
Below the floor is a powertrain combining lithium-ion batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell, something Ford calls its HySeries Drive. It achieves combined city/highway fuel economy of 41 mpg, Ford says.
``It drives like a normal car,'' said Thomas, who heads Ford's advanced design studios in California and Michigan, and helped create the concept vehicles that led to the Chrysler 300, Audi TT and Volkswagen New Beetle before he joined Ford in 2005. ``It is absolutely silent and all you get out of the exhaust is just a little bit of steam.''
After charging it through a household electric outlet, the Airstream concept gets 25 miles of pure electric range. After that, its fuel-cell powers the motor.
The highlight of its lounge-like interior is a 360-degree television monitor that Ford built with DynaScan. It projects a rotating image. ``We can have a virtual lava lamp, a virtual fish aquarium, a virtual fire going on like a fireplace,'' Thomas said.
Rear-view cameras, which replace the usual exterior mirrors, are detachable and can be used to feed live video right to the cylindrical monitor.
Tech bit: Instead of a traditional grille, the Airstream gets ``tempered glass, like a pair of sunglasses,'' Thomas said. It incorporates headlights and decorative lighting, and gives the vehicle a shiny optimism.
Chevrolet Volt
Another electric vehicle, the Volt uses General Motors' e-flex platform that allows it to combine electric motors and a battery pack with a variety of engines, including ones that use gasoline, diesel, ethanol, biofuel or hydrogen. It, too, is a plug-in, and GM says it can travel 40 miles using only electric power.
``We did not want it to look like a science project,'' said Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of global design. ``It needed to be a strong, well-executed design.''
Tech bit: Much of the Volt, including its roof and side glass, is made of scratch-resistant, clear plastic. It provides better visibility and offers something GM calls ``city lights,'' where the vehicle's interior lighting shows through to the outside world.
Acura Advanced Sports Car
Most think this car foretells the next NSX super-car, due to arrive in 2009. Most notable was its V-10 engine, which is mounted in front vs. the mid-ship V-6 used in the 1991-2005 NSX.
Tech bit: The front LED headlights, two subtle slashes over huge air dams, resemble the pop-up lights on the original NSX.
Chevrolet Camaro convertible
Painted Hugger orange, a shade strikingly similar to last year's Dodge Challenger concept, the Camaro convertible concept provides a few more details of the new Camaro. It arrives in 2008, shortly after the coupe version.
Tech bit: Cool blue lighting surrounds the speedometer and tachometer. Attention to ambient lighting emerged as one of the themes of this year's Detroit auto show.
Ford Interceptor
Ford attempts to capitalize on the success of the new-generation Mustang as well as Chrysler's over-the-top 300C and Dodge Charger sedans.
Tech bit: Uh, sorry, this is all retro from its rear-drive platform, to its 5.0-liter Cammer V-8 to its Fusion-inspired grille (OK, that last one is modern retro.).
Honda Accord coupe
This seemed a pure design study, meant to scare rivals that Honda intends to make its next-generation Accord, due later this year, a more attractive car. The automaker provides few mechanical or technical details.
Tech bit: Honda continues to push for cleaner cars, be they hybrids, natural gas models, fuel-cell concepts or even diesels. This concept carries a V-6 with variable-cylinder management technology that promises fewer emissions and greater fuel economy.
Jaguar C-XF
Much is at stake with this S-Type replacement. Some see beauty here. Others see redundancy.
Tech bit: Burning wood with a blowtorch can hardly be described as high-technology, but that's what Jaguar designers did to achieve a scorched look to the C-XF's interior trim.
More subtle is JaguarSense, a prototype technology where interior door handles emerge after a hand sweeps by a hidden sensor. Something similar happens with an ``info-tainment'' screen on the dashboard. Designers used a pulsating ignition button and then a flashing blue light that starts in the cabin, moves along the roof and ends on the grille once the car is started to make the C-XF seem more like a living creature.
Jeep Trailhawk
This concept merges the ruggedness of the Wrangler with the refinement of the Grand Cherokee.
Tech bit: What's neat here is how this vehicle can become a convertible SUV. The T-tops over the driver and passenger can be removed. All the side windows come down, and the glass in the rear hatch can be removed, too. In the cargo bed, there's a removable boom box designed to fit an iPod.
Toyota FT-HS
The next Supra, except this one incorporates a hybrid powertrain. Its triangular design and retractable roof add to the aggressive look of this front-engine, rear-drive concept.
``There are a lot of hurdles it would have to pass before it could even be considered in the lineup,'' said Jim Lentz, Toyota's executive vice president.
Tech bit: The engine, of course. A 3.5-liter V-6 combines with electric motors and a battery pack. The result, Toyota says, is an environmentally sensitive sports car. This one makes 400 horsepower, goes from 0 to 60 mph in about four seconds, and yet produces decent fuel economy numbers.
Chrysler Nassau
This artistic sedan concept could herald the eventual replacement for the 300C. ``With our concepts, we're always lifting the curtain a little bit and letting people into where we're headed,'' said Ralph Gilles, president of Jeep/truck and component design for the Chrysler Group.
The Nassau reflects Chrysler's strategy of incorporating technology in a useful fashion that doesn't alienate owners and buyers, he said. Its interior design was inspired by the look and feel of today's cell phones, iPods and computers.
Tech bit: ``The Nassau is filled with it,'' said Gilles, best known for his designs of the Viper and the 300C. It uses inductive switches that don't move up and down, but react to the pressure of a finger. ``They just sense your fingers. It has got LCD screens that are reconfigurable throughout. It's got all kinds of next-generation back-up cameras and proximity sensors.''
Kia Kue
The South Korean automaker stressed this is a peek at future trends, not a production vehicle. This crossover utility seats four and carries a 400-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8. Most notable is a steering wheel that serves as a touch-pad control panel.
``Its human interface is the polar opposite of BMW's iDrive in that it's meant to be totally intuitive,'' said Alex Fedorak, a Kia spokesman.
Tech bit: The steering wheel features a color monitor for viewing videos and navigation functions. It can be configured in a variety of ways to reflect personal interests.
Nissan Bevel
To me, this was the most conceptual concept in Detroit in that it seems about as far away from a production model as possible. Here is a crossover for an active, self-obsessed, hobby-driven middle-age man.
Tech bit: The huge rear hatch opens and a work bench snaps into place. Outlets are ready for plugging in power tools. There's a pet carrier in place, and a 360-degree swivel mount for a leash. All the seats except the driver's fold flat, which provides a flat cargo surface with enough room for a huge model airplane.
Detroit Auto Show Has Something For Everybody
Detroit — The 2007 North American International Auto Show is shaping up to be the most diverse event the auto industry has ever seen.
For every big engine, there's an eco-friendly alternate-fuel vehicle. For every mega-dollar luxury car, there's an affordable model. And for every brand that's reinforcing its position, there's one striking out in a new direction.
Theme? We don't need no stinkin' theme. This is market fragmentation in capital letters, with everyone scrambling to find the next big thing.
Even the companies that aren't struggling are slotting new models into the small gaps in their lineups.
But there's some risk in this. It's not easy being all things to all people.
Toyota, the darling of many environmentalists thanks to its strong line of hybrid gasoline-electric models, made a wise business decision — the only logical decision, really — developing its big, new 381-horsepower Tundra pickup.
A good move to win new customers, but perplexing and perhaps troubling to some of the company's admirers.
“It's interesting to me that Toyota didn't show any environmental stuff,” said Chris Paine, director of the film “Who Killed the Electric Car?” The movie criticized General Motors Corp. for ending an electric car program.
Ford, widely criticized for a lack of vision, got a jump on the competition with a deal that gives it exclusive access to Microsoft's slickest and most appealing new technology.
It's been half a decade since the Ford Focus topped anybody's list of cool rides, but the Sync system's ability to run anything from a cell phone to an iPod with spoken commands — a feature not even Apple offers — puts the restyled 2008 compact at the crest of the next wave.
And for a company whose styling has recently inspired more yawns than gasps, Ford set Cobo Center buzzing with three of the show's best-looking concept cars, including the Lincoln MKR, a sedan that aims to rewrite the definition of American luxury.
Honda, whose reputation for quality and dependability has soared as its visual flair stalled, broke ground with its first Accord concept car, a radical coupe that turns the company's styling on its head with a long hood and sharply drawn body creases.
Expect the new Accord coupe to be virtually identical — 90 percent according to a Honda executive — to the concept model when it hits showrooms this fall. And don't be surprised if the sedan shares a lot of the coupe's spirit.
Chevrolet reworked its midsize Malibu sedan, which was unveiled Tuesday, adding power, a stylish body and a daring two-tone interior that recalls classic designs from the days when Chevy ruled America's roads.
While recalling past glories with one hand, Chevy reached out to claim environmental leadership with the daring Volt concept, an electric car that promises a 40-mile cruising range on battery power alone and the ability to go 640 miles by using a single tank of gasoline to power its onboard generator. And while a flood of flashy car-type SUVs, such as the Ford Edge and Saturn Outlook, had many people writing the minivan's obituary in 2006, Chrysler breathed new life into the segment.
The innovative swiveling second-row seats in the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan promise to be as appealing to young families as Ford's Internet-connected iPods on wheels will be to club hoppers.
The only theme at the 2007 North American International Auto Show is innovation, but there's something on display for just about everyone.
For every big engine, there's an eco-friendly alternate-fuel vehicle. For every mega-dollar luxury car, there's an affordable model. And for every brand that's reinforcing its position, there's one striking out in a new direction.
Theme? We don't need no stinkin' theme. This is market fragmentation in capital letters, with everyone scrambling to find the next big thing.
Even the companies that aren't struggling are slotting new models into the small gaps in their lineups.
But there's some risk in this. It's not easy being all things to all people.
Toyota, the darling of many environmentalists thanks to its strong line of hybrid gasoline-electric models, made a wise business decision — the only logical decision, really — developing its big, new 381-horsepower Tundra pickup.
A good move to win new customers, but perplexing and perhaps troubling to some of the company's admirers.
“It's interesting to me that Toyota didn't show any environmental stuff,” said Chris Paine, director of the film “Who Killed the Electric Car?” The movie criticized General Motors Corp. for ending an electric car program.
Ford, widely criticized for a lack of vision, got a jump on the competition with a deal that gives it exclusive access to Microsoft's slickest and most appealing new technology.
It's been half a decade since the Ford Focus topped anybody's list of cool rides, but the Sync system's ability to run anything from a cell phone to an iPod with spoken commands — a feature not even Apple offers — puts the restyled 2008 compact at the crest of the next wave.
And for a company whose styling has recently inspired more yawns than gasps, Ford set Cobo Center buzzing with three of the show's best-looking concept cars, including the Lincoln MKR, a sedan that aims to rewrite the definition of American luxury.
Honda, whose reputation for quality and dependability has soared as its visual flair stalled, broke ground with its first Accord concept car, a radical coupe that turns the company's styling on its head with a long hood and sharply drawn body creases.
Expect the new Accord coupe to be virtually identical — 90 percent according to a Honda executive — to the concept model when it hits showrooms this fall. And don't be surprised if the sedan shares a lot of the coupe's spirit.
Chevrolet reworked its midsize Malibu sedan, which was unveiled Tuesday, adding power, a stylish body and a daring two-tone interior that recalls classic designs from the days when Chevy ruled America's roads.
While recalling past glories with one hand, Chevy reached out to claim environmental leadership with the daring Volt concept, an electric car that promises a 40-mile cruising range on battery power alone and the ability to go 640 miles by using a single tank of gasoline to power its onboard generator. And while a flood of flashy car-type SUVs, such as the Ford Edge and Saturn Outlook, had many people writing the minivan's obituary in 2006, Chrysler breathed new life into the segment.
The innovative swiveling second-row seats in the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan promise to be as appealing to young families as Ford's Internet-connected iPods on wheels will be to club hoppers.
The only theme at the 2007 North American International Auto Show is innovation, but there's something on display for just about everyone.
What is a concept car'?
Some built as production prototype, others as designers' (and buyers') dream
DETROIT - Visitors to this year's Detroit auto show, which continues through Sunday, can see a variety of concept cars.
The phrase "concept car" is a really big umbrella - large enough to cover several different types of cars and trucks:
Some concepts on display at Cobo Center really are future production vehicles.
The racy little Chevrolet WTCC at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit was shown earlier at the Paris Auto Show, as a variation of a European model. So don't be surprised if you see a small Chevy production car that looks something like this.
Honda says the Accord concept at the Detroit show is a preview of the next production version. And the Mitsubishi Prototype X at the show probably is a good look at the next-generation Lancer Evolution.
Other concepts at the show are simply production vehicles that have been tricked up with custom touches or eye-grabbing accessories to create a show car. The Hummer Open Top at the Detroit show, with a big "safari top" cut into its roof, is an example.
Still other concepts are stock-bodied vehicles with experimental powertrains. For example, the Saab Biopower Hybrid on display at Cobo Center is a stock convertible with a gas/electric hybrid powertrain using an engine designed to burn 100 percent ethanol, but can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol.
Some concept designs are a little farther out, but, given a little tweaking by design staff, could become production cars. Most often, though, this kind of concept car contributes a few styling cues for future production vehicles.
The Jaguar C-XF and Chrysler Nassau are two examples of concept designs that could morph into future production models, or at least contribute some styling bits.
The Ford Interceptor is a striking design, with a grille of broad horizontal bars similar to those on the new big F-series pickups. Its cousin, the Lincoln MKR concept, has a dramatic split grille.
Often, when a concept vehicle becomes a production machine, features like those big grilles get toned down somewhat.
Still other concept vehicles on display at Cobo Center are so far out that they cause a variety of responses, from "Wow, cool, I want one" to "What were they thinking?"
Ford's Airstream concept looks like a custom minivan with a polished metal body and a 1960s-style custom-car interior. Ford says it's a look at the future of crossovers, but it has a distinctly '70s flavor, with a touch of the Jetsons.
Toyota's FT-HS concept has deeply sculpted front and rear sections. With the realities of the marketplace and limitations of production, however, any production version probably would see those dramatic features toned down.
The lift-up top on the Saab AeroX is interesting, but we're not likely to see a lot of those on the street. There have been limited-edition cars with a top section that lifts up, but it's not really practical for a grocery-getter.
Mazda's Ryuga concept car has gullwing doors, and it needs them; the car has such a low profile that the driver and passenger step into it. It and the Kia Kue are probably in the long auto-show tradition of low-slung and swoopy designs that usually remain dream cars.
DETROIT - Visitors to this year's Detroit auto show, which continues through Sunday, can see a variety of concept cars.
The phrase "concept car" is a really big umbrella - large enough to cover several different types of cars and trucks:
Some concepts on display at Cobo Center really are future production vehicles.
The racy little Chevrolet WTCC at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit was shown earlier at the Paris Auto Show, as a variation of a European model. So don't be surprised if you see a small Chevy production car that looks something like this.
Honda says the Accord concept at the Detroit show is a preview of the next production version. And the Mitsubishi Prototype X at the show probably is a good look at the next-generation Lancer Evolution.
Other concepts at the show are simply production vehicles that have been tricked up with custom touches or eye-grabbing accessories to create a show car. The Hummer Open Top at the Detroit show, with a big "safari top" cut into its roof, is an example.
Still other concepts are stock-bodied vehicles with experimental powertrains. For example, the Saab Biopower Hybrid on display at Cobo Center is a stock convertible with a gas/electric hybrid powertrain using an engine designed to burn 100 percent ethanol, but can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol.
Some concept designs are a little farther out, but, given a little tweaking by design staff, could become production cars. Most often, though, this kind of concept car contributes a few styling cues for future production vehicles.
The Jaguar C-XF and Chrysler Nassau are two examples of concept designs that could morph into future production models, or at least contribute some styling bits.
The Ford Interceptor is a striking design, with a grille of broad horizontal bars similar to those on the new big F-series pickups. Its cousin, the Lincoln MKR concept, has a dramatic split grille.
Often, when a concept vehicle becomes a production machine, features like those big grilles get toned down somewhat.
Still other concept vehicles on display at Cobo Center are so far out that they cause a variety of responses, from "Wow, cool, I want one" to "What were they thinking?"
Ford's Airstream concept looks like a custom minivan with a polished metal body and a 1960s-style custom-car interior. Ford says it's a look at the future of crossovers, but it has a distinctly '70s flavor, with a touch of the Jetsons.
Toyota's FT-HS concept has deeply sculpted front and rear sections. With the realities of the marketplace and limitations of production, however, any production version probably would see those dramatic features toned down.
The lift-up top on the Saab AeroX is interesting, but we're not likely to see a lot of those on the street. There have been limited-edition cars with a top section that lifts up, but it's not really practical for a grocery-getter.
Mazda's Ryuga concept car has gullwing doors, and it needs them; the car has such a low profile that the driver and passenger step into it. It and the Kia Kue are probably in the long auto-show tradition of low-slung and swoopy designs that usually remain dream cars.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
NAIAS Detroit 2007: Volkswagen continues BLUETEC offensive
Volkswagen is presenting the Concept Tiguan SUV study at the North American International Auto Show. In the first half of next year the series version of the “Touareg’s little brother” will be debuting in the US. The Tiguan is being advanced as a significant component in Volkswagen’s model range in order to expand the market position in the US. Moreover, Volkswagen expects additional US growth starting in 2008 from the market launch of the cleanest TDI of all times. The introduction of the Turbodiesel direct injection engine equipped with a NOx secondary treatment system is taking place as part of the BLUETEC offensive in the latest Jetta– the most successful car in America from a German manufacturer.European injection technologies are increasingly convincing US customers: In 2006 Volkswagen of America had sales 4.9 percent above the previous year. This corresponds to 235,140 vehicles sold in the US. The positive signs for 2007 include the Eos being offered for the first time over an entire year and the new generation of the Touareg. Both models will contribute toward strengthening the market success in North America. In addition to the top-selling Jetta and Passat, icons such as the New Beetle and the Golf GTI, just named "The 2007 Car of the Year", are also continuing to sustain the friendly and successful image of the Volkswagen brand in the US.
Concept Volkswagen Tiguan: the Touareg’s little brother
The Concept Tiguan, considered a star of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS, January 7–21), is an SUV, an extremely versatile companion that can be used on all routes, terrains and situations. The series version of the Concept Tiguan will be available worldwide with both front and four-wheel drive. Its design currently builds a bridge to the bigger Touareg. Klaus Bischoff, head of the Volkswagen Design Center in Wolfsburg: "It was of great importance to us that the SUV study look strong. Muscular. This was a greater priority for us above all else." Bischoff continues: "An off-roader needs a long engine hood and an upright stature. This gives the vehicle assertiveness and strength."
And the results show: The Concept Tiguan comes across as high class and mature. Indeed, it transfers the idea of the Touareg as the superior SUV for traveling and off road into a different class. The Concept Tiguan also doesn’t stop where normal trails end. However, this talent doesn’t sell itself via uncouth manners on the road, but instead by mastering the ride through both worlds – the paved one and the one of natural trails.
BLUETEC Alliance: Diesel offensive of German car manufacturers
The SUV concept car unveiled in Detroit is powered by a newly developed "Clean TDI" – a next generation diesel engine. The reason for this is that Volkswagen will be employing a modular concept of different systems in the diesel engines of the future in order to once more significantly reduce emissions. For instance, one of these drive systems uses a NOx storage catalytic converter, attaining a reduction of NOx emissions of over 90 percent for the overall system.
The "Clean TDI" introduced in the Concept Tiguan is also one of the first components of the BLUETEC offensive initiated by Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. The goal of this partnership is to establish the concept of BLUETEC as a uniform label for clean and low consumption cars and SUVs with diesel engines. BLUETEC specifies diesel drives that comply with even the strictest of emission regulations in the US market.
Jetta TDI: first BLUETEC series vehicle from Volkswagen
Volkswagen is therefore presenting the Concept Tiguan’s "Clean TDI" in the Jetta concurrent to the NAIAS. The first test drives have already proven the potential of the cleanest TDI of all times, whose secondary treatment of emissions have in particular dramatically reduced nitrogen oxides. As the drive in the Jetta the new common rail diesel with 2.0 liter capacity, 103 kW / 140 hp performance and NOx storage catalytic converter complies with "Tier 2/Bin 5" limits – the strictest standard in the world currently in effect in the US states of California, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Maine. The initial use of the "Clean TDI" with NOx secondary treatment will take place in the US during 2008.
Furthermore, for the bigger and heavier models (starting with the Passat) the company will be employing SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) as part of the BLUETEC offensive. With over 800,000 TDI cars sold to date Volkswagen is considered the diesel pioneer par excellence.
Dream cars: Many concepts may not reach reality
DETROIT - As the public winds through this year's displays at the North American International Auto Show, the concept cars are sure to be a highlight. But from this group of futuristic vehicles, a handful of real cars will emerge.
Concept cars are not just for show, industry experts say. Auto companies make concept cars to stretch the boundaries on what's possible and test the waters for what they could bring to market.
"It gives you hints about what people are thinking," said Stephanie Brinley, an automotive analyst in the Southfield offices of AutoPacific Inc.
Last year, the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger barely had time to settle into their display stands before muscle-car fanatics were clamoring for them to be made. Both were green-lighted by summer and are headed for production.A few concept cars shown at the 2007 North American International Auto Show provide strong hints for the future. Honda Motor Co. unveiled an Accord coupe concept, and the final version, along with a four-door Accord, will be on sale this fall. The production version of the coupe should track closely to the concept.
Toyota Motor Corp. debuted in Detroit two sports cars with potential for production. Toyota officials said the company is gauging consumer interest on the Lexus LF-A, an exotic sports car with a 500-horsepower V10 engine.
Jaguar, a Ford Motor Co. brand, also showcased a sports car concept that should reach the market. The Jaguar C-XF is a clear indication of where Jaguar is headed, Jaguar officials said.
General Motors Corp. and the Ford and Lincoln brands also generated buzz at the show with concepts. While these concepts may not arrive at a dealer lot soon, they provide an interesting look at what could happen. GM showcased the Chevrolet Volt concept, a battery-powered electric vehicle. The Volt can be recharged by being plugged into an electric outlet.
Interesting vehicles unveiled at Detroit Auto show
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit has been buzzing with news.
Here's a look at some of the more interesting debuts.
2008 Chevy Malibu
The all-new Malibu is a significant step forward from the current Malibu. GM will invest $208 million to upgrade the Fairfax plant to produce the next-generation of Chevy's family car. The car goes on sale late this year.
The styling reflects the new face of Chevrolet. With wheels planted out near the corners, the next Malibu has a wheelbase that is 3 inches longer than the Toyota Camry, and that should result in a spacious cabin with plenty of room in the back seat. Inside, a twin-cockpit design theme highlights the instrument panel. The deep center console has a sliding cover that opens to accommodate larger items. An available rear power center provides a household-style, 110-volt AC power outlet.
Two engines will be offered: A 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, and a 3.6-liter, V-6 with 252 horsepower. Both engines will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Ford Interceptor concept
Ford's challenger to the popularity of the Chrysler 300 is a four-door concept built on a stretched version of the Mustang platform. The concept, called the Interceptor, has a massive grill that looks like it came from last year's Super Chief pickup concept. The Interceptor's 120-inch wheelbase and overall length of 201 inches makes it roughly the same size as a Chrysler 300.
The Interceptor has bold, brutish styling with a long nose, short front overhangs and a low-roofed cabin. Power comes from a Ford Racing 400-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8.
Lincoln MKR concept
Ford is working to give the Lincoln brand renewed vigor, and this slinky four-door coupe has a spectacular presence that could point the way to future products. The concept is powered by a twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 415 horsepower and is capable of operating on E85 ethanol.
The MKR's grill is a modern interpretation of a double-wing design that debuted on the 1941 Continental Cabriolet. The interior has a T-shaped console that runs from the instrument panel through to the rear seat. Jewel-like gauges have ice blue lighting, and LEDs throughout the cabin emit a similar hue. The seats are wrapped in cashmere leather, the carpet is light mohair and the headliner is wool.
Chrysler Nassau concept
The Chrysler Nassau concept highlights sweeping curves to define the front and rear fasciae. This four-door, four-passenger luxury coupe concept has an emphasis on driving dynamics. The artistic exterior contains design cues that are likely to show up on future models, even if the Nassau itself doesn't go into production. The roofline and rear window blend into the trunk almost like that of a hatchback, although this concept does have a separate trunk. The interior is highlighted by a large center console that extends into the rear seat.
Jeep Trailhawk concept
This concept is based on the chassis of the all-new Jeep Wrangler, and it combines the tough look of an off-road vehicle with the sophistication of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The headlamps, cropped and peering out from beneath a diagonal brow like the eyes of a bird of prey, were the inspiration for the Trailhawk name.
DaimlerChrysler said the Trailhawk taps into rugged Jeep attributes with classic proportions, unsurpassed off-road capability and a new approach to open-air freedom with a top that has removable sections.
Mercedes-Benz Concept Ocean Drive
The Concept Ocean Drive is a four-door luxury convertible based on the twelve-cylinder S 600 sedan. This design study is a chance to showcase future design trends and gauge interest by the general public. Mercedes calls it "an awe-inspiring jewel on wheels" that represents the "maximum in elegance, lifestyle sophistication and exclusiveness."
The Concept Ocean Drive features all of the comfort and convenience features one expects in a premium vehicle. One of the more intriguing is Airscarf, a neck-level heating system on all four seats that enables occupants to drive with the top down on chilly days.
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled its new Phantom Drophead Coupe. Production of the new car will start at Goodwood in the summer of 2007.
The two-door, four-seat convertible is a less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design. It has a long hood, large wheels and an all-aluminum space frame. Front-opening doors improve access to the back seat.
The Phantom has a brushed-steel hood and teak decking for the convertible top cover.
Here's a look at some of the more interesting debuts.
2008 Chevy Malibu
The all-new Malibu is a significant step forward from the current Malibu. GM will invest $208 million to upgrade the Fairfax plant to produce the next-generation of Chevy's family car. The car goes on sale late this year.
The styling reflects the new face of Chevrolet. With wheels planted out near the corners, the next Malibu has a wheelbase that is 3 inches longer than the Toyota Camry, and that should result in a spacious cabin with plenty of room in the back seat. Inside, a twin-cockpit design theme highlights the instrument panel. The deep center console has a sliding cover that opens to accommodate larger items. An available rear power center provides a household-style, 110-volt AC power outlet.
Two engines will be offered: A 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, and a 3.6-liter, V-6 with 252 horsepower. Both engines will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Ford Interceptor concept
Ford's challenger to the popularity of the Chrysler 300 is a four-door concept built on a stretched version of the Mustang platform. The concept, called the Interceptor, has a massive grill that looks like it came from last year's Super Chief pickup concept. The Interceptor's 120-inch wheelbase and overall length of 201 inches makes it roughly the same size as a Chrysler 300.
The Interceptor has bold, brutish styling with a long nose, short front overhangs and a low-roofed cabin. Power comes from a Ford Racing 400-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8.
Lincoln MKR concept
Ford is working to give the Lincoln brand renewed vigor, and this slinky four-door coupe has a spectacular presence that could point the way to future products. The concept is powered by a twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 415 horsepower and is capable of operating on E85 ethanol.
The MKR's grill is a modern interpretation of a double-wing design that debuted on the 1941 Continental Cabriolet. The interior has a T-shaped console that runs from the instrument panel through to the rear seat. Jewel-like gauges have ice blue lighting, and LEDs throughout the cabin emit a similar hue. The seats are wrapped in cashmere leather, the carpet is light mohair and the headliner is wool.
Chrysler Nassau concept
The Chrysler Nassau concept highlights sweeping curves to define the front and rear fasciae. This four-door, four-passenger luxury coupe concept has an emphasis on driving dynamics. The artistic exterior contains design cues that are likely to show up on future models, even if the Nassau itself doesn't go into production. The roofline and rear window blend into the trunk almost like that of a hatchback, although this concept does have a separate trunk. The interior is highlighted by a large center console that extends into the rear seat.
Jeep Trailhawk concept
This concept is based on the chassis of the all-new Jeep Wrangler, and it combines the tough look of an off-road vehicle with the sophistication of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The headlamps, cropped and peering out from beneath a diagonal brow like the eyes of a bird of prey, were the inspiration for the Trailhawk name.
DaimlerChrysler said the Trailhawk taps into rugged Jeep attributes with classic proportions, unsurpassed off-road capability and a new approach to open-air freedom with a top that has removable sections.
Mercedes-Benz Concept Ocean Drive
The Concept Ocean Drive is a four-door luxury convertible based on the twelve-cylinder S 600 sedan. This design study is a chance to showcase future design trends and gauge interest by the general public. Mercedes calls it "an awe-inspiring jewel on wheels" that represents the "maximum in elegance, lifestyle sophistication and exclusiveness."
The Concept Ocean Drive features all of the comfort and convenience features one expects in a premium vehicle. One of the more intriguing is Airscarf, a neck-level heating system on all four seats that enables occupants to drive with the top down on chilly days.
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled its new Phantom Drophead Coupe. Production of the new car will start at Goodwood in the summer of 2007.
The two-door, four-seat convertible is a less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design. It has a long hood, large wheels and an all-aluminum space frame. Front-opening doors improve access to the back seat.
The Phantom has a brushed-steel hood and teak decking for the convertible top cover.
The Detroit Auto Show is 100 years old!
This centennial has virtually gone unnoticed. While the organizers of the Los Angeles Auto Show took the time to illustrate the 100 years of their event, those of the NAIAS appear to have overslept.
Such an important anniversary should have been properly celebrated. However, the Big Three seemed uninterested in commemorating the event at such a difficult time in their own history.
The new president of Michelin, Michel Rollier, was one of the few who actually
did something. He gave the organizers a special tire with the tread representing the 100 years of the Detroit Auto Show (see picture).
The most memorable vehicles of the last century have been engraved in the compound. Ford's Model T, a wood panel station wagon (Chevrolet Woody), Jeep's famous 4x4, AMC's Pacer, Ford's Mustang, Honda's Civic and Toyota's Prius are all illustrated.
Such an important anniversary should have been properly celebrated. However, the Big Three seemed uninterested in commemorating the event at such a difficult time in their own history.
The new president of Michelin, Michel Rollier, was one of the few who actually
 |
The most memorable vehicles of the last century have been engraved in the compound. Ford's Model T, a wood panel station wagon (Chevrolet Woody), Jeep's famous 4x4, AMC's Pacer, Ford's Mustang, Honda's Civic and Toyota's Prius are all illustrated.
Monday, January 15, 2007
2007 Detroit Auto Show: AutoWeek Names Jaguar C-XF Best in Show
Detroit January 12, 2007; AutoWeek celebrated the best of the best at the North American International Auto Show and announced that the Editors’ Choice Award for Best in Show 2007 was awarded to Jaguar for its new C-XF concept car."The Jaguar C-XF is the sexiest four-door we’ve seen from Jaguar in years," said Dutch Mandel, editor and associate publisher, AutoWeek. "This car draws a line from Jaguar sedans of the past to Jaguar sedans of the future."
For more than a decade, AutoWeek’s Editors’ Choice Awards have recognised vehicles that the editorial staff believe to be Best in Show, Most Significant, Best Concept and Most Fun at international auto shows worldwide. When selecting the winning vehicle for Best in Show, the team looks for the most significant, influential car – the one to remember 10 years down the road.
"With the C-XF, we wanted to create something with strength and a distinctive modern style that will carry Jaguar into the future – something with longevity," said Ian Callum, design director, Jaguar Cars. "Ultimately, AutoWeek’s recognition of this tells us we’ve accomplished our goal."
The all-new Jaguar C-XF concept car, a stunning four-door sedan that blends dynamic, modern features with classic heritage cues, made its debut on 7 January at the NAIAS in Detroit. The C-XF, which boasts a 4.2-litre supercharged V8 engine, signifies a new era for the company and is a clear indication of the design direction for the company’s next-generation of sport sedans.
"I am truly delighted for Ian and his team that all their hard work and creativity has been honoured," said Bibiana Boerio, managing director, Jaguar Cars. "While the C-XF is not a production vehicle, it is a true representation of our future design direction. This is just the beginning."
AutoWeek is the only weekly auto enthusiast magazine in North America. It provides passionate auto enthusiasts with the latest on vehicle reviews, trends, new products, racing, personalities, auto show coverage and more. AutoWeek’s frequency provides readers with up-to-date news and stories within the international automotive world.
2007 Detroit Auto Show: Ford and Nissan Aim Models At Aging Baby Boomer Segment
Ford Airstream: Echoes of both the classic trailers and sci-fi film 2001
Nissan Bevel: Just the job for the handyman with a hobby
Crossovers are hot in America. Low-riding SUVs like the Nissan Murano and Ford Edge that combine attributes of off-roaders, MPVs and estates are gaining market share rapidly. Ford believes Crossovers will account for more than 3 million sales a year in America by the end of the decade as more an more manufacturers jump on the bandwagon.
Now manufacturers are starting to look further ahead to see what the next generation of Crossovers might look like. The current cars are aimed at younger family buyers – but as these owners grow older, they will look for something different. And Amereica’s population is ageing - by the end of the decade, there will be 57 million 50- to 64-year-old consumers - a 38% increase on 2000, according to the University of Michigan. Ten thousand Americans turn 50 every day.
Ford unveiled a concept Crossover called the Airstream, designed to satisfy the growing “wanderlust” of these consumers, often retirees with time for travel. Airstream has been developed jointly with the Airstream trailer company, maker of the iconic American aluminium streamlined caravans of the 1950s. Ford group design vice-president J Mays said: “We’re seeing demand for recreational vehicles.”
The Airstream is a far cry from the traditional truck-based RV. It has a hybrid powertrain, giving it a fuel consumption of 41mpg. It can run for 25 miles as a pure electric car. Its styling owes as much to Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi film 2001 as it does to the airstream trailers, featuring illuminated orange window surrounds and asymmetric doors.
A similar layout is adopted on another crossover at the show aimed at ageing baby-boomers – the Nissan Bevel. This car is specifically aimed at 45-60-year-old men, generally “hobbyists” or DIY enthusiasts who want a car to carry their “stuff” around rather than their family.
Nissan Design America designer John Cupit said the Bevel was a “category buster”. It’s aimed at people who don’t want an off-roader or an MPV – it’s for “men with hobbies – handymen and tinkerers”. Like the Airstream it has an asymmetric door layout, with a single offside driver’s door and wide-opening double “suicide” doors on the nearside, plus a rear tailgate that flips over to become a loading shelf.
Another feature is its overt ‘70s styling, elements of which could become part of Nissan’s design “house style” in the future, especially the oblong grille incorporating the front lighting, and the configurable flat-panel dashboard.
There are no plans to build either vehicle, though it’s good to see that manufacturers are looking beyond the current trends. Crossovers were only concept cars just a few years ago, so it would be no surprise to see cars like Airstream or Bevel as production models in the coming years.
source: The Auto Channel2007 Detroit Auto Show : Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Car - Fast Clean Fun
Detroit January 15, 2007; Forget the congestion charge, petrol taxes and global warming – motoring in the future can still be fun according to Toyota with its FT-HS hybrid sports concept being shown at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.
Pairing a potent hybrid powertrain with essential sports car fundamentals, the FT-HS concept was a joint undertaking of CALTY, Toyota’s North American-based, research and design centre located in Newport Beach, California, and Toyota’s California-based Advanced Product Strategy Group. The design team was assigned the task of creating a mid-priced sports car that integrates ecology and emotion in a concept that addresses the question, “What is a suitable sports car for the 21st Century?”.
“Drivers today are not satisfied with cars that are simply fast,” said Kevin Hunter, vice president, CALTY Design Research. “In addition to driving enjoyment, today’s drivers are concerned about safety, ecology and social responsibility.”
The FT-HS incorporates hybrid capability while maintaining sports car essentials, such as a sleek profile, lightweight aerodynamic materials, and an advanced high-output powertrain for revolutionary acceleration and optimal performance. This 21st century sports car is fun-to-drive with eco-friendly benefits such as ultra-low emissions and fuel efficiency. The FT-HS appeals to an emerging buyer who grew up eco-conscious and perceives technology as a necessity, not a luxury.
This two-plus-two concept is a front-engine, rear-drive sports car with a projected 0-62mph acceleration in the four-second range. A powerful V6, 3.5L-engine is coupled with a 21st century sports hybrid system with a target power output of approximately 400-horsepower. At a mid-priced market position, FT-HS would be a true “attainable exotic” with 21st Century performance.
FT-HS expresses the core values of a Toyota Brand design strategy that combines two key elements: J-Factor and Vibrant Clarity. J-Factor refers to the local and global acceptance of Japanese-inspired design and cultural sensibilities. Vibrant Clarity is the design language used to express the J-Factor much in the same way that L-Finesse is the language of the Lexus Division.
The exterior design was led by CALTY designer, Alex Shen. From a design perspective, the theme of the FT-HS achieves sleek, taut surfaces in its exterior features, especially in the doors and body style. The front and rear have been sculpted to remove mass around key functional components. Freeform geometrics define the integration of fluid surfaces contrasting hard-edge “Aero-Corners” which promote smooth airflow and reduce turbulence.
The roof has a distinctive scooped-out section designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room at the key areas. Made from carbon fibre Kevlar, the roof retracts so that the roof panel and back window pivot fluidly in a downward motion to stow in the rear seat space.
The vehicle’s triangular profile has a floating “C” pillar, aero corners, a full upper-body pan, and innovative open top. A bonnet features a scalloped channel, exposing the hybrid engine. Integrated component architecture can be seen in the aerospace-inspired lighting. The tail lamp unit spans the entire rear, and has an integrated retractable spoiler. Light-emitting diode (LED) clusters are located in the headlamps and the wing for energy-efficiency and decreased heat loss. Other exterior features include a speed-activated wing that elevates at high speed for additional stability and traction. The rear showcases a carbon fibre lower diffuser with integrated wide exhaust and carbon fibre wheels.
The driver-oriented interior was created by CALTY designer, William Chergosky and exudes sleekness, technology, and performance. The lean skeletal look is achieved with exposed cross-car architecture and high-tech materials such as carbon fibre, and titanium.
FT-HS’s interior features create a dedicated driver’s cockpit and include subtractive mass expressions such as cross-car instrument panel structure and delta wing driver pod. The delta-wing driver’s pod integrates many useful functions into a lightweight structural unit. All of the important functions and details are presented almost exclusively to the driver; for example, touch-trace sensors which surround the driver and act as tactile guides for finger controls when travelling at high speeds.
By eliminating the “B” pillar and creating a suspended “C” pillar, the minimalist style works in conjunction with subtractive mass. An integrated instrument panel surrounds the driver, creating an enclosed pod effect. Armrests flow seamlessly into the door and surrounding interior.
Seating is optimised for a lightweight appearance and function: the seating accommodates four and then coverts to a two-seater when the roof retracts. The passenger-seat area is open with a simple exposed airbag on the cross-car beam.
A telescoping hub-less steering wheel incorporates semi-automatic paddle shifters and allows the instruments to be shifted forward in order to shorten the driver’s focus-time between them and the road and ultimately enhance driver focus.
“FT-HS redefines the sports car experience not only with styling but also in function and performance,” said Hunter. “The FT-HS is Toyota’s answer to the question ‘What is a suitable sports car for the 21st Century?’”.
TOYOTA FT-HS CONCEPT VEHICLE PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
DRIVETRAIN 3.5 Litre V6 hybrid electric
DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall length: 170.27
Overall width: 73.23
Overall height: 50.79
Wheelbase: 104.33
Wheels: Carbon fibre
Tyre sizes: Front 245/35R21 Rear 285/30R21
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Audi may show Q7 V12 TDI concept in Detroit
This little number caught us off gaurd when one of our sources directed us to the VWVortex.com forums. Audi already unveiled the Q7 V12 TDI back in September at the Paris Motor Show. We were in awe of the engine that doesn't have to trace its root far back before it runs right into the same V12 diesel that powers the R10 Le Mans racer. This angelic-looking Q7 has the same V12, according to the forum poster, and it produces the same 500 horsepower and 738 ft-lbs. of glorious torque.
Perhaps Audi wanted to dress up the Q7 V12 TDI for its debut in North America, because from what we know this vehicle is Detroit-bound. There are a few changes to the vehicle that set it apart from the one we saw debut in Paris, including a front end with more LEDs around the headlights and a slightly modified lowe air intake. Out back the reverse lights have been relocated from the stop lamps into their own strip along the bumper that was previously housing reflectors. The center stop lamp housed beneath the rear spoiler is now also a string of red LEDs. The faux-diffuser in the lower bumper is slightly different, and finally the pair of exhaust tips embedded in the rear skirt are now ovular. The white paint job is new (and nice), but the wheels, oddly enough, are the same as the one's we saw in Paris.
The interior of this mild concept has also been cleaned up with the creamiest-looking leather applied to every visible surface, new gauges (220 mph!), and a new center information display that now both color and sporting a higher resolution. If you check out our gallery of high-resolution pics, you'll notice the center information display is showing a g-meter.
We have no information on this Q7 V12 TDI concept other than the few words accompanying it in the forum we found it. Audi has said nothing official about it, so its attendance in Detroit is not guaranteed. However, if it were to arrive stateside, its presence at the Detroit show would certainly fuel our hope that Audi's thinking about selling the Q7 V12 TDI here in addition to Europe. We'll find out soon enough.
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