Consumers Can Shop and Dream at the North American International Auto Show

2005 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

By James M. Flammang

DETROIT - Just as this city served as the foundation of the automobile business a century ago, in early January 2003 it's the site of one of the most impressive gatherings of vehicles in the country. Broadened in scope back in 1989, transformed from a local show to a major industry event, the North American International Auto Show is the only internationally-sanctioned auto exposition in the U.S.

Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit was packed tight with motor vehicles--from family sedans and minivans, to SUVs and trucks, to upscale four-doors and sports cars. Vehicles in every price range filled the floor, from the entry-level Kia Rio and Toyota's new youth-oriented Scion brand to all-new ultra-luxury sedans from Rolls-Royce and Maybach.

Journalists got their advance preview on January 5-7, and the show opened to the public on January 11, offering a dazzling variety of automobiles. A dozen manufacturers held world debuts of production vehicles that will go on sale soon, typically as 2004 models. More than a dozen exhibited concept vehicles, or show cars, to flaunt the talents of their creative stylists. Although those concept models aren't likely to be built for sale, a few eventually make it to production in toned-down form.

More than 60 new vehicles in all were on hand, including some that had been previously seen in Europe but were making their North American debut.

SUVs and Pickups still rule, but crossovers challenge their lead

Truck-lovers had some especially eye-popping experiences in Detroit. Nissan spokespersons couldn't say enough about bigness and bulk when introducing the company's first full-size pickup truck. As seen on video screens, in particular, the Titan pickup appeared to dwarf the gentleman who was extolling its virtues. Carlos Ghosn, the head of the Nissan organization, even let himself be photographed standing in the truck bed, which helped demonstrate how serious Nissan takes the big-truck market.

Heavy promotion might be necessary, because Ford also introduced a full-size pickup in Detroit. For 2004, Ford's lighter-duty F-150 series has been redesigned and will be limited to V-8 engines--no more sixes. Bigger in size, with longer cabs and easy-opening tailgates, the F-150 will be the first full-size pickup available with a floor-mounted gearshift lever. A new modular overhead rail system can be fitted with a DVD player or other components.

Ford also unveiled the latest version of its high-performance SVT Lightning pickup, packing a supercharged 500-horsepower V-8 and what's billed as a "green" nitrous oxide system to supply extra short-term muscle.

Colorado is the name of Chevrolet's first midsize pickup, scheduled to go on sale as a 2004 model with a four- or five-cylinder engine and optional roof-mounted airbags. Chevrolet's Equinox, also exhibited in Detroit, will arrive as a 2005 model--the GM division's first car-based compact sport-utility vehicle.

Lexus showed a redesigned version of its smaller SUV. Equipped with a bigger V-6 engine than the existing RX 300, it's been renamed the RX 330 for 2004. New Adaptive Front Lighting lets headlights swivel to illuminate curves. Styling is considerably sleeker than that of the RX 300, with a tapering roofline that helps bring it closer to a crossover wagon in appearance.

Infiniti, Nissan's luxury companion, revealed the production version of its 2004 FX45 crossover wagon, which gets a V-8 engine, along with a less-costly FX35 with V-6 power. Crossover models are hard to categorize, but blend the merits of several body styles--typically a wagon, SUV and minivan.

Mitsubishi introduced its fourth SUV, a midsize model called the Endeavor, along with a curvaceous little Tarmac Spyder concept convertible. Following on the heels of the smaller Outlander, which went on sale last September, the Endeavor was designed for North America and will be built in Illinois, on a platform related to that of the next-generation Galant sedan.

Toyota already has five SUVs on the market, but unveiled an FJ Cruiser concept that evolved from their early Land Cruiser design.

Porsche had introduced its new SUV, named the Cayenne, in Paris last fall and held a North American debut in Los Angeles. But the Cayenne made another appearance in Detroit, in regular S and higher-performance Turbo form. Volkswagen's related Touareg also was featured in Detroit, after an official debut in France.

Don't rule out Minivans and Wagons

Practical virtues also got attention in Detroit, in the form of several new minivans and wagons. Nissan introduced a revived Quest minivan, with side-curtain airbags (a "first" in this segment) and an optional rear Skyview roof, to take the place of the Quest that faded away in 2002. Toyota introduced the redesigned 2004 Sienna minivan, which has a longer wheelbase, wider track and more interior space than its predecessor.

At the premium portion of the price scale, Mercedes-Benz launched a new E-Class wagon, with available 4Matic all-wheel drive and a new hydraulic cargo-loading system.

Family sedans with modest price tags were among the least-seen models in Detroit this year. Chevrolet is one of the exceptions, using Detroit to unveil its 2004 version of the four-door Malibu. Available with four-cylinder or V-6 power, Chevrolet's Malibu will be the first vehicle built on GM's new Epsilon platform. Factory options will include a remote starter and adjustable pedals.

Sport Coupes and Sedans clamor for attention

Acura aims its new TSX sport sedan, which slots between the RSX coupe and larger TL sedan, at successful young professionals. On sale this spring, the TSX comes with a 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine. At another level of the marketplace, Volkswagen gave its New Beetle Convertible an official launch in Detroit, though a few hundred of the charming soft-tops reached dealerships during December.

BMW introduced mildly facelifted versions of its 3 Series coupe and convertible, which gain adaptive headlights and an available six-speed sequential manual gearbox. BMW's xActivity concept vehicle, billed as a "frame-structure convertible," was created to suggest a possible direction for expansion of the company's X-series SUV line

Nissan claimed it's given the redesigned Maxima more sporty styling than past models, to reflect the sedan's performance-oriented nature. The four-door is "now a wolf in sheep's clothing," said Jack Collins, vice president of product planning. It can even be fitted with rear bucket seats and a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission.

Exotic Sports Cars arouse the imagination

For the fat-wallet crowd that savors performance over poshness, Detroit had several alluring machines on hand. Aston Martin introduced a sensuously curved AMV8 Vantage two-seater, smaller than the British firm's current models and intended to sell for a lower price. But it won't reach Aston dealerships until the 2005 model year.

Lamborghini had introduced a new Murciélago coupe last year in Detroit. This time, the Italian sports car maker showed off a roofless Murciélago, which could easily become reality one day.

Maserati, Ferrari's Italian partner, returned to the U.S. market last year after a 12-year absence. Both a Spyder convertible and GT Coupe are on sale, the former modified slightly for 2003. For Detroit, Maserati developed a sport-utility vehicle concept with sports-car overtones. Named the Kubang GT Wagon, it's actually being considered for production. If Porsche can have an SUV, apparently, other sports-car makers can create practical vehicles.

Ferrari, meanwhile, had no notable news for Detroit, except to announce that its high-dollar Enzo sports car, introduced at the Paris Motor Show last September, will be reaching U.S. buyers in February. Don't bother to inquire, though. Each car was spoken for long ago. Mercedes-Benz introduced its 2004 SL 600 convertible, with a new, more powerful V-12 engine.

Sports Cars for regular folks

Mazda announced pricing for the final production version of its eagerly awaited RX-8 four-door sports car, which goes on sale in June. With an automatic transmission, the RX-8 will start at $25,180. Its back doors are actually half-doors that open rearward. Mazda stylists also brought along a Washu concept crossover wagon, which features steer-by-wire technology for the driver, airline-style sliding doors for easy access, and six captain's chairs for comfort. Like many concepts, the Washu is meant to suggest future styling directions for Mazda.

Ford unveiled its next-generation Mustang, but only in GT concept guise. Created as a two-passenger coupe or convertible, the GT held a supercharged 400-hp V-8 engine. No word yet on which engines will be offered in production Mustangs for 2004. Subaru unveiled a super-performance WRX STi, intended to rival Mitsubishi's new Lancer Evolution, which debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show earlier in January. Judging by the cheers at Subaru's news conference when they announced that its engine would crank out 300 horsepower, the Impreza-based STi should attract plenty of interest. Shoppers interested in a tamer Subaru also got to view the redesigned subcompact Impreza series.

Three variations on the ultra-posh theme Two are sedans and one is a sport coupe, but each targets customers at the stratospheric end of the price range. Back in the 1920s, Maybach was one of the finest motorcars in the world. Now that badge is back on a pair of ultra-posh sedans, under the direction of Mercedes-Benz. Detroit served as the launch pad for the Maybach 62, which features wide-opening doors and airline-style seats. A less-pricey Maybach 57 had been unveiled a few days earlier in Los Angeles.

Rolls-Royce and Bentley parted company on January 1, after 71 years together. Rolls is now part of the BMW group, while Bentley is under Volkswagen's control. An immense new Rolls-Royce Phantom turned up in Detroit, seen for the first time in North America and borrowing its name from the company's legendary history. Among the long list of amenities in this ultra-luxury sedan are back doors that open rearward and can be closed from inside at the push of a button. Lounge-shaped rear seats mount on a double-skin floor to keep noise down. According to company chairman/CEO Tony Gott, Rolls-Royce has created "the best possible social environment," for its deep-pocketed customers.

Bentley, meanwhile, flaunted its boldly-styled sport-luxury Continental GT coupe, which had been officially introduced a few months earlier at the Paris Motor Show.

Stepping down a notch on the price scale, Audi showed off its redesigned top-of-the-line A8 sedan, which was first seen at the Paris Motor Show. Displayed in long-wheelbase A8L form, the sedan goes on sale as a 2004 model. Audi also brought the high-performance RS6 to North America for the first time, and exhibited a concept luxury SUV named the Pikes Peak Quattro. Beneath its hood sat a 500-horsepower biturbo engine.

Concepts inspire dreams and--manufacturers hope--spark sales

Although most people attend the auto show to look at the coming-soon production cars, few are able to escape the allure of the creatively-conceived concept cars that dot the show floor. Chrysler has long been known for stunning and imaginative concept models, some of which actually end up as production vehicles at some point.

This year, the Chrysler Group unveiled several show vehicles under the Dodge name. The Dodge Durango R/T closely predicts the appearance of the next-generation Durango sport-utility vehicle. Billed as "what a minivan could be," the Dodge Kahuna isn't likely to ever reach dealerships, but some of its innovations might. Dodge's Avenger hatchback concept stemmed from the regular Stratus family four-door, but is 7 inches taller and fitted with all-wheel drive.

Stimulating as those Dodges might be, the fanciful Tomahawk arguably created more of a sensation than anything at the show--and it isn't even an automobile. Basically it's a motorcycle with twin close-set, independently-suspended wheels at each end. The whole structure is built around a 500-hp Viper V-10 engine.

A new horsepower race has been developing, among production cars as well as concept models. Cadillac leaped to the head of that pack with the unveiling of its massive and shapely Sixteen. A work of visual as well as technical art, the 16-cylinder engine can whip up an even 1,000 horsepower. GM even claims passable gas mileage for this sinuously streamlined beast, which isn't likely to ever reach Cadillac dealerships.

Additional General Motors concepts included the rear-drive Chevrolet SS sedan with a 430-hp V-8 engine, and a Chevrolet Cheyenne pickup that operates with Displacement on Demand technology for improved fuel economy. Buick's Centieme crossover concept, said to represent a coming-soon styling theme, helps mark the company's 100th anniversary as an auto builder. Pontiac, meanwhile, showed a G6 performance sedan.

Ford clearly sought to remind enthusiasts of the "muscle car" era of the 1960s and early '70s with its 427 sedan concept, which contained a 590-horsepower V-10 engine--precisely the same displacement as Ford's landmark 427-cid V-8. Like other crossover concepts, Ford's Freestyle FX mixes the merits of a passenger car, SUV and pickup truck. Ford calls the blocky-shaped Model U a modern interpretation of the original Model T, which brought personal transportation to the masses in the 1908-27 era.

A curvy concept Messenger two-place sport coupe was meant to send a message that Mercury is still strong and expects to remain so. Lincoln, Mercury's companion, displayed an all-wheel drive Navicross sport sedan that appears to fall into the crossover-vehicle category.

Honda gave its recently-introduced Element a "club scene" personality, calling it the Studio E concept. Peek inside, and it looks more like a sound studio than an automobile. A disc jockey even handled the introduction chores. Suzuki used a rally car as the basis for its Concept-S, which features all-wheel drive and a sequential six-speed manual transmission. The Concept-S can only be started after the driver's fingerprint has been checked.

Kia displayed a stylish KCD-1 Slice crossover wagon, trimmed in bright orange. Hyundai's OLV (Outdoor Lifestyle Vehicle) concept featured a supercharged engine and a distinctive three-panel roof design.

Michelin's Challenge Design presentation at the Detroit show featured creative entries from 17 worldwide designers. GM and Toyota both held presentations on hybrid gasoline/electric powertrains, which promise greater fuel economy than regular gasoline engines. On a far different note, the U.S. Army TACOM group unveiled its new SmarTruck, equipped with missile launchers and other accessories for the well-equipped military force.

Although journalists are treated to a succession of flamboyant presentations, accompanied by blaring lights and blasting music, the show is lower-keyed when open to the general public. Celebrity fans among the journalists even got to see talk-show host Jay Leno introduce the posh new Maybach sedan, but Jay left the premises long before any regular consumers would turn up.

Also in Detroit, organizers announced the winners of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, as voted by a panel of journalists. The Mini Cooper took the car award, while Volvo grabbed truck honors with its XC90 sport utility vehicle.

James M. Flammang is an independent auto journalist, based in Chicago. ENJOY THE DRIVE. Be a safe and courteous driver, obey all highway laws, never drive impaired, buckle up at all times. All images (except where noted) provided by factory sources and copyright their respective factories; with permission to The Weekend Drive. Entire Contents Copyright © 2003 The Weekend Drive, All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2003 The Weekend Drive®.