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Archives for January 12, 2015

Highlights of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show: Media Day 1, Part 1

January 12, 2015 by admin 3 Comments

2015 Buick Avenir Concept.
Is the Buick Avenir the future flagship for this premium brand?

Detroit is a happening city right now, thanks in large part to the 2015 edition of the North American International Auto Show. The NAIAS is the granddaddy of all auto shows — at least on this continent — what provides the lion’s share of new releases and concept vehicles for the year ahead.

The buzz leading up to this year’s show has been filled with early-breaking news as usual. Toyota, Buick and Jaguar were among the brands that unveiled new models beforehand, as did Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet, Infiniti and Volkswagen. Yet, the early show and tells only served to feed the beast as social media, particularly Twitter, lit up with photos and comments on the eve of the first media day.

This writer is not in Detroit and for a very good reason too: a seasonal virus has knocked him down for the count, but not so far down that he isn’t relying on “boots on the ground” to help him out. Next week, he plans to head for Washington, DC, to attend the Washington Auto Show, an auspicious event in its own right.

For right now, the Motor City is the focal point for all things automotive as it should be. Indeed, Detroit is the nerve center for the US auto industry and every manufacturer, foreign and domestic, is paying it homage.

This article covers the first batch of announcements through mid-morning today with the remainder of the day’s releases coming later. We will follow up with more announcements on Tuesday. In the coming two weeks, we’ll dig deeper to reveal certain background details about select models, a postscript of sorts to help ensure that the buzz continues.

Buick Twosome Bedazzle

Auto Trends has been expecting Buick to expand its model line, but we were prepared for just one announcement, not two.

The first one confirmed what we have long suspected: the Opel Cascada will make a transformation and go on sale early next year as the 2016 Buick Cascada. This darling 2+2 coupe brings to Buick the first convertible since the Reatta, a halo model to magnify the brand.

The second announcement substantiated a theory we’ve considered, one that has Buick offering its own model variant based on GM’s Omega platform. That platform will underpin the forthcoming Cadillac CT6, what represents the pinnacle model for GM’s luxury brand. GM has said the platform would support other models, thus Buick will most likely deliver.

On the eve of the NAIAS, Ed Welburn, vice president of General Motors Global Design, presented the Buick Avenir, a premium sports sedan. A concept vehicle, the Avenir (French for the future) points to Buick’s style direction, one that fans will most likely embrace. Big on luxury and technology, the all-wheel drive Avenir has a long hood, wheels located to the corners, and a sloping rear deck.

Powered by a next-generation direct-injected V-6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, this nascent concept should become a reality by 2017. Expect GM to jettison the Avenir moniker and bestow the “Riviera” name on the production model. Sure, it is a sedan, but its 2+2 seating layout and sleek proportions likely won’t have too many people complaining.

Car and Truck of the Year Awards

Kicking off the show as usual were the North American Car and Truck of the Year announcements. As expected, the all-new and aluminum-based Ford F-150 was the winner here, beating out the Chevrolet Colorado and the Lincoln MKC. Although the Colorado is a strong entrant in the small pickup truck segment, the groundbreaking F-150 won as expected.

Quite a few people expected Ford to win double honors by snagging the Car of the Year award as well with the Mustang. However, the Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI snagged the most votes, beating out the Mustang and Hyundai Genesis sedan.

Last year, Chevrolet swept the awards with the Corvette Stingray and Silverado winning car and truck of the year recognition.

Nissan Titan Unveiled

Since 2004, the Nissan Titan has served mostly as a placeholder pickup truck for the brand. In the Titan, Nissan gained access to the market, but has woefully underserved its customers by limiting this truck to a singular body style, engine and duty class.

At the NAIAS, Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn unveiled the second generation model, a vehicle that makes great strides over the first generation pickup truck. The new truck will be available in standard, extended (King cab) and crew cab configurations, with three engine choices and both 4×2 and 4×4 layouts.

For the first time, the Titan will offer a gasoline V-6 engine and a Cummins-supplied 5.0-liter turbo-diesel V-8 engine. Nissan says that the 2016 Titan, going on sale later this year, will pull up to 12,000 pounds when properly equipped and carry a payload capacity of up to 2,000 pounds.

Nissan promises that the next generation Titan will come equipped with advanced technologies, including a rear view monitor, an around view monitor, moving object detection and a trailer light check system.

News releases and photos supplied by the respective manufacturers.

Related 2015 Detroit Auto Show Articles

Highlights of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show: Media Day 2, Part 2

Highlights of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show: Media Day 1, Part 2

Highlights of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show: Media Day 2, Part 1

Filed Under: Auto Shows Tagged With: BUICK AVENIR, BUICK CASCADA, CAR OF THE YEAR, DETROIT AUTO SHOW, FORD F-150, Nissan Titan, NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW, VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Highlights of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show: Media Day 1, Part 2

January 12, 2015 by admin 3 Comments

Ford GT Supercar

Ford serves up a sketch of the next generation Ford GT supercar.

If it is eye candy you want, the North American International Auto Show serves it up in spades. This morning, the Ford GT was unveiled, representing perhaps the most noteworthy vehicle from the new Ford Performance division we will see over the next few years.

Ford GT Supercar

The all-new Ford GT goes into production in 2016 and will join other blue oval performers, including the Focus RS, F-150 Raptor and a pair of Shelby GT350 models. It is just one of at least 12 new models that Ford Performance plans to reveal through 2020, over-the-top models that will crown the Ford brand.

The Ford GT supercar utilizes advanced lightweighting, especially evident in its carbon fiber construction. The rakishly aerodynamic sportscar will be powered by a twin turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine with an output of at least 600 horsepower.

The rear-wheel drive GT features a mid-mounted engine, a two-door coupe body shell, and aluminum front and rear subframes. Its lighter overall package is enhanced by its carbon fiber wrap.

Ford says that the GT will feature a state-of-the-art, port/direct dual fuel-injection arrangement to boost engine response, in addition to a low-friction roller-finger-follower valvetrain. Ford will pair the twin-turbocharged V6 with a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle for expeditious gear changes and unprecedented driver control.

Ford GT Supercar.

The upcoming Ford GT supercar.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Another Ford product also received much attention at the NAIAS. Ford unveiled the F-150 SVT Raptor, its performance pickup truck. The new truck, slated to arrive in Fall 2016, will have a high-strength steel frame and light weight aluminum body, trimming some 500 pounds off of the current edition.

The 2017 SVT Raptor will receive a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, tuned to surpass the 411-horsepower that the current 6.2-liter V-8 engine delivers. Ford will pair this potent engine with its all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. The four-wheel drive system in this beast will offer a multi-setting terrain management system to include normal, street, weather, mud and sand modes. Moreover, it will offer Baja and rock modes. The Raptor’s new transfer case has been designed for both full-time off-roading and features a locking unit for crawling.

Enthusiasts will likely be enraptured by the next generation Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

Enthusiasts will likely be enraptured by the next generation Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

Next Generation Acura NSX

Another super car that has been receiving an appropriate amount of buzz is the 2016 Acura NSX. This model is a mid-engine sport hybrid, powered by a twin turbocharged V-6 engine paired with a 9-speed dual clutch transmission. The new model will feature three electric motors — two up front and one to the rear.

The Acura NSX is enhanced by a Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All Wheel Drive (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD) system, what provides articulate response time for steering, braking and throttle. Moreover, it will enhance vehicle stability, control and launch performance of all-wheel drive. The NSX’s Agile Handling Assist (AHA) makes use of brake torque to further enhance yaw response and dynamic stability control.

Notably, the NSX will be built solely at the Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio, with approximately 100 highly-skilled workers tasked with conducting full body construction, paint, and final assembly.

2016 Acura NSX.

2016 Acura NSX.

Next Generation Toyota Tacoma

Another significant unveiling in Detroit today was for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma. That pickup truck is new from the ground up as well as inside and out. It will come to the market just as GM fights for position with a pair of new models of its own. The Nissan Frontier is another segment competitor.

In the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, enthusiasts will see a new powertrain and enhanced suspension tuning. Its Michigan engineers made numerous changes to include the addition of high strength steel to the frame and ultra-high strength steel to the body shell, providing a more rigid body as well as an important weight-saving measure.

The base motor is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine; an all-new, 3.5-liter V-6 engine that runs on the efficient Atkinson cycle will also be available. The new engine will feature both direct and port fuel injection. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Moreover, a six-speed manual transmission will be available with the larger engine.

The Tacoma’s exterior look provides for a pleasing, evolutionary update, one that features a striking upper grille along with a taller, more brawny hood. Front projector beam headlamps can be paired with available daytime running lights.

The new model also features a locking tailgate and an integrated spoiler to improve vehicle aerodynamics. The tailgate also comes with an easy lowering feature for a slow retraction. For the very first time, the Tacoma will also offer a tri-fold hard tonneau cover.

2016 Toyota Tacoma

2016 Toyota Tacoma.

Upgraded Interior, Improved Extras

Inside, the cabin features several upgrades to help convey a more premium atmosphere. This model receives soft-wrap trim and metallic accents. Premium upgrades bring in a smart key with push button start, leather-trimmed seats, Qi wireless charging, a power moonroof, dual-zone climate control, an embellished touchscreen audio, a blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert and other enhancements.

Five vehicle grades will be offered: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road and Limited. Both TRD grades were developed by Toyota Racing Development, the same performance arm that is behind Toyota’s motorsport endeavors.

The TRD Off-Road edition features a multi-terrain system, what permits the driver to select different modes to handle a variety of terrain to include sand, mud or loose rock. Wheel spin is accordingly regulated, adjusting throttle and brake pressure to enhance terrain traction.

2016 Toyota Tacoma

The interior of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma.

Related 2015 Detroit Auto Show Articles

Highlights of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show: Media Day 2, Part 2

Highlights of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show: Media Day 2, Part 1

Highlights of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show: Media Day 1, Part 1

Filed Under: Auto Shows Tagged With: ACURA NSX, DETROIT, EcoBoost, FORD GT, FORD SVT RAPTOR, hybrid, NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW, SUPERCAR, TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, Toyota Tacoma

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