2011 NAIAS: General Motors Debuts Buick Verano & Chevrolet Sonic

General Motors introduced two entry level vehicles in Detroit. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and 2012 Buick Verano.

The Chevrolet Sonic will come in a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback powered by a standard 1.8 liter engine or an optional 138 horsepower 1.4 liter turbo mated to a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Replacing, the Korean Aveo, the Michigan-made Sonic arrives this Fall with 10 airbags.

The all-new 2012 Buick Verano is powered by a 177 horsepower Ecotec 2.4 liter delivering an estimated 31mpg on the highway. A 2.0 liter turbo engine will be offered in the future.

NAIAS: 2011 Chrysler 300, All-New In the Spring Starting at $27,995

The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 and 300 Limited models have a new look and powertrains while preserving that initial startle - "wait, is that a Bentley?" The 300 and 300 Limited have a 292 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with EPA-ratings of 18 city/27 highway. The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300C (pictured) has a 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine delivering up to 25 highway mpg with Fuel Saver Technology that allows for seamless transition between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. When running in four-cylinder fuel saver mode, the engine delivers up to 20 percent improved fuel efficiency.

Uconnect® Touch with an 8.4-inch standard touchscreen radio offers connectivity, Garmin® navigation and SIRIUS Travel Link for real-time weather, fuel prices and more. New active safety features include adaptive-forward lighting, Forward Collision Warning and Blind-spot Monitoring.
The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan arrives in dealerships in Spring 2011, starting at $27,995 (including destination).

2011 NAIAS: Kia KV7 Concept Blends Practicality With Flare

Kia Motors’ U.S. design studio unveiled — the “KV7” concept van that has a futuristic blend of curves around a boxy frame which some critics say borrows from the Ford Flex. It has corporate jet lounge-like seating where passengers can face each other to engage in conversation. It reminds me of the station wagon of the future which I saw as a kid at the 1962 Seattle World's fair. The front passenger seat that swivels around is a practical idea that more manufacturers should embrace to make an easy exit from the vehicle for our aging population - turn towards the door and step out rather than kicking your legs to the side. The large gullwing door that swings up to open may present some problems in tight parking spaces.

The KV7 concept is powered by Kia’s new Theta II 2.0-liter GDI turbocharged engine, which is capable of delivering up to 285 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission to deliver V6-type power and performance while achieving better than 30 miles per gallon on the highway. The KV7 concept is my choice for the most radically inspiring concept vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show because it mixes practically and personality into a van, a segment which many moms avoiding because of the stereo-type that goes with them. The KV7, if it becomes reality, could lure the crowd of minivan moms that have opted for SUVs and CUVs back to the van segment.

North American International Auto Show Preview - NAIAS - Detroit

Four auto shows in North America have media days for manufacturers to unveil vehicles as World or North American debuts - Los Angeles (November), Detroit (January), Chicago (February) and New York (Easter week which is in mid-April this year). It's usually today, the day before leaving for Detroit, that I get excited with anticipation and this year should produce some surprises.

Surprises
Porsche, which historically doesn't display in Detroit because they have few buyers in that market, will have a vehicle debut this year to kick off the show at the crack of dawn Monday. Tomorrow night, on the eve of the show Volkswagen will show off their American-made mid-size sedan that will be assemble in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a plant run by longtime Toyota manufacturing boss Don Jackson. Also, somewhat surprising is the fact Nissan and Infiniti are saving a lot of money by not having displays in Detroit.

Debuts
As already written in Saxton On Cars, we'll have a first-hand look at the 2011 BMW M Coupe, 2012 BMW 1-Series coupe and convertible, 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Buick Verano and 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan. Also expected is the 2012 Audi A6, 2012 Chevrolet Sonic (formerly Aveo), 2012 Ford C-Max (from Europe), 2012 Ford Focus Electric, 2012 Hyundai Velster, 2012 Toyota Prius MPV and 2011 Jeep Compass.

Concepts we're expecting to see include Kia KV7, MINI Paceman, Ford Escape, GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD, 2012 Honda Civic and Hyundai Club. On the high performance side, Chrysler will have the Mopar 300, Ram Runner and Fiat 500 while Cadillac will show off their CTS-V Coupe racecar. Detroit is the home of GM, Ford and Chrysler so there could be some added surprises.

Awards
The North American Car and Truck of the Year picks to be announced Monday morning will be significant with so many great vehicles. Ford Focus Electric, Honda Civic, Volkswagen's new mid-size sedan and Mercedes new C-Class have got the gas in my veins flowing as all of them have huge sales potential.

Stay tuned for the latest from Detroit on vehicle debuts and executive comments on the industry.