2011 NAIAS: MINI Paceman Concept Is Peppy 2-Door Countryman

The all-wheel drive MINI Paceman has a 211 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the same 1.6 liter John Cooper Works twin-scroll turbo engine that's in the John Cooper Works version of the Mini hatchback. Though still being billed as a concept, the Paceman will very likely go into production and showrooms. With so many tech-loaded small vehicles hitting U.S. streets, the MINI buyer must have an acquired taste and larger wallet than other compact car shoppers. The powerful Paceman promises to please those picky personalities.

2011 NAIAS: 2011 Jeep Compass Takes Cues From Grand Cherokee

 The new 2011 Jeep® Compass, taking design cues from the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, is available in three drivetrain configurations: Standard front-wheel-drive, the Freedom Drive I four-wheel-drive system and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package four-wheel-drive system that delivers Jeep Trail Rated® capability in Compass form. Compass features a standard 158 horsepower 2.0-liter World Engine with the continuously variable transmission and delivers 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway when mated to the five-speed manual transmission. The 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine with dual Variable Valve Timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts, is available on all models.

 The 2011 Jeep Compass is available in three configurations: Compass, Latitude and Limited. All are available with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time, active 4x4 system or the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package full-time, active 4x4 system with low-range capability. There's a long history of affection for the Jeep Grand Cherokee so its smaller sibling is hitting a market and loyalty sweet spot.

2011 NAIAS: Ford Vertrek Concept

The Ford Vertrek concept, built on Ford's global C-segment platform, has new 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine from the global Ford EcoBoost family mated to a new, fuel-saving Ford Auto Start-Stop technology. By 2012, the C-segment platform will underpin more than 2 million vehicles globally and by 2013, 80 percent of Ford's global nameplates and 90 percent of Ford's North American nameplates will have an EcoBoost option.

 Looks like Ford's latest charge into the growing mid-size CUV segment that Lexus started and built into a huge success with the RX.

2011 NAIAS: Ford's Latest Techology Innovations

2011 NAIAS: Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler On Technology

2011 NAIAS: Volvo Pres. & CEO Stefan Jacoby On Strategy