Color the Detroit Auto Show 'green' with a little touch of 'mean'

Color the Detroit Auto Show 'green' with a little touch of 'mean'

Wheels

Detroit Auto Show Part 1 of 3
By: Jim Robinson

With $100 per barrel of oil already a reality, this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit had a ‘green’ edge, but this time with a sense of urgency. Even Ferrari had a Bio Fuel cabriolet on display.

And while it was the greenest Detroit show ever, there is a touch of ‘mean,’ on display as well with manufacturers trying to quench the growing, insatiable desire for limited production super cars.


GM the Green:

One of the very first events at the show saw GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner setting the overall green tone, saying that the world’s largest automaker believes the main thrust in a country where 95 per cent of its oil is imported has to be with flexfuel, E85 (ethanol) vehicles in the near future. Wagoner said GM is also working flat out on fuel cells and plug-in electric cars in the longer time frame.

He also said GM would soon have 25 flexfuel vehicles in the fleet and added that all HUMMER models will run on E85 by 2010.

To that end, GM has partnered with U.S.-based Coskata to produce fuel from biowaste, including old tires. The process will use just one gallon of water to produce one gallon of fuel. The fuel itself would reduce emissions compared to gasoline by 84 per cent.

Coskata will have its first plant in place by 2011 producing 50-100 million gallons of fuel per year. The best part is it will sell for about (US)$1 dollar per gallon or about 25 cents a litre.

GM introduced several cars that use alternative fuel systems or hybrid power, the first being the HUMMER HX Concept.

The E85 flexfuel capable HUMMER HX concept embodies the off-road spirit of HUMMER in a fully customizable package.

It is the first of a new breed of smaller HUMMERs.

The HX offers an open-air driving experience via a pair of removable roof panels above the driver and front passenger and a modular, removable rear roof assembly enabling a quick conversion from closed vehicle to open vehicle SUT. It also features a slant back assembly, removable doors and fender flares.

The second was the Saab 9.4X BioPower concept that is touted as being the harbinger of the next generation of GM CUVs. Saab is already the European leader in E85-powered vehicle sales in Europe.

The 9.4X uses a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder powered by E85 that produces no less than 300 hp and 295 lb/ft of torque.

Saturn showed the 2009 Vue 2-Mode Hybrid that goes into production later this year, promising an estimated 50 per cent fuel economy increase over the standard V6 Vue VR.

Using a 3.6-lite V6 engine, two 55-Kw motors and a nickel hydride battery, it will have a range of over 500 miles on one tank and accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds.

Also from Saturn was the Vue Green Line Plug-in Hybrid that could be in production by 2010. Based on the Vue 2-Mode Hybrid, the Plug-in has a 100 per cent fuel economy increase over the 2-Mode and can recharge from a standard 100—volt outlet in four to five hours.

Other green GMs shown included the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and the Cadillac Provoq hydrogen cell CUV concept.


GM the Mean:

But performance is still important for GM and it showed three vehicles that match or better their competitors.

First was the long-awaited 2009 Corvette ZR1. It is an American supercar that not only establishes new benchmarks for production-based power and performance, but challenges global competitors with a world-beating driving experience that also comes with a world-beating price.

It starts with an all-new LS9 supercharged 6.2-litre V8 targeted at producing at least 100 hp per litre, or 620 hp and approximately 595 lb/ft of torque. It is coupled to the ZR1 specific suspension tuning that provides more than 1g cornering grip and stops thanks to standard carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors.

The ZR1 is visually different with wider, carbon-fibre front fenders with ZR1-specifc dual vents, carbon-fibre hood with a raised, polycarbonate window offering a view of the intercooler below it and a carbon fibre roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with clear-coated, exposed carbon-fibre weave ZR1-specific full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections.

Sitting quietly in the corner of the Pontiac booth was the 2009 G8 Sedan. Fitted with a standard 3.6-litre 256 hp V6, the GT model comes with a 6.0-litre V8 with 361 hp making for what Pontiac describes as the “most powerful sedan under (US)$30,000”.

The Cadillac CTS-V, coming in 2009, is touted as the fastest sedan in the world.

It features a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 producing 550 hp and a matching 550 lb/ft of torque along with Magnetic Ride Control, industry first Performance Traction Management program with a new automatic transmission to handle that kind of power with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

With this kind of performance will also come premium luxury trim like Recaro performance driving seats with 14-way power adjust and pneumatic bolster control.

In other news coming out of the Detroit show, the Chevrolet Malibu was named North American Car of the Year.


CHRYSLER:

Chrysler has traditionally been the leader in showing the Detroit crowd concept vehicles that steal the show. This year was no exception, with Chrysler showing three concepts that take advantage of strides being made in electric propulsion.

The Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept is a one-box design that takes advantage of space normally occupied by a conventional powertrain setup.

The Chrysler ecoVoyager features an advanced lithium-ion battery pack, along with a small, advanced hydrogen fuel cell that serves as a range extender. The result is a vehicle with a total range of more than 300 miles that emits no emissions from the tailpipe except water vapor.

Dodge ZEO Concept: The Dodge ZEO Concept is a four-passenger, 2+2 sport wagon that embraces the bold, expressive look of the Dodge brand, exhibiting a new, youthful breed of muscle car for the 21st century.

Built for driving enthusiasts, it features an electric-only propulsion system with a lithium-ion battery pack capable of at least 250 miles. Unlike other such vehicles, the Dodge ZEO Concept is a four-door, four-passenger model that delivers function as well as environmental responsibility.

The Jeep Renegade Concept is a sporty B-segment-sized two-seater featuring a cut-down speedster windshield, a roll bar, openings in the door lowers and a hose-out interior, it is an eco-friendly vehicle with minimized use of materials designed for those who want to enjoy the earth while taking care of its future.

The propulsion system combines a 40-mile lithium-ion battery pack and a small-displacement BLUETEC diesel engine. The result: fuel economy of more than 110 miles per gallon.

Chrysler also unveiled the totally new 2009 Ram pickup. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is offered in regular cab, Quad Cab and crew cab, with three box lengths: eight-foot (regular cab), six-foot-four-inches (regular cab and Quad Cab), and a new-for-2009 box length of five-foot-7-inches (crew cab). Five trim levels are available, each with a unique appearance: ST, SLT, TRX, Sport, and the top-of-the-line Laramie.

An improved frame design incorporating high-strength steel supports an all-new, first-in-segment, multi-link coil spring rear suspension that improves ride and handling characteristics without sacrificing payload (up to an estimated 1,850 pounds) and towing capability (up to an estimated 9,100 pounds).

The 2009 Dodge Ram Crew 1500 features an available first-in-segment RamBox cargo management system that provides weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage compartments integrated into both fender sides for effortless access and convenience. Each box holds up to 4.3 cubic feet of whatever – such as five cases (120 cans) of 12-ounce beverages.

FORD:

The big news from Ford is the next generation 2009 Ford F-150 pickup, a vehicle that all the media in Detroit described as being vital to the future of the company.

The Ford truck team adopted a holistic, 360-degree approach to revamping the new 2009 F-150. The improvements start with the 2009 F-150's fully boxed frame constructed with hydro-formed and high strength steel side rails. The lightweight frame delivers 10 per cent more torsional rigidity, which delivers increased durability and safety.

Ford's truck team designed a truck that offers more choice than any full-size truck on the market. With three cab styles, four box options and seven unique trim levels, the F-150 comes in 35 different configurations to meet the widest range of customer needs and wants.

Customers can choose from the no-fuss XL workhorse, to the sporty STX and off-road capable FX4, to the mid-range XLT. For those looking for tough luxury, Ford offers the high-end Lariat and King Ranch F-150 models. At the top of the line is the new Platinum model.

The Ford Explorer America concept showcases a new kind of utility for the vehicle that customers have known and loved for years, with even better fuel efficiency.

Technologies and engineering innovations help Explorer America concept deliver an approximately 20 to 30 per cent fuel-economy improvement, depending on engine selection, while providing room for six people and their gear as well as moderate towing and off-roading capabilities.

The powertrain lineup includes a four-cylinder two-litre engine with EcoBoost technology delivering 275 hp and 280 lb/ft of torque or a 3.5-litre V6 delivering about 340 hp. Depending on engine selection, fuel-efficiency will improve by 20 to 30 per cent versus today's V6 Explorer.

Also utilizing the EcoBoost drive system was the Lincoln MKT concept sedan.

 

More from the Auto Show in Part 2... 

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