The new 2014 Chevy Silverado was unveiled to the public a short time ago, but is currently being featured prominently (along with the GMC Sierra) at the NAIAS. In case you missed it, here's the angle you'll see in your rearview mirror. Read GM's press release here.
If for some reason the old model wasn't quite powerful enough for you, here's the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, just unveiled at the NAIAS. The S model has 50 more hp than the non-S model, which, if you've lost track, brings the new number up to a hefty 550. Available in the Spring, Porsche has announced a $146,000 starting price for the Turbo S, but nowhere in their press release could I find the mpg estimates. I guess it probably doesn't matter much at this point.
When I heard that the new Maserati Quattroporte was to be unveiled at the NAIAS I couldn't wait to see it. And finding the first photos, I wasn't disappointed. Probably the sexiest four-door sedan on the market (sorry Fisker Karma). Then I saw the rear end. "Who snuck in an Audi photo," I thought to myself. Or is it a BMW? No, wait — gasp... VW? Oh my! Is it too late for a re-do? Anyway, see the new Quattro and read up on it here on the Automotive World website.
Looking much like a smaller CTS coupe, the new Cadillac ELR has made its debut at NAIAS. Built on a modified Chevy Cruze platform with Chevy Volt running gear, the ELR is Cadillac's foray into mainstream hybrid technology. Like the Volt the ELR can run for 35 miles or so solely on electric power before a gasoline-powered engine kicks in.
Expect to see it in showrooms in early 2014. And expect it to cost "a bit" more than a Chevy Volt. You can read GM's press release here.
Kia, the South Korean kissing-cousin of Hyundai, has revealed its newest sedan, the Cadenza — which unsurprisingly is in the profit-rich upscale full-sized sedan segment. To put it in a nutshell, it's kind of Kia's version of the swanky Hyundai Azera (which itself was revamped for 2013). Styling? Well, Kia tells us in their press release (which you can read here) that it's "...perhaps best enjoyed in profile." Is that a sideways compliment? Anyway, now when your Optima just doesn't do it for you, you've got something to move up to.
I like the shape the this Honda Urban SUV concept. In fact, I've liked in many times before — or am I just imagining that it looks like so many other Japanese/Korean small SUVs? Not that there's anything wrong with that. The Urban SUV is slated to hit North American showrooms in the spring of 2014, and, although it's hard to tell here, it's nine inches shorter than the Honda CRV. Small, apparently, is big these days. See more of the Urban SUV here.
Ford has decided to take a little wind out of the sails of GM, who are showcasing their new 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups at the NAIAS. They pulled this rabbit out of their hat today in the guise of the Atlas concept pickup, which many believe to be a preview of the 2015 F-150. Ouch. As far as big trucks go, this is certainly one of them, and it looks very, dare I say — manly. All broad-shouldered and such, sitting high on 22-inch tires with its power deployable running boards (which I imagine most of us would need just to get into this thing). See more of the goodies over here.
I found it amusing how Lincoln (excuse me, the Lincoln Motor Company) describes their MKC concept (another truly lame Lincoln name), introduced at the NAIAS, as "Lincoln's first-ever small vehicle." Who'd-a-thought that would ever be a Lincoln selling point? If you can't tell from the photo, the MKC is, again according to Lincoln, "...aiming squarely for the small luxury utility segment." That may be all well and good, but I'd sure like to see Ford's luxury brand take a stab at the small luxury sport sedan segment (or whatever they're calling it these days) that Cadillac has jumped into with their ATS. Then real enthusiasts with real money will start to take the brand seriously. Read more here and judge for yourself.
Even if you're not a fan of imports, you've got to admit that this Hyundai Genesis concept car has some smooth lines. Compare the clean sides to the new Corvette Stingray. Hmm... The interior, the back seat of which is accessed through rear-hinged doors, ain't exactly chopped liver, either. (I can't help but note that Hyundai refrains from using the popular term "suicide doors" for this feature). Click here for more photos.
Toyota has just unveiled its Corolla Furia concept car at the NAIAS, which it says hints at the design of the next generation Corolla. The theme? According to Toyota, it's "Iconic Dynamism," a a confident, decisive and recognizable appearance..." In other words, they're hoping to appeal to a younger audience. They must have read the same Facebook status that I did a while back, proclaiming the Toyota Corolla to be the new Buick Century — that is, a favorite of older folks. Read Toyota's press release and see more photos here.
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| E 400 Hybrid |
Click here and watch the over-produced unveiling of M-B's small series of cars this morning at the NAIAS in Detroit. It's the debut of the new E-Class mid-sized cars and a new, entry-level class of front-drive sedans called CLA-Class which, starting at maybe around 30 grand should sell well.
Chevy is bringing back the Stingray name for its new 2014 Corvette, which was just introduced with the announcement that it will go on sale in the third quarter of this year. I'll admit to liking the overall shape, but I think there's way too much going on in the detail. Perhaps a little restraint by the designers would have been a good idea; it's hard to focus with so much going on. Everything you'd expect on a Stingray is here though, from carbon fibre and leather on the inside to the 6.2-liter LT1 V-8 under the hood. I don't imagine most Corvette aficionados will be disappointed. You can read GM's press release and see more photos here.
Volkswagen is introducing a new mid-sized SUV concept at the NAIAS in Detroit, called the Crossblue. Odd name, yes? It's equipped with a diesel-electric plug-in-hybrid powertrain, which will reportedly travel 35 mpg in the hybrid mode, or 89 mpge in the electricmode. Size-wise the Crossblue is larger than VW's current Touareg, at over 196 inches in length, which is about a hlf-foot shorter than a Chevy Traverse. It seats six in three rows of two, and slants toward the luxury side with a leather-and-wood finished interior. You can read VW's press release here.
