The Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion® Concept is a non-hybrid, gasoline-engine mid-size sedan with an all-new version of the Volkswagen 1.4-liter EA211 TSI® engine with direct injection and turbocharging that delivers 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque for an manufacturer estimated highway fuel economy rating of 42 mpg. The Passat BlueMotion® Concept also offers Active Cylinder Management technology which deactivates the valvetrain on cylinders two and three for situations when the driver only applies light throttle pressure to maintain specific city speeds, previously seen on the European Volkswagen Polo and Golf models.
The all-new 2011 Audi A8, Audi's fourth generation flagship sedan with aluminum space frame, MMI user interface, quattro all-wheel-drive and adaptive air suspension, will hit showrooms this Fall. The A8 is powered by a 372 hosepower 4.2 FSI direct injection V8 engine with Valvelift System variable intake valve lift delivering 328 lb-ft torque and mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The biggest issue with the new high tech luxury sedans is the navigation, entertainment interface which manufacturers painstakingly research with focus groups to make user-friendly. A difficult to use control system can be a customer's key vehicle dissatisfier so I spent an hour with Dr. Werner Hamberger assigned to making the next-generation MMI 3G+ Multi Media Interface with ‘MMI touch’. MMI touch is essentially like a laptop mousepad that recognizes handwriting for entering letters and numbers for Navigation destinations, and is backlit to allow it to change to a pointer for map functions, a number pad for radio functions (see lower left of photo) and can be used to scroll lists in the MMI.
The A8 NWB (Normal Wheelbase) was shown in Detroit and the LWB (Long Wheelbase) A8 will be revealed in 2010. The A8 competes with the Mercedes-Benz S Class, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ. The A8 introduced this week in Detroit and coming to market in the Fall is a vehicle of beauty, technology and performance with an intuitively easy-to-use control system. We'll get the price for the new A8 closer to sales date.
The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z two-seater sport hybrid coupe coming to the U.S. market late this summer was my second pick for best debut in Detroit, behind the Ford Focus. Critics ask who will buy a two-seater car? I asked myself that same question in 1978 at age 23 and, guess what, I took the plunge and drove a two-seater for 10 years with no issues. I sold it on the day my first child was born. Most of us drive alone most of the time and the empty nest baby boomers may want some fun in an environmentally-friendly sports car.
The 2011 Honda CR-Z is powered by a 122 horsepower 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda’s compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist hybrid-electric system. Expected MPG is 31/37/33 miles per gallon (City/Highway/Combined). The two-passenger CR-Z introduces a new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving modes.
We'll get price and other details closer to launch late this summer.
Ford will be the focus of the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit which opens for the media on Monday. Ford, which didn't file for bankruptcy like GM and Chrysler and didn't take any government bail out money, will show Focus, Mustang GT and Lincoln MKX.
The successful Ford Focus in Europe will have its U.S. debut in a venue that is more than 54,000 square feet, 48 percent bigger than last year - the largest Ford stand ever. Focus is the big story as it becomes Ford's first global passenger vehicle with plans to have up to 10 models off of that C platform in the coming years, including the C-max version which was shown in Frankfurt in September. Ford's all-new normally aspirated 2.0-liter direct injection engine will power the 2012 Focus in North America.
At NAIAS in Detroit, Ford display 60 new Ford cars and trucks and 21 new Lincoln and Mercury vehicles and will showcase 24 interactive displays, engaging consumers in experiential and educational exercises that demonstrate Ford's technologies and innovations. Ford will also conduct live driving demonstrations of its Active Park Assist (APA) technology inside Cobo Center using hybrid vehicles.
Ford will introduce nine new or upgraded engines and six new transmissions in North America this year as part of a five-year effort to overhaul its entire global powertrain portfolio, which totals 60 new powertrains.
Forty new vehicles is the estimated unveiling count at the North American International Auto Show according to show organizers. Thirty worldwide reveals and ten North American debuts, will kick off the New Year at Cobo Center in Detroit January 11th. That count may climb as we get closer. A lot of the news is already out as secrets are hard to keep these days with so many European vehicles just crossing "the pond". We saw numerous unveils in Frankfurt and Los Angeles so what's in store for Detroit?
Among the vehicles to be shown in North America and, possibly the world, for the first time:
Audi's new A8 sedan, which arrives in the Spring, will be initially offered with either a 372 horsepower 4.2 FSI or a 350 horsepower 4.2 TDI engine and later with a 250 horsepower 3.0 TDI powerplant.
BMW will make the world debut of its 340 horsepower twin turbo Z4 sDrive35is roadster and BMW Concept ActiveE with an electric drive system that draws its energy from new, advanced lithium-ion battery pack. BMW is also unveiling the twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine version of the BMW 740i and 740Li sedans. BMW will also display the 465 horsepower ActiveHybrid 7 with an upgraded eight-cylinder engine and electric motor. Next to it will be the 407 horsepower ActiveHybrid X6 with V8 TwinPower Turbo Technology and two synchronous electric motors. The MINI Beachcomber concept will also be center stage in Detroit.
Chrysler's display will have some Italian flavor with a battery-electric Fiat 500.
Ford will have the 412 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine Mustang GT and the $79,000 racing Boss 302R Mustang.
General Motors, under the Chevrolet bow tie badge, will have a new Camaro convertible, Aveo, Spark (pictured left at the Frankfurt Auto Show), Orlando and Malibu along with Jim Campbell, Chevy's newest vice president, as of December 9th. GM will also have the Cadillac CTS-V coupe, Buick Regal GS performance concept and GMC Acadia Denali edition.
Mercedes-Benz will have its E-Class Cabriolet which goes on sale in mid-January in Europe and in May in the U.S.
Toyota will stage the world debut of a new dedicated hybrid concept vehicle.
Volkswagen may have a new 2011 Jetta and a CC R-Line news announcement. R-Line equipment is already offered on seven Volkswagen models in Europe and now the Passat CC is getting a sportier touch.
Volvo is presenting a complete battery electric Volvo C30 with a range of 93 miles.
All the news from Detroit will come from media conferences on January 11th and 12th.
