AUDI wowed the show, with the world premiere of the R8 V12 TDI Concept, the first 12-cylinder diesel engine in a high-performance road-going sports car.

The V12 TDI engine, with a displacement of 6.0-litres, powers a concept car based on the Audi R8. This unit generates a huge 500 hp and 1,000 Newton-meters (737.56 lb/ft) of torque.

The V12 TDI is closely related to the engine in the Audi R10, the two-time Le Mans winner, so it catapults the Audi R8 into supercar terrain concerning performance too.

It sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds and its top speed is well over 300 km/h. The peak torque, reached at only 1,750 rpm.

The Audi TT now has the “S” emblem that signifies it as one of the top performers of the Audi family

Available in both coupe and roadster body styles, the TTS earns its esteemed badge through the adoption of a specially developed, 270 Turbo FSI engine complemented by state-of-the-art chassis technology.

Linked to a six-speed, close ratio manual transmission, the enhanced unit slingshots the TTS coupe from rest to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds, and on the Autobahn is only curtailed by its electronic limiter at 155 mph.



BMW:

The new BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe marks first time in BMW's history that an entire model range is turbocharged, with the X6 offering a quartet of forced induction powerplants.

The range flagship is an all-new twin-turbocharged V8 producing 408 hp at 5,500rpm. The 4,395cc engine makes the BMW X6 xDrive50i the most powerful production X model BMW has ever produced.

Top speed has been electronically limited to 155 mph. Fuel consumption on the European combined cycle is 22.6 mpg. Brake Energy Regeneration, incorporating an Intelligent Alternator Control and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy, ensures unrivalled fuel consumption in the X6.

Also on the BMW stand, attendees saw the unveiling of the new 1-Series BMW cabriolet and coupe. The 135i features BMW’s magnificent twin turbo inline six-cylinder.

HONDA:

Honda took great pains to stress its commitment to greener cars with the Honda CR-Z, a lightweight sports gasoline-electric hybrid concept vehicle and the FCX Clarity, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle set to begin limited retail marketing in the U.S. this summer.

Making its North American debut, the Honda CR-Z is a next-generation lightweight sports car concept equipped with Honda’s original gas-electric hybrid system that achieves both clean performance and a high level of torque.

CR-Z stands for “Compact Renaissance Zero”; an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals.

The FCX Clarity is a next-generation, zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle based on the entirely new Honda V Flow fuel cell platform, and powered by the highly compact, efficient and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack.  

A prototype of the next-generation Honda Pilot was unveiled in Detroit showing design features of the all-new 2009 Pilot, set to debut at Honda dealerships across Canada in late spring.

Functional eight-passenger seating, a hallmark of the Pilot, becomes even easier to access in the third row as key dimensions for legroom, cargo and occupant space will increase in all seating positions. A redesigned platform allows even more refined handling and ride comfort to exist seamlessly with all-weather and medium-duty off-road capabilities.

A V6 engine introduces the latest generation of Honda’s innovative fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology that operates in six-cylinder mode for power and four- and three-cylinder modes for fuel efficiency, an improvement compared to the existing Pilot’s available VCM system that works exclusively in six- and three-cylinder modes.

HYUNDAI:

Hyundai picked the North American International Auto Show for the world premiere of its new flagship, the Genesis rear-wheel-drive sports sedan. Hyundai says the car has the same attributes as (US)$60,000 luxury sedans, but has a starting price under (US)$30,000 when it goes on sale this summer.

Genesis is built on Hyundai's all-new, performance-driven rear-wheel-drive architecture. It offers three powertrains, including 3.3-litre and 3.8-litre V6 engines, and Hyundai's all-new 4.6-liter Tau V8.

Tau will produce an estimated 368 hp on regular fuel, and lead all its competitors in specific output with 80 hp/litre.

LAND ROVER:

The Land Rover LRX concept is seen as a bold evolution of Land Rover design that indicates the brand's progressive shift into new areas of the market, while remaining true to its core values.

As the company prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary during 2008, the three-door LRX, with its more compact size, lighter weight and sustainability focused technologies, clearly addresses the needs of a changing world.

Though smaller than the LR2, the LRX is conceived as a premium car, designed to appeal to new customers in the luxury and executive sector, those who want many of the benefits of a 4x4 and the visual presence of a larger vehicle, but in a more compact package.

KIA:

Set to go on sale this summer as a 2009 model, the Borrego SUV houses Kia's first-ever V8 engine, making it the most powerful Kia vehicle to date.

Borrego's body-on-frame construction and muscular exterior sit on a fully independent front and rear suspension matched with coil-over springs, which provide an optimal riding experience, on- or off-road.

As Kia's most powerful vehicle, Borrego is offered with a 3.8-liter V6 as well as Kia's first 4.6-liter V8 DOHC engine, the latter producing more than 300 hp. Also unique to Borrego and new to Kia is the six-speed automatic transmission mated to the V8 engine. It will be offered in two- and four-wheel drive.

MERCEDES-BENZ:

Mercedes-Benz has taken its SUV expertise in a new direction with the Vision GLK Freeside concept that made its world debut in Detroit.

An economical and environmentally friendly new-generation BLUETEC four-cylinder engine, combined with the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission and the new 4MATIC all-wheel drive, ensures highly appealing performance.

The compact concept vehicle, measuring 4.52 metres in length, also boasts technology usually reserved for higher vehicle classes.

More from the Auto Show in Part 3...