Detroit Motor Show

More energy, new courage

That there is a certain optimism is confirmed by the statistics… the Detroit Motor Show 2012 will occupy 2,400 square metres more exhibition space than last year. This may not count as huge growth but it is definitely a step in a positive direction. And this year’s first major automobile event will be fully supported by social networking with extensive use of Facebook and Twitter. The ‘North American International Auto Show’ (NAIAS) in Detroit’s Cobo Centre is also to be a virtual experience thanks to the internet. “This show will teach us a lot, it will be entertaining and amazing”, claims NAIAS head Bill Perkins. There is to be no echo of the haunted and depressed mood of recent years and more than forty car makers promise to unveil new models in the city so dominated by the automobile on the shores of Lake Erie.

Timed to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the SL range, the latest version will be presented by Mercedes.

One of the interesting premières will be that mounted by Mercedes-Benz. Timed to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the SL range, the latest version will be presented. On the stand next to it will be the second SL model ever built… a racing coupé with gull-wing doors which has been renovated in nine months of meticulous work. The luxurious new SL is as was to be expected a roadster with folding top. The fact that the carosserie is made from aluminium and various parts crafted in magnesium mean that the new car is 140 kilos lighter than the preceding version. The engine capacity has been reduced from 5.5 litres to 4.7, but the bi-turbo configuration ensures that the power output has been at the same time increased to 435 horsepower (320 kW) and a maximum of 530 Nm of torque. The averaged fuel consumption is given as nine litres per hundred kilometres driven.

A few metres distant from the SL the Stuttgart car builder will be displaying for the first time their hybrid version of the E-Class.

A few metres distant from the SL the Stuttgart car builder will be displaying for the first time their hybrid version of the E-Class. The noteworthy point here… the electric module is in support of the 2.2 litre diesel found also in the E 250 CDI. Nevertheless the new car is badged as the E 300 Bluetec Hybrid. The four-cylinder motor produces 204 horsepower (150 kW) and a maximum of 500 Nm of torque and the support amounts to a further 20 horsepower from the electric unit. This functions not only to give added punch when accelerating but also allows for pure electric driving and coasting. The fuel consumption will be around 4.2 litres of diesel per hundred driven kilometres. Given the reticence of the Americans when it comes to diesel, Mercedes will also offer a further E-Class hybrid specifically targeted at buyers in the United States and Japan. The E 400 Hybrid will deliver 306 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque and in this case the electrically powered unit contributes 20 kW and 250 Nm.

The new 911 model is significantly lighter in weight and more fuel-efficient than the one it follows. The light-weight construction policy has had a beneficial side-effect… the mechanics of the car’s top features extensive use of magnesium and this allows the top… which now has lines which reflect the coupé’s profile… to be deployed or retracted in just 13 seconds.

Open for innovation

For Volkswagen hybrid drive is the big story in terms of their efforts in the United States. After the Touareg, their Jetta will be the second hybrid model to target American buyers. There will be a four-cylinder direct injection engine with 1.4 litres capacity and a power output of 150 horsepower (110 kW) and this will be paired with an electric motor adding 41 horsepower (30 kW) more. Up to three kilometres can be driven on electric power alone with the energy stored in lithium-ion batteries. It is claimed that the CO2 emissions will be even lower than those of a Toyota Hybrid. Somewhat more exciting performance is to be expected from another marque under the umbrella of the Volkswagen group. Although it is likely to be seriously chilly in Motor City Porsche will be giving their 911 Cabrio its world première. The top-down experience will cost not less than 100,532 Euros. In this case, too, the new model is significantly lighter in weight and more fuel-efficient than the one it follows. The light-weight construction policy has had a beneficial side-effect… the mechanics of the car’s top features extensive use of magnesium and this allows the roof… which now has lines which reflect the coupé’s profile… to be deployed or retracted in just 13 seconds. The push for the 911 Cabriolet comes from the same engine powering the coupé. The basic version delivers 350 horsepower (257 kW) while the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet puts out 400 horsepower (294 kW) from the 3.8 litre six-cylinder Boxer engine. When this version goes on sale in March the price tag will be not less than 114,931 Euros.

Our local Munich manufacturer of fine autos will be showing the new BMW 3-Series in Detroit. The sixth generation of the Bavarian evergreen is has been upgraded both as concerns its styling and the technology hidden under the skin.

Our local Munich manufacturer of fine autos will be showing the new BMW 3-Series in Detroit. The sixth generation of the Bavarian evergreen has been upgraded both as concerns its styling and the technology hidden under the skin. It now has the established look of the marque with front lighting clusters which extend to the kidney-shaped grilles on either side. The new BMW 3-Series has a more elegant and dynamic look than the cars of preceding generations. When they go on sale there will be a choice of four motorizations… two petrol fuelled and two diesel powered. The all-new power plant is the four-cylinder turbo engine for 328i. It produces 245 horsepower (180 kW) from 1,997 cc of engine capacity and the maximum toque is given as about 350 Nm. This is the vehicle class in which the revised Audi A4 will also seek to shine… it challenges the BMW with more power than before, a higher equipment level and lower fuel consumption.

As well as the 3-Series cars BMW will be bringing their 6-Series Gran Coupé to Detroit. The new model relies mainly on the technology of its two-door siblings.

As well as the 3-Series cars BMW will be bringing their 6-Series Gran Coupé to the NAIAS. The new model relies mainly on the technology of its two-door siblings and it will go on sale priced from 79,500 Euros. It will at the start be on offer with two petrol fuelled engines and a single diesel although all will feature turbo-charging. The BMW 640i Gran Coupé will output 320 horsepower (235 kW) and the diesel 640d 313 horsepower (230 kW). The top version will be for the time being the 450 horsepower V8 in the BMW 650i Gran Coupé. The BMW controlled marque Mini will show in for the first time the Mini Roadster. This is the sixth addition to the Mini family and comes with either a 1.6 litre petrol powered engine or with a two-litre diesel. In direct comparison with the Mini Cabrio the new two-seater sets itself apart with the 13 degrees more acutely slanting windscreen. When the speed rises above 80 kilometres an hour a rear spoiler deploys automatically to give 40 kilos of added downforce. The car's top is in British roadster tradition and comes only in black. It folds neatly down behind the two seats and calls for no additional covering.

The V8 engines in the Bentley Continental GT and GTC models use cylinder shut-down technology and a new eight-stage automatic transmission to achieve a forty percent reduction in consumption.

The downsizing trend

Of course the Smart is a car even smaller than the Mini. At the moment there are only sketches of the pick-up concept vehicle. With an overall length of 3.55 it is long for a Smart but also short for a pick-up. It has room for two occupants in front of a loading bed which is 90 centimetres deep, although this can be extended by lowering a flap to enable a pair of electrically-powered bicycles to be transported with ease. The Smart is driven by a 75 horsepower (55 kW) electric motor. At the extreme opposite end of the luxury scale the marque Bentley is determined to prove that it understands the imperative of fuel-efficient motoring. The V8 engines in the GT and GTC models use cylinder shut-down technology and a new eight-stage automatic transmission to achieve a forty percent reduction in consumption, down to eleven litres per hundred kilometres driven. This is to be seen against a power output of 507 horses (373 kW) and a maximum of 660 Nm of torque. The sprint to a hundred is facilitated by twin turbos and takes less than five seconds according the car maker.

The Dodge Dart is set to replace the aging Dodge Caliber and is built on the platform of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

A different kind of 'hybrid' can be encountered on the stand of the Chrysler marques now that the American auto maker is controlled by the Fiat concern and must be seen as a half-American and half-European hybrid concern. The Dodge Dart is set to replace the aging Dodge Caliber and is built on the platform of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It is however longer and wider than the 4.35 metre Italian model. Under the bonnet there is a Fiat engine. As well as a conventional two-litre motor there is also a 1.4 litre turbo boosted power plant with MultiAir technology on offer. And there will be a further four-cylinder engine with 2.4 litres capacity. Until now there are only details revealed in the official photos. As far as the interiors are concerned Dodge promise a much higher quality in comparison to previous models of the marque.

Honda will put the emphasis on sporting allure… although the car will carry the badge of the premium subsidiary Acura. A coupé, it is meant to remind of the legendary NSX model.

The American market is a very important one for the Japanese. It is clear, therefore, that they will be playing their strongest cards. Toyota will be showing the Prius C in Detroit. This four-door model extends the Prius range with a compact auto just four metres long and will go on sale on spring. Honda will put the emphasis on sporting allure… although the car will carry the badge of the premium subsidiary Acura. A coupé, it is meant to remind of the legendary NSX model. Acura will also be showing a compact hybrid. Korea’s presence will feature new entries by Hyundai… their Genesis Coupé will be driven by a 3.8 litre V8 with 350 horsepower and is a car which can be expected to reach Germany within the current year. The Veloster has been updated with a new turbo-boosted power plant.

With their ATS Cadillac are launching a four-door model which according to transatlantic tradition must be viewed as quite compact, following in the footsteps of the BLS.

American reservation

It seems that there will be few truly new model generations from the American automobile manufacturers to admire in Detroit. There is, however, one exception and that is the noble marque Cadillac. With their ATS they are launching a four-door model which according to transatlantic tradition must be viewed as quite compact, following in the footsteps of the BLS. Under the hood of the ATS there is to be a turbo-charged petrol-fuelled engine outputting 273 horsepower (201 kW) and a maximum torque of 353 Nm. Later there will be added a V6 petrol engine and a four-cylinder naturally aspirated power plant.

Last year there were 735 thousand visitors to the exhibition halls on Washington Boulevard in Detroit.

Last year there were 735 thousand visitors to the exhibition halls on Washington Boulevard in Detroit, a slight increase in footfall compared with the previous year. For the 2012 edition the organizers hope for further growth when the show opens on the 9th of January and runs through the 22nd. However the automobile market in the United States is still suffering from the consequences of the crisis year 2008. Even if total sales on 14 million units are predicted for the current year that is still two million less than in the years prior to 2008.