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2005 Detroit Auto Show
by Mark Bilek
2005 Detroit Auto Show: Day 1
The Detroit Auto show became the United States' international show 17 years ago. Along with that title came a name change from the Detroit Auto Show to The North American International Auto Show. Though it's not the largest or the best-attended show, Detroit has become the auto manufacturer's battleground--each trying to upstage the other with bigger and bolder introductions. Simply put, it is the show for future products. Manufacturers unveil their wares in front of over 3000 journalists, themselves jockeying and fighting for the best view. With 15 press conferences a day, the Detroit show quickly becomes a case of sensory overload to even the most jaded reporter.
This year's Detroit show went light on new product introductions and heavy into concept reveals. In years past, this show has seen as many as fifty new production cars and trucks on rotating stands. This year there were fewer than 25, shifting the emphasis to the concept cars.
From mild to wild, the concept car is the auto manufacturer's way of testing the waters with a new product. Some concepts are never meant for production, while others are thinly veiled versions of a car that will hit the streets in a year or two. Most concepts have a theme and may be testing new exterior or interior design cues or gee wiz gadgets. What's most important for the consumer when admiring a concept car is to consider is part of the concept might end up in production.
Sometimes lost in the hype and hoopla of the Detroit show is the significance of these product launches. Journalists and consumers are bombarded by the big news, often overlooking important details like price, availability, or fuel economy. Consumer Guide® Automotive's Editorial Team is in Detroit reporting on the latest introductions and concept reveals. It's our task to cut through the hype and glitz to provide important details that will help consumers make smart new-car purchases in the coming year.
2005 Detroit Auto Show (Day 1)
Click here for Day 2 reports
2005 North American Car and Truck of the Year
Traditionally, the Detroit show opens with the announcement of the North American Car and Truck of the Year and 2005 was no exception. This award is considered to be the most prestigious in the automotive industry and is coveted by all of the manufacturers. This year, 48 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada voted on their favorite new cars and trucks. Those votes are tabulated and three finalists are selected. This year, Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler 300, and Ford Five Hundred were the finalists for Car of the Year. Truck finalists included the Ford Escape Hybrid, Ford Freestyle, and Land Rover LR3.
Not surprisingly, the runaway car of choice was the Chrysler 300. As an affordable, roomy, rear-drive sedan it breaks the mold of traditional front-drive large cars and was selected by Consumer Guide® as a Best Buy for 2005.
A surprise choice for Truck of the Year was the Ford Escape Hybrid. With a price tag of $30,000 it is one of the most expensive compact SUVs on the market. But it also gets the best fuel economy and can go nearly 500 miles between fill ups. This is the second year in a row that a Ford product was selected as Truck of the Year, last year's choice being the Ford F-150.
GMC Graphyte concept and General Motors Sequel concept
GM unveiled two environmentally friendly SUV concepts at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Revealed were the GMC Graphyte concept, a four-wheel drive midsize SUV powered by GM's hybrid propulsion system, and the General Motors Sequel concept, GM's latest fuel cell vehicle. Graphyte combines a 5.3-liter V8 engine with Displacement on Demand cylinder deactivation and a hybrid motor, enabling it to achieve 25% better fuel economy than other vehicles in it's class.
In addition, drivers can lower ride height by 4.7 inches to improve aerodynamics and fuel economy. Graphyte demonstrates technology that will be available on the GMC Yukon and the Chevy Tahoe in 2007. Utilizing hydrogen fuel cells, and technology that uses electrical signals to brake, accelerate, and steer, the five-passenger midsize SUV Sequel is able to travel 300 miles before refueling, the longest range yet for a fuel cell vehicle. Similar in size to the Cadillac SRX, Sequel's only emission is water vapor, and it goes from 0 to 60 in 10 seconds. While both vehicles are running prototypes, according to GM, one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the marketplace for this technology is affordability.
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Jeep Gladiator concept
Jeep's Gladiator concept marries the utility of an SUV, the practicality of a pickup, and the ruggedness of a Jeep. Using the successful Jeep Liberty as a starting point, the Gladiator adds an expandable pickup bed, slide-back canvas top, removable doors, and fold-down windshield. The spare tire is mounted on the side of the vehicle so that engineers could reduce rear overhang and maintain Jeep's trademark off-road ability.
Gladiator's unique fold-down midgate, is similar to the one found on the Chevrolet Avalanche, and allows the 5'8" cargo bed to be expanded to 6'8" inches. Power for this concept vehicle comes from the same 163-hp 2.8-liter diesel that's found in the Jeep Liberty. With 295 lb-ft of torque on tap, the engine is sure to give the Gladiator plenty of pulling power when the going gets tough. Jeep executives would not comment on production plans for Gladiator, but insist that it is one concept that they are going to give serious consideration.
Chrysler Firepower concept
Is the Dodge Viper's outrageous styling the only thing keeping you from putting one in your garage? Chrysler's got the answer for you; the Chrysler Firepower Concept. Starting with the Viper chassis, Chrysler engineers added a fixed roof and threw out the fire-breathing V10 engine. Instead, replacing it with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 that pumps out 425-horsepower. Mated to a 5-speed automatic, Chrysler claims the engine will accelerate the Firepower from 0-60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and to a top speed of 174 mph. Other unique features include 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels and maple accents in the two-seat interior. As with Gladiator, Chrysler officials would not comment on production intentions, but nearly every mechanical feature on the Firepower already exists in the Chrysler lineup, so this is one you might want to wait for!
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Jeep Hurricane concept
The Chrysler Group (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep) always saves one surprise vehicle for the media in attendance at the Detroit Auto Show--something so outrageous that it could only be conceived if you suspend reality. A few years ago Dodge unveiled the Tomahawk, a 500-hp V10-powered motorcycle. This year it was the Jeep Hurricane, and it took the Detroit show by storm. How does a Hemi V8 and the ability to spin circles on its own axis sound? Oh yes, and did we mention that's Hemi times two, one V8 in front and one V8 in back for a total of 670 hp. Linked by a central transfer case, the two engines have the ability to rotate each wheel independently of the other. Coupled with steering gears at all four wheels that allows the Hurricane to spin like a top. The body and chassis are constructed of light but strong carbon fiber. Tires are 37-inches tall, giving the Hurricane 14 inches of ground clearance. Don't hold your breath though; Chrysler executives freely admit that this concept is a design exercise and not something that's destined to be rolling down your street any day soon.
Ford Explorer Sport Trac concept
Ford took the wraps off an Explorer Sport Trac concept, hinting at the likely styling direction for the current Sport Trac's replacement. That model is due for an update since is it is based on the pre-2002 Ford Explorer. Distinguishing features of the concept vehicle include independent rear suspension, 21-inch wheels, Ford's 4.6-liter V8, and a cab that is stretched five-inches compared to the current model. The longer wheelbase allows for a 30-percent increase in cargo capacity. Ford is also introducing a new safety system in the Sport Trac concept. It is called Roll Stability Control and unlike other stability control systems, it also uses measurements of the vehicle's body roll to help prevent a rollover. Ford did not give a timetable for the possible release of a new Sport Trac based on the concept.
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Ford Fairlane concept
Ford's six-passenger "people-mover" concept is named for Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford's estate (as was Ford's popular 1960s passenger car). The Fairlane concept is a 4-door wagon aimed at an upscale audience. It is based on the Mazda 6 platform and is powered by a 210-hp 3.0-liter V6. The engine mates to a 6-speed automatic and drives and all-wheel drive system. The interior is finished in leather and wood and has three seating rows. Distinctive features include an all-glass roof covered with a stretched canvas top, center-opening doors, and a tailgate with a built-in refrigerator. Ford officials did not indicate if a Fairlane production vehicle is likely to be built.
2006 Ford Fusion
In case you hadn't noticed there's a gaping hole in the Ford product lineup between the economy-minded Focus and the new-for-2005 Five Hundred. The company hopes to successfully plug that void this fall with an all-new model called the Fusion. Described by Ford CEO Bill Ford as "sporty, fuel efficient, and affordable," the Fusion shares many components with the Mazda 6. It will be similar in size to the Honda Accord and come with one of two engines: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V6. Fusion will initially be offered with front-wheel drive, but Ford says an all-wheel drive version will follow a year later. Later still will be a hybrid powertrain. Ford executives were not willing to discuss pricing, but it is our guess that it will be between $18,000-$24,000 depending on model.
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2006 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson
Ford introduced a new Harley-Davidson-themed pickup at this year's Detroit show. It is the seventh Harley-Davidson commemorative model to be offered since 1999 and the first to be offered on the new Ford F-150 pickup chassis that was introduced in 2004. Only one bodystyle will be offered: a five-passenger extended cab with rear-hinged rear doors. Unique to the H-D special are black paint, a billet tube grille, 22-inch wheels, and blacked-out headlights. The interior features black leather upholstery, sport seats with H-D bar and shield logo embroidering, piano black trim, and a serialized nickel plate showing the vehicle's production date and number. The only engine is Ford's 300-hp, 5.4-liter Triton V8. Ford says they will build only 10,000 of the 2006 F-150 Harley-Davidson, and that they will go on sale this fall.
Ford Shelby GR-1 concept
The star of Ford's first-day assault on the Detroit show was the Ford Shelby GR-1, a supercar concept that recalls Carroll Shelby's Cobra Daytona Coupe road racer of the 1960s. Based on the Ford GT's rear-engine aluminum chassis, the GR-1's chassis is more than two feet shorter and modified for a front engine configuration. Propulsion comes from a 390 cid V10 that makes 605 hp and 501 lb-ft feet of torque. The stunning body is hand-polished aluminum with butterfly-style doors that open skyward. Ford's Tire IQ system provides real-time tire pressure and temperature statistics for the 19-inch tires and reports cornering G forces. Though no production date was announced, Ford says the Shelby GR-1 Concept could hint at the company's performance-car future and could succeed the GT supercar released in 2004.
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Ford SYNUS concept
The fanciful SYNUS (for "Synthesis, Urban Sanctuary") is Ford's take on the growing small city car market. Competitors might be the Scion xB or the Mini Cooper. The SYNUS is built with a bank vault theme, has a four-spoke spinner handle to open the rear hatch, combination locks on the door pillars, shutters that cover the windshield and side glass when parked, and bullet-resistant rear side windows. Power comes from a 134-hp 2.0-liter diesel with and 236 lb-ft of torque. Front seats can swivel 360 degrees, allowing passengers to view the 47-inch LCD mounted on the inside of the tailgate. Ford announced no plans to build a production version of the SYNUS.
Lexus LF-A concept
Despite having one of the oldest model lineups, Lexus is America's number-one selling luxury brand. That will change this March when the company introduces a new midsize luxury car called the GS. It will be a rear- or all-wheel drive sedan that slots in between the company's flagship LS 430 and value-leading ES. Also new this April will be the Lexus RX 400h, a hybrid version of the RX 330. Both vehicles were previewed at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show.
To whet buyer's appetites in the meantime, the company took the wraps off a sports car concept that reveals the direction Lexus styling will head in the next decade. Called the LF-A, this concept is a two-seat, ultra high-performance coupe. Lexus officials were mum as to the engine under the hood, but claimed that it made more than 500 hp, could propel the LF-A from 0-60 mph in under five seconds, and help the vehicle achieve a top speed of 200 mph. The concept is similar in size to a Mercedes-Benz SL, but the dramatically sloped hood forces the radiators to the back of the vehicle. Lexus will not confirm production of the LF-A, but several similar-looking vehicles were spotted racing around Toyota's proving grounds in Japan.
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2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Seven years after the original M-Class was introduced, Mercedes-Benz is ready with an all-new model. New engines and more interior room top the list of features of the redesigned premium-midsize SUV. Though it remains a 5-passenger model, the new M-Class is 5.9 inches longer and 2.8 inches wider than its predecessor, and offers over 2 inches of additional front legroom and 1.3 inches of additional rear legroom. The M-Class has a redesigned suspension, rides on an all-new unibody platform, sits 0.4 inches lower to the ground, and has a 3.7 inch-longer wheelbase than the previous model.
Initially two models will be offered. An all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine powers the ML350, delivering 268-hp. ML500 runs with a 5.0-liter V8 that makes 302-hp. Both are paired with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission. Other new features on the premium-midsize SUV include a revised full-time four-wheel drive system and a modified traction control system with hill assist, a downhill driving aid, and PRE-SAFE, a system which responds to threat of a crash by preparing the car's seatbelts, seat angles, and two-stage airbags. Set to go on sale this spring in the US and the following summer in Europe, the next-generation M-Class will be built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Pricing was not discussed.
Volkswagen Ragster concept and 2005.5 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Trying to inject a bit of flavor into a stoic model lineup, VW showed a chopped version of the New Beetle called the Ragster at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. Back in the '50s, auto enthusiasts chopped and lowered the tops on conventional coupes to create the hot rod, and this Ragster is pays homage to those vehicles. The Ragster was styled in VW's California design studio and features fender flares, revised front and rear fascias, and a four-inch lower roofline. VW officials didn't give any clues as to which engine was under the hood, but did claim that the Ragster had upgraded suspension and brake components. Neither prices nor production plans were discussed, but since the New Beetle was introduced in 1999, and has seen little change, this concept may hint at what the next generation car has in store.
VW also discussed pricing for the soon-to-arrive 2005.5 Jetta that made its debut at the Los Angles Auto Show. Executives said that prices would start under $18,000 for the base model with manual transmission. The company also introduced the Jetta GLI. It features a 200-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The new Jetta goes on sale this spring.
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Nissan Azeal concept
By the looks of the latest Nissan concept, the company is keeping one eye on Toyota's new youth-orientated Scion division. Similar in styling and dimensions to Scion's tC, a car like the Azeal would attract new buyers to the Nissan brand by putting a unique spin on the sports coupe class. Revealed in Detroit, the front-wheel drive coupe is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. Azeal rides on 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and features glass and aluminum roof panels. Unique interior features include Wasabi Chartreuse seats, a retractable navigation system, and a mixture of leather, metal, and glass cockpit materials. The vehicle is the first concept to come out of Nissan's Farmington Hills, Michigan, design studio.
Nissan officials confirmed that the company is working on a redesign of the interior of the Quest minivan. The Nissan Quest went on sale in 2004 with an offbeat interior that featured centrally located gauges. The new interior will appear for 2007 and will place controls more conventionally. Exterior styling will be unchanged.
Acura RD-X concept
Acura's been playing catch-up in the luxury game these past two years. During that time the company introduced three new sedans, the TSX, TL and RL. Now, Acura is looking to enhance the brand's sport-utility lineup. The Acura RD-X concept that was unveiled at the Detroit show is a thinly veiled prototype of a sport-ute the company will introduce in 2006. The RD-X concept is seven inches shorter than the midsize Acura MDX and is based on a completely new light truck platform. Acura would not comment on what type of engine was under the hood but said it would make at least 200 hp and be mated to Acura's innovative Super-Handling AWD system. First seen on the 2005 Acura RL, SH-AWD can shift power from front to back and left to right to enhance handling in dry, wet, and snowy conditions.
Unique RD-X features include a wiperless windshield that uses air to clear the windscreen on rainy days, 19-inch wheels, an extra-large sunroof, and side-view cameras that eliminate the need for outside mirrors. The interior includes a computer hard drive instead of the conventional CD drive. This would place an owner's entire music collection within the touch of a button. Acura would not comment on pricing, but did say that the production RD-X would be built in Ohio and appear in showrooms in 2006.
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Audi allroad quattro concept
Throughout the past 25-years, 1.8 million production Audis have been equipped with the company's revolutionary Quattro all-wheel drive system. In tribute to that technology, Audi unveiled the allroad quattro concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Based on the 2005 Audi A6 Avant, the sport wagon concept utilizes Audi's most advanced Quattro system yet. Called Road Vision, the system senses different road surfaces and informs the driver.
Other unique features of the concept car include Lane Assist, which informs the driver of lane departure with steering wheel vibrations; and Side Assist, which uses radar sensors to monitor the car's blind spot. The Quattro concept is powered by a 4.0-liter turbodiesel V8, matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with 0-60 time in 6.4 seconds. The sport wagon's V8 is the first vehicle of its kind to meet Europe's strict emissions standard. Designed for both on- and off-road use, the Quattro concept's suspension height is driver-controlled and able to vary from 6.3 inches to 8.3 inches. This concept is expected to preview the allroad quattro that will hit showroom floors this fall.
2006 Saturn Sky
At this year's Detroit auto show, Saturn announced plans to double the company's model lineup within the next two years. That means they will go from three models to six by 2007. The first new model to be introduced is the Sky two-seat roadster. It is based on the same rear-drive chassis as the Pontiac Solstice and will compete with vehicles like the Mazda Miata. Initially the Sky will have a 170-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and either a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. However, a performance model with a 200-hp supercharged engine is rumored.
Other unique Sky features include a four-wheel independent suspension with coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, 18-inch wheels, hydroformed chassis members, clamshell hood, and a manual convertible top. The interior features piano black and chrome finishes, available leather seats, and OnStar communication system. Sky will be built in Delaware and hit dealer showrooms in early 2006. Saturn promised that the Sky would have a base price of less than $25,000.
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Saturn Aura concept
Hot on the heels of the Sky will be an all-new midsize Saturn sedan. Previewed by the Aura concept, this front-driver replaces the Saturn L-Series. It will be based on the Chevrolet Malibu, and arrive in showrooms in mid-2006. If the Aura concept is to be believed, Saturn intends to take the company's midsize car up market. T
he Aura features chrome sill plates, titanium-finished interior controls, a panoramic roof, and a 250-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine. Other mechanical components of the Aura include a 6-speed automatic transmission, electric power steering, and 19-inch wheels. Occupant safety has not been forgotten as the Aura boasts side- and side-curtain airbags, a stability control system, and the OnStar communications system. Gone are Saturn's trademark plastic bodyside panels, replaced by an all-steel shell. In addition, the Aura showcases Saturn's new face with a horizontal chrome spear that runs the length of the grille. Saturn officials would not reveal prices, however, they did indicate that the Aura would compete at the upper-end of the midsize market with the likes of the Honda Accord V6 and the Nissan Maxima.
Click here for Day 2 reports
This year's Detroit show went light on new product introductions and heavy into concept reveals. In years past, this show has seen as many as fifty new production cars and trucks on rotating stands. This year there were fewer than 25, shifting the emphasis to the concept cars.
From mild to wild, the concept car is the auto manufacturer's way of testing the waters with a new product. Some concepts are never meant for production, while others are thinly veiled versions of a car that will hit the streets in a year or two. Most concepts have a theme and may be testing new exterior or interior design cues or gee wiz gadgets. What's most important for the consumer when admiring a concept car is to consider is part of the concept might end up in production.
Sometimes lost in the hype and hoopla of the Detroit show is the significance of these product launches. Journalists and consumers are bombarded by the big news, often overlooking important details like price, availability, or fuel economy. Consumer Guide® Automotive's Editorial Team is in Detroit reporting on the latest introductions and concept reveals. It's our task to cut through the hype and glitz to provide important details that will help consumers make smart new-car purchases in the coming year.
2005 Detroit Auto Show (Day 1)
Click here for Day 2 reports
2005 North American Car and Truck of the Year
Traditionally, the Detroit show opens with the announcement of the North American Car and Truck of the Year and 2005 was no exception. This award is considered to be the most prestigious in the automotive industry and is coveted by all of the manufacturers. This year, 48 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada voted on their favorite new cars and trucks. Those votes are tabulated and three finalists are selected. This year, Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler 300, and Ford Five Hundred were the finalists for Car of the Year. Truck finalists included the Ford Escape Hybrid, Ford Freestyle, and Land Rover LR3.
Not surprisingly, the runaway car of choice was the Chrysler 300. As an affordable, roomy, rear-drive sedan it breaks the mold of traditional front-drive large cars and was selected by Consumer Guide® as a Best Buy for 2005.
A surprise choice for Truck of the Year was the Ford Escape Hybrid. With a price tag of $30,000 it is one of the most expensive compact SUVs on the market. But it also gets the best fuel economy and can go nearly 500 miles between fill ups. This is the second year in a row that a Ford product was selected as Truck of the Year, last year's choice being the Ford F-150.
GMC Graphyte concept and General Motors Sequel concept
GM unveiled two environmentally friendly SUV concepts at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Revealed were the GMC Graphyte concept, a four-wheel drive midsize SUV powered by GM's hybrid propulsion system, and the General Motors Sequel concept, GM's latest fuel cell vehicle. Graphyte combines a 5.3-liter V8 engine with Displacement on Demand cylinder deactivation and a hybrid motor, enabling it to achieve 25% better fuel economy than other vehicles in it's class.
In addition, drivers can lower ride height by 4.7 inches to improve aerodynamics and fuel economy. Graphyte demonstrates technology that will be available on the GMC Yukon and the Chevy Tahoe in 2007. Utilizing hydrogen fuel cells, and technology that uses electrical signals to brake, accelerate, and steer, the five-passenger midsize SUV Sequel is able to travel 300 miles before refueling, the longest range yet for a fuel cell vehicle. Similar in size to the Cadillac SRX, Sequel's only emission is water vapor, and it goes from 0 to 60 in 10 seconds. While both vehicles are running prototypes, according to GM, one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the marketplace for this technology is affordability.
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Jeep Gladiator concept
Jeep's Gladiator concept marries the utility of an SUV, the practicality of a pickup, and the ruggedness of a Jeep. Using the successful Jeep Liberty as a starting point, the Gladiator adds an expandable pickup bed, slide-back canvas top, removable doors, and fold-down windshield. The spare tire is mounted on the side of the vehicle so that engineers could reduce rear overhang and maintain Jeep's trademark off-road ability.
Gladiator's unique fold-down midgate, is similar to the one found on the Chevrolet Avalanche, and allows the 5'8" cargo bed to be expanded to 6'8" inches. Power for this concept vehicle comes from the same 163-hp 2.8-liter diesel that's found in the Jeep Liberty. With 295 lb-ft of torque on tap, the engine is sure to give the Gladiator plenty of pulling power when the going gets tough. Jeep executives would not comment on production plans for Gladiator, but insist that it is one concept that they are going to give serious consideration.
Chrysler Firepower concept
Is the Dodge Viper's outrageous styling the only thing keeping you from putting one in your garage? Chrysler's got the answer for you; the Chrysler Firepower Concept. Starting with the Viper chassis, Chrysler engineers added a fixed roof and threw out the fire-breathing V10 engine. Instead, replacing it with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 that pumps out 425-horsepower. Mated to a 5-speed automatic, Chrysler claims the engine will accelerate the Firepower from 0-60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and to a top speed of 174 mph. Other unique features include 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels and maple accents in the two-seat interior. As with Gladiator, Chrysler officials would not comment on production intentions, but nearly every mechanical feature on the Firepower already exists in the Chrysler lineup, so this is one you might want to wait for!
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Jeep Hurricane concept
The Chrysler Group (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep) always saves one surprise vehicle for the media in attendance at the Detroit Auto Show--something so outrageous that it could only be conceived if you suspend reality. A few years ago Dodge unveiled the Tomahawk, a 500-hp V10-powered motorcycle. This year it was the Jeep Hurricane, and it took the Detroit show by storm. How does a Hemi V8 and the ability to spin circles on its own axis sound? Oh yes, and did we mention that's Hemi times two, one V8 in front and one V8 in back for a total of 670 hp. Linked by a central transfer case, the two engines have the ability to rotate each wheel independently of the other. Coupled with steering gears at all four wheels that allows the Hurricane to spin like a top. The body and chassis are constructed of light but strong carbon fiber. Tires are 37-inches tall, giving the Hurricane 14 inches of ground clearance. Don't hold your breath though; Chrysler executives freely admit that this concept is a design exercise and not something that's destined to be rolling down your street any day soon.
Ford Explorer Sport Trac concept
Ford took the wraps off an Explorer Sport Trac concept, hinting at the likely styling direction for the current Sport Trac's replacement. That model is due for an update since is it is based on the pre-2002 Ford Explorer. Distinguishing features of the concept vehicle include independent rear suspension, 21-inch wheels, Ford's 4.6-liter V8, and a cab that is stretched five-inches compared to the current model. The longer wheelbase allows for a 30-percent increase in cargo capacity. Ford is also introducing a new safety system in the Sport Trac concept. It is called Roll Stability Control and unlike other stability control systems, it also uses measurements of the vehicle's body roll to help prevent a rollover. Ford did not give a timetable for the possible release of a new Sport Trac based on the concept.
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Ford Fairlane concept
Ford's six-passenger "people-mover" concept is named for Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford's estate (as was Ford's popular 1960s passenger car). The Fairlane concept is a 4-door wagon aimed at an upscale audience. It is based on the Mazda 6 platform and is powered by a 210-hp 3.0-liter V6. The engine mates to a 6-speed automatic and drives and all-wheel drive system. The interior is finished in leather and wood and has three seating rows. Distinctive features include an all-glass roof covered with a stretched canvas top, center-opening doors, and a tailgate with a built-in refrigerator. Ford officials did not indicate if a Fairlane production vehicle is likely to be built.
2006 Ford Fusion
In case you hadn't noticed there's a gaping hole in the Ford product lineup between the economy-minded Focus and the new-for-2005 Five Hundred. The company hopes to successfully plug that void this fall with an all-new model called the Fusion. Described by Ford CEO Bill Ford as "sporty, fuel efficient, and affordable," the Fusion shares many components with the Mazda 6. It will be similar in size to the Honda Accord and come with one of two engines: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V6. Fusion will initially be offered with front-wheel drive, but Ford says an all-wheel drive version will follow a year later. Later still will be a hybrid powertrain. Ford executives were not willing to discuss pricing, but it is our guess that it will be between $18,000-$24,000 depending on model.
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2006 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson
Ford introduced a new Harley-Davidson-themed pickup at this year's Detroit show. It is the seventh Harley-Davidson commemorative model to be offered since 1999 and the first to be offered on the new Ford F-150 pickup chassis that was introduced in 2004. Only one bodystyle will be offered: a five-passenger extended cab with rear-hinged rear doors. Unique to the H-D special are black paint, a billet tube grille, 22-inch wheels, and blacked-out headlights. The interior features black leather upholstery, sport seats with H-D bar and shield logo embroidering, piano black trim, and a serialized nickel plate showing the vehicle's production date and number. The only engine is Ford's 300-hp, 5.4-liter Triton V8. Ford says they will build only 10,000 of the 2006 F-150 Harley-Davidson, and that they will go on sale this fall.
Ford Shelby GR-1 concept
The star of Ford's first-day assault on the Detroit show was the Ford Shelby GR-1, a supercar concept that recalls Carroll Shelby's Cobra Daytona Coupe road racer of the 1960s. Based on the Ford GT's rear-engine aluminum chassis, the GR-1's chassis is more than two feet shorter and modified for a front engine configuration. Propulsion comes from a 390 cid V10 that makes 605 hp and 501 lb-ft feet of torque. The stunning body is hand-polished aluminum with butterfly-style doors that open skyward. Ford's Tire IQ system provides real-time tire pressure and temperature statistics for the 19-inch tires and reports cornering G forces. Though no production date was announced, Ford says the Shelby GR-1 Concept could hint at the company's performance-car future and could succeed the GT supercar released in 2004.
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Ford SYNUS concept
The fanciful SYNUS (for "Synthesis, Urban Sanctuary") is Ford's take on the growing small city car market. Competitors might be the Scion xB or the Mini Cooper. The SYNUS is built with a bank vault theme, has a four-spoke spinner handle to open the rear hatch, combination locks on the door pillars, shutters that cover the windshield and side glass when parked, and bullet-resistant rear side windows. Power comes from a 134-hp 2.0-liter diesel with and 236 lb-ft of torque. Front seats can swivel 360 degrees, allowing passengers to view the 47-inch LCD mounted on the inside of the tailgate. Ford announced no plans to build a production version of the SYNUS.
Lexus LF-A concept
Despite having one of the oldest model lineups, Lexus is America's number-one selling luxury brand. That will change this March when the company introduces a new midsize luxury car called the GS. It will be a rear- or all-wheel drive sedan that slots in between the company's flagship LS 430 and value-leading ES. Also new this April will be the Lexus RX 400h, a hybrid version of the RX 330. Both vehicles were previewed at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show.
To whet buyer's appetites in the meantime, the company took the wraps off a sports car concept that reveals the direction Lexus styling will head in the next decade. Called the LF-A, this concept is a two-seat, ultra high-performance coupe. Lexus officials were mum as to the engine under the hood, but claimed that it made more than 500 hp, could propel the LF-A from 0-60 mph in under five seconds, and help the vehicle achieve a top speed of 200 mph. The concept is similar in size to a Mercedes-Benz SL, but the dramatically sloped hood forces the radiators to the back of the vehicle. Lexus will not confirm production of the LF-A, but several similar-looking vehicles were spotted racing around Toyota's proving grounds in Japan.
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2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Seven years after the original M-Class was introduced, Mercedes-Benz is ready with an all-new model. New engines and more interior room top the list of features of the redesigned premium-midsize SUV. Though it remains a 5-passenger model, the new M-Class is 5.9 inches longer and 2.8 inches wider than its predecessor, and offers over 2 inches of additional front legroom and 1.3 inches of additional rear legroom. The M-Class has a redesigned suspension, rides on an all-new unibody platform, sits 0.4 inches lower to the ground, and has a 3.7 inch-longer wheelbase than the previous model.
Initially two models will be offered. An all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine powers the ML350, delivering 268-hp. ML500 runs with a 5.0-liter V8 that makes 302-hp. Both are paired with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission. Other new features on the premium-midsize SUV include a revised full-time four-wheel drive system and a modified traction control system with hill assist, a downhill driving aid, and PRE-SAFE, a system which responds to threat of a crash by preparing the car's seatbelts, seat angles, and two-stage airbags. Set to go on sale this spring in the US and the following summer in Europe, the next-generation M-Class will be built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Pricing was not discussed.
Volkswagen Ragster concept and 2005.5 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Trying to inject a bit of flavor into a stoic model lineup, VW showed a chopped version of the New Beetle called the Ragster at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. Back in the '50s, auto enthusiasts chopped and lowered the tops on conventional coupes to create the hot rod, and this Ragster is pays homage to those vehicles. The Ragster was styled in VW's California design studio and features fender flares, revised front and rear fascias, and a four-inch lower roofline. VW officials didn't give any clues as to which engine was under the hood, but did claim that the Ragster had upgraded suspension and brake components. Neither prices nor production plans were discussed, but since the New Beetle was introduced in 1999, and has seen little change, this concept may hint at what the next generation car has in store.
VW also discussed pricing for the soon-to-arrive 2005.5 Jetta that made its debut at the Los Angles Auto Show. Executives said that prices would start under $18,000 for the base model with manual transmission. The company also introduced the Jetta GLI. It features a 200-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The new Jetta goes on sale this spring.
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Nissan Azeal concept
By the looks of the latest Nissan concept, the company is keeping one eye on Toyota's new youth-orientated Scion division. Similar in styling and dimensions to Scion's tC, a car like the Azeal would attract new buyers to the Nissan brand by putting a unique spin on the sports coupe class. Revealed in Detroit, the front-wheel drive coupe is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. Azeal rides on 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and features glass and aluminum roof panels. Unique interior features include Wasabi Chartreuse seats, a retractable navigation system, and a mixture of leather, metal, and glass cockpit materials. The vehicle is the first concept to come out of Nissan's Farmington Hills, Michigan, design studio.
Nissan officials confirmed that the company is working on a redesign of the interior of the Quest minivan. The Nissan Quest went on sale in 2004 with an offbeat interior that featured centrally located gauges. The new interior will appear for 2007 and will place controls more conventionally. Exterior styling will be unchanged.
Acura RD-X concept
Acura's been playing catch-up in the luxury game these past two years. During that time the company introduced three new sedans, the TSX, TL and RL. Now, Acura is looking to enhance the brand's sport-utility lineup. The Acura RD-X concept that was unveiled at the Detroit show is a thinly veiled prototype of a sport-ute the company will introduce in 2006. The RD-X concept is seven inches shorter than the midsize Acura MDX and is based on a completely new light truck platform. Acura would not comment on what type of engine was under the hood but said it would make at least 200 hp and be mated to Acura's innovative Super-Handling AWD system. First seen on the 2005 Acura RL, SH-AWD can shift power from front to back and left to right to enhance handling in dry, wet, and snowy conditions.
Unique RD-X features include a wiperless windshield that uses air to clear the windscreen on rainy days, 19-inch wheels, an extra-large sunroof, and side-view cameras that eliminate the need for outside mirrors. The interior includes a computer hard drive instead of the conventional CD drive. This would place an owner's entire music collection within the touch of a button. Acura would not comment on pricing, but did say that the production RD-X would be built in Ohio and appear in showrooms in 2006.
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Audi allroad quattro concept
Throughout the past 25-years, 1.8 million production Audis have been equipped with the company's revolutionary Quattro all-wheel drive system. In tribute to that technology, Audi unveiled the allroad quattro concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Based on the 2005 Audi A6 Avant, the sport wagon concept utilizes Audi's most advanced Quattro system yet. Called Road Vision, the system senses different road surfaces and informs the driver.
Other unique features of the concept car include Lane Assist, which informs the driver of lane departure with steering wheel vibrations; and Side Assist, which uses radar sensors to monitor the car's blind spot. The Quattro concept is powered by a 4.0-liter turbodiesel V8, matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with 0-60 time in 6.4 seconds. The sport wagon's V8 is the first vehicle of its kind to meet Europe's strict emissions standard. Designed for both on- and off-road use, the Quattro concept's suspension height is driver-controlled and able to vary from 6.3 inches to 8.3 inches. This concept is expected to preview the allroad quattro that will hit showroom floors this fall.
2006 Saturn Sky
At this year's Detroit auto show, Saturn announced plans to double the company's model lineup within the next two years. That means they will go from three models to six by 2007. The first new model to be introduced is the Sky two-seat roadster. It is based on the same rear-drive chassis as the Pontiac Solstice and will compete with vehicles like the Mazda Miata. Initially the Sky will have a 170-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and either a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. However, a performance model with a 200-hp supercharged engine is rumored.
Other unique Sky features include a four-wheel independent suspension with coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, 18-inch wheels, hydroformed chassis members, clamshell hood, and a manual convertible top. The interior features piano black and chrome finishes, available leather seats, and OnStar communication system. Sky will be built in Delaware and hit dealer showrooms in early 2006. Saturn promised that the Sky would have a base price of less than $25,000.
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Saturn Aura concept
Hot on the heels of the Sky will be an all-new midsize Saturn sedan. Previewed by the Aura concept, this front-driver replaces the Saturn L-Series. It will be based on the Chevrolet Malibu, and arrive in showrooms in mid-2006. If the Aura concept is to be believed, Saturn intends to take the company's midsize car up market. T
he Aura features chrome sill plates, titanium-finished interior controls, a panoramic roof, and a 250-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine. Other mechanical components of the Aura include a 6-speed automatic transmission, electric power steering, and 19-inch wheels. Occupant safety has not been forgotten as the Aura boasts side- and side-curtain airbags, a stability control system, and the OnStar communications system. Gone are Saturn's trademark plastic bodyside panels, replaced by an all-steel shell. In addition, the Aura showcases Saturn's new face with a horizontal chrome spear that runs the length of the grille. Saturn officials would not reveal prices, however, they did indicate that the Aura would compete at the upper-end of the midsize market with the likes of the Honda Accord V6 and the Nissan Maxima.
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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:
Bilek, Mark. "2005 Detroit Auto Show." 27 December 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2005-detroit-auto-show-main-cga.htm> 06 July 2008.
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